Staycation junkie: South-West Donegal

Mental Health Column

By Ellen O’Donoghue

Hey there, I’ve never actually written a column before. But here we are. So, welcome, I suppose.

We’re not mentioning the C-word here. I’ve decided that much.

I’m Ellen O’Donoghue, I’m from Donegal and I’m in my final year of college this year and it is hard.

This column is procrastination really. And will continue to be for the duration of this year.

That probably sounds harsh, but I’m just being honest.

So, mental health.

I’m not going to lie, I’m definitely not the most mentally stable person out there. But I don’t think anyone holds that title.

Nobody has only good days, and that’s completely normal.

See, I have depression. And have had for a few years. People always tell me that I’m so strong and brave because I’m open about it but I really don’t get why I wouldn’t be.

I take my tablets, go to the odd counselling session every once in a while and take the bad days when they come because I know that regardless, there will be more good days than bad.

Depression is weird. It’s not really talked about much. It creeps up in so many different ways. Sometimes you’re just really tired no matter how much you sleep, sometimes you can’t sleep at all no matter how hard you try, sometimes your brain is so foggy you can’t think clearly, sometimes you just can’t stop crying and sometimes, you just feel numb.

A lot of people don’t know they have depression until someone points it out. That’s what happened to me.

Depression is so much more than being sad. I want people to know that. It’s not talked about enough. Being distant, quiet, or even overbearing, and needing constant distractions from yourself. From your mind. People don’t talk about those parts.

Over the next few issues of SIN, I hope to write about my experiences with mental illness, some coping mechanisms I use, how I deal with my bad days and whatever else comes to my mind between now and then.

If you want me to cover anything in particular, drop me a DM on twitter @ellenodee123

Don’t be mean, remember your words have consequences and an impact on people. Don’t think that they don’t. Even if you’re behind a screen.

STAYCATION JUNKIE: South-West Donegal

By Ellen O’Donoghue

Before anyone gets me started; I know we’re not permitted to travel outside our five kilometres right now. And won’t be for another few weeks, at least.

But I am blessed to not have to travel outside of my 5km for a lot of these activities, something I am extremely grateful for. South-West Donegal is among the most beautiful places in the country, if not on earth. And my beautiful wee corner of the world only seemed to get the recognition it deserved from the Irish public once they were told they couldn’t go on their foreign holidays this year! There are countless things to get up to, and views to appreciate, if you need a break for a few days (when permitted, of course).

Also, unfortunately this is the kind of holiday you, or a friend, would need a car for. You’re going to be out in the sticks and there is no word of public transport to get by on these back roads.

Travel Junkie

By Maureen Breslin

Travel has become a core component of who I am. Since I was seventeen, all I have wanted to do is venture out and see as much of the world as possible. It’s a constant itch that I can never seem to scratch enough. It always keeps me curious and wanting more with every new place that I go. Nothing has brought more joy, curiosity, learning, and passion to my life than exploring the world and I don’t mind any extremities in exchange for the experience. I have slept in cars, couches, 10 dollar hostels, and squished in hotel rooms on the floor. It doesn’t bother me, so long as I get to experience a new place, meet new people, learn about a different culture, and see for myself the world firsthand.

There are tricks to travelling on a budget if you are willing to be flexible. I come from Philadelphia, and to

To start out, I’d recommend getting an Airbnb for a few days- but booking early of course, because they have a tendency to be booked out well in advance in summer months!

If an Airbnb doesn’t suit, Ionad Siúl, a beautiful hostel in Glencolmcille, or Hegarty’s Sliabh Liag Lodge in Carrick are two lovely, affordable options if you feel like you don’t have enough people to fill an Airbnb!

Starting off in Kilcar, Muckross Head and Muckross Beach are two beautiful sights, the beach is popular among surfers and if the tide is out, you can walk over along the bottom rocks of Muckross Head. Depending on the season, you could stop off at Memory Lane Tea House for a lovely coffee and a snack too- or ice cream if it’s warm enough!

