Main Attractions
Donegal's historical and natural attractions, the North West Trail is truly blessed with representations of Irish culture and life all along the route. The visitor will be able to trace the activities of people throughout the history of the island from those better known to celebrations of the lesser known. Interesting early Irish people such as the Celtic kings who held sway from the court at the Hill of Tara in county Meath. Still further back and the very first settlers in Ireland and their way of life, can be seen at the Ulster History Park in Omagh.
Ireland's natural beauty at its best can be seen at Glenveagh National Park, where 16000 hectares of mountains, lakes and glens offer all that has become synonymous with the Irish landscape.
With only a fraction of what awaits the visitor along the North West Trail, in terms of its attractions, use the search menus below to reveal the full extent of each areas' attractions.
Beltany Stone Circle
within 5km of the North West Trail
Beltany Stone Circle, 2 miles south of Raphoe recalls the Celtic springtime festival of Beltane (the ancient equivalent of May Day), traditionally associated with the lighting of hill-top fires to regenerate the sun. The wreckage of great stones on this well chosen site belong to an earlier period than the Celtic Iron Age.
Cavanacor Gallery
within 5km of the North West Trail
Cavanacor Gallery is located in the grounds of Cavanacor House, a seventeenth century house with considerable history. Established in 1999 as a professional venue for exhibiting emerging and established national and international artistsCavanacor Gallery has since achieved a significant reputation nationally.
Donegal Bay Waterbus
within 5km of the North West Trail
Take a one and a half hour cruise aboard a luxurious 64-seater cruiser taking in one of the most historical and scenic areas of Ireland.
Donegal Castle
On the North West Trail
Built by the O'Donnell chieftains in the 15th century on the River Eske , Donegal Castle or O'Donnell's Castle is situated in the centre of Donegal Town.
Donegal Craft Village
within 5km of the North West Trail
Donegal Craft Village is situated just outside the historic town Donegal on the road to Ballyshannon and Sligo. Established in 1985 the village has become a showcase for contemporary arts and crafts on the county.
Donegal Railway Heritage Museum
On the North West Trail
Visit the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre and find out just what it was like to travel on the narrow gauge railways of County Donegal. Stretching from Derry and Strabane to Glenties and Ballyshannon, the County Donegal Railway provided the essential transport for farmers and fishermen, businessmen and builder's housewives and schoolchildren.
Let the Dance Begin Millenium Sculpture
on the North West Trail
Music and dance are great unifying and highly popular art forms throughout the locality and constitute the core theme interpreted by their creator Maurice Harron in the millenium sculpture 'Let the Dance Begin'.
Lifford Old Courthouse Visitor Centre
on the North West Trail
The Old Courthouse in Lifford, Co. Donegal is one of the finest examples of a purpose built courthouse in Ireland. The Courthouse has a long history dating back to 1743 when the Grand Jury approached the architect Michael Priestley to draw up plans for a Courthouse to be built in Lifford, the administrative capital of Donegal.
Oakfield Park Gardens
within 5km of the North West Trail
Winner of Irish Garden Magazine Best Garden for 2006, Oakfield Park Gardens in Raphoe are of great significance to Donegal's horticultural history. One hundred acres of formal parkland & woodland provide a variety of scenic walk, a walled garden & kitchen garden, flower meadows, lakes, a nature reserve & garden railway surround the 18th century house
Ros Ban Gardens
within 5km of the North West Trail
Ros Ban Garden in Raphoe is a garden given over to wildlife friendly activities featuring displays of medicinal plants and wildlife posters. Good walking shoes are recommended, due to a pond, a stream and poisonous plants children should be supervised at all times.
Ballroom of Romance
within 5km of the North West Trail
The Ballroom of Romance is the original and only genuine Ballroom of Romance, not only in Ireland but also in the world attracting crowds to variety performances and showbands from across Ireland.
Creevlea Friary
on the North West Trail
The ruins of Creevlea Abbey are situated just behind the village of Dromahair which translates as the “Ridge of the two demons”. Built in 1508, the Friary's well preserved ruins stand in a romantic setting in quiet surroundings on the banks of the Bonet River at its entry point to Lough Gill.
Florence Court
on the North West Trail
Florence Court is a splendid example of an 18th century Irish country house and demesne, enjoying a spectacular setting amongst the mountains and forests of west Fermanagh with breathtaking views to Benaughlin and the Cuilcagh Mountains.
Hamilton's Castle, Manorhamilton
within 5km of the North West Trail
Manorhamilton Castle was built as a baronial mansion during the plantation of Leitrim by Sir Frederick Hamilton in 1634.
Marble Arch Caves European Geopark
on the North West Trail
Host to one of Europe's finest show caves, the Marble Arch Caves allow visitors to explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls and lofty chambers.
