Dunaff Cottages are a short ten minute drive from the village of Clonmany (Irish: Cluain Maine ) in the north-west Inishowen, in County Donegal , Ireland . The area has many local beauty spots, and the Ballyliffin area is famous for its golf course designed by Nick Faldo. The Urris area to the west of Clonmany village was the last bastion of the Irish language in Inishowen. In the 19th century, the area was a frequent location of poitín distillation (a strong Irish spirit).
The name of the town in Irish - Cluain Maine has been translated as both "The Meadow of St. Maine " and "The Meadow of the Monks", with the former being the more widely recognised translation.
Although the village itself is the youngest in Inishowen, the Clonmany area is steeped in history, and dolmens, forts and standing stones dot the landscape.
The location of Clonmany on the Inishowen peninsula, and bordering Lough Swilly with views of the Atlantic provides the Clonmany area with a moderate climate; with moderately warm summers, and winters that rarely go below freezing. The average temperatures for the area are usually warmer than the national average in winter and cooler than the national average in summer.
The Urris hills around Dunaff are very popular with hill walkers as you will get an excellent taxing walk for miles should you feel you are fit enough.
Raghtin Mor is just one of the local hills near by and begins at Mamore Gap, in western Inishowen. Although the early part of the route is along a small path, once we reach the foot of the mountain the path crosses open hillside with heather and boggy ground. Rising to the summit of Raghtin Mor, views from the trig point across the Swilly to Fanad peninsula and beyond to Errigal and Muckish and north to Malin Head are spectacular.
A lunch stop in the cairn on the summit is usual with most walkers.
The return route follows the ridge westwards, dropping from Raghtin Mor to cross to Crock Main and the bigger final peak of Mamore Hill. There are several uphill and downhill sections on this route before we set foot on tarmac again just above the start point at Mamore Gap.
This walk takes approximatley four hours to complete.
This is a proper hillwalk and good walking boots, raingear and a basic level of fitness are required, but the rewards are worth while for the fantastic views that can be seen. Be sure and take your camera with you!