Carndonagh, Donegal, Ireland
At Whispering Willows you have real country living, peace and tranquillity at all times of the year. In spring and summer, you are surrounded by beautiful rose bushes, flower pots, butterflies and birds singing in the meadows around you. Winter guests don’t miss out either with views of Slieve Snaght towering over the countryside with its white tip showing most of the winter.
The characterful Carndonagh itself or ‘Carn’ as it’s called locally is the main Market Town in Inishowen. There is a fantastic selection of shops, supermarkets, pubs, restaurants and cafes. In this convenient location you can take a leisurely walk into town or use one of the many reliable taxi companies available. Pick up supplies or enjoy a relaxing drink with the locals and experience some foot stamping traditional Irish music sessions in the many late-night live music venues.
Take a visit to one of the many stunning beaches a short drive away. The Blue flag beaches Culdaff and Stroove offer a truly comfortable experience. Five Finger's Strand in Malin is absolutely beautiful and even in cold weather you can wrap up warm and take in the world class views over Dough Island, Trawbreaga Bay & Rashenny Rock on the wind swept Wild Atlantic Way. From the cottage, you can head for Moville taking a detour to see Kinnego Bay where the Spanish Armada ship the ‘Trinidad Valencera’ sank in 1588 only to be discovered 400 years later. Around the peninsula an abundance of marine wildlife can be seen close to the shore including dolphins and basking sharks.
Hop in the car and take the scenic drive to Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point with its famous weather station and Farren’s Pub, the most northerly pub. You could pull on a pair of walking boots and have your camera primed as the northern peninsula is well known for its far reaching breath-taking views and extensive natural habitat, a perfect spot for nature lovers and for bird watching; a twitch’s paradise.
Malin town is famous for its Tidy Town awards and the second longest stone bridge in Ireland. Passing over the beautiful ten arches on your way back to Carndonagh, you can then take the road to the Isle of Doagh and the famous Doagh Famine Village where you will see the original cottages that were occupied by the same family from the 1840’s right up until 1980’s. Lunch awaits in nearby Ballyliffin in one of the four hotels or the club house at the Ballyliffin Golf Club, home of the 2018 Irish Open. This property is excellent for golfing enthusiasts with Ballyliffin, Greencastle and Lisfannan courses all close by and a short drive from Portsalon, Portrush and Portstewart.
For those looking for some adrenaline from their holiday, try your hand at some of the water-sports available, go horse riding on the beach, take a boat trip out to sea or go fishing.
For a more leisurely pursuit, revel at one of the festivals held in the area in the summer months with the Clonmany Festival being one of the biggest country music festivals in Ireland. There are also cycling events, treasure hunts, raft races and talent competitions offering entertainment for all ages.
Go on an adventure taking a day trip to the historic walled city of Derry, a European city of culture, visit the museum, take a bus tour or immerse just yourself in the "craic" with locals in traditional Irish music pubs. The towns of Buncrana and Letterkenny are close by and boast many immenities and don’t forget the chance for an unforgettable day trip to the County Antrim coastline via the Lough Foyle Ferry.
This is a really lovely property in an excellent location, the Wild Atlantic Way where foamy waves lap sandy shores is just waiting to be explored.
