From beaches to bars and brunch, Anna Farren gives a guide to a great weekend in Gweedore, West Donegal.

With girls visiting from Dublin, I left Letterkenny and made my way along the Wild Atlantic Way, this time, heading for Gweedore. I checked into a Bunbeg Guest House and settled in the beautiful surroundings very quickly.

That evening, the girls and I made our way to Leo’s Tavern and enjoyed delicious pub grub. Leo’s Tavern is renowned for being the musical birth place of Clannad, Enya and Moya Brennan and its walls are filled with musical memorabilia. The pub is incredibly cosy and was a lovely place to spend an evening catching up with friends.

The following morning, we made our way to The Ivy for brunch. It was so good I will most definitely travel one’s errand from Letterkenny, to enjoy brunch here again! The food was mouth-wateringly tasty and the staff were so welcoming and friendly.

You may not be in the mood for a meal, but The Ivy too presents signature flavoured popcorns which were also, oh so tempting!

From The Ivy, one is only a stone’s throw from the nearby beach, yet another, simply stunning Donegal beach for us to enjoy.

Although you may not be heading to Gweedore overnight, I would most definitely recommend you make the trip to visit not only the beautiful beach, but also to delight in the views along the Wild Atlantic Way on route. With Mount Errigal and Dunlwwey on the way, one is spoiled with the scenery to enjoy.

Let me know if you venture this way in future and enjoy, what I would consider, the best brunch in Donegal that I have found to date!