A Long Weekend in Donegal

Three nights, done properly

Three nights

A long weekend, well spent

Three nights gives you enough time to do Donegal justice without rushing any of it. This is how we'd spend it: one big day out, one slower day, and the evenings taken care of. Adjust to taste.

Last updated: March 2026

Friday

Arrive & settle in

Afternoon

Check in, leave your bags, and head into town. It's about a mile: five minutes by car or a pleasant 20-minute walk if the weather is with you. Head to Donegal Castle for a quick look at the exterior or a guided tour if you're in time. Then make your way to Mo Chlann on the main street for a proper coffee and a sit-down.

Evening

Dinner at Quay West : book ahead if you're visiting in summer. Afterwards, head to McCafferty's for live music. Two bars, sessions seven nights a week, and a proper Donegal welcome. This is the liveliest night in town; save the quieter pubs for later in the weekend.

Saturday

Slieve League

Morning

Early start. Drive west through Killybegs . Ireland's largest fishing port is worth 20 minutes of your time just to see the scale of the fleet. Grab a coffee to go and continue on to Carrick.

Afternoon

Slieve League. At 601 metres, the sea cliffs here are among the highest in Europe. The walk to the clifftop viewpoint takes about 45 minutes each way and is manageable for most fitness levels. Those who want more can continue along the ridge. Check the weather before you leave: a clear day is transformative.

Evening

Back to Donegal Town for dinner. Try Smuggler's Creek Inn at Rossnowlagh on the way back if the evening is fine. It's a slight detour south but the clifftop views over Donegal Bay at sunset are worth it. Otherwise, eat in town and end the night at The Forge or The Reel Inn for a proper trad session.

Sunday

Go deeper: pick your day

Two good options depending on your mood.

Option A: Glenveagh National Park

About an hour north of Donegal Town, Glenveagh is a glacial valley of rare beauty: ancient woodland, a shimmering lough, and a Victorian castle with formal gardens. Take the shuttle bus to the castle and spend the afternoon in the gardens. Allow a full day. On the way back, stop at Biddy's O'Barnes at Barnesmore Gap, one of Ireland's most storied pubs, 15 minutes south of Donegal Town, for a pint by the fire.

Option B: Ardara & Narin Beach

Drive 45 minutes west to Ardara, the heartland of Donegal tweed. Browse the working studios, pick something up from the makers. Then continue to Narin and Portnoo beach: one of Donegal's finest strands, with an island (Inishkeel) you can walk to at low tide. A slower, more meandering day than Glenveagh, and no less rewarding for it.

Evening

Sunday evening at Biddy's O'Barnes is a Donegal institution: a short drive into the Blue Stack Mountains for turf fires, live trad, and what many consider the finest Guinness in the county. If you'd rather stay in town, The Reel Inn on Bridge Street is hard to beat on a Sunday night.

Monday

Before you leave

Morning

Check-out is at 11am. If you're up early, drive the ten minutes to Murvagh beach for a morning walk along the strand before you leave. It's quiet, it faces the open bay, and it's the right way to end a Donegal weekend. Back into town for a last coffee at Old Stone or the Blueberry Tea Room, then head home.

A few practical notes

→ Slieve League: Go on a weekday if you can. Check the weather the morning you plan to go. A clear day is a completely different experience to a cloudy one.
→ Glenveagh: Arrive by 11am in summer or you'll queue for the shuttle. The gardens are the highlight; allow at least two hours there.
→ Restaurants: Book Quay West and Smuggler's Creek ahead in summer. Everything else is usually fine to walk in.
→ Getting around: A car makes everything easier. If you don't have one, local taxis and minibuses can take you anywhere on this itinerary.
→ Ask us: We know this county well. If you want a more tailored recommendation based on your group or interests, just ask at reception.