Donegal, situated in the far northwest corner of Ireland, is part of the county of the same name, where the country’s spectacular countryside is at its most spectacular. Vast green landscapes, cliffs, beaches… All this beautiful scenery combines perfectly with the monuments that can be found throughout the region. Read on if you want to find out about all the things to do in Donegal.
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What things to do in Donegal
1. Donegal Castle
You can’t start your tour of beautiful Donegal Town any other way than by visiting Donegal Castle
Built in the 15th century by the O’Donnell clan, it was erected to provide a privileged position in the defence of the town from the bay, thus preventing incursions into its waters.
It has many pieces of furniture and art from around the world. Its style is of Jacobean influence. Worth mentioning that it spent many centuries in ruins, until its subsequent reconstruction in the 1990s.
If you’re near the bay, we recommend you visit it, as it’s an icon of the city. It’s open from 10:00h to 18:00h and costs €4 for adults. So, it’s a good place to add to your list of things to see in Donegal.
2. The Abbey of Donegal
Built by the O’Donnell family in the 15th century, this is a unique piece of history to see in Donegal. This Franciscan site is in a strategic position which is why, following its conversion into a powder magazine, there was an incident in 1601 that left it in ruins.
It lies on the south side of the Eske River and has been a point of great historical significance in the city. It was sacked during the 16th century and was also used as a meeting place for rebel leaders during the Nine Years’ War.
It’s an easy walk from the city centre. We recommend it, as you’ll be able to admire the views of the bay all along the way.
3. The Donegal Railway Heritage Centre
The town was of particular importance as a railway centre and was built in commemoration of the Donegal County Railway Committee.
Today, a memorial museum is housed in the centre of what was once the town’s railway station, housing various displays of material relating to the history of the station and other historical items.
The visiting hours are from 10:00h to 17:00h and the price is €5 for adults.
4. The Diamond, a unique square to see
The nerve centre of the town and from where you can get to any part of Donegal. It takes its name from its perimeter, which resembles a diamond in structure and where locals gather for their leisure activities.
Besides being a busy spot, it is also home to an obelisk named the Four Master Memorial, in honour of four renowned Gaelic historians. It is a solemn monument that you must visit in Donegal Ireland.
Walk the length and breadth of the square as you immerse yourself in the rhythm of local life, or visit one of the charming pubs that can be found there.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see in Donegal and its surroundings
Once you have visited the town, we recommend that you take a tour of the different parts of the county, as there are natural wonders waiting for you to discover them.
The cliffs of Slieve League
A wild and amazing way to witness nature at its purest: the cliffs of Slieve League.
It’s a journey that can take several hours to complete, but just to witness the Atlantic Ocean lapping against the coastline to leave such a beautiful figure is a marvel to behold on your Ireland adventure.
You can get there from Donegal in a couple of hours and we recommend that, if you haven’t hired your own vehicle, you hire a tour from the town.
Tory Island, an island not to be missed in Donegal Ireland
The sea has been calling out to us since we arrived in Donegal, and witnessing the fierceness of the Atlantic from Tory Island is an experience you won’t easily forget.
It’s just a few miles from the northernmost tip of Donegal, and in its three miles of terrain you’ll witness green fields; cliffs sculpted by the force of the sea; ancient buildings and locals who will greet you with a smile.
It’s easy to get there from Donegal harbour, where day or hour-long trips cost around €25 for adults. There are different time slots: at 10am, 12pm and 4pm.
The Fanad Head Lighthouse
Our final recommendation is none other than the Fanad Lighthouse, a key landmark in County Donegal.
Always braving the elements, this is an enclave that was built in the aftermath of a tragedy in the region over 200 years ago. This lighthouse became a key point to ensure that sailors arrived safely in port.
You can climb to the top of it and indeed, even spend the night there. It’s easy to get to from Donegal on one of the town’s organised tours.
What to see in Donegal Ireland in 2 days
Donegal is a city in which to enjoy a variety of activities. Both walks in the beautiful nature of the place and
Day 1 in Donegal
- Diamond Square
- Castle
- Abbey
- The Donegal Railway Heritage Centre
Day 2 in Donegal
On this second day we recommend that you take a tour of different parts of County Donegal. One of the best ways to do this is to hire a car, but you can also book a number of different day trips from Donegal.
A good idea is to take a trip to the cliffs of Slieve League, sail to Tory Island or visit the Fanad lighthouse – all exceptional experiences to enjoy in Donegal Ireland.
Where do I stay in Donegal Ireland?
The truth is that both in Donegal and in the towns throughout the county there are many accommodation options: from hotels with all mod cons, to traditional houses with lots of charm.
We’ve compiled a short list of accommodation for you:
- The Abbey Hotel Donegal: With a classic design and facilities that don’t disappoint, this three-star hotel is one of the best options for your stay. It’s located in Diamond Square and costs around €65 per night.
- Lough Eske Castle: If you want to experience the essence of Donegal and feel like a member of the nobility, this is an option you can’t afford to pass up. Set on the shores of Loch Eske, this castle is a hotel with luxurious facilities that you’ll love to lose yourself in. The price per night is around €170 in June.
- Atlantic Guest House: A more austere option, with a classic design that doesn’t disappoint in comfort. The Atlantic Guest House is in a prime position and is priced at around €39 per head per night.
Where can I eat in Donegal Ireland?
We believe that an essential part of your trip to County Donegal is the food. That’s why we’ve put together a short list of some of the options you’ll have for sampling what the local establishments have to offer:
- Blas: Near the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre you’ll find Blas, one of the best restaurants in town. Quality produce cooked Irish style with Mediterranean inspirations that will move you. The price per meal is between 20 and 30 euros per head.
- The Harbour Restaurant & Bar: Specializing in Irish food, we recommend you try their fish dishes, which are some of the best in town. You can eat for between €15 and €30.
- The Blueberry Tea Room: If you’re looking for a place where you can eat sweets and pastries to your heart’s content, this is the place. Muffins, cakes, pastries…. This place is a marvel for lovers of sweets.
How to get to Donegal in Ireland
The best way to get to Donegal is to fly from any of the major cities in Spain to Dublin. Unfortunately, it is not possible to take a direct flight there.
Flight prices from Spain are around €250 return, with at least one stopover in Dublin or other cities.
When you arrive in Donegal, what we recommend is that you take a taxi to get into town.
It’s worth mentioning one detail about Donegal Airport. Its runway is by the sea, in a sort of gulf surrounded by beaches, making it a unique airport in the world with spectacular views.
Tips on travelling to Donegal
- The currency in Donegal is the Euro.
- Be prepared for medical emergencies: travel with insurance.
- The best time to visit is in summer, when the weather is at its most pleasant.
- The tap water is safe to drink, although as always we recommend drinking bottled water.
- It can get cold in the evenings and mornings in summer, so take some warm clothes.
- The city is safe, but as with any tourist destination, it’s best to be careful with your belongings.
- Wear rain gear and closed-toe shoes. Even though it’s summer, it rains.
How to organise what to see in Donegal
Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we present in the post)
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Donegal Ireland.
If you have questions on how to do this, you can check out our post: How to create a travel itinerary on Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about a trip to Donegal
The easiest way is to fly to Dublin and make a stopover at Donegal Airport. Alternatively, you can take another means of transport from Dublin to Donegal County.
July to September are great months to travel as the weather is warmer and there is less rain. The downside is that there are more tourists at this time of year. If you don’t mind the cold and rain, travelling in winter also has its charms.
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