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July 6, 2018
Today we again opted for a late start and used the morning to pack and prepare for leaving An Bun Beag tomorrow. About 11:45 we loaded up the car and headed for Ards Forest Park in Creeslough. I had never been and everyone raves about it, plus it had caught Sarah’s eye so we decided that today would be the day.
It took about one hour to reach the park from An Bun Beag. On the way we stopped at Siopa Neill Ruairdhi in Gort a Choirce. While there was some Irish language signage in the shop I didn’t hear a word of Irish spoken in the shop (and I decided not to be the first). Our picnic supplies that we purchased however were delicious.
Shortly after that, we entered Ards Forest Park, put our €5 of coins into the machine and drove to the car park.
(NOTE: You must have coins to pay for entry)
The entrance to Ards Forest Park, Creeslough, Donegal
Once parked we ate our lunch at one of the picnic tables next to the playground and then the children played on the playground. After that we packed up and put everything back into the car.
The playground as seen from our picnic table at Ards Forest Park
From the car park we took the Nature Loop and I was very impressed by the scenery. It was a lush forest and I imagine that this is what Ireland used to look like. We completed the 1.5 K loop and the children not only endured it, they loved it. The trail was well maintained and it was great to see such a different type of scenery.
The beginning of the 1.5 K Nature Loop at Ards Forest Park
The beginning of the Nature Loop
Ards Forest Park
The children enjoyed stopping at each of the numbered posts on the walk.
The trail was an easy walk but did have some climbs like this one.
There were occasionally old mill stones along the trail that are from the abandoned mills associated with the nearby monastery.
For our family it was nice that there were occasionally benches where we could rest.
A gentle decent with small stairs on the Nature Loop
Liam investigates the bilingual signage in the forest
The Nature Loop ends at the beach. You can see the playground in the distance.
There are some really nice benches overlooking the beach.
The beach as seen from the edge of the trees.
After our walk we bought a latte and cup of tea from Ards Coffee Tree in the car park, they were both very good.
Ards Coffee Tree in the car park of Ards Forest Park
We did enjoy our drinks from Ards Coffee Tree
Fionnuala really enjoyed the Fairy House that was built next to the restroom.
Then we walked to the beach through the playground. Fionnuala (6) enjoyed the water while Liam (9) read a book on the beach. Even though it hit 20° again the ocean water was back to it’s normal cold self. Once Fionnuala got cold we walked back to the car and prepared for our next stop.
The path from the playground to the beach
The wide majestic beach at Ards Forest Park
Fionnuala makes the long walk across the beach to get into the water
Playing at the beach in Ards Forest Park
We arrived in Dunfanaghy about 4:45 and got a parking space with ease. We sat on the benches by the water for a few minutes and then headed into Patsy Dan’s. Patsy Dan’s has a reputation for having good music. I had read that they had traditional music tonight at 6 and we wanted to make sure that we got a table. We sat down in the half empty pub and ordered a round of drinks. About 6 we ordered pizzas and salad from the Rusty Oven (which is behind the pub), we also ordered some more drinks. The Rusty Oven brought our food into the pub in about 20 minutes. We ate and drank and enjoyed the music. The pizzas were fantastic but I wished we had ordered one pizza for each person. Fionnuala and Liam loved it and Sarah enjoyed it more than I thought she would. It was a great choice for us.
A nice place to while away some time next to the water in Dunfanaghy.
Coloring in Patsy Dan’s, Dunfanaghy
Reading in Patsy Dan’s, Dunfanaghy
Part of the menu at the Rusty Oven, Dunfanaghy
Our salad from the Rusty Oven, Dunfanaghy
One of our pizzas from the Rusty Oven
Pizza from the Rusty Oven
We left the pub about 7 and got home about 8. Sarah and I had split a pizza and we each had a salad, but by the time we got home at 8 o’clock I was hungry. So, I stopped by Pepper’s Diner in An Bun Beag. There wasn’t anything written in Irish and I didn’t hear anyone speaking Irish so I ordered in English. I got a burger and garlic chips. The food was okay. Pretty standard fare for a chipper. I’m glad I tried it but probably won’t go back. And that’s how we ended our last night in Donegal.
Liam’s Highlight of the Day: the nature walk
Fionnuala’s Highlight of the Day: the nature walk
Gaeilge Experience: Only TV and radio today.
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