Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

It takes a hardy soul to live on the coastline of Glencolmcille (gleann cholm cille) Ireland in County Donegal. A rough, rugged landscape, a windswept and stunningly beautiful area is studded with the remains of monastic huts, and high cliffs and that golden glow when the sun shines is irresistible.

Glencolmcille is such a remote location that it suffered tremendously from the famine and the resulting mass emigration over the next 100 years all but making a ghost town of the place. In the 1950s however, it became a beacon of hope for other emigration-drained areas of Ireland. This tiny community managed to come back from the brink and create a community that valued both innovation and its traditions.

view of the hills of Glencolmcille in Donegal Ireland with a rainbow over the hills

The spectacular land and seascape of Glencolmcille (sometimes spelt Glencolumbkille) draw visitors to the area. A haven of peace and quiet, dramatic glens and cliffs and the roar of the sea crashing on the shores Glencolmcille has something for everyone. The light changes every second creating photographic opportunities and exploring the area brings with it some physical challenges such as the nearly 200 steps down to Trá Bán or Silver Strand beach. Glencolmcille also makes a perfect jumping-off point for an Inishowen Peninsula road trip.

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Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

Glencolmcille is named after Saint Colm Cille or Columba, The name Glencolmcille (Gleann Cholm Cille) translates into English as the Valley of Com Cille. Saint Colm Cille, or Columba, is one of Ireland’s three patron saints (along with Saint Patrick and Saint Brigid). Colm Cille and his followers lived in the valley for a time and the ruins of several of their churches can still be seen there.

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Things to do in Glencolmcille

The Turas of Glencolmcille

Every June 9th the local folk and some pilgrims go through the 15 Stations, Turas, or journey. This is a religious process that includes 15 different stations or stáisiúin that are within 9 different townlands.  The stations are more than likely pre-Christian and they are all stone monuments.

The Turas is a 5-and-a-half-kilometre walk through the hills and valleys of Glencolmcille. The Turas began over 1000 years ago but went into decline once the outside world began to intrude upon this remote corner of Ireland. When the community began the journey to re-evaluate its culture and traditions by embracing its Celtic past the Turas became popular again and even the Church joined back in.

carved finger of rock in Glencolmcille

The journey begins at the court tomb, which was built in 3000 BC. For pilgrims, it is both a physical challenge to walk barefoot and in the dark as the Turas begins just after midnight on June 9th. The walk is around 4 hours of trekking through rocky hillsides and damp bogs. Repeating the traditional devotions is supposed to bring you closer to salvation. The reason for the after-midnight start. This is when it is believed that Saint Glencolmcille took his last breath.

Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

Archaeologists believe that there may have been an early Christian monastery in the Glencolmcille valley. The thought is that it was centred in the same location as the Church of Ireland building. Apparently, there is some evidence there of a large circular enclosure and the Souterrain discovered there is a feature of early monastic sites.  The Church itself sits astride the ruins of a prehistoric Court Tomb, which may have been destroyed by the early monastery builders. At nearby Malin Mor, the restored Cloghanmore Court Tomb may be visited.

Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

These days in Glencolmcille, the turas is usually led by the parish priest, and many tourists and pilgrims come to take part in the holy journey.

Ireland is an absolute paradise for walkers and the best book for finding those walking trails in Ireland is Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way Walking Guides.

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What to see and do in Glencolmcille

Silver Strand Beach

Silver Strand beach is a horseshoe-shaped bay that can only be accessed by a very steep staircase with over 150 steps down to the beach. The beach sits between the villages of Kilcar (this is where Sarah Jessica Parker and her hubs Matthew Broderick hang out) and Glencolmcille. This lovely beach is a true hidden diamond, which marks the endpoint of a long hike from Slieve League’s sea cliffs.

The beach stretches out before you in a long curve of pinky-beige sand that glitters in the sunlight. The waves gently crash on the shore and it is the perfect place for a swim and a picnic. This is of course if you can manage the stairs up and down.

A beautiful stretch of pinky beigh sand in a horseshoe shape at Silver Strand Beach Glencolmcille

Glen Bay Beach Glencolmcille

Glen Bay is a small inlet off the North Atlantic Ocean situated between Gaveross Point and Rossan Point approximately 1.5 miles northeast of Malin More Head. A great beach for the family the walk down is a gentle slope and the bay is fairly protected from the high winds and small waves.

Glen bay beach is a smaller beach in Glencolmcille, perfect for families and children in a sheltered bay

The Oideas Gael: The language learning institute

Glencolmcille sits at the centre of one of Ireland’s largest Gaeltacht areas and the district is home to Oideas Gael, an Irish-language learning institute established in 1984 to promote the Irish language and culture.

Oideas Gael’s goals are:

  • To provide for adult Irish language learners, enabling them to learn enjoyably and efficiently.
  • To participate in the daily life of the Gaeltacht.
  • To promote the Irish language and its literature.
  • To promote relationships between people of Gaelic background and interests worldwide.
  • To promote relations between the Gaeltacht people and the rest of Ireland through the language.
  • To bring together people of all cultural and political backgrounds through the medium of Irish

Not only does the Oideas Gael include classes to learn Gaelic for every level of speaker but they are a cultural feast of activities from traditional crafts such as weaving, Irish music, Hill Walking, painting, writing, photography and archaeology.

