If you enjoy history that involves the burning of a fortress by design to keep it out of the hands…read moreof the 15th century English, put this castle on your itinerary! My family and I visited here during our stay in Donegal and probably walked less than a quarter of a mile from the town square to reach this historical site. With no prior knowledge of the castle's background story, I was taken in by the remnant and the restored portions. Information panels inside provide interesting stories of the varied history of the original and successive owners. I appreciated the craftsmanship and engineering of the trusses and beams of the restored roof. The massive fireplaces and large rooms permitted me to imagine, just a little, what life was like in the castle a long time ago. Additional tidbits: I found the price of admission fair for a family. Guided tours are available. The castle has plenty of steps and no elevators. Bathrooms are available on the lower level.

Rather small but well staffed and well maintained. It takes maybe 30-45 minutes to see the entire…read morecastle. Not the biggest castle in Ireland but Donegal isn't the biggest town either.

There are two big reasons to like Bundoran. One is the annual Ballyshannon Folk Music Festival…read morenearby (http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=ballyshannon%20folk%20festival&source=web&cd=5&ved=0CFEQtwIwBA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DD01N-5YGhuo&ei=ZjdzUczwApCvigKF-oFA&usg=AFQjCNHB6wJILw1qcAQGCzzO4RDncfleIw&sig2=4Y6_BtrjTLSAn5J52BEOaw&bvm=bv.45512109,d.cGE) and two, the surf. We missed the fest* but hoped to score some waves. Bundoran plays host to several surf locations that draw surf travelers, pros and wannabes that don't mind a little cold water. This is because the pubs always have a warm seat and a tall pint or hair-of-the-dog to chase off the chill and they are always close. Donegal is my favorite area of Ireland and is about as far away from crowded Dublin as the island can offer. It is a small beach town chock full of friendly faces, unreal views and tasty waves, like The Peak* where the pub is within a stone's throw of the infamous break. And when the waves are small, there are the most scenic expanses of castles and redoubts, cottages and cliffs, farms and rock-strewn fields. You know, "Lord of the Rings" country, Middle-earth. Drink enough and you'll see Frodo and Samwise. If Orcs lived in Cork, they'd be "CorkOrcs", okay, I'll stop. This is my style of Ireland and what I'll always remember about it. Erin go Bragh. (I pray my surf brothers and sisters from across the pond don't send over a hit-team on me for "publishing" this wave and effing it up for all and ever. I say not to worry. This beach is about as far away from the Malibu look as one could imagine. You will never see a bikini here. Ever. And no one reads Yelp anyway.) *We come in September, the fest is in August.