Traditions and culture in Donegal Town

Donegal Town is now a sleepy and pleasant setting for a holiday, a far cry from the days of the O'Donnells chieftains, who made it their stamping ground from the 15th to 17th centuries.

It is steeped in history and visitors are particularly attracted to Donegal Abbey, which was built in 1474 at the edge of the harbour and has partially survived the ravages of time.

A stroll down the pier can offer the chance to take in the Old Graveyard, housed in the ruins of the Old Abbey, a Franciscan friary where the Annuals of the Four Masters bible was created.

The centre of town is focused around the Diamond, which contains the Monument at its heart and serves as an interesting tribute to the four authors of the medieval bible.

Things to do in Donegal Town

Anyone on holiday in Donegal Town may want to head to Donegal Castle, which was the seat of the O'Donnells in the 15th century and has now been restored to impressive effect.

The Bank Walk is a pleasing two-mile stroll through the heart of the town and there is also a 'Waterbus' which runs from the harbour and offers tours of the scenic bay.

The town also plays host to the Lough Eske, which is arguably one of the most beautiful lakes in Ireland and allows anglers to pass the days attempting to catch local salmon and sea trout.

For those travellers looking to get some sporting activity from their holiday, there are two equestrian centres in the area and Murvagh Golf Club is an 18-hole championship links course.

It should be noted that Donegal Town is often the base for further exploration of the many attractions on offer in County Donegal, so car hire will undoubtedly be an option for more adventurous visitors.

Finally, there is plenty of accommodation in the town, so finding a reasonably priced hotel should not prove to be too taxing.

Weather in Donegal Town

The climate in Donegal Town is, like much of the rest of Ireland, fairly mild, with the highest average temperature of 19C falling in July.

Winters tend to be chilly, with the mercury dropping to an average of between 1C and 2C in December.

Destination checklist for Donegal Town

Donegal Town has a population of 2,339.

The town is on UTC time.

The currency in Donegal Town is the euro.

The official language spoken is English.

The town's international dialling code is +35.