The greatest attraction of Donegal Town is the town's layout itself, a happy mix of medieval and modern buildings. Most of the structures are there for you to wander at will, with no audiovisuals, interpretive exhibits, admission charges, or crowds.
The Diamond is the triangular market square dominated by an obelisk erected in memory of four early-7th-century Irish clerics from the local abbey who wrote The Annals of Ireland, the first recorded history of Gaelic Ireland.
Lough Derg and its many islands lie about 16km (10 miles) east of Donegal. Legend has it that St. Patrick spent 40 days and 40 nights fasting in a cavern at this secluded spot, and since then it has been revered as a place of penance and pilgrimage. From June 1 to August 15, thousands of Irish people take turns coming to Lough Derg to do penance for 3 days at a time, remaining awake and eating nothing but tea and toast. It's considered one of the most rigorous pilgrimages in all of Christendom. To reach the lake, take R232 to Pettigo, then R233 for 8km (5 miles).
