Letterkenny Accommodation - Inishowen 100

The "Inishowen 100"  is one of Ireland's most scenic drives.  Its a 100-mile (160km) circular route around the Inishowen Peninsula in North East Donegal. Bounded on three sides by water, the peninsula is almost triangular in shape, between Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly and bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the north. With splendid coastal scenery plus a good collection of ancient forts and monuments, traditional craft centres, and a dozen or so friendly villages, many people consider Inishowen to be a miniature Donegal. Scenic highlights include the  breathtaking Gap of Mamore, a scenic roadway that rises to a height of 800 feet above sea level before following a twisting corkscrew descent with panoramic views of the entire northern coastline; Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point; and Fort Dunree  -  a magnificent viewing outpost. 

The Route

The Inishowen 100 officially starts in Bridgend on the Inishowen Peninsula.   The scenic drive first takes you past Inch Island and Fahan to Buncrana Town on the shores of Lough Swilly. This town has a 5km long  beach and is an popular holiday resort.  The remnants of Buncrana castle and O’Doherty Castle are worth a visit. On leaving Buncrana take the R238 road and turn left, following the signs for Inishowen 100 and Tullyarvan Mill. This mill has an interpretative centre tracing  over 250 years of textile production in the Buncrana area.

From here go north turning left for  the renowned Mamore Gap, which offers breathtaking views of the northerly coastline. At the bottom of the gap, keep left for the Inishowen drive through the village of Dunaff. Continue through Clonmany and Ballyfiffin, where you will find good beaches, sea angling and superb golf.

Continue on for Carndonagh where there are several ancient monuments. Drive on the R238 to Malin, a former National Tidy Town winner, where a 10 arch stone bridge crosses Trawbreaga Bay. Follow the Inishowen 100 signs for Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point, with a wild sea ravaged coast and stunning seascapes.

Continue around Malin Head, past the meteorological station. Wee House of Malin is signposted left and is a short detour to a hermit’s rock cell cut into a cliff, beside a cottage ruin.

Return to the Inishowen 100 drive, towards Culdaff, a resort village. Follow the Inishowen 100 sign from Culdaff, along a narrow road with splendid views. Continue to  the fishing village of Greencastle, turning left at the T- junction, and on to Moville. From Moville the R328 brings you to Redcastle - along the shores of Lough Foyle. As you continue driving south to Muff you will see Derry City in the distance. Take the R239, following the Burnfoot and Bridgend signs. At Burnfoot, return to Letterkenny.

 

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