The Perfect Ireland Road Trip Itinerary

a signpost full of signs for the Wild Atlantic Way, Glencolmcille, and other ares you must see in Donegal

Glencolmcille Folk Village

Glencolmcille is obviously not a large city but it does have two pubs that often feature traditional Irish fiddle music, a grocer, a post office, a woollen mill, and a great tourist centre where you can discover more information and find accommodations, a restaurant and cafe and the well known Glencolmcille Folk Village.

a view of the cottages of the Glencolmcille Folk Village

This charming replica of a rural village in Ireland contains a grouping of small thatched houses called a “Clachan”. The village offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the Irish during the past centuries.

a small stone cottage in the folk village of Glencolmcille

The Glencolmcille Folk Village Museum is perched on a hillside overlooking the other beach in Glencolmcille that you must visit Glen Bay Beach.

The Folk Village Museum was the brainchild of Donegal priest, Father James McDyer.  He conceived of the idea to help bring visitors to the area, create employment and stem the tide of emigration. The Village opened in 1967 with three cottages and has grown greatly since then.

a row of cottages at the Glencolmcille Folk Village showing how the thatch is attached

Every cottage is an exact replica of the one used by the local people in each century from the 18th to the 20th. The cottages are fully kitted out with utensils, artefacts and furniture from the period. There is a schoolhouse, a little pub/grocery shop and a fisherman’s cottage.

The village can be wandered at will or take one of the great guided tours. You can learn a lot about local traditions and practices from the tour guides and watch demonstrations of the old crafts like weaving, cooking and much more.

There is a fabulous Craft Shop and tearoom within the Village and a series of workshops you can take on traditional music, Irish culture, weaving and learning tapestry.

Glencolmcille Folk Village Tours

The Folk Village is open from Easter until the end of October.

Dé Luain (Monday) – Dé Sathairn (Saturday) 10 am – 6 pm
Dé Domhnaigh (Sunday) 10.00 to 18.00 hrs (July and August)

From the 1st of October

Monday to Sunday from 11.00 to 4.30 pm

**End of October, ring in advance to clarify exact date of closure.

Tour prices are as follows: Adults €6.50, Children over 7 years €3.00 (Under 7 years free), Family €16.50 (2 adults & 2 children, 7-14 years), 3 or more children 1.00 extra per child.

There is a parking lot right across the road from the village and it is here that you will find the iconic Map of Ireland made out of the stones found throughout the country.

Don’t forget to visit Glenveagh National Park

a view of the hills of Glencolmcille

Fiddle School at Glencolmcille

During the first week of August every year, Fiddlers Week is held in Glencolmcille. Cairdeas na bhFidiléirí works to promote and teach Donegal style fiddling. There may be only two pubs in Glencolmcille but they literally burst at the seams with fiddlers and their appreciative audiences.

Hill Walking in Glencolmcille

There is some mighty fine hiking to be done in Glencolmcille. From the two gorgeous beaches and a 5-mile walk to Malin Beg. Who knows what you might find on the beach, the area was home to many a smuggler you know.  An hour’s walk from the village to Glen Head, which you can see from the folk village due to the Martello tower at its peak, is about an hour’s walk.

hills and valleys of glencolmcille Donegal Ireland

The Glen Loop walk goes up to the Martello Watch Tower and you can walk along the cliffs to the deserted village of Port. Port’s location beside a stony beach is a picture of solitude. Waves crash on the beach and the birds cry overhead, here you feel all alone in the world.

Behind Port is the deserted fishing village of Glenlough. If you would like some company on the walk check out some of the local walks with the Sliabh League Hillwalkers.

Archaeology at Glencolmcille

Gleanncholmcille is justifiably famous for its wealth of archaeological sites and artefacts. This rich heritage of monuments dates from 3,000 b.c.

Court Cairns: these are the characteristic tombs of Ireland’s earliest settlers. They were erected in Glencolmcille and in the valley of Malinmore to the west. They are built of massive stones in the manner current all over Atlantic Europe at the time.

Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

These Court Cairns were burial places, built with huge stones, forming a court area with burial chambers or galleries. A later group of settlers in the Stone Age left the remains of their style of tomb building, the Portal Dolmens, which consist of several standing stones surmounted by a capstone. At Malinmore there is a group of six Portal Dolmens which is believed to be the finest examples in Ireland.

Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

Liosanna – Ringforts: These are the monuments dating from our Celtic ancestors, from around 350 b.c. They consist of a number of circular earthworks and stone forts like that of Doonalt. These ringforts are 20 meters inside and were built for defensive purposes.

Martello Towers: built during the Napoleonic era as part of a coastal defensive/communications system. Time spent on a visit to Glen Head and Malinbeg to view the towers is worth the walk.

