Donegal Town Self Catering Accommodation | Donegal Estuary Holiday Homes

Web: http://www.donegalbaywaterbus.com
Each tour leaves the waterbus pier at Donegal Bay and traverses the inner bay as far as a native seal colony near the mouth of the Laghy River. A running commentary is given by a local guide throughout the 80 minute tour which leads on then to the McManus estate, the area where the coffin ships left for America during the famine, St Ernan's and Bell Island.

Web: http://www.heritageireland.ie/en/North-West/DonegalCastle
Built by the O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century, beside the River Eske, the Castle has extensive 17th century additions by Sir Basil Brooke. The Castle is furnished throughout and includes Persian rugs and French tapestries. Information panels chronicle the history of the Castle owners from the O'Donnell chieftains to the Brooke family

Doagh Farm & Visitors Centre

Doagh Visitors Centre is situated in one of the most scenic parts of Ireland, at one stage separated from the mainland, Doagh was once an island.
Doagh Visitor Centre provides a great variety of exhibitions telling the story of the Famine, Fear and Eviction. It is also a place where the customs, traditions and history of the people of Inishowen are preserved in a permanent way. A Famine village has been created allowing the visitor a first hand account of hardships endured at that time in Irish history.

Web: http://www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie
Glenveagh National Park lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north-west of Co. Donegal. It is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains and pristine lakes. The Park, over 14,000 acres in extent consists of three areas. The largest of these is the former Glenveagh Estate, including most of the Derryveagh Mountains. To the west are the quartzite hills around Crocknafarragh and to the south, the peatlands of Lough Barra bog, Meenachullion and Crockastoller.

Be prepared for an exhilarating experience as you embark on an incredibly beautiful walk to the top of Slieve League (600m) on Donegal's south-western Atlantic coastline.
What impressive scenery and sights you will encounter if you take the dramatic 16km coastal path connecting the little villages of Bunglass to Malinbeg at either side of Slieve League. Each step will bring a marvellous view of the changing coastline. Along the way, pass the 'Eagles Nest' (320m) perched above vertical cliffs. Nearby is a unique habitat that has been identified as an area of international scientific interest for bird and plant life. Continue on past the narrow 250m 'One Man's Pass' which overlooks two lakes, believed to have been formed by the Ice Age

This 4,000-year-old ring fort is another of Ireland’s most important ancient sites. The great stone cashel is thought to have been built by the Tuatha De Danann, God and King of Ireland, to protect the grave of his son Aedh.

Visit the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre and find out just what it was like to travel on the narrow gauge railways of County Donegal. Stretching from Derry and Strabane to Glenties and Ballyshannon, the County Donegal Railway provided the essential transport for farmers and fishermen, businessmen and builder’s housewives and schoolchildren-everyone that needed to get about. The Donegal Railway Heritage Centre, which included an historical presentation artefacts and sales shop is dedicated to reawakening interest in Donegal's railway past.

A wilderness until the 19th century, Ardnamona Gardens is now thriving with an exceptional collection of trees, shrubs and rhododendrons. In 1991, Ardnamona was declared a National Heritage Garden.

Situated at the Carpet factory building in Killybegs. It offers an fascinating audio visual insight into the history of the fishing and the famous hand-knotting carpets also home to the longest handknotting loom in the world. Enjoy a hands on audio visual experience in a fishing trawlers wheelhouse and live demonstrations of the hand-knotting carpets. Craft and coffee shop on the premises.

Murvagh Beach is located about 10kms from Donegal Town on the way to Ballyshannon. It is a long sandy beach that stretches about 2kms along the bay. The beach is flanked by sand dunes on its lee ward side. These dunes lead into Murvagh forest which has many little clearings and pinic tables.

Rossnowlagh beach is a very popular beach attracting thousands of visitors in the summer time. It is located about 8km south of Donegal Town. The beach is overlooked by the Sand House Hotel. The beach is famous for its rolling waves that bring surfers flocking from both near and far.

Co. Donegal would deservedly be regarded as one of the top surfing destinations in Europe and visiting surfers from all over the world troop to its shores year after year. Blessed by a wealth of both reef and beach breaks, the county caters for everybody from the humble beginner to the top pro.
Host to two European Championships and the Quiksilver World Masters, the breaks around Bundoran are indeed world class and form the center to the counties surf scene. The town is very 'surf friendly' and offers three surf schools

All offer extremely attractive all-in packages including equipment and tuition. And for the very latest in surf gear, pop into legendry Richie Fitzgerald's Surfworld or up to Aidan and Pete's Bundoran Surf Co.

Donegal Adventure Centre is located in Bundoran, and offers a range of activities from 8 years to adult, including surf lessons, canoeing & kayaking and snorkling. There is a daily holiday camp during all school breaks offering fully supervised activities for children aged 8-18 years. Teen surf camp is also available for young surfers. Adults are welcome to try a range of watersports and land activities. The centre provides and hires wetsuits, surfboards and body boards. We are open every day from 9.30am until dark.
At the Adventure Centre, you can now experience the thrills of skateboarding in the only dedicated skate park in Donegal. Since opening, the park has enjoyed tremendous success. Fully supervised by qualified instructors, the park is open seven days a week and because of its popularity it is advisable to book in advance.

