Decide how many days long you would like your driving tour to be. At least three days is needed to experience what the county has to offer.
Establish whether you will tour the county from one base or whether you will stay in different places on your route. The latter is probably preferable as it will allow you to take in more of Donegal.
Choose a starting point or base. From the south a perfect place to begin is Bundoran. Coming from the north, Letterkenny is an excellent choice. This article will work roughly from the south to the north of the county.
Begin at Bundoran. The town is a popular seaside resort, noteworthy for its uniquely patterned cliffs at each end of the sandy beach. Taking one of the many walking tours is a good way to explore the town and its surrounding area.
Travel north to Ballyshannon. Located on the River Erne, don't miss the nearby Assaroe Falls and the ancient ruins of the Cistercian Assaroe Abbey. In the north of the town you should also visit St. Anne's Protestant church where poet William Allingham is buried.
Continue on to the small seaside village of Rossnowla. Just southwest you should not miss visiting the Kilbarron Castle ruins. Dating from the 13th century, the castle looks over picturesque countryside.
Spend a little time in Pettigo, a village which is half in Northern Ireland and half in the Republic. The Termon River is the dividing line.
Make your way North to Lough Derg, a famous and secluded lake flanked by desolate moorland and low hills. This is the situation of the famous St. Patrick's Purgatory, a 1500 year old Irish pilgrimage. The pilgrimage is made to Station Island on the lake, and lasts for three full days between June 1st and August 15th.
Spend a day in Donegal Town. In particular visit the ruins of Donegal Abbey and Donegal Castle, where a huge gabled tower with two turrets is still standing. Donegal Town is also an excellent place from which to base your Donegal driving tour.
Travel west to the villages of Killybegs, Kilcar, Carrick and Glencolumbcille. Killybegs is a vibrant fishing centre with a noteworthy natural harbour, whereas Kilcar is renowned for its fine Donegal tweed. From Carrick you can make the 1792 ft ascent of beautiful Slieve League, where the coastal summit reveals a spectacular view of five counties. Glencolumbcille is home to some of Donegal's best pre-Christian monuments.
Drive north on a route taking in the towns of Ardara and Glenties. Both are quaint little towns, with Glenties in particular winning many awards and being the centre of knitwear and hosiery in the area.
Continue north through "the Rosses". This is a striking rock-strewn area, with Dungloe and Burtonport worth seeing. The latter is renowned for its fresh salmon and lobster.
Explore Glenveagh National Park. It covers 24,000 acres east to west and is home to badgers, otters, stoats, foxes, as well as a 500 head herd of red deer. The moorland is also the natural habitat peregrine falcons, grouse and ravens.
Make a day trip to Tory Island. This island community, situated off the north coast of Gweedore, is one of the last relatively unspoiled communities left in Ireland. It is not to be missed when in the area.
Visit the town of Letterkenny. Nearby you will find Lough Gartan, birthplace of St. Columba. He is one Ireland's most famous ever sons.
Travel toward the Inishowen Peninsula. Of interest on route are the numerous holy wells, Doon Rock and Doon Well, believed to have healing powers. Even today pilgrims still attach a piece of clothing nearby for luck.
Make a 100-mile drive around the peninsula. In particular, stop at Malin Head the most northern and possible most desolate spot in Ireland, and Grianán of Aileach. This is a circular stone fort atop an 800-foot-high mountain.
