Killybegs

Killybegs is Ireland's largest fishing port, tucked into the south coast of County Donegal. The harbour is genuinely busy with working trawlers, and watching the fleet unload is part of the experience. The Killybegs Maritime & Heritage Centre is housed in the old Donegal Carpet Factory, where hand-tufted carpets were made for clients including the White House and the Vatican. The town has good pubs with live music most evenings. Slieve League, about 30 minutes west, has sea cliffs that are nearly three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher but get a fraction of the visitors. Fintragh Beach nearby is a quiet, family-friendly strand. St. John's Point Lighthouse sits at the end of a long peninsula with wide views of Donegal Bay. For food, fresh fish and chips or Fisherman's Pie at a harbourfront pub is the standard order. The euro is the currency, and English is spoken everywhere.