Our Day Trip to Fort Dunree and Glenevin Waterfall

What a difference a week can make. 

Saturday arrived with the most atrocious weather ever. 

It was raining and quite windy, the complete opposite of the glorious weather we had last week.

Undeterred by the weather we had already planned our day out to Fort Dunree ( you can check out the official website here ) so we went with it dressed up in hats and scarves because after all you can have as much fun in the rain even with small children. 

Our Inbetweener was called away last minute to a hurling event so there was just the four of us with my sister.

On the way we past through Burt and stopped off at The Grianan of Aileach Stone Fort.

The ancient fort which dates back to circa 1000 AD is built high on a hilltop on the site of a prehistoric burial mound from the Neolithic period ( around 3000 BC) and provides breathtaking views of Lough Swilly, Lough Foyle and Inch Island. 

It also commands views of three counties Donegal, Derry and Tyrone on a clear day.

On the drive up to it I said jokingly to Mr P that we were mad to be out on a day like this and that there wouldn't be anyone else about but how wrong was I? There was two bus loads of tourists from America and Spain as well as three other cars and a camper van from France. 

The smell of cooked bacon wafting from the camper van reminded me of a great trip we had in a camper van when our Inbetweener was a year old. 

Great memories and here we were once again creating more great memories to look back on.

It is a step back in time and a wonderful place to visit. I think it's amazing that this structure has survived the times and is still standing strong today.

The pictures taken here a tad dull given the weather but what a great excuse to go back and visit again. The wind was so strong that it caught the Little Fella's breathe a few times but he enjoyed it all the same.

We headed on to Fort Dunree along the Inishowen 100 Coastal Drive taking in the scenery along the way through Fahan, Buncrana and Amazing Grace Country.

The famous and well loved song Amazing Grace was penned by a slave trader named John Newton. After a violent storm in the Atlantic Ocean crippled his ship he found refuge in Lough Swilly, years later he wrote the song to mark his spiritual journey which began after his narrow escape from death. This is why the drive around part of the Lough is called 'Amazing Grace Country'.

Fort Dunree is situated on the rocky shores of Lough Swilly and is a slice of history on our doorstep.

Apart from the scenery there is a military museum with plenty of interesting war items on show. The guns are impressive and certainly one for the boys. Mr P loves this kind of thing and if you are a history lover like me you would certainly enjoy it.

There are lots of walks around the now abandoned and run down camp but you can get a sense of what the soldiers had to endure.

After we had a walk around we then had a much needed hot chocolate to warm us up again in the little coffee shop, not something you would expect to be drinking in June but with Donegal weather you just never know what to expect. 

I was shocked to see that we had been there for around four hours and it felt like we had only just arrived - a sure sign that we were enjoying ourselves.

I really enjoyed our time here and we have planned to go back on a sunny day to spend more time exploring and taking in the scenery because Fort Dunree is definitely worth more than one visit.

When we were having our hot chocolate Mr P was reading a visitors guide to the local area and saw that there was a waterfall not too far away in Clonmany.

We left Fort Dunree and headed off in search of yet another waterfall but because there was so much rain we were excited to see what it would be like after our visit last month to Assarancagh (see here) on a similar wet day.

Glenevin Waterfall is just outside the lovely village of Clonmany. The fresh mountain water descends from a height of 30 feet and was quite an impressive sight.

The walkway up to it was lovely and so well maintained. A great spot for a picnic during the summer holidays.

Funnily enough on our way back down from the waterfall the rain stopped and the sun came out. It was about six hours too late but it didn't matter at that stage of the day.

A much deserved and very late spot of lunch was had in a great little pub called The Rusty Nail. The food here is second to none and it was child friendly with very helpful staff.

I even had a glass of wine seeing as Mr P was driving.

So once again we had a great day out being a tourist on our own 

doorstep, lots of fun and great company.

Can't wait for next month.

  

Day Trip around Inishowen Peninsula

The weekend arrived with some fine weather so there was no excuse not to get out and enjoy our amazing countryside.

On Saturday we headed off around the Inishowen Peninsula on our monthly family day trip, nothing planned we just drove along and wondered what hidden treasures we might find.

We were joined by my sister J and her husband Mr D who are becoming part of our monthly trips.

And treasures we did find.

Beautiful scenery, nature in it's purest form, lots of laughs and precious time with family.

Our first stop was Greencastle, a fishing port on the north coast of the county.

We went to see the castle which is called Greencastle or Northburg. 

It was built in 1305 by Richard de Burgh, the Red Earl of Ulster and according to a brochure I have about it, the castle was the greatest castle enterprise in Donegal. 

Although today very little remains of the building, there is so much history here you have to step back and try and imagine the castle in all it's glory.

I would say it was a truly magnificent sight coming up the shore.

We then drove further on through Greencastle taking in the breathtaking views and very impressive houses. 

Mr P and me saw some very interesting old ruins and decided if we ever win the lottery we will buy one, renovate it and live here - I dream on.

We stumbled upon the Shrove Lighthouse and when we got out of the car to take some photos walked on toward the beach.

I wasn't expecting the view on the other side, this is where Lough Foyle meets the wild Atlantic and is a very beautiful beach.

We were so taken with this place that we just sat down and enjoyed the views, Mr P and our Inbetweener had a great time messing around, spending some father and son time.

The Little Fella enjoyed being out in the fresh air and was quite happy to just sit with everyone else taking it all in.

Such a tranquil place we could have stayed here all day.

Our next hidden treasure is called Kinnagoe Bay which is hidden by a very steep hill. When you are driving along you don't expect to find this secluded little beach.

 The view from the hill was stunning and although the drive down to it was almost vertical it was worth it.

This is where the Spanish Armada ship La Trinidad Valencera was shipwrecked in 1588.

Crashing waves, seashells, writing in the sand, we played and joked around, there is a real sense of romance here.

I took the Little Fella down to the waters edge and he loved the waves coming crashing in, we had to run back a few times as they came so fast.

It's lovely hearing him giggle.

We had a very nice lunch in Culdaff at a hotel called McGrory's. 

Child friendly and good food. 

Mr P and me shared a lemon meringue pie for dessert and it's the best I've had.

We finished our day at Banba's Crown, Malin Head.

This is the most northerly point of the whole island of Ireland and has the most gorgeous rugged coastline.

When you stand on the rocks here with the wind blowing through your hair it's raw and refreshing.

Life doesn't get any better than this.

This is the kind of day you want to bottle up and store away, it's good for the soul.

Hope your weekend was great too xxx

Joining in with Country Kids from Coombe Mill click on the badge to pop over and have a look at some of the other wonderful adventures.