Kings adventures: The Isle of Doagh and Mamore Gap (Inishowen, Co. Donegal)

Raphoe residents playing tourists again as an unexpected beautiful day has arrived after the rain of yesterday. Having visited Doagh Island with Nan on Monday for the first time and having been bowled over by its beauty I vowed to go again, this time with Jim. We drove to Ballyliffen via Buncrana and Clonmany and lunched at Molly's Barn, a little gem of a cafe in Ballyliffen. Then we proceeded to the Isle of Doagh. Initially there is the sense that the landscape is very flat but a few kilometres in reveals rugged hills and mountains and lots of sandy stretches. We parked in the carpark of The Famine Village but did not visit today as Nan and I had done the tour and thoroughly enjoyed it on Monday. It is a very interesting museum and to be recommended to visitors. In the carpark we took some photos noticing that we were just across from Lagg Strand or the Five Fingers Strand at Malin. We could see the Presbyterian Church where most of my mother's family is buried. I am including a selection of the photos we took on our tour of Doagh Island.

From the Famine Village we followed the road to the right along the coast as far as the castle and a walk that seems to be called the Coastal Challenge. At the junction from the Famine Village is this tiny house which is called Canny's House. This little house was built by the people of Doagh Island for a hermit called Canny who lived in a 12 foot cave in an area known as the Skeehan. Canny died 6 months after moving into his house.

All views along the coast of Doagh Island as far as Pollan Bay.

We continued along the narrow roads of Doagh Island and finally made our way back to Ballyliffen and back toi Clonmany from where we did Mamore Gap. I believe doing Mamore Gap the other way round is more spectacular but we enjoyed it anyway. We passed the entrance to Glenevin Waterfall promising to return another day. The last time we were there it was really beautiful.