The stretch of coastline between Slieve League and Slieve Tooey in southwest Donegal is a fine spot for walkers eager to breakaway from the trappings of modern living. The entire 35km coastline bristles with jagged rock pinnacles and soaring cliffs and, nestled in the midst of all this glorious scenery, is the village of Glencolmcille.

Wonderfully remote, Glencolmcille began as a settlement for Neolithic peoples, and the area is littered with Megalithic tombs, so insights into the country’s heritage are plentiful.

There are plenty of walks that start and finish at St Columba’s Church in the village, but two of the best are the Drum Loop and the shorter Tower Loop. Both take the same route, however, the Drum Loop takes a detour only to join the Tower Loop again at a later stage.