Maghera Caves and Port

The Maghera Caves and Port in Ardara, County Donegal, is one of the Most Beautiful Caves in Ireland and is located in one of Ireland's most scenic areas. Natural sea-erosion caves line a wide, silver beach beneath majestic mountains that conceal an ancient castle.

It's not so much that the caves are spectacular in and of themselves as the chemistry of the dark sea caves, the wide, dazzling silver beach that leads to them, and the wild, craggy hills above them that transports you to a magical wilderness. Man appears to have left little imprint on this powerful, vibrant landscape. The road to the caves runs along Loughros Beg's southern shore, cutting through steep-sided rock faces where streams tumble from their beds and free fall to the base of the cliffs. Assaranca Falls is the most spectacular of these. The massive beach occupies the inlet to your right, with the sea beyond seemingly held at bay by an invisible hand. You can park at a cottage and walk the signposted track to the dunes, beach, and the Maghera Caves, which are frowning beneath the quartzite rocks that roof them.

Location: Cloghboy, Ardara, Co. Donegal, Ireland