Things to do in Northeastern Donegal
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Olde Glen Bar & Restaurant
Authentic down to its original 1700s uneven stone floor, this treasure of a traditional pub in the tiny hamlet of Glen serves a sensational pint. Out the back, its small farmhouse-style restaurant serves outstanding blackboard specials. It doesn’t take reservations and is popular with locals – turn up by 5.30pm to get a table for the 6pm seating, or by 6.30pm for a table at the 7.30pm seating. By the time you leave, you’ll feel like a local yourself.
reviewed
-
Beach House
With plate-glass windows facing the lough, this aptly named cafe/restaurant projects an elegant simplicity. Although the menu is also intrinsically simple, the quality and preparation are a cut above: ‘surf and turf’, for example, comes with fillet steak, crab claws, langoustines and creamy bisque.
reviewed
-
Grianán of Aileách
This amphitheatre-like stone fort encircles the top of Grianán Hill like a halo and offers eye-popping views of the surrounding loughs. On clear days you can see as far as Derry. Its mini-arena can resemble a circus whenever a tour bus rolls up and spills its load inside the 4m-thick walls.
The fort may have existed at least 2000 years ago, but it's thought that the site itself goes back to pre-Celtic times as a temple to the god Dagda. Between the 5th and 12th centuries it was the seat of the O'Neills, before being demolished by Murtogh O'Brien, king of Munster. Most of what you see now is a reconstruction built between 1874 and 1878.
The fort is 18km south of Buncrana ne…
reviewed
-
Ballyliffin Golf Club
With two championship courses, Ballyliffin Golf Club is among the best places to golf in Donegal. The scenery is so beautiful that it can distract even the most focused golfer. Its above-average restaurant, Linx, overlooks the fairways (mains €9.50 to €20).
reviewed
-
Doagh Famine Village
The Doagh Famine Village is set in a reconstructed village of thatched cottages. Call ahead to book its tour, packed with entertaining titbits about a disappearing way of life, and insightful comparisons with famine-stricken countries today.
reviewed
-
Rosapenna Golf Club
Designed by St Andrew's Old Tom Morris in 1891 and remodelled by Harry Vardon in 1906, the scenery at this renowned golf club is as spectacular as the layout, which can challenge even the lowest handicapper.
reviewed
-
Barron’s Cafe
Run by a friendly couple, this cheap, cheerful cafe serves staples like freshly ground burgers. Upstairs, the four guestrooms, each with private bath, are happy little dens and very tidy (single/double €32/56). Book ahead.
reviewed
-
Ań Stad T-Bar
Home-baked fare including tasty potato cakes are served up at Sandra Daly’s cheerful little cafe just off the main street. This is also where breakfast’s served for guests at Sandra’s B&B diagonally opposite.
reviewed
-
Fort Dunree Military Museum
The Fort Dunree military museum sits on a rocky outcrop in a 19th-century fort. It’s a beautiful spot. If the guns don’t impress you, the scenery and birdlife will.
reviewed
-
Adventure One Surf School
The peninsula has some crankin’ surf – for lessons contact Adventure One Surf School. Two-hour lessons, which include gear rental, cost €30.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Simpson's
The old-world charm, buzzing atmosphere and excellent seafood make Simpson's a great stop any time of day. The menu also includes solid surf, turf and international dishes, all of which are made fresh on the premises. The four-course Sunday lunch is only €15.
reviewed
-
McClean's
Easily spotted by the petrol pumps out front, this treasure of an old-time pub has the best craic in Malin and often has live music.
reviewed
-
Rosato's
This lively pub is the best spot in town for food. It has a good range of pizzas and pasta dishes, and live music on Saturday nights.
reviewed
-
Atlantic Bar
Dating from 1792, this spearmint-and-moss-green drinking hole is Buncrana's oldest and most atmospheric pub.
reviewed
-
Rawdon’s
Rawdon's is a friendly pub along the Main Rd, less than a block from the Market Sq and has regular live music.
reviewed
-
Portsalon Golf Club
The marvellously scenic Portsalon Golf Club is the main attraction for golfers.
reviewed
-
Olde Glen Bar & Restaurant
Authentic down to its original 1700s uneven stone floor, this treasure of a traditional pub in the tiny hamlet of Glen serves a sensational pint. Out the back, its small farmhouse-style restaurant serves outstanding blackboard specials. It doesn't take reservations and is popular with locals – turn up by 5.30pm to get a table for the 6pm seating, or by 7pm for a table at the 8pm seating. By the time you leave, you'll feel like a local yourself.
reviewed
-
O'Flaherty's
A central hub for locals and visitors, this old-world pub is a friendly spot and has live traditional music every Wednesday night.
reviewed
-
O'Doherty's Keep
At the northern end of the seafront, the early 18th-century, six-arched Castle Bridge leads to this tower house built by the O'Dohertys, the local chiefs, in 1430. It was burned by the English and then rebuilt for their own use.
reviewed
-
Ned's Point Fort
Walking 500m further from the keep (turn left and stick to the shoreline) brings you to Ned's Point Fort (1812), built by the British and now under siege from graffiti artists.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Mevagh Dive Centre
Donegal's only dive centre offers courses, rents gear (€40 per half-day) and has excellent accommodation (doubles €70) in its purpose-built B&B. Stay-and-dive packages including two nights' B&B and four boat dives cost €175.
reviewed
-
Buncrana Castle
At the side of the keep is the manorlike Buncrana Castle, built in 1718 by John Vaughan, who also constructed the bridge. Wolfe Tone was imprisoned here following the unsuccessful French invasion in 1798.
reviewed
-
Beach House
With plate-glass windows facing the lough, this aptly named cafe/restaurant projects an elegant simplicity. Although the menu is also intrinsically simple, the quality and preparation are a cut above: 'surf and turf', for example, comes with fillet steak, crab claws, langoustines and creamy bisque.
reviewed
-
Donegal Ancestry Family Research Centre & Heritage Centre
Donegal Ancestry Family Research Centre & Heritage Centre is one of the restored riverside warehouses, which has an exhibition on the history of Rathmelton, and also does genealogical research. It costs €15 for an initial consultation.
reviewed
-
Bridge Bar
The Bridge Bar is one of those lovely old country pubs you came to Ireland for. Its cosy 1st-floor restaurant has good seafood dishes, such as roasted swordfish.
reviewed
