scenic viewpoint
Mount Errigal
Donegal's highest peak, a pale quartzite cone above the R251 in the Derryveagh Mountains, climbed in about three hours return.
8 km · about 15 min drive
EuropeIrelandUlster
Gweedore
Ulster, Ireland · Europe
About Gweedore
Gweedore works well as a base: 10 minutes from Derrybeg, 15km from Glenveagh National Park.
Gweedore is in Ulster, Ireland, with about 4,200 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Derrybeg, about 5 km away.
Gweedore ( gwee-DOR), officially known by its Irish language name Gaoth Dobhair ([ˌɡiː ˈd̪ˠoːɾʲ]), is a Gaeltacht (Irish-speaking) district and parish on the northwestern coast of County Donegal, Ireland. Gweedore includes the settlements of Brinlack, Bunbeg, Derrybeg, Crolly (partially), and Dunlewey.
Gweedore isRead more
sometimes described as one of Europe's most densely populated rural areas, and is the most populous Irish-speaking district in Ireland, with about 4,065 inhabitants. It stretches some 26 kilometres (16 mi) from Glasserchoo and Bloody Foreland in the north to Crolly in the south and around 14 kilometres (9 mi) inland from the Atlantic coast to Dunlewey in the east. Gweedore is at the western end of the Barony of Kilmacrenan. Gweedore and the neighbouring districts of Cloughaneely and the Rosses are collectively known locally as 'the Three Parishes'; they form a social and cultural region distinct from the rest of the county, with Gweedore serving as the main centre for socialising and industry.
The district is known for being a cradle of Irish culture, with Irish customs, traditional music, Gaelic games and the Irish language playing a key role in the lives of the local people. This, along with its scenery and many beaches, has made the area a popular tourist destination, especially with visitors from Northern Ireland. Gweedore is overlooked by County Donegal's highest peak, Errigal.
It is the home of the northwest regional studios of the Irish-language radio service RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta, as well as an external campus of the University of Galway.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Gweedore?
Within an hour or so of Gweedore: Mount Errigal (8 km), Poisoned Glen (8 km), Glenveagh National Park (15 km), Horn Head (25 km).
Are there any good drives near Gweedore?
The nearest famous roads are Glengesh Pass, Mamore Gap and Gleniff Horseshoe.
Where is Gweedore?
Gweedore is in Ulster, Ireland, about 5 km from Derrybeg.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 4,200
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- Ireland
- Region
- Ulster
- Timezone
- Europe/Dublin
- Coordinates
- 55.0503, -8.2319
Tags
Worth the detour from Gweedore
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
scenic viewpoint
Poisoned Glen
A steep-sided glen below Errigal at Dunlewey, entered past a roofless Victorian church.
8 km · about 15 min drive
national park
Glenveagh National Park
A remote wilderness of mountains, lakes and a fairytale castle in the heart of the Donegal highlands.
15 km · about 30 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Horn Head
A quartzite headland north of Dunfanaghy circled by a narrow loop road, with 180m sea cliffs and nesting seabirds.
25 km · about 30 min drive
natural wonder
Maghera Caves and Beach
Sea caves at the foot of Slievetooey behind a wide dune-backed beach near Ardara. Only safe to enter around low tide.
37 km · about 45 min drive
mountain pass
Glengesh Pass
A dramatic horseshoe mountain pass winding down a glacial valley between Ardara and Glencolmcille in Donegal.
40 km · about 45 min drive
landmark
Fanad Head Lighthouse
One of the world's most photographed lighthouses, perched on a rugged Donegal headland between Atlantic and lough.
46 km · about 55 min drive
mountain pass
Mamore Gap
Steep, narrow pass climbing to 260m through the Urris Hills of Inishowen, with a holy well and grotto at the summit and a plunging descent to the Atlantic at Urris. Part of the Inishowen 100 drive; low gears essential.
51 km · about 60 min drive
Driving roads near Gweedore
- Right hereMount ErrigalDonegal's highest peak, a pale quartzite cone above the R251 in the Derryveagh Mountains, climbed in about three hours return.
- Right herePoisoned GlenA steep-sided glen below Errigal at Dunlewey, entered past a roofless Victorian church.
- 25 kmHorn HeadA quartzite headland north of Dunfanaghy circled by a narrow loop road, with 180m sea cliffs and nesting seabirds.
- 40 kmGlengesh PassA dramatic horseshoe mountain pass winding down a glacial valley between Ardara and Glencolmcille in Donegal.
- 51 kmMamore GapSteep, narrow pass climbing to 260m through the Urris Hills of Inishowen, with a holy well and grotto at the summit and a plunging descent to the Atlantic at Urris. Part of the Inishowen 100 drive; low gears essential.
- 54 kmSlieve League CliffsAmong the highest sea cliffs in Europe at nearly 600 metres, far less crowded than the Cliffs of Moher and even more dramatic.
Driving in Ireland
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.78/litre
- Motorway tolls
- ~€2.10/100km
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
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