Slieve League

Standing at a whopping 1,972 feet/601 meters, the Slieve League Cliffs are nearly 3 times the height of the Cliffs of Moher and they’re almost twice the height of the Eiffel Tower.

They’re one of the most impressive natural attractions in Donegal and the scenery you can soak up from the Slieve League viewpoint is out of this world.

1. Location

The Slieve League Cliffs (Sliabh Liag) are located on the stunning south west coast of Donegal. They’re a 15-minute drive from Carrick, a 20-minute drive from Glencolmcille, a 30-minute drive from Killybegs and a 55-minute drive from Donegal Town.
2. There are 2 car parks

So, there’s 2 places to park at the cliffs – the lower car park and the upper car park. The lower requires you to make a 45-minute+ moderately strenuous walk to the viewing point while the upper car park is right next to the viewing platform. We’ve heard that, unless you have mobility issues, you won’t be let through the gate to park in the upper car park (this is just for peak season).
3. Paid parking / restrictions

Up until recently, the Slieve League car park was free. However, you now need to pay €5 for 3 hours or €15 for the day.
4. Shuttle bus and visitor centre

If you don’t fancy the walk, you can park at the Slieve League Visitor Centre for free and then pay to take the shuttle bus. This costs (prices may change) €6 per adult, €5 for OAPs / Students, €4 for kids or €18 for a family ticket (2 adults and 2 or more children).
5. Weather

The weather at the Slieve League Cliffs plays a huge part in your experience here, and I’m not talking about the rain. It can get very misty here, at times. If you arrive when there’s mist, the chances are a good chunk of the cliffs will be covered. If you arrive on a day like this you’ll need to try and wait it out or come back another time.
6. Safety

The Slieve League Cliffs are unfenced in the majority of places, so please be careful and never go too close to the edge. The drive from the lower to upper car park needs to be taken with extreme care, as there are plenty of bends and blind spots and a lot of people walk here.
7. The viewpoint

If you’re visiting the Slieve League Cliffs in Donegal with someone that has limited mobility, you can, quite literally, drive right up next to the viewing area which is right next to the upper car park.

Although we’re used to hearing about the Slieve League Cliffs, Sliabh Liag itself is actually a mountain and it’s finely nestled right along the wild Atlantic coast.

The cliffs here are the highest accessible sea cliffs in Ireland (the title of the highest sea cliffs goes to Croaghaun on Achill) and they’re said to be some of the highest in Europe.

One of the beauties of the Slieve League Cliffs is that, if you visit outside of the busy summer season, the chances are you’ll find them nice and quiet.

We’ve visited in autumn and spring and met only a handful of people rambling around. Combine this with the fact that they’re just as impressive as Moher (and about 50 times quieter!) and you’re in for a treat.

There’s a handful of things to see and do around the cliffs, from boat tours and ancient sites to the now-famous Éire sign.

Below, you’ll find some bits and bobs to do while you’re there. If you fancy a ramble, scroll down to our Slieve League walk section.
1. The Slieve League viewing platform

The viewpoint (Bunglass Point) is located right next to the upper Slieve League car park. From here, you’ll be treated to views out across Donegal Bay all the way to Sligo and beyond.

While you’re stood here, keep an eye out for the little beach of pure white sand (only approachable by boat).

To the right hand side of the beach there’s a large cave where seals sometimes retreat to (don’t get too close to the edge when looking for this!).
2. The Éire sign

During the second world war, Ireland had certain agreements with The Allies. One of these agreements allowed allied aircraft fly through the Donegal Corridor, a narrow strip of airspace that linked Lough Erne to the Atlantic Ocean.

The word Éire was placed in stone on headlands around Donegal (you can see another at Malin Head), to act as navigation aid for those flying above.

You can still see this Éire sign at the Sliabh Liag Cliffs – it’s situated right next to the viewing point car park.
3. The ancient pilgrimage site

Sliabh Liag was also an ancient pilgrimage site. High on the slopes of the mountain you’ll find remains of an early Christian monastic site. Keep an eye our for a chapel, beehive huts and ancient stone remains.

You’ll also find an old signal tower at Carrigan Head that dates back to the Napoleonic wars.
4. The boat tour (highly recommended)

If you’re looking for unique things to do at the Sliabh Liag, climb aboard this boat tour (affiliate link) and see the Donegal coastline like never before from just €30 per person.

The cruise leaves from nearby Killybegs and runs for just under 3 hours. Over the course of the journey it takes in everything from the stunning Slieve League Cliffs to lighthouses, beaches and plenty more.

https://www.theirishroadtrip.com/sliabh-liag-cliffs/