Glenties brings together cultural themes and two distinct trail connections: the Bluestack Way leads from here along the banks of the Owenea River to Ardara; the Gap Trail runs in the area around Glenties, crosses the Ownea River and ends at Lough McHugh. When planning, you can therefore distinguish between discovering the town’s history and focusing on a route with its own destination. Glenties offers themes ranging from architecture and literature to a museum and recurring events.

Church Architecture and Local History

St. Connell’s Church was officially opened on Sunday, 19 May 1974. The opening was conducted by Anthony Mac Feely, the late Bishop of Raphoe. The church was designed by the late architect Liam Mc Cormick from Derry. Its form reflects the meeting of the Big Glen and Wee Glen valleys. The church thus connects architectural history with a specific link to the local landscape.

The Courthouse in Glenties was completed in 1843. The original fixtures and fittings in the courtroom, including high box pews, have been preserved almost unchanged. The church and the Courthouse mark different periods: the Courthouse’s completion in the 19th century and the church’s opening in 1974. At the Courthouse, the nearly preserved interior adds a striking feature of its architectural history to the date.

Museum, Literature and Annual Events

The Bridewell cells are a visitor attraction at St. Connell’s Museum & Heritage Centre. The Bluestack Way also includes a visit to the local museum in Glenties. This makes it possible to include both the museum and a route from Glenties to Ardara in your travel plans.

The MacGill Summer School was founded in 1981 in Glenties, County Donegal, in memory of local writer Patrick MacGill, and is held annually. Glenties also inspired Brian Friel’s short stories and plays. These literary connections sit alongside a recurring event: you can get to know Glenties through both its writers and the annual Summer School.

The events calendar also includes the annual Glenties Harvest Fair, held around Fair Day on 12 September. The specific festival dates and programme may vary from year to year. If you would like to plan your trip around the fair, check the dates for the relevant year.

Trails from Glenties and in the Surrounding Area

The Bluestack Way runs from Glenties along the banks of the Owenea River to Ardara. This gives the route a clear destination: Glenties is the starting point and Ardara the named destination. The Gap Trail offers a different point of reference. In the area around Glenties, it crosses the Ownea River and ends at Lough McHugh. When choosing, it is therefore important to consider whether you are looking at a route from Glenties to Ardara or the trail ending at Lough McHugh.

More Places to Explore in County Donegal

If you are including Glenties in a wider trip through County Donegal, other places offer their own cultural and landscape themes. Donegal Castle was the personal stronghold of Red Hugh O’Donnell, Lord of Tír Conaill. Tours tell the castle’s story from the time of the Gaelic lords through the Plantation and its long period as a ruin to its recent restoration. Check tour availability before your trip.

At Fanad Lighthouse, between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay, the tour lasts 45 minutes. The virtual reality experience “The Storm, The Sea, The Saldanha” is also offered there; check the availability of these experiences before your trip. For a coastal walk, Malin Head is another option: it is the northernmost point of Ireland, and a circular trail runs along the coast to Banba’s Crown.

Sliabh Liag offers another coastal focus. Visitors can hike the cliffs on the southwest coast of County Donegal. A seasonal boat trip from nearby Teelin Harbour reaches the base of the sea cliffs; check whether it is operating before your trip. For a wider County Donegal itinerary, cultural stops, coastal trails and a boat trip are therefore different options to consider.

Discover more destinations: Glencolumbkille, Dunkineely, Manorcunningham, Stranorlar, Portsalon, Kilcar, Letterkenny, Burnfoot

For the overview of the wider area: County Donegal.