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County Donegal A search for Ireland's culture and heritage, for peace and tranquility, for stunning scenery or holiday activity must inevitably bring you to the Donegal Gaelacht. Here, Irish is an every day community language for many of the inhabitants, reflecting a rich gaelic heritage ......a heritage of hospitality, of the great music, song and dance. Along the spectacular Atlantic Coastline there are quite unpolluted beaches facing timeless islands like Toraigh (Tory), Aranmore and Rathlin O'Birne. A little further inland there is the splendour of places like Dun Luiche (Dunlewey), Glenveagh National park or Baile na Finne (Fintown) and its Steam train puffing along the shores of Lough Finn. 1) Glenveagh Castle and National Park is 16,000 hectares of mountains, lakes woods and wild bogs. The park has a visitor centre with excellent audio visual and displays. In contrast with the rugged surroundings is the magnificent Glenveagh Castle which was built in the years 1870-1873. Visitors can enjoy a fascinating guided tour of the castle. The Castle gardens are among the finest in Ireland. 2) Folk Village Museum (Glencolmcille). Steeped in culture, tradition and language, the Glencolmcille Museum depicts bygone lifestyles in South West Donegal through an interpretative centre, craft shop, theme house, school, sheeben and thached cottages dating back to 1750, 1850 & 1900. 3) The Workhouse (Dunfanaghy), Built in 1845 on the eve of the Great Irish famine, the building now houses an exhibition centre that recalls the desperate days of the the famine when people fled to the workhouse in search of food and shelter. There is an art gallery with quality crafts, jewellery and books plus a coffee shop for visitors. 4) Donegal County Museum (Letterkenny), Located in a fine old stone building which was once part of the letterkenny workhouse, the museum houses both permanent and temporary exhibitions. Discover a fascinating display of artefacts from the stone age, to the medieval period, and from the the recent history and folk life of the County. 5) Grianan Aileagh, This spectacular Ring Fort dates back to 1700 BC and from the top of the battlements visitors enjoy breathtaking views of Lough Swilly, and Lough Foyle. Close by is an ancient woodland and a famous wetland habitat with Hooper Swans, wild geese and woodland birds and animals.
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