The ruins of the 17th Century Cloncha Church near Culdaff and off the road from Moville to Carndonagh were built on a much earlier monastic settlement and can be found next to ancient and very impressive high crosses. This area was obviously very special to those who made their home here for thousands of years as nearby, almost in a direct line, is the 5,000 year old Bocan Stone Circle, the below that the even older Temple of Deen, both to the north, and the Carrowmore early Christian monastery and crosses to the south.The ruins of the 17th Century Cloncha Church near Culdaff and off the road from Moville to Carndonagh were built on a much earlier monastic settlement and can be found next to ancient and very impressive high crosses. This area was obviously very special to those who made their home here for thousands of years as nearby, almost in a direct line, is the 5,000 year old Bocan Stone Circle, the below that the even older Temple of Deen, both to the north, and the Carrowmore early Christian monastery and crosses to the south.
The ruins of the 17th Century Cloncha Church near Culdaff and off the road from Moville to Carndonagh were built on a much earlier monastic settlement and can be found next to ancient and very impressive high crosses. This area was obviously very special to those who made their home here for thousands of years as nearby, almost in a direct line, is the 5,000 year old Bocan Stone Circle, the below that the even older Temple of Deen, both to the north, and the Carrowmore early Christian monastery and crosses to the south.

Travel Ireland 2025: 55 great spring day trip ideas in Derry & Donegal

By Brendan McDaid
Published 31st May 2023, 08:03 BST
Updated 25th Mar 2025, 10:30 BST
Spring has arrived and with the days now beginning to lengthen we’ve compiled this list of some of the most beautiful beaches, historic sites and picturesque spots in the north west of Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way to check out and check off.

There’s a lot more to see and do than we could accommodate here but there are some gems you might otherwise miss.

Photos by Brendan McDaid, George Sweeney & Kevin Mullan / Derry Journal.

Walk The Walls: Derry's walls frame the city centre and were erected in the early 1600s during the Plantation of Ulster. Make sure and visit the Tower Museum and the free Plantation museum in the Guildhall, both beside the walls, which provide historical context.

5. City Walls

Walk The Walls: Derry's walls frame the city centre and were erected in the early 1600s during the Plantation of Ulster. Make sure and visit the Tower Museum and the free Plantation museum in the Guildhall, both beside the walls, which provide historical context. Photo: George Sweeny

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The majestic Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) in south west Donegal, the highest sea cliffs in Europe, will leave you awestruck. It's quite the drive to get there especially the final stretch but its well worth it when you do.

6. Slaibh Liag

The majestic Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) in south west Donegal, the highest sea cliffs in Europe, will leave you awestruck. It's quite the drive to get there especially the final stretch but its well worth it when you do. Photo: Brendan McDaid

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Free Derry Corner in the Bogside has become an internationally recognised symbol of resistance, hope and an iconic monument to Civil Rights struggles here and elsewhere. Today the wall is still used to highlight the plight of the oppressed and dispossessed around the world and to highlight just causes and struggles in Ireland and beyond.

7. Free Derry Corner

Free Derry Corner in the Bogside has become an internationally recognised symbol of resistance, hope and an iconic monument to Civil Rights struggles here and elsewhere. Today the wall is still used to highlight the plight of the oppressed and dispossessed around the world and to highlight just causes and struggles in Ireland and beyond. Photo: Brendan McDaid

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The Bogside Artists are known across the world for the unique open air art gallery they have created in the heart of Derry's historic Bogside area, which was pivotal during the Civil Rights movement and throughout the course of the Troubles. Bloody Sunday happened on these streets and the harrowing events of that day, January 30, 1972, are among the defining events depicted on the large gable end artworks created along Rossville Street.

8. Bogside Artists' murals, Derry

The Bogside Artists are known across the world for the unique open air art gallery they have created in the heart of Derry's historic Bogside area, which was pivotal during the Civil Rights movement and throughout the course of the Troubles. Bloody Sunday happened on these streets and the harrowing events of that day, January 30, 1972, are among the defining events depicted on the large gable end artworks created along Rossville Street. Photo: Brendan McDaid

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