Guidebook for local attractions and good food!
Sightseeing
Glenveagh national park is stunning. It is approx 4km walk/cycle between the car park and the castle or you can take the bus. At the castle, experience the tasty tea rooms with home baking and take a tour of the house and gardens.
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Glenveagh National Park Visitor Center
Glenveagh national park is stunning. It is approx 4km walk/cycle between the car park and the castle or you can take the bus. At the castle, experience the tasty tea rooms with home baking and take a tour of the house and gardens.
Slieve League cliffs are the tallest cliffs in Europe. Make this a day trip from Lake View Retreat (it will take over an hour to get there but it is worth the trip).
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Slieve League
Slieve League cliffs are the tallest cliffs in Europe. Make this a day trip from Lake View Retreat (it will take over an hour to get there but it is worth the trip).
This pony trekking is a great activity for kids and adults alike.
They cater for beginners and experienced riders and they do guided treks of the beautiful beach in Dunfanaghy. Call 0749100980 to book.
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Dunfanaghy Stables Ltd
This pony trekking is a great activity for kids and adults alike.
They cater for beginners and experienced riders and they do guided treks of the beautiful beach in Dunfanaghy. Call 0749100980 to book.
Dunlewey is just beyond Errigal mountain and is an area of outstanding beauty. It is approximately 20 minutes drive from Lake View Retreat. There is a visitor centre (www.dunleweycentre.com) where there is a kids play area, cafe, boat ride and nearby pony trekking facility. There is also Errigal View Pet Zoo which is located behind An Chúirt hotel. See https://www.errigalviewpetzoo.com/ for details.
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Dunlewey
Dunlewey is just beyond Errigal mountain and is an area of outstanding beauty. It is approximately 20 minutes drive from Lake View Retreat. There is a visitor centre (www.dunleweycentre.com) where there is a kids play area, cafe, boat ride and nearby pony trekking facility. There is also Errigal View Pet Zoo which is located behind An Chúirt hotel. See https://www.errigalviewpetzoo.com/ for details.
Climb Errigal Mountain! It is approximately 20 minute drive from Lake View Retreat
The route up Errigal begins at the carpark on the road from Gweedore to Letterkenny (R251). The opening stretch of his route rises over some fairly heavy and boggy ground. Follow alongside the stream up towards a clearly visible track rising through the white silvery scree on the lower slopes of the mountain.
Follow this track up the mountain as far as the summit. At the summit you will find two peaks joined by a narrow path, while the first of these is the highest & the true summit, it's customary to make the short (30 – 40 meter) crossing to the second peak.
Take time to enjoy breathtaking views of the Derryveagh Mountains and Donegal countryside as well as views of the Islands and spectacular coastline.
The return leg takes about 40 minutes, but be careful on the descent as the scree can be quite loose underfoot.
Total walking time: give yourself 2-2.5 hrs.
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Errigal Mountain
Climb Errigal Mountain! It is approximately 20 minute drive from Lake View Retreat
The route up Errigal begins at the carpark on the road from Gweedore to Letterkenny (R251). The opening stretch of his route rises over some fairly heavy and boggy ground. Follow alongside the stream up towards a clearly visible track rising through the white silvery scree on the lower slopes of the mountain.
Follow this track up the mountain as far as the summit. At the summit you will find two peaks joined by a narrow path, while the first of these is the highest & the true summit, it's customary to make the short (30 – 40 meter) crossing to the second peak.
Take time to enjoy breathtaking views of the Derryveagh Mountains and Donegal countryside as well as views of the Islands and spectacular coastline.
The return leg takes about 40 minutes, but be careful on the descent as the scree can be quite loose underfoot.
Total walking time: give yourself 2-2.5 hrs.
Climb Muckish Mountain! It is approximately 20 minute drive from Lake View Retreat.
Muckish is 666 mts above sea level with 360* views, it is known as one of the seven sisters and the 1st mountain to tick off your sheet when you are doing the Glover Challenge.
There are two main routes up to the summit, one is from the grotto on the Falcarragh side at a place called Gleannaneor, which is not far from the Bridge of Tears, which was the turning point for families as the bade farewell to their children as they emigrated from this part of the North West of Donegal. The other main route is called the Miners Path, which was made and used by the miners as they worked on this famous Mountain.
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Muckish
Climb Muckish Mountain! It is approximately 20 minute drive from Lake View Retreat.
Muckish is 666 mts above sea level with 360* views, it is known as one of the seven sisters and the 1st mountain to tick off your sheet when you are doing the Glover Challenge.
There are two main routes up to the summit, one is from the grotto on the Falcarragh side at a place called Gleannaneor, which is not far from the Bridge of Tears, which was the turning point for families as the bade farewell to their children as they emigrated from this part of the North West of Donegal. The other main route is called the Miners Path, which was made and used by the miners as they worked on this famous Mountain.
