 Slieve League, Donegal - 5 Oct 2010 So, in the previous blog post I wrote about our 2018 trip to North Donegal and the Inishowen peninsula (here). It was such a memorable trip that we vowed to return….and we did…but this time exploring the South West of Donegal. It was a two night trip to celebrate my birthday at the beginning of October 2010. We travelled up from Dublin via Enniskillen (in NI) on a Monday and travelled back via Sligo on the following Wednesday and both trips were scenic and enjoyable.  The hotel we stayed in, Harvey’s Point (hence the blog title!!) is situated on a quiet country road just 6km outside Donegal Town in a really stunning area on the edge of Lough Eske. It is quite remote but this suited us.  Heavenly Harvey's Point, Donegal Initial Greeting & Room:Our first impressions were great as we were met by Sean who helped us with our luggage. He was very friendly and helpful as he showed us to our room and explained how everything worked. The room, an Executive Suite with a view of the lake, was gorgeous. It was spacious and tastefully decorated and had everything you could want in a hotel room including some lovely touches such a fresh milk in the mini-bar to make a cuppa. Above: Our suite at Harvey's Point, Donegal - 4-6 Oct 2010There was a selection of pillow types. We slept like logs as there was no traffic noise at all. The bathroom was from bathroom heaven and the jacuzzi was great (once you got used to the local brown peaty water which left your skin really soft!). There were two hairdryers - one in the bathroom and one in the dressing area so any visitors can leave theirs at home. Food:We ate in the hotel’s Lakeside Restaurant on both nights and both of us really enjoyed the meals; clearing our plates. The service was excellent; neither rushed nor too slow. We tried the chicken, fish and beef over the two nights and everything was tasty and well presented. On the second night, the chef wrote "Happy Birthday" on my dessert plate which was a nice touch. By the way, the lemon tart is to die for! We had room service breakfast the first morning of our stay which arrived on time and was lovely. The second morning we went down to the buffet breakfast which had everything you could want.  Birthday Plate at Harvey's Point 48 hours in Donegal As we only had 48 hours in Donegal, we needed to make sure that we were on the road early. So as soon as the delicious brekkie was out of the way we set off for some sight-seeing. Donegal is even more breathtakingly beautiful in Autumn with spectacular changes in the colour of the leafy landscape. It is the perfect opportunity to unwind and experience a more tranquil pace of life. A time to appreciate the enchanting beauty of nature and recharge the batteries. So although there are so many wonderful attractions near Donegal Town, we chose those that didn’t involve too much driving in order to leave us enough time to rest and relax in the luxurious surrounds of Harvey’s Point.  South-West Donegal Coast - 5 Oct 2010 1. The Slieve League CliffsNo visit to Donegal is complete without a visit to one of the County’s most iconic attractions, Slieve League (also known as Sliabh Liag in Irish) – recognized as the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe, reaching a height of 1,972 feet/601 meters. They are nearly three times the height of the more famous Cliffs of Moher in County Clare and up to recently were a well-kept secret but Slieve League is rapidly gaining in popularity, being one of the Signature Discovery Points along the now world famous Wild Atlantic Way. The drive from Harvey’s Point to Slieve League takes in the scenery of Donegal Bay along the way, Killybegs, Irelands largest fishing port and Kilcar.  Charlie enjoying Slieve League, Donegal - 5 Oct 2010  Arriving at Slieve League, it is now possible to drive almost to the very highest point as much work has been carried out at the cliffs in recent years. At the top there is now a car park and a large viewing platform. The view is breathtaking. You can look out across Donegal Bay and all the way to County Sligo and beyond.  Slieve League - 5 Oct 2010 The great thing about Slieve League is that you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the view. There is a short walk option along a well-marked path. However, it is recommended that you have a guide with you for the hike to ‘One Man’s Pass’, wear appropriate footwear and exercise caution in relation to the weather forecast. . Incidentally, if you go to the cliffs, you can open the gate at the first parking area and drive slowly further up to the second parking area nearer the Cliffs, if you're not up to the walk or if the weather is wet. Also ideal if you are with someone with limited mobility as I wasn’t then but am now!! We practically had the place to ourselves and took lots of photos there: 2. KillybegsAfter our stop at Slieve League, we wound our way down narrow rocky roads back towards Killybegs. We loved the long-haired sheep that we found hanging out at the side of the road. We soon found ourselves in town and took a brief walk around the Killybegs harbour. The breakthrough sunshine really made the coloured fishing vessels pop from the background.  Killybegs, Donegal - 05 Oct 2010 3. Donegal TownJust ten minute’s drive from Harvey’s Point, Donegal Town has a lovely buzz all year round so we had a quick stop there on the way back. There are lots of colourful shops, great bars and restaurants. Enjoy watching the world go by from a bench in the Diamond. A visit to Magee of Donegal is well worthwhile with special discount extended for guests of Harvey’s Point. Donegal Bay Waterbus has a daily sailing and is the perfect way to spend a leisurely hour. Donegal Castle is a haven of history and the nearby Bank Walk is a lovely experience.  Donegal Town 4. Lough EskeWe arrived back at Harvey’s Point and decided to walk around the lake. Lough Eske, just outside the hotel. The hotel provided a great map (current one attached) and we did part of the Red Loop Walk. Here’s some of the photos: SummaryAfter our lake walk, we headed back into the hotel for our second and last night there where we had dinner. We liked pretty much everything about this hotel and found it hard to find fault with anything. We would return in a heartbeat. We left feeling refreshed and relaxed and would highly recommend the great accommodation and friendly and efficient service. We drove back to Dublin via picturesque Sligo (which I covered in Blog). But, we know that there is a whole lot more to see and do in Donegal. On this trip we didn’t see any of the amazing beaches or even stunning Glenveagh National Park. Hopefully, we will be back there soon!  Ready for Dinner - 5 Oct 2010 Bucket List Items Ticked Off in the above Blog 75 Number 59 - Travel - HotelsNumber 60 (b) - Travel - Stay in each of the 32 Counties of Ireland
Other Blog Posts Blog 11 - Sydney, Australia Blog 12 - Hong Kong, China Blog 17 - Beijing, Xi'an & Shanghai, China Blog 19 - California, USA Blog 27 - Scotland Blog 28 - Barbados Blog 29 - Canada Blog 30 - Alaska Blog 31 - Everglades, Florida Have you ever been to Co. Donegal? Tell me about your experience in the comments section below. If you liked this post, please share. Sharing is caring 😊
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AuthorMy name is Mary and this is my bucket list blog ...having survived a near-death experience. I hope it encourages you to "live your best life". See how I'm completing my own bucket list items. And let me know how you're getting on with yours! Archives
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