From Lough Veagh to the Poisoned Glen
3 stops · 26 min driving · Donegal · Updated August 2026
Open in Google MapsNorth-west Donegal's Derryveagh Mountains hold two lakes in two steep glens, and this drive strings them together — from the castle grounds on Lough Veagh, over the moorland shoulder, down into the Poisoned Glen beneath Mount Errigal. The first stop is the grandest: a Victorian castle with exotic gardens and walking trails through a 16,000-hectare wilderness. The road then drops into the glen, where a roofless white-marble church stands at the foot of Errigal, and finishes at a lakeside centre with a weaver's cottage, a playground and boat cruises. The centre is seasonal, opening at Easter, so check before travelling outside the summer months.
1.Glenveagh Castle
Victorian grandeur in a mountain wilderness
Begin at the castle John George Adair raised on Lough Veagh, ringed by 16,000 hectares of Derryveagh mountain wilderness. Tour rooms furnished as they were in the early 20th century, wander the walled gardens that burst with exotic trees, or set off along the lakeside trail — with golden eagles and red deer somewhere in the hills before the road carries you on.
- Tip
- The castle is 4km from the free Visitor Centre car park — take the shuttle bus up and save your legs for the gardens.
↓ 20 min drive · 19.2 km
2.Dunlewey Church abandoned
Donegal's Taj Mahal, roofless under Errigal
A roofless 1853 Church of Ireland ruin in locally quarried white marble and blue quartzite, built by Jane Smith Russell as a memorial to her husband and standing at the foot of Mount Errigal above Lough Dunlewey. Walk freely through the ruin, read the story on the notice board, and watch the mist roll down the glen — a melancholy pause before the last stop.
- Tip
- There is no lighting or shelter and the glen is windy at any time — come in daylight and hold onto your hat.
↓ 6 min drive · 3.7 km
3.Dunlewey Centre
Heritage, lake cruises and a playground
Finish at the lakeside centre tucked between Errigal and the Poisoned Glen. Take the 30-minute cruise of Dunlewey Lough on the Gráinne Rose, watch a live spinning and weaving demonstration in the weaver's cottage, and let younger travellers loose on the upgraded playground. A restaurant, craft shop and open fire round the stop out.
- Tip
- Book the cruise ahead in peak season; the centre closes over winter and its dining runs in the summer season only.
Frequently asked questions
Can you visit the abandoned church at Dunlewey?
Yes — the ruin is always open with no gates or ticketing, and admission is free. It sits down a narrow lane off the main road through the glen, with a free car park on site and an information notice board telling the building's story. There is no lighting or shelter, so come in daylight.
Is the Dunlewey Centre open all year?
No — it is a seasonal centre, roughly Easter to autumn, and it closes over winter; it expects to reopen at Easter 2026. The restaurant and tea rooms serve food in the summer season only. The other two stops on the route are open year-round, though the castle closes Mondays and Fridays except bank holidays.
Can I book Glenveagh Castle tours in advance?
No — castle tours cannot be booked in advance except limited guided slots, so plan to arrive and take what is available. The park itself is free, with around 300 car-parking spaces at the Visitor Centre, and a shuttle bus runs from the car park to the castle.