Things to do in Southwestern Donegal
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Father McDyer's Folk Village
A museum with a mission, this folk centre was established by the forward-thinking Father James McDyer in 1967 to freeze-frame traditional folk life for posterity. It's housed in a huddle of replicated thatched cottages of the 18th and 19th centuries, with genuine period fittings. The shebeen (illicit drinking place) sells unusual local wines (made from ingredients such as seaweed and fuchsias) alongside marmalade and whiskey truffles. Admission includes a tour. It's 3km west of the village, by the beach.
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Maritime & Heritage Centre
This heritage centre provides a good overview of the town's history, and is set in the factory of Donegal Carpets, whose carpets adorn the White House and Buckingham Palace. You can sometimes see its hand-knotting loom (the world's longest of its kind) at work. The fun wheelhouse simulator lets you 'steer' a fishing trawler into the harbour. There's a good cafe/craft shop on-site.
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Kitty Kelly's
Dining at this restaurant in a 200-year-old, plum-coloured farmhouse feels more like attending an intimate dinner party. The menu is a gourmet take on traditional Irish favourites like rich stew and creamy trifle. It's on the coast road, 5km west of Killybegs. Opening hours vary annually; bookings are essential.
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22 Main Street
Recently revamped, this Mediterranean-style bistro offers excellent seafood fresh off the trawlers. It's the town's top restaurant and serves a tempting menu with some nonfish dishes but little for vegetarians.
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Blue Haven
Blue Haven's modern restaurant has giant windows overlooking the bay and an extensive, if predictable, menu of classic dishes. The sunset views are stunning.
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Corner House
A good spot to listen to an Irish music session (Friday and Saturday year-round; nightly from June to September), it's the type of place where someone will spontaneously break out into song and, if the mood is right, the rest of the pub will join in.
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St Connell’s Museum & Heritage Centre
St Connell’s Museum & Heritage Centre, beside the old courthouse at the western end of town, has a ragbag of local artefacts. Call for (very limited) opening hours during the rest of the year.
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Nancy's Bar
This old-world pub-restaurant successfully makes its guests feel as though they're sitting in Nancy's living room. It serves superb seafood and chowder with hearty wheaten bread and is also the best place in town for a social pint or two.
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Glencolumbcille Woollen Mill
This is a great place to stock up on Donegal tweed jackets, caps and ties, and lambs wool scarves and shawls. You can sometimes see weavers in action. It's about 5km southwest of Glencolumbcille, in Malinmore.
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Paddy’s Bar
The thatched Paddy’s Bar has been completely remodelled without detracting from its character, and attracts all ages, particularly for its regular traditional music sessions.
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Studio Donegal
Beside Kilcar's community centre tweeds are spun and loomed by hand at Studio Donegal. Visitors are often invited upstairs to see spinners and weavers in action.
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Shines Takeaway
If you’re craving something with gills and fins by now, salt down a serve of cod and chips from this spick-and-span chipper and head to the beach.
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John Molloy’s
Handmade and machine-knitted woollies are available here at its flagship establishment and at its factory outlet in Glencolumbcille.
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Killybegs Angling Charters
If you're interested in taking to the water to catch pollack, ling, brill or turbot, Brian McGilloway has 30 years' experience in charter angling. Boat hire costs €450 while gear rental is from €10 per day.
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John Molloy's
This Ardara manufacturer's Glencolumbcille fac tory outlet sells a wide range of woollies made from natural yarns.
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An Chistin
Attached to the Oideas Gael cultural centre, this cafe/restaurant serves up surprisingly gourmet fare to a soundtrack of mellow jazz.
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Kennedy’s
In business for over a century, Kennedy’s helped establish Ardara’s reputation as a sweater mecca.
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Eddie Doherty
Behind Doherty’s bar, you can usually catch Eddie Doherty hand-weaving here on a traditional loom.
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Harbour Store
You can buy rods, reels and tackle at the Harbour Store, by the wharf.
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Tour Donegal
Archaeologist and guide Derek Vial offers an insight into the region's history with guided trips to Stone Age tombs, Iron Age forts, the Slieve League sea cliffs, secluded beaches and hidden fishing villages. Tours cost €30 per hour for one to two people plus €5 per hour for extra people.
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Sheila's Coffee and Cream
Attached to the heritage centre, this little cafe is a local favourite and serves a good selection of hot dishes such as fish cakes and lasagne as well as a luscious collection of desserts.
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Oideas Gael
The cultural centre at the Foras Cultúir Uladh (Ulster Cultural Foundation), 1km west of the village centre, offers a range of 'cultural activity holidays' – adult courses in Irish language and traditional culture, including dancing, painting and musical instruments. The centre also leads hill-walking programs in the Donegal highlands. Three-day courses cost from €100. Accommodation can be arranged – you'll have a choice of homestay or self-catering, with prices of around €80 for a three-night stay.
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Ardara Heritage Centre
Set in the old town courthouse, this centre traces the story of Donegal tweed from sheep shearing to dye production and weaving. A weaver is present to demonstrate how a loom works and explain the stitches used in traditional garments.
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