Gartan Outdoor Education Centre is a restored stone building on the shores of Gartan Lough, the Centre is set on its own 87 acre estate, and offers a wide range of outdoor pursuits and activities. Within walking distances are Glenveagh National Park and Castle.

Donegal Craft village was established in 1985 and has become a showcase for contemporary arts and crafts in the county. It consists of a cluster of small units grounded around a common courtyard. Professional craft workers who work here all year round lease individual workshops of various sizes. The crafts include metalwork, batik, jewellery, sculpture, a stone carver and a glass blowing workshop. There is also a picnic area and a coffee shop specialising in fresh baking in the beautiful landscaped craft village grounds.

Telephone: +353 (0)7491 23288 - Administration Office +353 (0)7491 20777 - Box Office
Web:http://www.angrianan.com
An Grianán Theatre is a modern 383 seat arts and entertainment venue in Letterkenny in the North West of Ireland. We have a very varied programme of events throughout the year including comedy, drama, music, ballet and much more.

Opened in 1982 The Balor Theatre is the oldest non-Gaeltacht theatre in Donegal. It hosts over 100 nights per year of top quality music, drama and comedy.

Equestrian

Equestrian Centre with an indoor arena. Trekking along scenic country roads. Farm Hacks. Riding instruction for adults and children, livery service, schooling of young horses. Personal attention given. Facilities: Enclosed manege, indoor school, liveries, changing rooms, showers, coffee shop, children unaccompanied, qualified instructors, hacking, trekking, schooling & basic instruction.

Five Oaks Ranch Equestrian Centre

Five Oaks Ranch is a family run business specialising in Western Style horse-riding using genuine American quarter horses, appaloosas and Argentinian cow horses. It is situated just a mile and half east of Ballyshannon in the heart of the Knather Woods.

If you have not taken the opportunity to play the magnificent links of Donegal Golf Club you may reconsider putting back the trip to the great wall of China for a few years and heading to Donegal instead.. The links which was originally designed by the late Eddie Hackett has returned to Britain and Ireland’s top 100 courses list in recent years due in no small part to extensive design upgrades by Pat Ruddy who has gained the deserved reputation of “master of links design” world-wide.
Not for the faint hearted , the course has now been stretched to a massive 6736 metres approx. 7400 yards. Add to the pot the ingredients of Ruddy’s relentless pursuit of excellence clearly evident in his adjustment to as many as 10 holes and you have one of the greatest links courses in Ireland.

Narin and Portnoo Golf Club

Narin and Portnoo Golf Club, is situated in a beautiful seaside resort in southwest Donegal, 8 miles from Glenties. It is considered one of the finest natural and scenic 18-hole links courses in Ireland, with sweeping views of Gweebarra Bay. Launched officially in July 1930, the signature hole is the chasm-crossing 8th hole, a par three which challenges the best of players. A warm friendly welcome awaits visitors and societies to Narin and Portnoo Golf Club and it is ideal for year-round golf.

Angling

Donegal Bay is the ideal sea-angling venue; Donegal Town gives easy access to the entire bay which is one of the most diverse fishing grounds in Ireland. On our doorstep are famous tope marks where skate, ray, tope as well as flatties and even monk can be fished. This area is full of estuarine channels with a sandy muddy bottom and deep scoured holes, the bottom dwelling fish congregate in these holes waiting for lunch to come to them on the tide.
To the west are reefs where there are nice ledges and drop offs. Here we john dory, wrasse, pollock, cod, gurnard, pouting, ling, conger, bream, coalies, garfish etc. are targets. Squid and two different types of octopus are also occasionally available in these areas. From June to October, the area is very good for big blue shark who cruise the north east atlantic all year and move inshore this time of year. Porbegle, mako, thresher and six-gilled shark are also known in the area.

The Eske fishery consists of the 5km River Eske, the 900-acre Lough Eske and its tributaries. The Lough and its tributaries are amongst the most picturesque in Donegal, set among the Blue Stack and Tawnawully Mountains. The fishery is noted for its spring salmon, sea trout and char and it is also a productive brown trout fishery. Sea trout angling is at its best from late July onwards.

The Gweebarra is a 20-mile long stretch of spate river flowing from Lough Barra to Gweebarra Bay and includes 10 miles of estuarine water. The river runs through some beautiful scenery and is one of the most picturesque in the country.

Roam through deserted Donegal countryside, get off the beaten track and let your imagination loose amongst luscious green hills and heather coated mountains. On our doorstep is the Bluestack Way through the Bluestack Mountains.
The Bluestack Way is 47km long from Donegal Town to Ardara, with local link routes from towns and villages where accommodation and entertainment are available, adding a further 63km to the route. The Bluestack Mountains are a rugged mountain range with peaks in excess of 600m and in parts are quite remote.
The following areas are also particularly popular with walks to suit all levels of ability.

Waterworld is an award winning Aqua Adventure playground for children of all ages. Enjoy two leisure pools . A slide pool with three slides - Scute Shute, Traffic Light Slide and Tornado Flume plus the Whizzer Slide, the fastest waterslide in Ireland and over 65m long. A wave pool with 5 wave patterns, 2 speed rapids plus lots of children's slides and features. Fantastic family fun for all!

The excellent range of facilities and services on offer at Ballyshannon Leisure Centre include: