The River Eske flows through Donegal and the gentle, tree‑lined path along its bank passes through fairy villages that add a sense of wonder. The fairy houses along Bank Walk have become one of those small, unexpected bits of magic that completely transform the atmosphere of the trail. What began as a few whimsical doors tucked into tree trunks has grown into a “fairy village.”

The houses blend into the natural setting and are intentionally subtle. You don’t see them all at once—you discover them, which is part of the charm. There are painted doors, windows, ladders, and signs tucked into tree trunks. The doors and houses appear at irregular intervals—some low to the ground, some tucked into bark crevices, others perched a little higher as if belonging to more adventurous fairies.

If you ever find yourself there, it’s one of those places where you slow down without trying. The fairies help with that.