The history of Donegal and the Northwest includes the arrival of the Vikings, the rise and fall of powerful Gaelic chieftains, the Ulster Plantation, the War of Independence, the Northern Ireland Troubles and the recent economic boom, known as The Celtic Tiger.
Many of the guided historic walks we recommend are within a short drive of Harvey’s Point and some are even on our own doorstep.
Donegal Town was once the seat of the famous O’Donnell chieftains of Donegal. In 1612, the new English lord, Sir Basil Brooke, received a royal charter to re-build the town and castle. Its Gaelic name is Dún na nGall of ‘Fort of the Foreigners’, a reference to its Viking origins. Points of interest along the local heritage trail include the old famine graveyard, Magees shop and hand loom demonstration, The Railway Heritage Museum and the ruins of the Old Abbey on the quay. At the Tourist Information Office, you can get a good publication “Donegal Town”, which gives more information about the town’s colourful past and the different landmarks.
Distance: 2km
Walking Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Route Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Town paths, (wear a comfortable pair of shoes)
For further info contact Donegal Town Tourist Office: +353 74 9721148
To book a guided tour: +353 87 9213200 or journeyinwonder@gmail.com
The tour includes light-hearted and fascinating stories and local history connected to the Lough Eske area such as O’Donnell’s medieval prison island, ‘The Lough Eske Monster’, ancient outlaws, famous playwrights and poets, Lough Eske Castle and the Famine Pot.
Start/Finish Point: Harvey’s Point Hotel
Distance: 5km
Walking Time: 2 to 2.5 hours
Route Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Quiet country roads
To book a guided tour: +353 87 9213200 or journeyinwonder@gmail.com
In the shadow of Carnaween Magic Mountain, lies the ancient site of Diseart. The tour includes fascinating local ghost stories, customs, folklore and history associated with this sacred site which served as a pre-Christian and Christian burial site, early Christian hermitage, local pilgrimage route, place of refuge and worship during the Cromwellian Wars and Penal Law Times. Diseart is a scenic 25 minutes’ drive from Harvey’s Point via Donegal Town.
Start/Finish Point: Tymeen Park (Letterbarra Football Pitch).
Distance: 3km
Walking Time: 1 to 1.5 hours
Route Difficulty: Easy
Terrain: Quiet country lanes, tracks, grassy paths (walking boots still advised)
To book a guided tour: +353 87 9213200 or journeyinwonder@gmail.com
Ballyshannon is one of Ireland’s oldest towns and retains a sense of historic grandeur despite the fact that its heyday was back in the 18th and 19th century when it boasted a prosperous trading port and bustling commercial centre. Points of interest include an 18th century British military barracks, The Famine Workhouse and Inis Saimer Island.
For further info contact Donegal Town Tourist Office: +353 74 9721148
The City of Derry, built on the banks of the broad River Foyle, is one of the longest inhabited places in Ireland. It is the only city on the island of Ireland, North or South, to have retained its ancient walls and fortified gates, built back in the early 17th century. Derrywalls.com is a tourist guiding company providing walking tours of the 17th-century city and information on the infamous Battle of the Bogside.
To book your guided tour, contact
+44 28 7134 7176 or
tonyhenderson@derrywalls.com
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