Parke's Castle
within 10km
Parke’s Castle is a 17th Century fortified manor house with a stone bawne enclosure on the north side of the Lough Gill Drive, on the county Leitrim side of the border
Assaroe Abbey
on the North West Trail
Assaroe abbey was founded by Flaherty O'Muldory, Lord of Cenel Conaill for the Cistercians in 1184. A small community of monks came from Boyle and selected the present site from the extensive lands granted by O'Muldory. This abbey soon became famous as a seat of learning.
Four Masters Monument
within 5km of the North West Trail
The Four Masters are commemorated in Donegal town by a 25ft monument of local stone. This monument celebrates the names of the Four Masters who began work on the Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland in the early 1600's.
Franciscan Friary, Rossnowlagh
within 5km of the North West Trail
The Franciscan Friary at Rossnowlagh is a place of hospitality and welcome for all who seek peace and reconciliation and welcomes people to prayer.
Glencar Waterfall
within 5km of the North West Trail
Glencar Waterfall is situated 11km west of Manorhamilton and served as an inspiration to native Sligo poet Willam Butler Yeats.
Lissadell House
within 2km of the North West Trail
Lissadell House and Gardens are located 7km north of Sligo Town.The House and Gardens are situated on the Atlantic coast, and are surrounded by over 400 acres of land, including formal gardens, and wild woodland.
Queen Maeve's Grave
within 10km of the North West Trail
High above Sligo Town stands the hill of Knocknarea which commands a broad view of the environs and can be seen from very far away, thus the grave site was constructed as a reminder of Queen Maeve's greatness.
Rossnowlagh Beach
on the North West Trail
The golden sands of Rossnowlagh are often referred to as 'The Heavenly Cove' and are regarded by many as the most scenic and dramatic beach in the whole of the North West.
Sligo Abbey
on the North West Trail
Built by Maurice Fitzgerald for the Dominicans in 1252, Sligo Abbey survives from medieval days.
Yeats' Grave Round Tower and High Cross
within 1km of the NW Trail
Drumcliffe churchyard, nestled under Benbulben mountain is the final resting place of Irish poet W.B.Yeats.
Castle Coole
within 5km of the North West Trail
The National Trust property at Castle Coole is one of the finest neo-classical houses in Ireland. Castle Coole was designed by James Wyatt for the 1st Earl of Belmore and completed in 1798.
Devenish Island
within 5km
Devenish Island contains the substantial remains of Lough Erne's most important island monastery. Visitors can climb the islands most striking feature, the perfect round tower, which is 30 metres tall.
Dun Uladh Cultural Heritage Centre
within 2km of the North West Trail
Dun Uladh known as the 'Fort Of Ulster' is the provincial headquarters of Comhaltas Ceoltori Eireann, an organisation founded in 1951 for the purpose of fostering and promoting all aspects of Irish traditional culture.
Ecclesville Equestrian Centre
within 2km of the North West Trail
The Ecclesville Equestrian Centre is situated on 289 square acres of land. Major international, national and regional horse shows are held at the centre where an indoor and outdoor arena may be used for exhibitions, shows or training.
Enniskillen Castle Museum
on the North West Trail
Enniskillen Castle, situated beside the River Erne was built almost 600 years ago by Gaelic Maguires. Guarding one of the few passes into Ulster, it was strategically important throughout its history.
Gortin Glen Forest Park
within 5km of the North West Trail
Gortin Glen Forest Park is situated six miles north of Omagh at the western gateway to the Sperrin mountains.
Gray Printers Museum
On the North West Trail
Nestling behind a unique Georgian façade on Strabane's Main Street this remarkable National Trust property now houses two excellent visitor facilities- one operated by the National Trust itself, the other operated by Strabane District Council. The museum brings local history to life and features rotating internal and national touring exhibitions along with events and displays of local arts and crafts.
Harry Avery O'Neill's Castle
within 5km
The majestic ruins of Harry Avery's Castle, situated 1 km from Newtownstewart are believed to date from either the 14th or 15th century. The stone castle was named after and was possibly built by Harry Aimbreidh O'Neill, a local Gaelic Chief celebrated for his justice, nobility and hospitality. The former stronghold of the O'Neill clan commands a panoramic view over the Mourne Valley.
Stewart Castle
on the North West Trail
Stewart Castle in Newtownstewart was built in 1619 by Sir Robert Newcomen and is a fine example of a plantation building.
The Woodrow Wilson Ancestral Home
within 5km of the North West Trail
The Wilson Ancestral Home provides an opportunity to take a step back in time and enter the world of the "White House". Guided tours during the months of July & August give an insight into the history behind the area's rich Ulster American connections and how the fate of the 28th presidency of the United States was to lie in the hands of local man James Wilson.
Ulster American Folk Park
on the North West Trail
The Ulster American Folk Park includes an open-air museum dedicated to the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th & 19th centuries. It provides visitors with a "living history" experience with costumed demonstrators carrying out their everyday tasks in the traditional manner in authentically furnished Old and New World buildings.
Media Centre & Gallery
Here you can find our various media and photo gallery section.
View All Videos >>
Downloads Section
Visit our downloads section at the link below.
View All Videos >>
