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Clonmany
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Just ten miles north of Buncrana this
village lies shelted amongst gentle hills and beside the calm waters of
the Swilly. It is the youngest village in Inishowen dating from the
middle of the last century and yet perhaps because it is less known it
has an old-world atmosphere and charm seldom found in the commercialised
resorts of today. |
Spoil yourself with a swim in Binion
Strand, a walk on the cliffs at Dunaff Head or a visit to the waterfall
at Glenevin where the river tumbles 30 feet over a pitch black rock into
a foaming pool. At Rockstown there is a fine example of a raised beach.
Two miles east of Clonmany on the slope of Magheramore Hill, there is a
Bronze Age dolmen with a massive capstone traditionally called "Finn
McCool's Finger Stone." The Legend says it was thrown by Finn from
Sliabh Snacht at another Giant on Coolcross Hill.
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The Gap of Mamore, five miles
north of Buncrana passes between Mamore Hill and Urris at 800ft.
above sea level. This is a favourite spot for tourist and local
alike with its spectacular views of the Inishowen peninsula and
beyond to the broad sweep of the Atlantic Ocean. For the
energetic it's a good starting point to explore the Urris Hills
to the west or Mamore Hill and Raghtin to the east. |
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The ruins of Leenan Fort
can be seen at the bottom of the Gap. At the end of the 19th century the
older fortifications were replaced under the new "Lough Swilly
Fortification Scheme" in 1900. The Swilly's excellence as a deep water
anchorage was recognised when the British Grand Fleet used it after
Scapa Flow. In 1938 both Dunree and Leenan, which had been reserved by
the British under the 1912 Treaty, were returned to the Irish
Government. Fort Leenan was closed in 1946. |
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