Inishowen Peninsula Ireland

Day 66/ Ireland 1

Travelled:130km Wild Atlantic Way (WAW), Inishowen Peninsula 100 scenic route,Donegal

Stay:Ballycramsy - picnic area N55.3083 W7.3104

Visited: Grianan of Aileach, Greencastle, Stroove, Culdaff Bay, Malin Head

After a restless night we woke up early, had our coffee and we’re on the road out of Lodonderry and across the border into Ireland by 7:30am. As per most border crossings there were plenty of service stations and the consensus was that fuel is cheaper in Ireland! Pity we just filled up. (£1.17 vs £1.26). 

Our destination was to a service station s little further on near Burt that sold LPG as we had runout yesterday (luckily we have a french gas bottle as back up). We were also given permission to use their toilet to empty ours. Our next stop was Grianan of Aileach. By the time we finished our breakfast, the gates had been opened and we drove up the hill to 800feet and parked up to some wonderful views. The fort was built in 1870 on top of an original 1700BC ring fort. 

After enjoying the panoramic vistas we made our way back down the hill and towards the East side of the Inishowen Peninsula 100 scenic drive which is also part of the Wild Atlantic Way.

 We followed the coast and stopped at the port town of Greencastle. As we walked through the port there was plenty of action going on with fishing vessels having just come back and unloading there catch. Fish are the biggest concern with crabs/lobster, oyster and prawns also very popular. 

We chatted to a french couple from Carcassonne who are on their fifth journey back to Ireland and obviously love it. As we are travelling in the same direction our paths crossed a couple more times today. A little further on we had a quick look at the lighthouse and beach in Stroove. 

We then continued on through some beautiful countryside and some amazing coastal scenery to Culdaff Bay.

 We had a bite to eat and a stroll along the beach. Then it off to Ireland’s most Northerly point, Banba’s Crown at Malin Head. 

There were plenty of people but we managed to park and head up to the tower which was built in 1805 to defend against a possible french invasion during the Napoleonic wars. Later it was used as a Lloyd’s Signal Station. It was also used during WWII as a lookout. 

We rambled down the hill to the most northerly piece of land we could safely stand on and did the necessary photos. We then ventured along a picturesque coastal cliff path to Hell’s Hole, a remarkable subterranean cavern 250feet long and 8 feet wide. 

We could see people on a bit further so we went to investigate and came across stunning coastal rock formations used in the latest Star Wars movie. 

We doubled back to Bluey and went to a lovely picnic area close by and decided to call it a day.

A few new wee friends we have joining us in our journey.