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Fanad Head Lighthouse on its cliff above the sea, County Donegal

Dún na nGall

Donegal

Atlantic cliffs, mountains and beaches across the northwest corner.

  • Ulster
  • 20 places
  • 5 events in the next 30 days
  • 86 more listings

The list

Top 10 things to do in Donegal

Donegal is the biggest county in Ulster and the one with the wildest coast. Sliabh Liag's sea cliffs rise to about 600 metres on the southwest coast, Errigal is a quartzite cone you can climb from the road, and Malin Head is the most northerly point of the mainland.

  1. The northern lights over the signal tower at Banba's Crown, Malin HeadMalin HeadViewpoint · MalinIreland's most northerly point, with a signal tower, a car park and a cliff path down to Hell's Hole.
  2. Fanad Head Lighthouse on its cliff above the sea, County DonegalFanad Head LighthouseLighthouse · PortsalonThe lighthouse at the mouth of Lough Swilly is still working, and the old keepers' houses take visitors.
  3. Grianan of Aileach, County DonegalGrianan of AileachFort · BurtThe drystone ringfort sits 250 metres up in Inishowen and looks down on both Lough Swilly and Lough Foyle.
  4. The gabled stone front of Donegal CastleDonegal CastleCastle · Donegal townThe OPW restored this 15th century O'Donnell tower house and its Jacobean wing, in the middle of the town.
  5. The round tower among the houses of West Town on Tory IslandToraigh (Tory Island)Island · MagheroartyPeople live on it, about fourteen kilometres offshore, and the eastern end is cliff. The ferry goes from Magheroarty.
  6. The white tower of Doe Castle behind its stone wallDoe CastleCastle · CreesloughThe tower house stands on a low spit in Sheephaven Bay, water on three sides of it and a rock cut ditch on the fourth.
  7. Saltmarsh and woodland along the shore at Ards Forest ParkArds Forest ParkForest · CreesloughWoodland on a peninsula in Sheephaven Bay, with marked trails, dunes and several small beaches inside it.
Show 10 more
  1. Fort Dunree, County DonegalFort DunreeFort · BuncranaThe coastal artillery fort on the headland over Lough Swilly is a military museum now, with the gun emplacements still in place.
  2. Cliffs and inlets along the shore of Arranmore with Atlantic swell breaking belowArranmoreIsland · BurtonportPeople live on it, off the west coast, and the northern side is high cliff. The ferry runs from Burtonport.
  3. Muckish from Horn Head, DonegalMuckish MountainMountain · CreesloughThe flat top above Creeslough is the shape you will remember, and an 8.3 kilometre bog and track loop runs around the foot of it.
  4. Kilclooney Dolmen, its great capstone resting on upright stones in open bogKilclooney DolmenPrehistoric site · ArdaraA portal tomb with a capstone over four metres long, up on a ridge northwest of Ardara.
  5. Glenevin Waterfall falling through ferns and green rockGlenevin WaterfallWaterfall · ClonmanyThirty feet of fall at the head of the Glenevin valley, on a signposted riverside path with footbridges.
  6. A whitewashed thatched cottage with a red door at Glencolmcille Folk VillageGlencolmcille Folk VillageMuseum · GlencolmcilleThatched cottages rebuilt in a row on a hillside above the beach, each one furnished to a different century. It opens from Easter to the end of October.
  7. Marble Hill Beach and the green water of Sheephaven Bay framed by treesMarble Hill BeachBeach · DunfanaghySheltered sand between two headlands on Sheephaven Bay, near Port na Blagh.
  8. Wet sand and a headland at Carrickfinn Beach under a grey skyCarrickfinn BeachBeach · AnnagryPale sand beside Donegal Airport, with wildflower grassland behind the dunes.
  9. Sea arches cut into the rock at the Fairy Bridges outside BundoranFairy Bridges and Wishing ChairCliffs · BundoranSea arches and a rock seat cut into the low cliffs on the west side of Bundoran, reached on foot off the Rougey walk.
  10. The long sandy strand at Culdaff on a breezy dayCuldaff BeachBeach · CuldaffSand and rock coves on the northeast coast of Inishowen, lifeguarded through the summer.

Where they are

Tap a pin to open the place.

