Date: 27-28th June 2019
Travelled: 163 kilometres from Narin to Rathmullan both in County Donegal
Visited: Horn Head and Fanad Head
Stayed: Rathmullan (adjacent the car-park) free, T+B. N55.09597, W07.53213
Budget: 26 days @ โฌ82 per day
Pam demanded a lay-day after some 24 days on the road. We can do a little washing, given we have access to a tap here in Narin. Not to mention the opportunity for a long shower and to wash her hair.
But we still take the chance to explore while the Hymer has a rest.
The tide is low at 0900 so we walk out to see if we can get across. 
We wade across the last 50 m to Inishkeel. The waters about 300mm deep at worst.
We spend 15 minutes exploring the ruined church and monastery. 
They most recent headstone was this one at 1903.
We make our way back and have breakfast. As you know Thursday is sardines on toast day and after our dash to Inishkeel and back we were hungry.
Breakfast done and the usual jobs completed we are off on our second walk of the day, this time to Portnoo, the next village around the bay.
The road rises quickly as we leave Narin. 
Providing some excellent views across Gweebarra Bay.
A panorama of Gweebarra Bay.
Not much of a lay-day, so far. Come 4pm Pam insist on another walk (our third) along the beach around the point. Itโs 5.30 by the time weโre back in the Hymer. Itโs easier to drive for half the day than walk it.
We chatted away the rest of the day with English and Irish tourists who would see the Hymer with its Australian flag decals and comment โ did you drive that all the way from Australia ๐ฆ๐บ โ
We drive a peninsula known as the The Rosses. Perhaps Rosses is Irish for tractors, because we get stuck behind several this morning. 
Back on the N56 we can see Errigal Mountain looming long before we pass by.
At Dunfanaghy we turn for Horn Head crossing this old stone causeway. 
At Horn Head we find a park and walk up the rise. From an old WWII military observers box we can see the Napoleonic Tower in the distance.
As you can see little of the tower remains, but itโs interesting to explore. 
The walk is deceptively long and steep, even worse going back. The views up and down the coast make the walk worthwhile.
We stop for a very late lunch at a little viewing point overlooking Doe Castle. You can zoom in and read about it below.
From here we cross into the Fanad. A large peninsula of low lakes, bogs and peat (turf). 
I feel sure Paul McCartney would have driven here when he wrote โa long and winding roadโ. After all The Mull of Kintyre is just over the horizon. Eventually we make Fanad Head Lighthouse.
You can read about it here. 
Whilst we thought Fanad Head very picturesque we balked at paying the โฌ10pp entry and just look from outside the fence.
The WAW turns south and we make for Rathmullan. There is free parking in the car-park and services as well according to the data-base. We can save 80-90 kms by taking the ferry to Buncrana from Rathmullan tomorrow.
Rathmullan, Ulster, Ireland
Map showing Rathmullan, the icon on the car-park
We park up in Rathmullan, the locals are having a great time in this warm weather, which we think is still quite mild. So we walk up to the Beachcomber, order a pint of Guinness and a glass of their best Chilean SavBlanc. Another day on the Wild Atlantic Way slides through to the keeper.
Michael and Pam
One thought on “The Fanad, Ireland ๐ฎ๐ช 2019”
Bet you are glad for some blue sky and no jackets. Views look spectacular, keep enjoying and safe travels.