Till Mueller
7fb5bdf69a
- WAW overview: new table with driving times/distances per leg, base town + nights columns, day-by-day logic - Galway extended to 3 nights (Aug 21-23); Clare becomes a day trip - Kerry split: 2 nights Dingle (Aug 24-25) + 2 nights Killarney (Aug 26-27) - Cork reduced to 1 night (Aug 28); drive to Dublin Aug 29 - 06f-clare.md rewritten as day trip guide with timed itinerary - All section file date headers updated; README table updated
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Donegal
Type: WAW Section 1 of 7 Dates: ~Aug 12–13 (2 nights) Recommended stay: 2–3 nights Best for: Dramatic cliffs, remote coast, Celtic heritage, wild landscapes
Why Visit
Donegal is the wildest, most remote part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Fewest tourists, narrowest roads, highest cliffs. If you only have energy for one section at full immersion, this is it — but it's also the hardest for EV charging, so plan carefully.
Must-See
- ⭐ Slieve League Cliffs — Three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, a fraction of the crowds. The highest sea cliffs in Europe accessible on foot. Walk the "One Man's Pass" ridge for vertigo and spectacular Atlantic views.
- Glenveagh National Park — Vast bog and mountain wilderness with a castle on a loch. Red deer roam freely; golden eagles have been reintroduced. The walk from the visitor centre to the castle is easy and beautiful.
- Inishowen Peninsula / Malin Head — Ireland's northernmost point. Dramatic and very remote. Only worth the detour if you have the third day; skip if time is tight.
- Fanad Head Lighthouse — One of Ireland's most photogenic lighthouses; the drive along the Fanad Peninsula is itself a highlight.
- Donegal Town — The Diamond (central square) is lively with good restaurants and pubs. Best EV charging hub in the county — top up here before heading to the coast.
Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrive, Donegal Town, Fanad Peninsula
Drive or transit from Belfast (~2.5h). Settle into Donegal Town. Afternoon: drive the Fanad Peninsula to Fanad Head Lighthouse and back. Evening in Donegal Town.
Day 2 — Slieve League
Drive to Teelin (45 min). Walk Slieve League — the Bunglass viewpoint is dramatic even without the full ridge walk; the One Man's Pass is for those comfortable with exposure. Allow 3–4h on the mountain. Lunch in Killybegs (large fishing port, good chowder). Evening back in Donegal Town.
Day 3 — Glenveagh (+ Malin Head if time)
Morning: Glenveagh National Park — walk to the castle (3km each way) or take the shuttle. Afternoon: either Malin Head (2h drive, Ireland's northernmost tip — worth it on a clear day) or a slower drive down the coast toward Sligo.
EV Charging
Situation: Sparse — the worst section on the entire WAW for EV charging.
- Donegal Town — ESB ecars charger; use as your charging base every night
- Letterkenny (20 min east) — ESB 22kW; useful if approaching from Belfast
- Killybegs — Slow public charger; not reliable for a full charge
- Bundoran (south coast) — ESB charger; good on the way toward Sligo
Critical: The Slieve League / Glencolmcille coastline has no public chargers. Base yourself in Donegal Town and do all coastal excursions as day trips returning to charge each evening.
Practical Info
- Base: Donegal Town — best selection of accommodation, restaurants, and EV charging
- Roads: Narrow and hilly — allow extra time. Park up and walk at Slieve League and Glenveagh rather than trying to rush between them.
- Currency: Euro (Republic of Ireland)
- Driving: Left side
- Workation: Poor outside Donegal Town. Schedule light async work only for this section. See WORKATION.md for the full picture.