Mount Errigal from across Dunlewy Lough.
After coming down from Loughsalt Mountain, as featured in my last post, the weather started to improve again, with the sun occasionally breaking through. As I’d already been walking the hills, in rain and hail, I felt guilt free for driving around and taking some photos from the roadside, with no effort required! I took a loop past Muckish, over to Errigal and Dunlewey, and back past Creeslough to the main Letterkenny road.
First stop was for a shot of Muckish, in still fairly gloomy weather.
Then onwards to Errigal, where I took some photos from the southeast on the R251.
Errigal and Mackoght.
Next, I stopped on the narrow strip between Dunlewey Lough and Lough Nacung, for some views of Errigal presenting a different profile.
Nearby was a wooden sculpture of Lugh, an ancient Irish god.
Just round the corner is the Sacred Heart Church with its distinctive round steeple.
The Sacred Heart Church in Dunlewey, with Mount Errigal in the background.
Heading back eastwards, I stopped at the well known viewing point overlooking the Poison Glen.
The striking Poison Glen.
View over Dunlewey Lough and Lough Nacung.
Cutting back in through the mountains around Muckish again.
Another view of Muckish.
Another stop just after passing through Creeslough at a small lough and fishing spot.
And finally, a short diversion off the main road to Letterkenny along a narrow minor road for a look at the ruins of the Creeslough Viaduct. The viaduct was the railway crossing point over the Owencarrow River, and in 1925 train was derailed at night during very high winds, killing four of the passengers and injuring several more.
Not the first time I’ve said it, but you can’t beat Donegal.
Beautiful shots. Sometimes its nice just to drive around… I love that landscape though its years since I have been up that way, reminds me of Scotland. Love that sculpture of Lugh too.
Thanks Clare. Its one of the side benefits of hill walking – you end up travelling through some great parts of the country too. I think you’re right about Scotland – I’m sure I read somewhere that the geology of Donegal is continued over to Scotland.
Beautiful photos, Aidy. Sometimes they seem like fantasy landscapes.
Thanks Jessica. Part of what’s great about Donegal is how much you can find in just a small part of it.