Sliabh Liag (Slieve League)Glenveagh National Park and CastleMount ErrigalMalin HeadFanad Head LighthouseGrianan of AileachDonegal CastleToraigh (Tory Island)Doe CastleArds Forest ParkFort DunreeArranmoreGlenevin WaterfallGlencolmcille Folk VillageCarrickfinn BeachFairy Bridges and Wishing Chair

16 of the 20 places are on the map. The rest are listed above.

What’s on in Donegal

Coming up, soonest first.

Friday 20th November

  1. Fri20 NovWild Arctic Experience at Wild IrelandWild Ireland · Burnfoot20th November to 23rd December

Friday 27th November

  1. Fri27 NovBuncrana Christmas Market 2026Swan Park · Buncrana27th November to 13th DecemberFree
  2. Fri27 NovRaphoe Christmas Village 2026Volt House · RaphoeFreeFestival

Tuesday 1st December

  1. Tue1 DecRomeo & Juliet, Ballet IrelandAn Grianán Theatre · Letterkenny

Sunday 27th December

  1. Sun27 DecScoil Gheimhridh Ghaoth DobhairDerrybeg27th December to 1st January 2027Festival

Wednesday 30th December

  1. Wed30 DecLazember Live at McCafferty's at the Pier, DonegalMcCafferty's at The Pier

Running now

  1. Until8 NovAllingham Arts Festival 2026Abbey Arts Centre · Ballyshannon4th to 8th NovemberFestival

Everything coming up in Donegal

More to see in Donegal

86 more places from Fáilte Ireland’s own listings, linked to their own sites where they have one.

Castles and houses1

  1. Carrickabraghy CastleCo. Donegal

Beaches14

  1. Tullan StrandBundoran
  2. Port Arthur BeachDerrybeg
  3. Lisfannon BeachFahan
  4. Málainn Bhig (Malinbeg)Malin Beg
  5. Bá Bhaile Uí Thiarnáin (Ballyhiernan Bay)Co. Donegal
  6. Bundoran BeachCo. Donegal
  7. Fintra BeachCo. Donegal
  8. Five Fingers StrandCo. Donegal
  9. Killahoey BeachCo. Donegal
  10. Kinnagoe BayCo. Donegal
  11. Murvagh BeachCo. Donegal
  12. PortsalonCo. Donegal
  13. Ros Goill (Rossguill Peninsula)Co. Donegal
  14. StrooveCo. Donegal

Walks2

  1. Wild Alpaca WayMalin Head
  2. Donegal Garden TrailCo. Donegal

Mountains and cliffs6

  1. The Donegal GaeltachtGlencolmcille
  2. Manorcunningham ViewManorcunningham
  3. Cionn Mhucrois (Muckros Head)Co. Donegal
  4. Cnoc FolaCo. Donegal
  5. Inishowen HeadCo. Donegal
  6. Malaidh Ghleann Gheis (Glengesh Pass)Co. Donegal

Abbeys and churches2

  1. Drumhome Monastic SiteBallintra
  2. St Patrick's Cross CarndonaghCarndonagh

Gardens and parks15

  1. Wild IrelandBurnfoot
  2. Inch Wildfowl ReserveBurt
  3. Dunmore GardensCarrigans
  4. Lower CrannyCloverhill
  5. Sea View GardenDromore
  6. Cluain na dTor Seaside Gardens & NurseryFalcarragh
  7. Magilligan Point ViewGreencastle
  8. GreenfortKerrykeel
  9. Ballymacool Town ParkLetterkenny
  10. Bernard McGlinchey Town ParkLetterkenny
  11. Tropical WorldLetterkenny
  12. Salthill GardenMountcharles
  13. Oakfield ParkRaphoe
  14. IOSAS CentreCo. Donegal
  15. St. Columb's GardensCo. Donegal

