Slieve League is a large mountain overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, in the secluded and remote County Donegal on the north-west coast of Ireland. At almost 2,000 feet high, Slieve League has some of the tallest sea cliffs in Ireland. They are, in fact, even higher than the famous Cliffs of Moher on the south-west coast of the country.
This monument on the coast is a prime hiking spot if you want to explore nature at its wildest. Slieve League Mountain plays home to a number of interesting species of plant and animal life. Hike gently, do your best not to disturb your surroundings and you may be lucky enough to see some wild deer in their natural habitat. The area is also one of Ireland’s primary breeding grounds for the golden eagle, which was reintroduced to the area in 2001.
As one of the wildest and most unspoiled regions left in Ireland, Slieve League’s remote location ensures that it has almost no light pollution, making this a key destination for stargazers. You’ll find it humbling to see so many stars from the pitch darkness of one of Ireland’s highest mountains, with the sound of the Atlantic Ocean crashing along the shore 2,000 feet below. The nearest large town is Donegal, an hour’s drive east of the Slieve League cliffs via the N56 and R263. Head here at night to peer up at the Milky Way, completely undisturbed by the lights of the city.
