Dungloe

Dungloe is a destination in Ulster, Ireland. Dungloe (Irish: An Clochán Liath) is the main town of the Rosses district in western Donegal. It is a bustling market town with a good range of services and a strong musical tradition. Dungloe hosts the annual Mary from Dungloe International Music Festival (July–August), a major event in the Donegal cultural calendar. The town is a gateway to the stunning coastal scenery of the Rosses, including the famous Cruit Island and the Narin and Portnoo beaches.

By Car

The most practical way to reach Dungloe is by car. Ulster (IE-U) is best explored with your own transport, as public connections are limited. The main roads are the N15 (Sligo–Donegal–Letterkenny), N13 (Letterkenny–Stranorlar), N14 (Letterkenny–Lifford), and N2 (Dublin–Monaghan–Letterkenny), all of which are good quality. Minor roads in Donegal are often narrow and winding — allow extra travel time.

By Train

There is no rail service within Ulster (IE-U). The nearest train stations are in Sligo (for Donegal) and Dundalk/Drogheda (for Cavan and Monaghan), where connecting buses are available. Irish Rail operates services to these stations from Dublin Connolly and Dublin Heuston.

By Bus

Bus Éireann operates services from Dublin and other major cities to Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Cavan, and Monaghan. Local bus services connect smaller towns but are infrequent, especially on Sundays. Advance route planning is essential, particularly for reaching remote coastal areas.

By Air

Donegal Airport (CFN) at Carrickfinn has flights from Dublin operated by Aer Lingus Regional. Ireland West Airport Knock (NOC) in County Mayo is an alternative for visitors to south Donegal. Dublin Airport (DUB) is about 2–2.5 hours' drive from Cavan and Monaghan.

Dungloe is compact enough to explore on foot. For exploring the surrounding countryside and nearby attractions, a car is essential. The region's public transport network is limited, so advance planning is necessary for bus-based travel. In Donegal, the stunning coastal scenery rewards drivers willing to take the slower, more scenic routes.

Maghery is a village 5 km west of Dungloe with a fine sandy but exposed beach. The peninsula north is Termon, denoting a religious sanctuary, with a ruined church with 19th-century gravestones. The islands seen just north are Inishfree Upper and Lower, nowadays uninhabited, with Arranmore Island further northwest. On the coast 2 km south of Maghery is the ruined Crohy Martello tower, built to warn of Napoleonic invasion, and Bristi sea-arch.

Arranmore is a 20 min boat ride and easy day trip, see separate page.

Kincasslagh is a scenic little village north along the coast. St Mary's Church (Roman Catholic) is from 1854, and on R259 just east is its predecessor, the Mass Rock where services were secretly held during the "Penal" era. The village is best known as the birthplace in 1961 of the singer Daniel O'Donnell, who still lives nearby in Meenbanad.

Cruit Island (pronounced "crutch") is reached by a bridge, so it's effectively a 5-km straggly peninsula. There's a beach midway up its sheltered east side, and a golf course at the north tip.

Owey Island 500 m off Cruit Island has been uninhabited since the 1970s, though a few cottages are occasionally used as holiday

Angling: Bonners on Lower Main St Dungloe can fit you up with tackle, permits and local gen. There's fly-fishing for trout Feb-Oct in the nearby lakes and rivers.

Golf:

Cruit Island GC is a 9-hole links course. Twice around is par 68, visitor €35.

Earagail Arts Festival is held in July at various venues across the northwest of the county.

Mary from Dungloe is an old-style beauty contest held in Dungloe at the end of July, with street parades and general hoop-de-hoop.

Bridge Inn

( formerly Stepping Stone ),

Lower Main St F94 YN81 ,

☏

+353 74 956 1781 .

Su-Th noon-midnight, F Sa non-1AM .

Lively place does burgers and simiilar pub grub.   ( updated Aug 2021 )

Butter Rock ,

60-72 Main St ,

☏

+353 74 956 1738 .

Bright and cheery cafe.   ( updated Aug 2021 )

Lucky Inn is a Chinese restaurant opposite McCafferty's.

McCafferty's

( Bayview Bar ),

Lower Main St F94 AN25 ,

☏

+353 74 956 1682 .

Daily noon-11:30PM .

Good trad bar with food, now grown into a small chain.   ( updated Aug 2021 )

Bonner's Bar ,

Mullaghduff F94 KH66

( 1 km south of airport ),

☏

+353 74 954 3368 .

24 hours .

Atmospheric place, often has live music.   ( updated Aug 2021 )

Leo's Tavern ,

Meenaleck ,

☏

+353 74 954 8143 .

M-F 5PM-12:30AM, Sa Su 1PM-12:30AM .

This is run by the brother of Enya, the singer-songwriter Eithne Pádraigín Ní Bhraonáin who was born in Gweedore in 1961. The original publican was their musical father Leo Ó Braonáin who died in 2016. The tavern is studded with Gold Discs and similar trophies of Enya's career with Clannad then solo. Customers highly rate the food, service and setting.   ( updated Aug 2021 )

Sharkey's is a popular bar in Annagry.

Crolly Distillery ,

Killindarragh, Crolly ,

☏

+353 749562376 .

Crolly makes whiskey in the former Crolly doll factory. Tours and tastings (€21 per person) take place on the hour every hour daily 11AM-5PM and last approximately 60 minutes.   ( updated Aug 2024 )

Dungloe Caravan Park ,

Carnmore Rd, Dungloe F94 YY28

( junction with Gweedore Rd ),

☏

+353 87 931 9390 .

This tourer caravan and campsite didn't open in 2021.   ( updated Aug 2021 )

The Midway ,

Main St, Dungloe F94 XKV7 ,

☏

+353 74 952 1251 .

Pub with budget rooms, value for money.

B&B double €80 .   ( updated Aug 2021 )

River House ,

Gweedore Rd, Dungloe F94 AP97 ,

☏

+353 74 956 1997 .

Friendly squeaky-clean small hotel with five rooms in town centre, plus a self-catering flat. They offer bike hire.

B&B double €110 .   ( updated Aug 2021 )

Donegal Wild Atlantic Hostel ,

Garden Court, Gweedore Rd, Dungloe F94 E22D

( next to River House ),

☏

+353 74 952 1560 .

Friendly efficient hostel by town centre.

Dorm €30 ppn, private double €50 .   ( updated Aug 2021 )

Waterfront Hotel ,

Mill Rd, Dungloe F94 W974

( 200 m west of Main St ),

☏

+353 74 952 2444 .

Smart modern place by the pier, does good food.

B&B double €120 .   ( updated Aug 2021 )

Radharc An Oileain ,

Quay Rd F94 DV70

( 200 m south of town centre ),

☏

+353 86 163 7555 .

Welcoming B&B with views over the bay.

B&B double €90 .   ( updated Aug 2021

The Cope is a local supermarket at 35 Main St, open M-Sa 9AM-6PM: the name arose from a mispronunciation of "Co-op". There are branches in Annagry, Falcarragh and Kincasslagh.

Supermarkets east side of town are Aldi, Lidl and SuperValu, all open daily till around 9PM.

Arranmore is reached by ferry from Burtonport.

Tory Island is more remote, and reached by ferry from Magheroarty.

Letterkenny is Donegal's largest town and transport hub.

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