Museums29

  1. Ardara Heritage CentreArdara
  2. Stephen Bennett Studio GalleryArdara
  3. The Ardara DistilleryArdara
  4. Doagh Famine VillageBallyliffin
  5. Ballyshannon and District MuseumBallyshannon
  6. The Water WheelsBallyshannon
  7. Kevin Lowery Gallery & StudioBundoran
  8. The Olde Forge at Logue’s of CranfordCranford
  9. The GalleryDunfanaghy
  10. The Workhouse Famine & Heritage CentreDunfanaghy
  11. An tSean BheairicFalcarragh
  12. Inishowen Maritime Museum & PlanetariumGreencastle
  13. Donegal County MuseumLetterkenny
  14. Ionad Cois LochaDunlewey
  15. Kinnegar BrewingLetterkenny
  16. Regional Cultural CentreLetterkenny
  17. Lifford Old CourthouseLifford
  18. Ballagh StudioMalin
  19. Donegal Railway Heritage CentreMilltown
  20. Ross Fine Art Gallery and Craft BoutiqueRamelton
  21. Fine Eye GalleryCo. Donegal
  22. Fintown RailwayCo. Donegal
  23. Glebe House and GalleryCo. Donegal
  24. Isaac Butt Heritage CentreCo. Donegal
  25. Leitir Corn Mill (Muileann Coirce Leitir)Co. Donegal
  26. Newmills Corn And Flax MillsCo. Donegal
  27. The Crolly DistilleryCo. Donegal
  28. The Green Door StudioCo. Donegal
  29. The Studio - Caroline Vesey ArtCo. Donegal

Islands and coast7

  1. Cé Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport Harbour)Burtonport
  2. Inch IslandInch
  3. Inis Bó Finne (Inishbofin Island)Inishbofin
  4. Cé an Bhuna Bhig (Bunbeg Harbour)Co. Donegal
  5. Gabhla (Gola Island)Co. Donegal
  6. Inis Fraoigh (Inishfree Island)Co. Donegal
  7. Island Roy - Oileán RuaidhCo. Donegal

Lakes and waterfalls3

  1. Lough Melvin and River Drowes - Drowes EstuaryBallyshannon
  2. Lough BeaghChurchill
  3. Lough Derg Place of PilgrimagePettigo

Other places7

  1. Campview FarmBallyshannon
  2. Castle Adventure Open FarmBallyshannon
  3. WW2 Memorial and Information PointDunfanaghy
  4. Mulroy Meadow FarmFanad
  5. IUNVA Post 19Letterkenny
  6. Lurgybrack Open FarmLetterkenny
  7. Away to Me Sheepdog DemonstrationsMalin Beg

Music in Donegal

Trad sessions, venues and festivals.

Where to hear it

Sessions come and go: check with the pub before you travel.

  1. John Joe's PubPub with trad sessions · Kilcar
  2. Leo's TavernPub with trad sessions · Crolly
  3. Maddens Bridge BarPub with trad sessions · Bundoran
  4. McGrory’s Hotel BarPub with trad sessions · Culdaff
  5. The Central BarPub with trad sessions · Letterkenny
  6. The North Pole BarPub with trad sessions · Drumfree
  7. The Reel InnPub with trad sessions
  8. The Singing PubPub with trad sessions · Downings
  9. Zita's Restaurant at the Caisleáin Óir HotelPub with trad sessions · Annagry
  10. Ceol na Coille, School of Irish Traditional MusicMusic venue · Letterkenny
  11. Regional Cultural CentreMusic venue · Letterkenny
  12. Biddy’s O’BarnesPub with live music · Friarsbush
  13. Dicey Reilly's PubPub with live music · Ballyshannon
  14. Farren's BarPub with live music · Malin Head
  15. HOUSE Wine Bar & Tap RoomPub with live music · Letterkenny
  16. Lighthouse TavernPub with live music · Fanad
  17. Maggie's TavernPub with live music · St Johnston
  18. Seán Óg's Bar & RestaurantPub with live music · Derrybeg
  19. Slieve League LodgePub with live music · Carrick
  20. The Chasin BullPub with live music · Bundoran
  21. The Rambling HousePub with live music · Laghey
  22. Amharclann Ghaoth DobhairTheatre and arts centre
  23. An Grianán TheatreTheatre and arts centre · Letterkenny
  24. Balor Arts CentreTheatre and arts centre · Ballybofey

Music on across Ireland

Where to stay in Donegal

37 places on Fáilte Ireland’s register of approved accommodation: the four and five star hotels and guest houses, plus hostels and campsites.

