It may not be the land of sweltering hot skies and swaying palm trees but it sure is the land of breathtaking scenery and one heck of a pint of Guinness. Yes you’ve guessed it; it’s the glowing green country of Ireland.
Forget about the rain and delve into the wonders this beautiful place has to offer- rolling hills, secluded beaches and delicious food delights.
Escape to the county of Donegal and clamber through the rugged landscape as you explore the historical republic border and find yourself blissfully secluded in this captivating county. The stark beauty of Donegal is by no means boring, so explore and lose yourself in this wild traditional Irish countryside.
What to do:
Start by discovering the history of Donegal. Travel up the highest northern point of Ireland to Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula and see the stark cliff top tower that was built in 1805. It is surrounded by concrete huts used in WWII as look out posts. Stand on the cliff edge and view the miles of natural beauty from the peak; if you’re lucky you may even see a dolphin or whale dip in and out of the Atlantic Ocean.
Next stop; Doagh Famine Village, where you’ll travel back in time as you explore life in Ireland from the 1840s until present day. Go inside the thatch roof dwellings and see the history of Irish life throughout the Famine.
All ‘history-ed’ out? Relax and dip a toe in the freezing Atlantic waters. The beautiful beaches around Donegal with their soft white sands would give any Hawaiian beach a run for its money. Shame about the weather though! Forget the dull skies and wade into the waters for a spot of surfing. Book your session with the Inishowen Surf School and hit those waves but if you can’t face the cold then why not try a spot of yoga with one of their special packages.
Where to stay:
To experience luxury Donegal, snuggle up in a traditional country house hotel. Stay at the 4* hotel The Red Door situated between Derry and Buncrana. Built in 1789 this cosy house hotel merges contemporary luxury and style with beautiful landscape surroundings. With lodgers including the likes of Seamus Heaney in the 1980’s, this stay will be like no other. With views looking over Lough Swilly, choose your pick of four different individually designed rooms with en-suites. The sumptuously romantic rooms are ideal for a romantic getaway and the hotel is ideal for just two of you with their afternoon tea. Treat yourself to mouth-watering homemade truffles, scones and cupcakes and when the days get chilly you can enjoy all of this by the roaring fire. Visit the website now here and book your stay at this tranquil traditionally luxurious country house hotel.
Where to eat:
Dine at the waterfront treasure known as The Beach House restaurant, situated on the sandy banks of Lough Swilly. Gaze into the glistening sea as you munch on the freshest local Irish food. Try the trio of Inishowen pork: an array of succulent meat poised on a bed of creamy mash potato and juicy apple jus. For a sweet heavenly bite, opt for the creamy lemon meringue pie on the early bird menu available until 6.45pm.
What to wear:
Walking is going to be your main activity whilst visiting this picturesque region so practicality is a must. Remember waterproof material for those Irish down pours! Parkas are a definite but fur is a no-go in the rain so try this Barbour waterproof jacket for £219. The equestrian style and functionality is perfect for the weather and the fleece lining will block out the cold coastal winds.
Stick to trusty garments such as jeans; these Topshop MOM jeans for £40 are a great way to add style and structure to your simple walking attire and the high-waisted style is even better when you’re trying to hide the fact you’ve had one to many pints of Guinness!
With the traditional cold windy Irish weather a jumper is a necessity. This River Island purple rose jumper for £38 will add a subtle pop of colour to the green scenery and will look beautiful against the heather covered fields.
Finish your country look off with a pair of sturdy shoes ideal for trekking through the rugged fields. Dr. Martens are a trusty shoe companion; their durability is ideal for the landscape conditions and will stop your feet from getting sore and drenched. Try these Chelsea style pair in burgundy leather from Office for £110 and hike across the countryside in style.
Thanks for the great mention for The Red Door Country House. There’s always a welcome at our award winning restaurant and B&B. http://thereddoor.ie/