Ardara (Arda Rath, "Earth Hills") is prettily situated on the little River Owentocher, near the eastern shore of Loughros More Bay, an arm of the sea which reaches far into the land.
Ardara is noted for the manufacture of homespun tweeds. Hand knitting, hosiery and hand embroidery are also done here.
The Essaranks Waterfall, near the Maghera Caves, has footpaths continuing along the coast, through beautiful scenery, or through the Slievetooey Mountains (1,500ft/450-460m) to Glencolumbkille.
7mi/11km northeast of Ardara, on the River Owenea, lies Glenties. Situated in a wooded region, with good fishing in its loughs and rivers, the little town of Glenties also has a government fish-hatchery.
Glenties has several times won the contest for Ireland's tidiest town. It is also known for the manufacture of gloves and hosiery.
The little islet of Inishkeel has the ruins of an old chapel on its shore. At low tide, it is possible to walk (or, more usually, paddle) to Inishkeel from the nearby twin holiday villages of Narin and Portnoo.
Farther west, on Dunmore Head, are two old ring-forts which afford fine views.
North of Ardara the R261 branches west off the N56. A prominent feature on this road is a huge dolmen at Kilclooney. Beyond this are the twin holiday villages of Nann and Portnoo.
On an island in Lough Doon, 1.5mi/2.5km south of the holiday village of Portnoo, stands a massive and well-preserved oval stone fort called "The Bawn" (signposted).
The twin holiday villages of Narin and Portnoo are delightfully situated beyond Kilclooney in the shelter of the hills on the south side of Gweebarra Bay. Narin has a fine sandy beach 1.5mi/2.5km long and an 18-hole golf course. At low tide it is possible to walk or paddle to the little islet of Inishkeel.
The quiet little resort of Rosbeg, 3mi/5km south of the holiday village of Portnoo, has a good sandy beach and fishing for brown trout in the local loughs.
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Glenties, Ireland