Marble Hill is our favourite beach. It is past Creeslough. We often stop off in the Wild Atlantic Camp in Creeslough to let the kids play and get a snack/pancakes in the Happy Camper cafe there on the way or way back from Marble Hill. It is a great beach for walks, surfing, canoeing etc. Grab a coffee in "the Shack" at the beach - it is great coffee with a view!
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Marble Hill
Marble Hill is our favourite beach. It is past Creeslough. We often stop off in the Wild Atlantic Camp in Creeslough to let the kids play and get a snack/pancakes in the Happy Camper cafe there on the way or way back from Marble Hill. It is a great beach for walks, surfing, canoeing etc. Grab a coffee in "the Shack" at the beach - it is great coffee with a view!
Churchill is the nearest village to Lake View Retreat. Here you will find a brand new state of the art playground and picnic area. There are 2 great pubs and a vintage tea room called Mary Alice's . Check it out!
Church Hill
Churchill is the nearest village to Lake View Retreat. Here you will find a brand new state of the art playground and picnic area. There are 2 great pubs and a vintage tea room called Mary Alice's . Check it out!
Portsalon
Check out the beaches of Portsalon / Kinnegar / Rathmullen.
Fanad Head Lighthouse is approx 30 - 40 minutes from Lake View Retreat. It is well worth a visit with stunning views.
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Fanad Head Lighthouse Vistors Centre and Car Park
Fanad Head Lighthouse is approx 30 - 40 minutes from Lake View Retreat. It is well worth a visit with stunning views.
Horn Head
Walk around Horn Head, Dunfanaghy. This is Donegal at its finest!
Pub
This is our favourite place to eat! Have a few drinks in the old style pub and experience the delicious seafood menu. Take the road over Lough Salt to get there and you will see stunning views of the area on the way.
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The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box
This is our favourite place to eat! Have a few drinks in the old style pub and experience the delicious seafood menu. Take the road over Lough Salt to get there and you will see stunning views of the area on the way.
This is a great destination for kids. It has a playground with zip line and child friendly cafe which is renowned for its pancakes called The Happy Camper. It is on the way to Marble Hill beach and we often stop here on the way or way back from Marble Hill.
Wild Atlantic Camp
Main StreetThis is a great destination for kids. It has a playground with zip line and child friendly cafe which is renowned for its pancakes called The Happy Camper. It is on the way to Marble Hill beach and we often stop here on the way or way back from Marble Hill.
The best coffee in the North West....
This is a cafe in Letterkenny town and also a deli shop for coffee beans, cheese, wine, beer and local Donegal delicacies. If you like any of the above, this is a must visit!
The Counter Deli
Canal RoadThe best coffee in the North West....
This is a cafe in Letterkenny town and also a deli shop for coffee beans, cheese, wine, beer and local Donegal delicacies. If you like any of the above, this is a must visit!
Next door to the Harbour Bar, this is an all-in destination for good food, drink and beautiful views of the ocean.
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Fisk Seafood Bar Downings
Next door to the Harbour Bar, this is an all-in destination for good food, drink and beautiful views of the ocean.
We love this place! It is slightly off the beaten track, near Downings. The fish & chips are THE BEST! There is a small kids play area outside to entertain the kids while you order etc. It is in a very remote place hence very safe and scenic.
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The Singing Pub
We love this place! It is slightly off the beaten track, near Downings. The fish & chips are THE BEST! There is a small kids play area outside to entertain the kids while you order etc. It is in a very remote place hence very safe and scenic.
Castle Grove Country House Hotel
Ramelton RdFancy afternoon tea in a beautiful setting? Give this place a go!
This is a little gem! Approximately 15 minute drive from Lake View Retreat, fresh food and good coffee!
Coffee Time
1 Lurgyvale CottagesThis is a little gem! Approximately 15 minute drive from Lake View Retreat, fresh food and good coffee!
The Lemon Tree Restaurant
Great restaurant in the heart of Letterkenny.
Our favourite pub in Letterkenny. There is often live music and a great atmosphere.
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McGinleys Bar
25-27 Lower Main StOur favourite pub in Letterkenny. There is often live music and a great atmosphere.
A small pub, full of character and craic on Letterkenny main street.
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The Cottage Bar
49 Upper Main StA small pub, full of character and craic on Letterkenny main street.
A local pub in Churchill (the nearest village to Lake View Retreat). Great pub food and pints! There is often live music at the weekend.
Wilkin's Bar & Lounge | Bar & Lounge in Letterkenny, Donegal
A local pub in Churchill (the nearest village to Lake View Retreat). Great pub food and pints! There is often live music at the weekend.
Nora's Bar
A great pub!
Food scene
Chilli Shaker
Pearse RoadThis is our favourite Indian / take-away in Letterkenny.