The Deserted Village of Port
The Deserted Village of Port
4.5
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4.5
48 reviews
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31
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8
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7
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1
Terrible
1
Sunnydalegal
Omagh, UK133 contributions
Sept 2020
Walked over to Port from Glencolumbkille via the Signal Tower, along the coast (only sheep tracks for most of the way) to Port and back over Faugher Mountain (rough mountain track, then tarred access road down from telecoms mast). A 9.22 mile walk with 1,886 feet of ascent that my walks book described as the best coastal walk in Ireland. Port's wonderful setting is best seen by walking as far as you can/want up the rocky track leading south from the bridge opposite the parking area. The higher you go, the more expansive the views northwards. If you're looking for something other than stunning scenery you'll be sorely disappointed with your visit to Port. However, if you appreciate the great outdoors, it is a truly magical location.
Written 14 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Angela
Donegal Town, Ireland74 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
A long and lonely isolated country road through the Donegal hills brought up to this beautiful little port - An Port. Clean and unspoilt with the abandoned houses from famine times still remaining. There's a feeling of ancient Ireland there and you can imagine life there 200 yrs ago before the famine. It's just so far removed frim modern Ireland. We brought a picnic and walked along the cliffs. A wonderful Sunday spent there.
Written 29 January 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James N
Saint Louis, MO22 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Right up front if youre not comfortable or prepared to drive down a one lane road for a few miles with oncoming cars, and sheep, then this is not for you. But if you are then you're in for a treat. Two small parking lots one for the port and one for a walking trail going up the cliffside. No facilities and dogs arent allowed. I wish we couldve stayed longer and hiked the path, but a 30 minute sheep hearding delay had my girl needing a toilet. It wouldve been a great picnic spot.
Written 28 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarmo_Maattala
Joensuu, Finland10 contributions
Mar 2015 • Family
After a long and scenic drive on a very narrow and bumpy road we finally reached the remote seashore. Scenery on the bay was great, but the village itself was a bit disappointment. On the web we had red a couple of articles of this village and thought that this is a real ruins of a village. Actually there were only 2 ruined houses and 1 new one. We took a walk on the cliff on opposite side of the bay and found a couple of crosses built for dead sailors. This place is worth of visit because of sceneries and idea itself. When you are driving to this place and you have lost all your hope to reach it, just keep going :) Good shoes, camera, good map and/or gps needed.
Written 8 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LaurenRJohnson
St. Petersburg, FL38 contributions
Jan 2019 • Friends
Photos cannot do this any justice what so ever!!The ruins were so unreal. They are on a hillside you need to hike a bit to get inside them. The road there is very tiny and you feel like you are in the middle of absolutely no where. Our B&B hosts said “The only traffic there is sheep!” And wow, they were so right. The place has an eerie feel about it. Almost other worldly. I suggest to get out of your car on the way, when you are in the middle of the hillsides, to really sink it all in.
Here are the coordinates, put this in your GPS and you will be taken to the car park. I wish I had these coordinates on the way there to be reassured we were going in the right direction! It feels like you are going no where but the road will end in Port.
54.7476, -8.6978
Go to the car park and enjoy the stone beach at the end of the road. Then hike the hill to the ruins. Go inside the ruins to get a feel of how the people lived before the famine left their village deserted. It was remarkable. An absolute highlight of our trip!!
Here are the coordinates, put this in your GPS and you will be taken to the car park. I wish I had these coordinates on the way there to be reassured we were going in the right direction! It feels like you are going no where but the road will end in Port.
54.7476, -8.6978
Go to the car park and enjoy the stone beach at the end of the road. Then hike the hill to the ruins. Go inside the ruins to get a feel of how the people lived before the famine left their village deserted. It was remarkable. An absolute highlight of our trip!!
Written 19 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ainemcardle2
Dublin, Ireland121 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
I wanted to go here after reading reviews but don't think it was worth the effort.
I travelled from Ardara and it took almost an hour and on old, narrow mountain paths. Now I'm Irish and a farmers daughter so maybe the charm is lost on me but in my opinion you can see similar views without all the hassle.
When we got there we weren't sure if we had arrived except the road suddenly ended! There was a sign for the cottages but with no real information and all there was to see were some stones and outlines of cottages. It was a bit wild and wet when we were there so unless it's a good day and you enjoy mountainous roads don't bother - theres lots of other ruined cottages around!
