County Donegal is located on the Northern coast of Ireland. This part of Ireland has two chains of low mountains: Derryveagh Mountains and Bluestack Mountains and a large number of islands, but only two of them are populated: Arranmore and Tory Island. County Donegal is a popular travelling destination for many tourists, mainly for its marvellous landscapes, warm and welcoming people and delicious comfort food you will simply fall in love with.
The cuisine has a strong Irish heritage, but it also gained a Scottish influence over the years, and the result is marvelous. The most common ingredients, such as bread, potatoes and cabbage are found in the majority of the dishes, and the Irish do their best to use them properly and create gastronomic works of art. The traditional breakfast is called the Ulster Fry, made with bread, sausages, bacon, tomatoes and fried egg, a truly great boost of energy in the morning that will keep your tummy satisfied until lunch.
Other local specialities popular both in restaurants and households are champ (mashed potatoes with butter and fried spring onions), Irish stew (meat, potatoes, carrots and onions), Dulse (seaweed snack). Try the potato bread farl, potted herring, Guinness pie, butcher’s sausages, pasties (made from sausage meat, onions and mashed potatoes) and boxty (a starchy potato cake). The typical lunch is quite light, as it’s composed of warm soup, chicken or beef meat and vegetables. Every meal is accompanied by soda bread, made from soda and buttermilk. Eating out is a feast in every possible way and complete food experience for foodies everywhere, but mostly for seafood lovers. Book a table at some of these next places and live a truly Irish experience: The Peak Restaurant, The Lemon Tree, Inish Fusion, The Butterrock, The Olde Glen Bar. Also, check out Market House Restaurant, The Red Door Country House, Drift Inn, Arena 7, The Harbour Restaurant and Harvey’s Point.
You work hard all year, plan a perfect holiday and expect it to be exactly as you imagined it. No need to worry. All you have to do is leave your cares at home, pack up an open mind and heart with your clothes and let the Irish land seduce you. There are over 800 to stay across County Donegal. Here are some of the best: Harvey’s Point, Beach Hotel, Caisleain Oir Hotel, Villa Rose Hotel, Lough Eske Hotel, Donegal Manor, Inishowen Lodge, Anseo B&B, On the Rocks B&B. Also, consider The Washington House B&B, The Arches Country House, Lisdanar House, Sea Vista and Mount Royd Country Home. Many of these facilities received the Travelers’ Choice award in 2015.
Regarding the main tourist attractions, you will soon find out that there are many hidden gems, and it will take more than just one trip to see them all. Take a tour of the castles; one is more beautiful than the next one. They are marvelous architectural works of art, imposing and heart melting at the same time: Glenveagh Castle, Glenveagh National Park, Donegal Castle, Donegal Castle and O’Doherty’s Keep & Buncrana Castle. Ireland is famous for its breathtaking landscapes. They simply look like pictures you set as your desktop background on your computer. You can’t possibly miss seeing the park and natural protected areas: Slieve League, Glenevin Waterfall, Swan Park, Silver Strand Beach, Mount Errigal, Narin Beach, Buncrana Beach and Assaranca Waterfall. Or maybe a boat tour will awaken your interest:
Tory Island and Inishtrahull Island are incredible jewels of nature, and you mustn't miss them. Last, but surely not least, here is a list of the museums you should consider visiting: Glabe House and Gallery, Fort Dunree Military Museum. Don’t miss The Workhouse, Ardara Heritage Centre and Inishowen Maritime Museum & Planetarium.
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