Ulster

Region · 🇮🇪 Ireland

Population 161,137

Area 8,051 km²

Time zone Europe/Dublin

Official website www.donegal.ie

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Featured Lists

Becky McReynolds / CC BY-SA 4.0

Ulster's Essential Landmarks

Explore the rugged landscapes and architectural heritage of County Donegal in Ulster. This collection features the northernmost point of mainland Ireland at Malin Head and the prehistoric Grianan of Aileach ringfort. Discover medieval strongholds like Donegal and Doe Castles, the 19th-century Scottish baronial Glenveagh Castle, and military sites including Fort Dunree. Natural landmarks range from the 751-metre peak of Errigal and the cliffs of Horn Head to the Bronze Age Beltany Stone Circle.

14 places

Takeshi316 / Public domain

Ireland's Hidden Gems

This collection features significant historical and natural sites across the Inishowen Peninsula and County Donegal. It includes the Grianan of Aileach, a stone hillfort dating back to the 6th century, and Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point. The list also covers the 40-foot Glenevin Waterfall, the secluded Boyeeghter Bay—commonly called Murder Hole Beach—and Fort Dunree, a coastal defense fortification overlooking Lough Swilly that now houses a military museum.

5 places

David Ayrton / CC BY-SA 2.0

Lakes and Waterfalls

This collection highlights the diverse aquatic landscapes of the Ulster region, ranging from the expansive 741-hectare Lough Ramor to the intricate, island-dotted waters of Lough Oughter. The list includes the 40-foot Glenevin Waterfall on the Inishowen Peninsula and the mountain-fringed Lough Eske. Many of these freshwater bodies, such as Lough Gowna and Lough Sillan, serve as key segments of the River Erne system, providing important habitats for local wildlife and sites for angling.

20 places

Alistair Cunningham / CC BY 3.0

Castles and Ruins of Ireland

This collection spans thousands of years of Irish history across the northern counties of Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan. It features Iron Age hillforts like Grianan of Aileach, medieval strongholds such as the 15th-century Donegal Castle and Doe Castle, and Neolithic megaliths including the Beltany Stone Circle and Kilclooney More portal tombs. These sites offer a direct look at the architectural evolution of the region, from prehistoric ritual landscapes to the defensive fortifications of the Gaelic clans and Anglo-Norman settlers.

15 places

Egardiner0 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ireland's Religious Heritage

This collection spans centuries of Irish spiritual history across the northern counties of Ulster. It includes the ancient pilgrimage site of Lough Derg, the 6th-century monastic ruins of Drumlane Abbey featuring a unique round tower, and grand 19th-century Neo-Gothic structures like Letterkenny’s Cathedral of St. Eunan. From the Roman Catholic cathedrals of Cavan and Monaghan to historic Methodist churches and modern circular architectural landmarks, these sites illustrate the diverse ecclesiastical heritage and enduring traditions of the region.

20 places

Patrick Mackie / CC BY-SA 2.0

Beautiful Sandy Beaches

This collection highlights the rugged coastline of County Donegal, featuring diverse coastal landscapes from the towering sand dunes of Five Finger Strand to the secluded coves of Tremone Bay. Many of these locations, such as Portsalon and Fintra, hold Blue Flag status for water quality and safety. The list includes historically significant sites like Kinnagoe Bay, the resting place of a 1588 Spanish Armada shipwreck, and remote destinations like Murder Hole Beach, which is accessible via a coastal hike and known for its dramatic cliffs and sea caves.

10 places

Chmee2 / CC BY-SA 3.0

Ireland's Best Viewpoints

This collection highlights the dramatic coastal and mountain scenery of County Donegal along the Wild Atlantic Way. It features the island’s northernmost point at Malin Head, the 19th-century Fanad Head Lighthouse, and the quartzite peak of Errigal. The list covers significant geological formations like the Pollet Great Arch and the steep mountain pass of Mamore Gap, offering expansive vistas of the Atlantic Ocean, Lough Swilly, and the rugged Inishowen Peninsula.

14 places

Ulster — Map

Practical information

Currency: Euro EUR € · Card payments · Widely accepted
Emergency numbers: 112
Electricity: Type G
230 V · 50 Hz

Languages: English, Irish
Tap water: Safe to drink
Driving side: Left
Calling code: +353

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Ulster