Anyone been to Donegal on holiday? Just me and DH..

[Mildoom]

We have a few days off in August and have always wanted to see the Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way.. Not quite sure where to start / stay - we have a maximum of 5-6 days including travel from Gatwick.

Anywhere we must see? Top tips? We've already assumed the weather will be pretty pants, even in August, so will pack rain mac, trainers etc..

The beaches are stunning

You are correct about the weather, it is very unpredictable!

Dunfanaghy and Horn Head is my favourite. Muck & Muffins for tea & cake is a must!

Yes I second the Horn Head, Marble Hill area, or even Downings! You could also visit Glenveagh?

Kinnagoe Bay is our favourite and last year we walked on a beautiful beach near Dunfanghey I think it was called Tramore Beach?. Donegal is so beautiful and wild shame about the weather. 😀

Go to Ards. Park at the monastery and walk round the coast. It's beautiful.

Lisadell and Yeats’ grave. Might be Sligo my geography is not good. It’s on the Wild Atlantic Way though.

Slieve league cliffs near killybegs

Donegal is amazing. Its pretty far up with not great roads but worth the effort. Fabulous beaches, lovely scenery and especially lovely friendly people.

Go to Muff.

Buy some gin- Miff Liquor.

And visit the Muff Diving Club.

Love Donegal, usually stay in the Rosses (Dungloe or Annagry or anywhere in between), it's fairly central and we do day trips to (1) Malin Head, (2) Ardara, Killybegs, Glencolmcille with a boat trip to see Sliabh League Cliffs, (3) Sea Safari from Burtonport or half day island boat tour (Arranmore, Owey, Gola and Tory), (4) Glenveagh Castle and National Park, Glebe House and Gallery, Errigal Mountain and the Poisoned Glen (5) Oakfield Park and Raphoe Donkey Sanctuary. Donegal has 13 blue flag beaches, plenty of fishing - sea and lake, hikes, hillwalking, kayaking, sea stack climbs.

I’ve been to Muff!
was a brief stay though.

It’s never long enough.

Oh wow! I lost track of my own thread and missed all the replies! Thanks so much everyone, you’ve given me so many places to look up! (Also, the muff diving😅🤣)

You will love it, as others say, stunning scenery. Although weather will probably be pretty horrible. Bring more socks than you think you'll need, it will be damp.

1. Ards. Stunning place, endless beautiful beaches and hillside walks. Put Ards Friary into your satnav as I think you may have to pay for the other entrance via forest. When you arrive, go left (if looking at sea). You may even see some seals and dolphins if you are lucky.
2. Glenveagh national park worth a shout, you can hire bikes to take you from the visitor centre into the hills.
3. Depending on mobility and weather, you could climb mount Errigal. View at the top is incredible. It's close by to Poison Glen ruins so kill two birds with one stone. Near to these two is a Glentornan ghost village, a beautiful little abandoned village with intact ruins. There is also a stunning waterfall you could swim in, but you have to walk through the river to access it, so depends how adventurous you are feeling. You'd need to ask a local at the ghost village too, hard to explain how to reach it.
4. Fanad lighthouse, worth seeing. Tours available and a coffeeshop nearby. Pretty sea stacks nearby, and Portsalon too, which has a pier etc. Possibly consider sea kayaking if you are physically able, Google Eco Atlantic Adventures. They offer SUP and kayaking etc in Donegal. Highly recommended team.
5. Downings is popular holiday area, lots of pubs and tourists in good weather. The Singing Pub is close by, so you could have a drive on the Wild Atlantic Way and have food there. It's a really traditional thatched building with nice food.
6. Tory Island or Arranmore Island would be worth a drive. Multiple ferries each day and something different. Both desolate 'father ted' type locations. Barren and beautiful.
7. If you can get a booking, dinner at Old Glen Bar and Restaurant. Fairly pricey tasting menu but you'll have one of the best meals of your life there.

People are great, weather is pants. You'll have a fantastic time.