On the northernmost tip of Malin Head, called Banba's Crown, stands a cumbersome 1805 clifftop tower that was built by the British admiralty and later used as a Lloyds signal station. Around it are concrete huts that were used by the Irish army in WWII as lookout posts. To the west from the fort-side car park, a path leads to Hell's Hole , a chasm where the incoming waters crash against the rocky formations. To the east a longer headland walk leads to the Wee House of Malin , a hermit's cave in the cliff face.
The view to the west takes in, from left to right, the Inishowen Hills, Dunaff Head, low-lying Fanad Head with its lighthouse, the twin 'horns' of Horn Head and the twin bumps of Tory Island; in the far distance, to the left of Fanad lighthouse, are Muckish and Errigal Mountains. To the east lie raised beach terraces, and offshore you can see the lighthouse on the remote island of Inishtrahull. A new viewing area has free telescopes. On a few nights a year you can see the Northern Lights.
Watch for the truck-based Caffe Banba that is sometimes in the parking lot selling superb coffees and baked goods.
