Nature spot · County Donegal
Árainn Mhór (Arranmore Island)
The largest of County Donegal's off shore Islands, Árainn Mhór is a wild and rugged place with fantastic cliff scenery, dramatic sea caves and golden sandy beaches.
Arranmore Island, or Árainn Mhór, has been inhabited since prehistoric times and the promontory fort at Uilinn, which dates from about 800BC, still stands on its cliff top perch.
Today, the island is a wonderfully peaceful place with a way marked trail leading from sandy beaches to the island's rocky summit, providing spectacular views of the glittering sea, the cliffs, rock arches and the majestic mainland mountains; from Glen Head to Tory Island.
The crystal clear waters surrounding Arranmore provide great dive sites and sea angling, while the island's freshwater lakes are home to brown and rainbow trout. Boats for sea angling can be hired and there are abundant cod, ling, conger eel, pollock, wrasse, skate, turbot and plaice. Birdwatchers will enjoy seeing fulmars and shags and climbers can tackle the steep cliffs.
The ferry runs all year from Burtonport making day trips a must and longer visits a well deserved treat. Savour the beautiful and untamed landscape, Gaelic culture, quiet country roads with abundant wildlife, turf fires and lively pubs.
Outdoors in County Donegal this week
Best day outdoors: Sun, 11 Oct — dry by day, breezy, up to 13°C
Status Yellow - Rain warning for Donegal
From Thu, 8 Oct, 09:00 until Fri, 9 Oct, 04:00
Heavy spells of rain.
Be aware of potential impacts:
- Difficult travelling conditions
- Localised flooding possible
Issued by Met Éireann · met.ie/warnings
- Fri, 9 Oct12° / 10°Medium rain showers
- Sat, 10 Oct12° / 9°Medium rain showers
- Sun, 11 Oct13° / 11°Sun with grey cloud
Make a day of it
The nearest trails, beaches, woods and heritage within 25 km.
Trails & walks
Beaches & bathing waters
Forests & woodlands
Parks, gardens & islands
Nature spot · 6.8 km awayInis Fraoigh (Inishfree Island)IslandJust 5km off the coast of Donegal, Inis Fraoigh (Inishfree) is a unique 640 hectare island of sandy beaches, flowering plants and peaceful scenery.
Nature spot · 16 km awayGabhla (Gola Island)BeachLess than 2km from the Donegal mainland, the 326 hectare Gabhla Island (Gola Island) is a haven for artists, birdwatchers, photographers, walkers and rock climbers.