Killybegs , County Donegal

Killybegs , County Donegal

Killybegs_Harbour_2007_08_21Killybegs , the most successful fishing port in Ireland , where tons of top-quality fish are hauled onto the quayside daily. This marks the halfway point on the route from Donegal town to Glencolmcille , and the mile-long approach road to Killybegs around the bay are idyllic. Well worth a drive on Ireland tours.

Killybegs itself is perched on a slope above the harbour , its gleaming whitewashed buildings huddled around narrow cramped streets.

A huge international sea-angling festival takes place here in the second half of July but you can go fishing anytime in one of the boats that go out daily.

It is worth visiting the church at the top of the hill for a glimpse of the 16th century tombstone of Niall Mor MacSweeney, removed from his grave at Ballysaggart Friary on St John’s Point and now covered in Celtic carvings and contained in a glass case to the left of the church door. The MacSweeneys originated from the Scottish Hebridean Islands and arrived in Ireland as gallow glasses , hired by the O’Donnells to drive the O’Neills from the land around the River Foyle. Receiving land in payment , the MacSweeneys became one of Donegal’s ruling families prior to the Flight of the Earls , and Niall Mor was head of one branch of the clan.

Take a trip to Killybegs on any tours of Ireland. Its a beautiful place and the seafood is magnificent.