Sligo & Donegal

The Cliffs of Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) on the southwest coast of County Donegal rise to 601 metres, making them among Europe's highest sea cliffs. From the Bunglass viewpoint, which you reach via a narrow road from Teelin, you overlook the entire cliff face extending to the Atlantic.Experienced hikers can continue along the narrow ridge of One Man's Path, which is dangerous in bad weather and temporarily closed. The visitor centre is located several kilometres from the cliffs; a shuttle bus operates in summer.

Benbulben is a distinctive, 526-meter-high limestone table mountain north of Sligo town, its steep flanks visible from afar. At its foot, in Drumcliffe cemetery, lies the poet W. B. Yeats buried; his tombstone bears the lines “Cast a cold eye / On life, on death. / Horseman, pass by!”West of Sligo lies the surf spot Strandhill at the foot of Knocknarea, whose summit is crowned by a large cairn. The beach is popular with surfers, but not suitable for swimming due to dangerous currents.

Glenveagh National Park in northwest County Donegal spans approximately 16,000 hectares of mountains, moors, and lakes; golden eagles have been reintroduced here since 2000. At its heart lies Glenveagh Castle on the shore of Lough Veagh, a castle built between 1867 and 1873 with extensive gardens, which was later handed over to the state.Access to the park is free; a shuttle bus runs from the visitor centre to the castle, which you can visit with a guided tour. The castle is closed on some weekdays, so check opening hours in advance.

Westport is a planned Georgian town on Clew Bay in County Mayo, with a tree-lined Mall along the Carrow Beg River, the Octagon, and lively pubs. On the outskirts lies the 18th-century Westport House mansion.West of the town rises the 764-meter-high Croagh Patrick, Ireland's most famous pilgrimage mountain; the ascent begins in Murrisk. On the last Sunday in July, Reek Sunday, thousands of pilgrims climb to the summit. From Westport, the 42-kilometer-long Great Western Greenway follows an old railway line via Newport and Mulranny to Achill.

Achill, covering around 148 square kilometres, is Ireland's largest island, linked to the County Mayo mainland via a bridge since 1887. Approximately half the island belongs to the Gaeltacht.Known for are Keem Bay with its bright sandy beach beneath steep slopes, the deserted village at the foot of Slievemore with the ruins of 80 to 100 stone houses, and the cliffs at Croaghaun, which are among Europe's highest sea cliffs. You can reach Achill by bike via the Great Western Greenway from Westport.