I travelled from Ardara and it took almost an hour and on old, narrow mountain paths. Now I'm Irish and a farmers daughter so maybe the charm is lost on me but in my opinion you can see similar views without all the hassle.
When we got there we weren't sure if we had arrived except the road suddenly ended! There was a sign for the cottages but with no real information and all there was to see were some stones and outlines of cottages. It was a bit wild and wet when we were there so unless it's a good day and you enjoy mountainous roads don't bother - theres lots of other ruined cottages around!
Written 17 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jimmy m
Letterkenny, Ireland13 contributions
Jun 2015 • Solo
small wee place.
was apparently a quite busy fishing port once upon a time.
now there's just a few rocks on the shore, and a small boat used for gathering lobster pots.
there's a hill to climb if you like climbing hills, and that's about it really.
nothing to stir the soul or justify the journey... I wouldn't bother.
I hear people going on about how magical the place is.
They must be on drugs.
was apparently a quite busy fishing port once upon a time.
now there's just a few rocks on the shore, and a small boat used for gathering lobster pots.
there's a hill to climb if you like climbing hills, and that's about it really.
nothing to stir the soul or justify the journey... I wouldn't bother.
I hear people going on about how magical the place is.
They must be on drugs.
Written 14 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DavidWray96
Donegal Town, Ireland83 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
Went here with the parents on a day-trip last summer and it was absolutely fantastic. Stunning scenery in such a remote location. Bring a camera, no matter what way you look it is nigh impossible to take a poor picture. Less than an hour and a half drive from Donegal Town. It needs to be seen to be believed. I will be going back. Such a beautiful and tranquil place.
WRITTEN DIRECTIONS FROM ARDARA TO PORT (Ardara is roughly 30-40 mins from Donegal Town)
Leave Ardara on the road to Killibegs. When you’re just out of the town, turn right, up the beautiful Glengesh Pass, towards Glencolmcille. At the top of the pass, take the first right. At the T-junction turn right (left goes to Glencolmcille). Keep going along this road and keep the faith, through Largynaseeragh. At the next T-junction, with the lough on your left, take a right. Eventually, on this road, you will get to Port – when you see the sea, you’re very nearly there, and the cottage is then the only one you can see, on the right.
WRITTEN DIRECTIONS FROM ARDARA TO PORT (Ardara is roughly 30-40 mins from Donegal Town)
Leave Ardara on the road to Killibegs. When you’re just out of the town, turn right, up the beautiful Glengesh Pass, towards Glencolmcille. At the top of the pass, take the first right. At the T-junction turn right (left goes to Glencolmcille). Keep going along this road and keep the faith, through Largynaseeragh. At the next T-junction, with the lough on your left, take a right. Eventually, on this road, you will get to Port – when you see the sea, you’re very nearly there, and the cottage is then the only one you can see, on the right.
Written 7 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kathleen V
Portland, Oregon198 contributions
Apr 2015 • Business
My small tour group visited the deserted village on a very soft weather day. It made the place seem that much more haunting. How could there be so much sadness & sorrow in such a lovely spot! Our driver/guide, from Co. Clare, filled us in on the history of the mid 1800s genocide. We paused for a moment of silence out of respect and for continued healing between Ireland and England.
Written 22 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Orla F
County Kildare, Ireland91 contributions
Nov 2016
Not far from Glencolmcille is the deserted famine village of Port - sad to see what was once a small fishing community and now just the walls of a few clusters of cottages. It is in a very beautiful setting and well worth the drive to get there. It is also possible to walk along the cliff to Glencolmcille which is part of a longer sign-posted walking route. One enterprising person has actually renovated and extended a cottage there for rent, so if you have a book to write or really want to get away from everything, this is the place for you.
Written 4 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
I've heard that both the Maine artist/painter Rockwell Kent and the English writer Dylan Thomas spent time in a cottage in Port. Is this true, and is there any information there about it?
Written 25 June 2017
Rockwell Kent spent the summer of 1926 in a rundown isolated cottage in the Port region that he rented from Dan and Rose Ward, there he painted a number of paintings including one of his rumoured love Annie Mcginley. A decade later Dylan Thomas stayed in the same cottage in an effort to dry out as the nearest pub was more than 10 miles away.
Written 15 March 2018
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