Heading in towards Glencolmcille, take the coast road and head to Teelin, where you can stop at the Salmon Leap to watch local catch-and-release fishermen to see if they can catch anything good. You can also enjoy great coffee from Brew in Thru there if you’d like!

score good deals I keep my eye on flights from New York airports, which are only two hours away. There can also be great bargains from Washington or special prices for small flights out of tiny airports nearby, such as Atlantic City.

In Europe, budget carriers have even lower prices, making it easy to score a deal across international borders. That is, if you can make do with a backpack and your knees against the seat in front of you for a couple hours. To me, the discomfort is worth it and I will go in any capacity that I can afford. I simply want to get out there and see the world; it doesn’t matter how I arrived at my destination, just that I’m there.

I have been to five continents, twenty-two countries, and twenty-six US states and I have no plans on stopping there. Among my favorite places have been Tokyo, San Francisco, La Paz, Cairns,and of course, Galway!

Coronavirus may have dampened our ability to travel, but as I come from the United States, studying for my Master’s Degree here in Ireland is in itself an adventure.

Under Level 5 restrictions, the best thing to do for everyone’s health is to respect public guidelines.

From there, go on up to the majestic Sliabh Liag Cliffs, the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe- higher than the Cliffs of Moher! If you’re the adventurous type, there are rock paths the entire way up for hikers to attempt too, but allocate 3-4 hours of your day for it and make sure there are no clouds looming because they have a tendency to drop as a fog quickly and you don’t want to get stuck!

If you want to see Sliabh Liag from a different perspective, go to Teelin Pier and visit Paddy at Sliabh Liag Boat Trips for a family friendly tour around the area from the water below, full of stories and legends that both young and old will enjoy, and you can also enjoy a swim in the vast expanses of the scenic Atlantic if you feel up to it! If there is a gang of you, you can also book out the boat for a few hours for just yourselves and enjoy a private tour.

If you’re feeling peckish after all of these activities, I have to recommend Kelly’s Kitchen at Hegarty’s in Carrick for a mean pint and a feed that will not leave you wanting more!

Heading in towards Glencolmcille now, you are really spoilt for choice. Driving down Cashel Hill the view is breathtaking, but make sure to watch for sheep on the road. Glencolmcille gives us the Folk Village which dons a magnificent insight into life as it was in the olden days, and the adjoining café does an amazing breakfast for a hangover too! Directly across from this is the stone map of Ireland and Glencolmcille beach, where you can bring a picnic to eat on the picnic tables if you’re balling on a budget. If that wasn’t enough, you can head over to An Cistin and get a reasonably priced tasty dinner and some top-class service on top of it.

Next up is the Silver Strand beach in Malin Beag, the most dramatic beach in Ireland. Donning a horse-shoe shape, with around 174 steps down to it, the workout is well worth the feeling of its soft sand on your feet when you make it down. The water is mesmerizing, and in my opinion, the best beach to swim at in the area.

If you’re not tired out after all of this, I’d recommend you take a trip to Port, an abandoned fishing village in the area. With soft, rounded stones instead of sand on its beach, the place is full of history and local heritage. It speaks for itself.

I could go on, and maybe its because I’m biased. But South-West Donegal is up there with some of the most amazing places on earth. Just pray you get a sunny week to visit. It really is top class, if I do say so myself.

However, when restrictions are eased, there are still many ways to experience the joys of traveling, even in the world of the coronavirus pandemic. There are so many special things to see, do, and experience in Ireland while still maintaining social distancing, wearing masks, keeping outdoors, and being safe.

While in full lockdown, the magic of travel doesn’t have to stop either. There is always some gold at the end of the rainbow, and planning for the days when we can travel again can help stay optimistic and give yourself hope with something to look forward to. There are many television programmes on traveling, such as the popular Netflix show, Emily in Paris and Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown. These shows, and other similar ones, can help quench our thirst for travel while we wait to venture out safely again. They can also help us plan for a trip in the future. That way, when things are finally in the green once more, we can have a planned trip ready to go and get the travel industry, and our planes and trains, back in motion.