Things to do in Northwestern Donegal
- Sort by:
- Popular
-
Narosa Life
Offers surf lessons, yoga and fitness classes, as well as guided walks of Muckish Mountain and Horn Head.
reviewed
-
Ards Forest Park
Anyone looking to stretch their legs will love this forested park, which is criss-crossed by marked nature trails varying in length from 2km to 13km. It covers the northern shore of the Ards Peninsula and some of the best walks lead to its clean beaches. The woodlands are home to several native species, including ash, birch and sessile oak. Introduced species, both broadleaf and conifer, also proliferate, and you may even encounter foxes, hedgehogs and otters. In 1930 the southern part of the peninsula was taken over by Capuchin monks; the grounds of their friary are open to the public. It's 5km southeast of Dunfanaghy off the N56; daily closing times are posted at the…
reviewed
-
Doe Castle
The interior of the early 16th-century DoeCastle isn’t open to the public, but locals open the gates each day, allowing you to wander through the grounds. The castle was the stronghold of the Scottish MacSweeney family until it fell into English hands in the 17th century. The castle is picturesquely sited on a low promontory with water on three sides and a moat hewn out of the rock on the landward side. The best view is from the Carrigart–Creeslough road. It’s signposted 16km from Dunfanaghy on the Carrigart road.
reviewed
-
Leo’s Tavern
You never know who’ll drop by for one of the legendary singalongs at Leo’s Tavern. It’s owned by Leo and Baba Brennan, parents of Enya and her siblings Máire, Ciaran and Pól (the core of the group Clannad). The pub glitters with gold, silver and platinum discs and various other mementos of the successful kids. At Crolly, take the R259 1km towards the airport, and look for the signs for Leo’s.
reviewed
-
Cove
Owners Siobhan Sweeney and Peter Byrne are perfectionists who tend to every detail in Cove's art-filled dining room and on your plate. The seafood-skewed cuisine is inventive and deceptively simple with subtle Asian influences. After dinner, retire to the elegant lounge upstairs. It's on the main road in Port-na-Blagh. Book ahead.
reviewed
-
Mill Restaurant & Guesthouse
An exquisite country setting and perfectly composed meals make dining here a treat. Set in an old flax mill that was for many years the home of renowned watercolour artist Frank Eggington, it also has six high-class guestrooms. The mill is just south of the town on the Falcarragh road. Book in advance.
reviewed
-
Heritage Centre
The Heritage Centre, which was once a workhouse, tells the powerful tale of ‘Wee Hannah’ and her passage through the institution, and also hosts various temporary exhibitions and workshops. On some mornings the place is overrun with busloads of school children.
reviewed
-
Caife an Chreagain
If that sea air has given you an appetite, head for Mary's welcoming cafe/restaurant, offering great value for money. Outside the summer months (June to August), opening times can vary depending on the weather (and, by extension, the ferries).
reviewed
-
Dunfanaghy Gallery
The Dunfanaghy Gallery started life as a fever hospital. The gallery has several rooms, which showcase paintings old and new, historic photos printed from original glass plates, hand-woven tweeds, pottery, jewellery and books.
reviewed
-
Muck 'n' Muffins
A 19th-century rough-stone grain store now houses this waterfront cafe and craft shop. Even on rainy winter days, it's packed with locals tucking into healthy sandwiches, quiches and hot specials, tempting cakes and, of course, muffins.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Lóistín Na Seamróige
Owner Margaret grew up on these premises and her pub is the town's living room, especially on Friday mornings when a market sets up outside the front door, and during July and August when there's traditional music.
reviewed
-
Molly's Bar
Be sure to at least peek inside the cherry-red Molly's Bar, a wonderfully old-fashioned pub with proper snugs. It also hosts regular live music (traditional, jazz, blues and more) and events including quiz nights.
reviewed
-
Jaws Watersports
Offers surfing, sailing and windsurfing lessons (€40), stand-up paddle boarding (€30), rents gear (€20 per half-day), kayak rental (from €25 per half-day) and runs kayaking trips (€35).
reviewed
-
Club Sóisialta Thórai
The island's social life revolves around this merry spot, which along with the hotel has the island's only other pub. Opening times vary; it usually gets going from around 8pm but don't expect the real craic to start until much, much later.
reviewed
-
Bonner’s
Fishing for salmon and trout in the River Dungloe and Lough Dungloe is popular and you can get tackle and permits from Bonner’s.
reviewed
-
Dunfanaghy Golf Club
This stunning waterside 18-hole links course is just outside the village on the Port-na-Blagh road.
reviewed
-
Dunfanaghy Stables
Exploring the expansive beaches and surrounding countryside on horseback can be arranged here. Hours vary seasonally.
reviewed
-
Marble Hill Windsurfing
Windsurfing lessons and gear hire are available through Marble Hill Windsurfing.
reviewed
-
Dixon Gallery
reviewed
-
Richard Bowyer
Organises sea-angling trips from the small pier in Port-na-Blagh between Easter and September.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
Leo's Tavern
You never know who'll drop by for one of the legendary singalongs at Leo's Tavern. It's owned by Leo and Baba Brennan, parents of Enya and her siblings Máire, Ciaran and Pól (the core of the group Clannad), and now run by younger son Bartley. The pub glitters with gold, silver and platinum discs and various other mementos of the successful kids. There's live music nightly in summer and regular sessions throughout the winter. The restaurant is one of the best spots around for honest Irish pub grub. If you're in the area, don't miss it. To get here from Crolly, take the R259 1km towards the airport, and look for the signs for Leo's.
reviewed
-
Horn Head
The towering headland of Horn Head has some of Donegal's most spectacular coastal scenery and plenty of birdlife. Its dramatic quartzite cliffs, covered with bog and heather, rear over 180m high, and the view from their tops is heart-pounding.
The road circles the headland; the best approach by bike or car is in a clockwise direction from the Falcarragh end of Dunfanaghy. On a fine day, you'll encounter tremendous views of Tory, Inishbofin, Inishdooey and tiny Inishbeg islands to the west; Sheep Haven Bay and the Rosguill Peninsula to the east; Malin Head to the northeast; and the coast of Scotland beyond. Take care in bad weather as the route can be perilous.
reviewed
-
Dunfanaghy Workhouse
This grim building was the local workhouse, built to keep and employ the destitute. Conditions were excessively harsh. Men, women, children and the sick were segregated and their lives were dominated by gruelling work. It was soon inundated with starving people as the Famine took grip. Two years after it opened in 1845, it accommodated some 600 people – double the number originally planned.
The workhouse, west of the centre, is now a heritage centre, which tells the powerful tale of 'Wee Hannah' and her passage through the institution, and also hosts various temporary exhibitions and workshops. On some mornings the place is overrun with busloads of school children.
reviewed
-
Doe Castle
Although the interior of the early 16th-century Doe Castle isn't open to the public, you can wander through the grounds. The castle was the stronghold of the Scottish MacSweeney family until it fell into English hands in the 17th century. The castle is picturesquely sited on a low promontory with water on three sides, and a moat hewn out of the rock on the landward side. The best view is from the Carrigart–Creeslough road. It's signposted 16km from Dunfanaghy on the Carrigart road.
reviewed
-
Beaches
The wide, sandy and virtually empty Killahoey Beach leads right into the heart of Dunfanaghy village. Marble Hill Beach, about 3km east of town in Port-na-Blagh, is more secluded but usually crammed in summer. Reaching Dunfanaghy's loveliest spot, Tramore Beach, requires hiking 20 minutes through the grassy dunes immediately south of the village.
reviewed