News - Page 3 of 3 - Wild Atlantic Camp

8 places to visit for free around Creeslough, NW Donegal

Donegal is known for its incredible scenery and much of the coastline around us is protected by Irish and European law as designated special areas of conservation. The whole of Horn Head to Fanad Head is an area of special protection. But you don't need a big budget to enjoy a holiday here. We've chosen 8 of our favourite places to visit for free around Creeslough to share with you. 1. Doe Castle Overlooking Sheephaven Bay this recently restored fortified castle dates from the 16th century and was home to the Clan Suibhne (MacSweeney clan). It has a tower, battlements and defensive walls surrounding a courtyard and is under a mile from the Wild Atlantic Camp site. It has a romantic history and is a place known for marriage proposals. You have been warned! Romantic Doe Castle 2. Ards Forest Park* This lovely Coillte managed Forest Park on the Ards peninsula is bordered by The Back Strand on the west and Doe Castle Strand on the east and covers 1,200 acres. The trails are well marked and take you through the forest of coniferous and deciduous trees as well as to sand dunes, salt water lakes, salt marshes and beaches. The remains of four ringforts can be found in the park as well as a number of megalithic tombs - legend has it that these were the beds of Diarmuid and Grainne in their flight from Fionn Mac Cumhaill. There is a children's playground near the main car park and a coffee cabin (open June to September). Ards Friary, on the east of the park, also has a car park (free) and coffee shop. You could easily spend a whole day here. See map [...]

Why are we called Wild Atlantic Camp?

Our location, in the heart of Creeslough village, overlooks Sheephaven Bay and Doe Castle. We know we have amazing scenery and yet we also know we're a well kept secret. Visitors to this part of Donegal are spolit for views and the main road round the coastline, the N56, offers many lay bys for you to pull in and take five minutes to watch the waves. In recent years many visitors have passed through Creeslough, en route to the busier seaside town of Dunfanaghy, 11 km away. Understandably, it is a very lovely spot. But now we hope to give visitors a reason to linger for longer in Creeslough and avoid the crowds. In March 2014 the N56 will form a major part of Fáilte Ireland's new Wild Atlantic Way. The road trip of a lifetime starts, or ends, here in Donegal. We'd like these plucky adventurers to pull in and stay a night or two with us. And that's why we've called ourselves Wild Atlantic Camp. This atmospheric video from Fáilte Ireland describes the new 2400 km drive along the amazing Atlantic coastline we are blessed with. And in this Fáilte Ireland video some of the 'Faces of the Wild Atlantic Way' describe it in one word. One, two, three "Awesome!"