Donegal Cottages

Geographically in the north - politically, in the south-east of this hilly region.

wild shores and deserted beeches threatens mountain ranges and swamps dark lands are a most magical places for this "Emerald Isle.

Her beauty is breathtaking. The beech trees are here, mostly deserted - no sunbathing here! Although the climate is officially described as "moderate" a good jumper warm and waterproof jackets are essential elements of baggage!

Donegal Town
Donegal town is a good starting point for all travelers to these parts. It is a diamond shaped central (rightly called "The Diamond") packed with hotels, shops, galleries and restaurants. Here you can buy anything from an original design created by a local artist, a piece of turf burner. The scent is evocative and reminiscent of the exiles from home!
There are many comfortable hotels to choose from each providing entertainment to accompany your creamy pint of Guinness after a tour days.

When touring Donegal be sure to have a guide and a map - it is easy to get lost and some interesting historical sites are devoid of information!

Famine in Ireland
Evidence of this tragic period in Irish history is in the countryside with abandoned shells of cottages scattered around. There are few centers where you can discover the historical facts and consequences of this devastating event and the impact it had on the area from which it never recovered.

The most complete of this is the Doagh Visitor Centre.

After a nice cup of tea and a slice of Irish soda bread, you can take a tour of the many displays of life during the Great Famine of 1845. You can also learn about many Irish customs such as "wake". Many of our proverbs have their day in these old customs. Discover where the term comes Dead Ringer and many other interesting facts.

Doon Rock
Located near Rock Gartan Lough Doon is the place where kings were crowned with O'Donnell.

The stone has the footprints of the original head cut into it. The elected leader removed his shoes and stand in the footprint. Here, it is an oath to the clan elders and be presented with an "A Bhan slats, a straight stem white to symbolize royalty and the idea that the sword was not necessary to rule his people.

Also on this site, you will find one of "many holy wells" which are places of pilgrimage. Besides the well is a tree hung with tokens from teethers for babies rosary left by visitors hope. The holy waters have healing powers more effective if you circle the tree seven times, saying prayers. " These sacred wells and trees show how pagan practices were not simply abandoned, but absorbed into the Christian religion.

In ascending the little wooded trail to the rock, you will also find a small shrine to Our Lady, decorated with candles and prayers of the faithful. It is a magical place that makes you just think.
On the right of the well there is a hidden stone priests - a mere stone alter where mass was said at the time of Catholic persecution. Again, you will find the prayers and candles, which shows that these sites are regularly visited by believers - though when I went there was not a soul around to see what added to the natural atmosphere and spiritual .

There are so many other places to visit in this area, but there are places like this that offers the vision of the most touching in the mixture of magic, paganism and Christianity that transformed Ireland and its people so unique.