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Budget-Conscious Accommodations & Restaurants in Donegal

Replies: 12 - Last Post: Oct 1, 2012 4:21 PM Last Post By: uwogirl

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uwogirl

uwogirl avatar

Sep 27, 2012 7:40 PM
Posts:  7

Budget-Conscious Accommodations & Restaurants in Donegal

Hi everyone,

I'm working on a presentation for my travel writing class, and my partner and I have chosen Ireland as the country we'd like to visit. Our main focus would be a budget-conscious trip, the kind students would take to get the most "bang for your buck".

So if anyone has any suggestions for inexpensive hostels, hotels, bed and breakfasts or restaurants in Donegal, that would be great!

Any additional information about St. Patty's Day in Ireland would be good, too. Any sort of traditions the locals participate in, what the party scene is like, etc.

Thank you :)

Edited by: uwogirl

dandelion7

dandelion7 avatar

Sep 27, 2012 11:40 PM
Posts:  44

1

Well, for one thing it's "Paddy", not "Patty".

battybilly

battybilly avatar

Sep 28, 2012 12:17 AM
Posts:  12,228

2

Hi - and welcome to Thorn Tree.

Are you looking at just the town of Donegal - or the whole county?

uwogirl

uwogirl avatar

Sep 28, 2012 11:17 AM
Posts:  7

3

Paddy's? I think either is acceptable, but I thought 'Patty's' would be more so because it's an abbreviation of 'Patrick's'...

I'm interested in the whole county. :)

battybilly

battybilly avatar

Sep 28, 2012 12:46 PM
Posts:  12,228

4

Abbreviation of Patrick's is Pat's.
OK - so the whole of Co. Donegal then....
Co.Donegal is amongst my most liked regions. I have a great fondness for Rossnowlagh and Bundoran.
Donegal Town is a lot more modern than it used to be when I started going there, but then again where isn't?
Quite a few websites show the town and county, but Trip Advisor has one of the best offerings....

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/LocationPhotos-g186601-w3-County_Donegal.html#16977411

There are some wonderful drives and walks. Are you hiring a car or some other mode(s) of transport?
Car is favourite for me. Buses are OK, but don't get right into the corners. Oh and the trains have long gone.
Your likes and dislikes would be appreciated, as to what can be suggested.
It can be very wet in Co. Donegal in 'Every' month of the year and the Atlantic winds can be harsh.
I'll hand it back over to you at this point and wait for your tastes in travel, before continuing.
Over to you.

hellojohn

hellojohn avatar

Sep 29, 2012 4:30 AM
Posts:  44

5

The Rossapenna area,and Rossgoill Penninsula are favourites of mine...scenic and magical with many B$B's to choose from...Try moirascottage in the hills near Downings for a taste of wilderness and Donegal beauty!

uwogirl

uwogirl avatar

Sep 29, 2012 10:13 AM
Posts:  7

6

Thanks for all the information! As for transportation, whichever is cheaper. I'm assuming buses would be, but I don't know for certain - what about cabs for getting into the good corners?

I checked out the trip advisor link you put up, and it looks like there's a very inexpensive hostel(?) that seemed to get some good reviews called 'Corcreggan Mill'.

Unpredictably wet and windy, eh? Probably a good idea to pack an umbrella and rain coat then! I'm also wondering if you could recommend a bar/pub and restaurant.

Thanks for your help!

uwogirl

uwogirl avatar

Sep 29, 2012 10:15 AM
Posts:  7

7

Moira's Cottage sounds lovely! I'll add that as my second pick.

8363myers

8363myers avatar

Sep 30, 2012 9:30 AM
Posts:  13

8

Toni's Bistro in Donegal Town is right on the square near the "action" and was a wonderful, inexpensive place to meet the locals when I was there a couple of weeks ago. Good food and coffees

8363myers

8363myers avatar

Sep 30, 2012 9:37 AM
Posts:  13

9

Also wanted to mention an unforgettable drive we took (rental car). This went up toward Sleive League (probably spelled that incorrectly). It took MUCH longer than the 1/2 hours locals suggested but then we girls tend to wander a bit and not pay attention to where we're going exactly - more of "wonder where that road goes kind of thing which we think is the only way to travel). But well worth it toward some beautiful and astonishing scenery (if you like rugged coastlines, lots of sheep, hills, etc.) Never got to the top of the cliffs but we did end up at a woollen mill and learned from the ladies there about different kinds of sheep - which ones are for wool and which for mutton - and that they have different colors spray painted on them to differentiate among the owners in a shared pastureage kind of situation. One of my best memories of 2 weeks in Ireland during Sept 2012.

CharlieHolley

CharlieHolley avatar

Sep 30, 2012 1:27 PM
Posts:  22

10

Patty's is the American way, Paddy's is the proper way. ;-)

Try to get to the area of Kilcar, Carrick and Glencolumbkille. It's as rural, natural and incredible as you will find. Look up Shaun at Derrylahan Hostel. between Kilcar and Carrick.

hellojohn

hellojohn avatar

Oct 1, 2012 12:36 AM
Posts:  44

11

There is another magical hostel,
one of the oldest in Ireland,
at Tra Na Rossan
on the Rosgoill Penninsula!
A great Singing Pub nearby that serves plenty of country/sea foods!
All low budget places!

uwogirl

uwogirl avatar

Oct 1, 2012 4:21 PM
Posts:  7

12

You guys have been very helpful :) I'm going to be posting another topic about one of the story ideas I have for my project concerning the abortion law in Ireland.
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