Study Ireland – Stories & Guides from International Students

If you’re looking for a weekend adventure, Donegal is the perfect getaway. Often called “the forgotten county” due to its remote location, it is still one of the most stunning places I’ve visited in Ireland – beautiful coastline, dramatic cliffs, friendly locals, and a peaceful atmosphere. 

Friday: Getting There 

We rented a car from Europcar on Ennis Road in Limerick. Because we were under 25, the rental was slightly pricier. We paid €191 in total for Friday – Monday, which came to €47.75 each when split between four people – totally worth it! We picked up the car after class on Friday and started driving north. Thankfully, my roommate didn’t mind taking the wheel. According to him, getting used to driving on the left wasn’t too bad once you got going. We stopped for dinner along the way, grabbed a few groceries, and eventually checked into our Airbnb near Donegal town. 

Saturday: Border Views & the Wild Atlantic Way 

On Saturday, we drove northeast and stopped in Muff, a town right on the border with Northern Ireland (part of the United Kingdom). Our car rental company would have charged extra for crossing the border, so we decided to park and walk across the (almost invisible) border instead. Derry is just beyond the crossing, and if you haven’t been yet, it’s absolutely worth a visit for another time. From there, we continued along the Wild Atlantic Way and stopped frequently to take photos. We drove all the way to Malin Head, the northernmost point of Ireland. The coastline was incredible, with waves crashing against the cliffs. We stopped for lunch and asked our waitress for recommendations – she suggested Glenevin Waterfall, Mamore Gap, and Fort Dunree, all of which were amazing. In the evening, we headed into Donegal town to experience the nightlife and enjoy a couple of pints. 

Sunday: Slieve League 

On Sunday, we drove west to Slieve League, which was probably the highlight of the trip. In my opinion, Slieve League is even more beautiful than the Cliffs of Moher – and nearly three times taller. The walk up was lovely, surrounded by sheep and stunning views. Afterwards, we visited Silver Strand, which was absolutely beautiful, and we had the entire beach to ourselves. We spent the rest of the day driving around without any fixed plan and pulled over whenever something looked interesting and asking locals for recommendations. As the sun began to set, we found a quiet beach where we watched the last light disappear over the water. 

Monday: Heading Back (+ Sligo) 

On Monday, we made the long drive back south. To break up the journey, we stopped in Sligo and explored the town for a bit before continuing home. 

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