Local Attractions
Church Hill is a small country village with a friendly relaxed atmosphere. There are 3 bar/lounges where you can enjoy the craic and the traditional music. There is also a post office, takeaway and hair saloon in the area
Letterkenny is Irelands fastest growing town with its many attractions such as great shopping, restaurants, cinema, theatre and a buzzing night life. Letterkenny also offers excellant recreational facilities such as leisure centre and Town Park.
You are within easy travelling distance of all the major tourist attractions, including:
Glenveagh National Park
www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie This beautiful national park is just 10 minute drive away from your holiday cottage and is home to herds of red deer and golden eagles and is set amongst a dramatic mountain range around Lough Veagh. A visitor centre houses audio-visual displays and Glenveagh Castle is surrounded by one of the finest gardens in Ireland. There are guided tours of the Castle and a restaurant with traditional teas available.
Colmcille Heritage Centre
www.myguideireland.com/colmcille-heritage-centre The Churchill/Gartan area is the birthplace of Saint Colmcille. The heritage centre houses an illustrated display covering the life and times of St Colmcille.
Glebe House and Gallery
www.heritageireland.ie/en/North-West/GlebeHouseandGallery This is a Regency house built in 1828 set in woodland and decorated with William Morris textiles, Islamic and Japanese art. Here is housed the Derek Hill Art Collection, including over 300 works of art by leading twentieth century artists, including Picasso and Kokoshka.
Newmills Corn and Flax Mills
www.heritageireland.ie/en/North-West/NewmillsCornandFlaxMills are on the Glenties Road out of Letterkenny and here you can see one of the largest working waterwheels in Ireland. There is a 1km millrace powering two separate millwheels, one for flax and the other for grinding oats and barley. The latter was made by the Stevenson Foundry of Strabane in 1867.
The Fintown Railway, An Mhuc Dhubh
www.antraen.com Fintown Railway offers a unique train journey along the shores of the lake.
Gartan Lakes & Outdoor Pursuits
www.gartan.com The Gartan Outdoor Adventure Centre, on Gartan Lake, offers organised outdoor adventure pursuits.
Ionad Cois Locha - Dunlewey Centre
www.dunleweycentre.com is just a 20 minute driving distance from Fern Cottage on the road to Gweedore. The centre has an excellent range of interests and activities for children and adults alike including a historic homestead guided visit, restaurant & tea room, craft shop, adventure play area, tweed weaving demonstration, audio-visual show on Dunlewey, lakeside walks, boat cruise on Dunlewey Lake, farmyard animals and traditional music.