Diving at Malinbeg

Near Glencolmcille, the harbour of Malinbeg is and a great place for diving, and is perfectly suited for training dives. Malinbeg harbour is within a south-facing inlet, which provides good protection against potential bad weather. You can check out the diving possibilities with DivinDec Scuba School.

Green Bay Beach in Glencolmcille with a house perched high on the hills surrounding the bay

Slieve League

The most outstanding and highest sea cliffs in Europe are to be found at Slieve League. These cliffs outdo the grandeur of the Cliffs of Moher and are much more impressive not to mention three times higher than Moher.

To access the cliffs is a twenty-minute drive from Glencolmcille and there is a large parking lot at the base of the Cliffs. There are shuttle buses up to the viewpoints at the walk is around 3 kilometres. You can also drive up to the viewpoint depending on the time of year. Just open the sheep gate and make sure to close it behind you and drive up to the small parking area near the top.

Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

There is no fee to visit Slieve League but there may be soon when the new visitors’ centre opens. Before you come to the cliffs themselves, you’ll come across the Slieve League Cliffs Centre. Inside, the centre is packed full of local history and culture. The craft shop stocks locally made knitwear and artwork and, come summertime, you can even catch a traditional Irish music session.

The walk up to the viewpoints is long and uphill but you will see a Signal Tower at Carrigan Head, which was built in the 19th century to watch for a French Invasion. Close to the viewing area itself, you can see stones, which were used to mark out the word EIRE as a marker for the planes of WWII.

the sheep gate up to the viewpoint at Slieve League
This is the sheep gate you can drive through at Slieve League

On a clear day, the views from the top of Slieve League are breathtaking. You can see right across to Sligo and Leitrim and all the way to the Mountains of Mayo.

If you are feeling very brave and you are an extremely experienced hill walker take the One Man’s Pass, which loops around onto the Pilgrim Path to experience views, and scenery that very few get to see. This path is pretty treacherous and scary to the inexperienced so don’t try if you can’t deal with heights and winds.

Boat Trips to Slieve League and fishing

Boat trips around the base of the Slieve League cliffs are an incredible way to see the beauty of the area. There are dive charters, whale-watching tours, bird watching and dolphin spotting. You can also go deep-sea angling and catch your dinner.

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Slieve League seacliffs Donegal Ireland

Accommodation in Glencolmcille

There is a good selection of places to stay either in Glencolmcille or within easy range of the Village. You can find everything here from hostels to pub rooms and you can check with the Tourist office to find a place to stay.

Better yet take a look at Booking.com for the Donegal area, you will find a great selection of locations and you can specifically look for areas such as Glencolmcille.

There are two hostels located near the Village:

Dooey Hostel is located about one mile from Cashel village, with arguably the best views in the country! Find out more about Dooey Hostel. The hostel also has a camping site for those who prefer it.

Malinbeg Hostel or Brú na Málainne Bige faces the Atlantic Ocean and Rathlin O’Byrne Island and offers spectacular views of the rugged Donegal landscape.

Silver Strand Cottages

 The Silver Strand Chalet provides beachfront accommodation with a garden and free WiFi. Featuring free private parking, the chalet is in an area where guests can engage in activities such as hiking and fishing.

This chalet is equipped with 2 bedrooms, a kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 1 bathroom equipped with a shower. Towels and bed linen are provided.

Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

Folk Village Museum is 7.8 km from the chalet, while Slieve League is 19 km away. The nearest airport is Donegal Airport, 78 km from Silver Strand Chalets.

Ionad Siul Guesthouse

Ionad Siul Guesthouse is within a minute’s walk of the beach and the village centre. Home to Father McDyer’s Folk Museum and the Ulster Cultural Centre, the village offers local shops, pubs, and restaurants.

Each room at Ionad Siul is warmly decorated with modern wood floors. Rooms feature a private bathroom, while some offer views over the sea or the garden. Wi-Fi is available throughout the guest house.

Guests can relax in the cosy shared lounge, with leather sofas and a stone fireplace. The modern, well-equipped kitchen can be used by guests, along with the spacious dining room with views of Glen Head.

Free parking is available, and the Gaelic-speaking village of Glencolumbkille features many local shops, pubs, and restaurants. The scenic local hills feature many walking trails, including the famous One Man’s Pass.

Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

If you are looking for great accommodations on the Wild Atlantic Way (and believe me the selection is incredible) check out Booking.com and their huge variety of places to stay. Oh, and by the way, Teach means home or cottage in Irish Gaelic.

Have you visited Glencolmcille Donegal yet? If not this “forgotten county” is the “coolest place in the world” according to National Geographic so you need to visit.

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So there you have it all the reasons why you need to visit Glencolumbkille. Have you been yet?

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Glencolmcille the rugged soul of Donegal

Author

  • Faith was born in Ireland raised in Canada and has lived in over 10 countries in Europe including England, Ireland, Scotland, France, Spain, Northern Ireland, Wales, along with Mexico, Antigua, the US and has slow travelled to over 40 countries around the world. Graduating with a degree in Anthropology and Women's Studies Faith is a student of history, culture, community and food and has written about these topics for over 40 years.

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