  1. Lough Eske Castle5-star hotel · Donegal Town
  2. Jackson's Hotel4-star hotel · Ballybofey
  3. Villa Rose Hotel4-star hotel · Ballybofey
  4. Ballyliffin Lodge & Spa4-star hotel · Ballyliffin
  5. Ballyliffin Townhouse Hotel4-star hotel · Ballyliffin
  6. Allingham Arms Hotel4-star hotel · Bundoran
  7. Great Northern Hotel4-star hotel · Bundoran
  8. Holyrood Hotel4-star hotel · Bundoran
  9. Harvey's Point4-star hotel · Donegal Town
  10. Mill Park Hotel4-star hotel · Donegal Town
  11. Rosapenna Hotel and Golf Resort4-star hotel · Downings
  12. Waterfront Hotel4-star hotel · Dungloe
  13. An Chúirt Hotel4-star hotel · Gweedore
  14. Castle Grove Country House4-star hotel · Letterkenny
  15. Clanree Hotel4-star hotel · Letterkenny
  16. Dillons Hotel4-star hotel · Letterkenny
  17. Mount Errigal Hotel4-star hotel · Letterkenny
  18. Radisson Blu Hotel Letterkenny4-star hotel · Letterkenny
  19. Silver Tassie Hotel4-star hotel · Letterkenny
  20. Mulroy Woods Hotel4-star hotel · Milford
  21. Shandon Hotel & Spa4-star hotel · Portnablagh
  22. Rathmullan House Hotel4-star hotel · Rathmullan
  23. Redcastle Oceanfront, Golf and Spa Hotel4-star hotel · Redcastle
  24. Sandhouse Hotel4-star hotel · Rossnowlagh
  25. Bay View Country House4-star B&B · Ardara
  26. Muldowney's B&B4-star B&B · Arranmore
  27. Mount Royd Country Home4-star B&B · Carrigans
  28. Bridgeburn House4-star B&B · Letterkenny
  29. Tullyarvan Mill Project CLGHostel · Buncrana
  30. Donegal Town Independent HostelHostel · Donegal
  31. Tra Na RosannHostel · Downings
  32. Errigal Youth HostelHostel · Dunlewey
  33. Malinbeg HostelHostel · Glencolmcille
  34. Sandrock Holiday HostelHostel · Malin Head
  35. Lakeside Caravan and Camping Park4-star camping park · Ballyshannon
  36. Rosguill Caravan and Camping Park4-star camping park · Downings
  37. Knockalla Caravan & Camping Park4-star camping park · Portsalon

Camping in Donegal and the rest of Ireland

Where to eat and drink in Donegal

70 restaurants, pubs and cafés listed with Fáilte Ireland. A list of who registered, not a ranking, linked to their own sites where they have one.

