Things to Do
The best of Donegal, from our doorstep
Local knowledge
Donegal rewards the curious
Sea cliffs that dwarf the Cliffs of Moher. Glacial valleys with Victorian castles. Beaches that face open ocean with no land between here and America. These are the places worth making time for, from the ones on your doorstep to the ones worth planning a day around.
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The unmissable one
If you do one day trip, make it this
Slieve League Cliffs
Carrick, Co. Donegal — 45 min drive
At 601 metres, Slieve League's sea cliffs are among the highest in Europe: three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, and without the crowds. The walk to the clifftop viewpoint is manageable for most fitness levels; those who want more can continue along the ridge. The views across the Atlantic are genuinely hard to describe. Go on a weekday if you can, and check the weather before you leave — a clear day makes all the difference.
Free admission. Upper car park off the Bunglass road (free). Clifftop viewpoint is about 45 minutes each way on foot. Wear layers — the ridge is exposed and conditions change quickly. No facilities at the cliff; bring water. One Man's Pass is for experienced walkers only.
Worth a day out
All within an hour of the Manor
Glenveagh National Park
Churchill, Co. Donegal — 1 hour drive
A glacial valley of rare beauty: ancient oak woodland, a shimmering lough, and a Victorian castle with formal gardens that feel entirely out of place in the best possible way. The national park covers 170 square kilometres of bog, mountain, and heather. You can walk for hours or take the shuttle to the castle and spend a quiet afternoon in the gardens.
Parking fee at the visitor centre. Shuttle bus to the castle runs Easter–Oct; castle open seasonally (generally Mar–Nov). Park and visitor centre open year-round. No booking needed for individual visits. Check glenveaghnationalpark.ie for current prices and hours.
Killybegs
Co. Donegal — 30 min drive
Ireland's largest fishing port and one of the busiest in Europe. The harbour is worth a visit just to see the scale of the fleet. The town itself is honest and unpretentious, with good seafood if you time it right. A natural stop on the road to Slieve League.
Free to visit. Good parking along the harbour. The fleet is most active early morning; mid-morning is quieter. Worth 20–30 minutes on the way to Slieve League.
Ardara & Narin Beach
Co. Donegal — 45 min drive
Ardara is the heartland of Donegal tweed: a small, handsome town with working studios where you can watch the weaving and buy directly from the makers. Just beyond it, Narin and Portnoo beach is one of Donegal's finest, with an island (Inishkeel) you can walk to at low tide.
Town and beach free. Studios generally open Mon–Sat 9am–6pm (some open Sun in summer). Narin beach has free parking. Inishkeel island is walkable at low tide — check tide times before you go.
Beaches
Atlantic coastline in every direction
Rossnowlagh
Co. Donegal — 20 min drive
A wide, south-facing strand that catches the Atlantic swell and the afternoon sun. One of the best surf beaches in the county, with board hire and lessons available on the beach. Perfectly swimmable on calmer days. The Surfers Bar above the beach is a good reason to stay longer.
Murvagh
Co. Donegal — 10 min drive
The closest beach to the Manor: a long, quiet strand backed by dunes and pine forest on the southern edge of Donegal Bay. Rarely busy. Good for a morning walk or an evening stroll with the light coming in off the water.
Bundoran
Co. Donegal — 25 min drive
One of Europe's top surf destinations, with a world-class reef break that draws surfers from across the globe. Non-surfers will find a lively seaside town, decent fish and chips, and impressive sea stacks at the Fairy Bridges. More animated than most of Donegal, which is either a plus or a minus depending on your mood.
In & around Donegal Town
On the doorstep
Donegal Castle
The Diamond, Donegal Town — 5 min walk
The original stronghold of the O'Donnell clan, right in the centre of town. Built in the 15th century and partially restored, it's one of the best-preserved tower houses in Ireland. Guided tours run daily and are worth an hour of anyone's time.
Adult €5, child €3, student €3. Open Easter–Oct, daily 10am–5:30pm (last admission 5pm). No booking needed. Check heritageireland.ie for seasonal changes.
Donegal Craft Village
10 min walk from Donegal Manor
A cluster of working artisan studios just off the Wild Atlantic Way. Pottery, jewellery, hand-weaving, painting: all made on site. The Aroma cafe is here too, making it an easy afternoon out without getting in the car.
Free to visit. Studios generally open Mon–Sat 9:30am–5:30pm (hours vary; some open Sun in summer). Aroma cafe open daily.
Lough Eske & the Blue Stacks
10 min drive from Donegal Manor
Lough Eske sits in the foothills of the Blue Stack Mountains, just outside town. The lough loop is a flat, easy walk of about 9km through oak woodland and along the water's edge. For the more ambitious, the Blue Stacks beyond offer proper hill walking with views across Donegal Bay.
Free. No facilities at the trailhead. The 9km lough loop is flat and suitable for most fitness levels (allow 2–2.5 hours). Blue Stack walking requires experience and navigation skills.
Salthill Cabin, Mountcharles Pier
Mountcharles — 10 min drive
A lovely short drive south to Mountcharles Pier, where the walk around the harbour and headland is one of the nicest easy strolls in the area. At the pier, Salthill Cabin is a cafe with a small collection of animals the kids can meet and feed: a hit with younger guests every time. Good coffee and food for the adults while the children are entertained.
Cafe open daily from 10am. Pier walk is free. Check Salthill Cabin on Facebook for current animal feeding session times.
Also worth reading
Where to Eat
Restaurants and pubs from waterfront seafood to a legendary mountain pub.
Coffee & Cafes
The best coffee shops in Donegal Town, including a cafe-bar open at weekends.
Pubs & Bars
Live trad sessions, great Guinness, and proper Irish nights out.
Getting Around
Local taxi and minibus contacts for town trips and days out.
3-Night Itinerary
A day-by-day long weekend guide: Slieve League, the best pubs, and everything in between.
Saunas
Wood-fired waterside saunas and cold dip experiences within easy reach of the Manor.
Make the most of it
Stay at Donegal Manor and use it as your base for the best of the county. Book direct and save at least 10%.