(Fort of the foreigners)

The name Donegal means 'fort of the foreigner', the town is situated where the river Eske flows into Donegal bay. The layout of the town owes its origin to Sir Basil Brooke who was was granted Donegal Castle 1607 after the flight of the Earls. At this time several leading Ulster families left Ulster for the continent. The castle at Donegal was the stronghold of the O'Donnell clan. Shortly after Brooke took over the four storey tower house, he remodeled it including a bay window and a fireplace with his coat of arms above, he also added a wing in the Jacobean style.

South of the town are the ruins of Abbey founded in 1474 by the wife of Red Hugh O'Donnell, it was raided and occupied by the English in 1601 and was almost completely destroyed when a powder magazine exploded.

(Mouth of the river Dobhran)

Situated on the southern shore of Donegal Bay, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Bundoran is a busy seaside resort attracting many visitors from Northern Ireland because the border is less than 15 km (9 MI) to the east. The town depends almost entirely on tourist revenue and the population increases significantly in summer.

One of the town’s beaches is Tullan Strand, a long sandy beach flanked at both ends by cliffs where the sea has carved caves and curious rock formations. Prehistoric remains have been found in the area, including a passage-tomb, dolmen, and stone circle. Good sea angling is to be had both from the shore and from hire boats in the area.