  1. Salthill CabinCafé · MountcharlesFacebook page
  2. Wilkin's Bar & LoungePubFacebook page
  3. Danny Minnie's RestaurantRestaurant · Annagry
  4. Zita's Restaurant at the Caisleán Óir HotelRestaurant · Annagry
  5. Ards Coffee TreeCafé · ArdsFacebook page
  6. Lighthouse TavernPub · ArryheernabinFacebook page
  7. Bonner's Corner BarPub · Ballybofey
  8. Fara's Restaurant at the Villa Rose HotelRestaurant · Ballybofey
  9. The Garden Restaurant at Jackson's HotelRestaurant · Ballybofey
  10. Caffe BanbaCafé · BallyhillionFacebook page
  11. Dicey Reilly's PubPub · Ballyshannon
  12. The Drift InnRestaurant · BuncranaFacebook page
  13. Maddens Bridge BarRestaurant · Bundoran
  14. McGarrigles RestaurantRestaurant · BundoranFacebook page
  15. The Chasin BullPub · BundoranFacebook page
  16. The Lobster PotRestaurant · BurtonportFacebook page
  17. The Wheelhouse CaféRestaurant · BurtonportFacebook page
  18. The Butterbean RestaurantRestaurant · Carndonagh
  19. Slieve League LodgeRestaurant · Carrick
  20. The Rusty MackerelPub · Carrick
  21. The CarrigartRestaurant · CarrickartFacebook page
  22. Maggie's TavernRestaurant · St Johnston
  23. Doe Castle CoffeeCafé · CastledoeFacebook page
  24. Nancy's BarnRestaurant · Clonmany
  25. Leo's TavernPub · Crolly
  26. McGrory’s Hotel BarRestaurant · Culdaff
  27. Seán Óg's Bar & RestaurantRestaurant · DerrybegFacebook page
  28. Olde Castle BarRestaurant · DonegalFacebook page
  29. The Harbour Restaurant and BarRestaurant · Donegal
  30. The Restaurant at Harvey's PointRestaurant · Donegal
  31. JC's Bar at the Downings Bay HotelRestaurant · Downings
  32. The Haven Restaurant at the Downings Bay HotelRestaurant · Downings
  33. The Singing PubRestaurant · DowningsFacebook page
  34. The North Pole BarPub · DrumfreeFacebook page
  35. Blas at the Gateway LodgeCafé · Drumroosk West
  36. The Railway TavernRestaurant · Fahan
  37. The Red Door Country House RestaurantRestaurant · Fahan
  38. Biddy’s O’BarnesPub · Friarsbush
  39. Quay West RestaurantRestaurant · Glebe
  40. John Joe's PubPub · KilcarFacebook page
  41. Ahoy CaféRestaurant · KillybegsFacebook page
  42. The Waterfront Restaurant at Tara HotelRestaurant · Killybegs
  43. The Rambling HouseRestaurant · LagheyFacebook page
  44. Aileach Restaurant at the Clanree HotelRestaurant · Letterkenny
  45. Castle Grove Country House and RestaurantRestaurant · Letterkenny
  46. Dillon's Bar and Grill at Dillon's HotelRestaurant · Letterkenny
  47. HOUSE Wine Bar & Tap RoomPub · LetterkennyFacebook page
  48. Lemon Tree RestaurantRestaurant · Letterkenny
  49. McGettigan's Letterkenny at the Clanree HotelPub · Letterkenny
  50. The Brewery BarRestaurant · Letterkenny
  51. The Central BarPub · Letterkenny
  52. The Church Restaurant, Bar & CaféRestaurant · Letterkenny
  53. The Silver Tassie RestaurantRestaurant · Letterkenny
  54. The Yellow Pepper RestaurantRestaurant · Letterkenny
  55. The Old Courthouse BistroCafé · Lifford
  56. Cedars Restaurant at Lough Eske CastleRestaurant · Lough Eske
  57. The Gallery Bar at Lough Eske CastleRestaurant · Lough Eske
  58. Farren's BarPub · Malin HeadFacebook page
  59. The Traveller's InnRestaurant · MilfordFacebook page
  60. The Cosy Cottage Café & RestaurantRestaurant · Moville
  61. The Salmon InnRestaurant · MullanasoleFacebook page
  62. Cove RestaurantRestaurant · PortnablaghFacebook page
  63. The Reel InnPub · DonegalFacebook page
  64. Ripples RestaurantRestaurant · RannyFacebook page
  65. Oakfield ParkCafé · Raphoe
  66. Belle's KitchenRestaurant · Rathmullan
  67. The Cook & GardenerRestaurant · Rathmullan
  68. The BoathouseRestaurant · Redcastle
  69. Smugglers CreekRestaurant · Rossnowlagh
  70. Chandpur Indian RestaurantRestaurant · Donegal

Getting to Donegal

By air
Donegal (Carrickfinn) Airport, Derry (City of Derry) Airport, Belfast International Airport
By rail
Sligo is the nearest station in the Republic, and Derry across the border.
By road
The N15, N13 and N56.
By ferry
Island ferries to Arranmore from Burtonport and to Tory from Magheroarty.

Questions

What are the best things to do in Donegal?

Our top three are Sliabh Liag (Slieve League), Glenveagh National Park and Castle and Mount Errigal. The full list of twenty is at the top of this page, and every place on it has a page of its own.

What can you do in Donegal for free?

Walks, beaches and open ground cost nothing to visit. On our list that includes Mount Errigal, Ards Forest Park, Muckish Mountain and Marble Hill Beach. Some forest parks charge for the car park, so check parking and access with the place before you go.

What is on in Donegal?

There are 7 events listed in Donegal over the months ahead. See them all.

Next door

Guides for a trip to Donegal

Longer reads for planning.

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