Donegal: what 26 visitors wish they'd known

Driving (2)

• Carry a paper map for Donegal's narrow lanes; the group got lost and had to buy one at a petrol station. · Blog, 2015
• Skip Horn Head if cliff-edge single-track roads make you nervous; the road is narrow, though puffins nest there in summer. · Blog, 2024

Getting around (4)

• Buses reached Clifden, Donegal and Lisdoonvarna cheaply; download timetables and watch for special fares. · Blog, 2022
• Expect patchy coverage in Connemara, west Kerry and Donegal. · Blog
• Take the Rathmullan to Buncrana ferry to save driving; arrive early as only about 8 cars fit. · TripAdvisor, 2022
• The Lough Swilly ferry from Buncrana runs only in summer, so it was not operating in May; plan a road alternative. · Blog, 2024

Food & pubs (13)

• Ardara restaurants stop seating early; ask your host. · TripAdvisor, 2025
• Avoid Glenveagh's canteen lunch and Harvey's Point Sunday carvery; both disappointing. · TripAdvisor, 2022
• Ballyliffin has few restaurants and early closing times. · TripAdvisor, 2025
• Eat early at the Old Castle Seafood Bar across from Donegal Castle; dinner specials sold out quickly on both visits. · TripAdvisor, 2026
• Eat fish and chips at The Singing Pub in Downings; the Harbour Bar there is also a favourite local pub. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
• Eat oysters at Nancy's in Killybegs; it lived up to the hype. · TripAdvisor, 2023
• Get fish and chips at Killybegs Seafood Shack, up the street through a short alley, not directly opposite Anderson's. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
• Live music was scarce in Donegal in winter, so confirm which pubs have sessions before building an evening around it. · Blog, 2015
• Most pubs refuse dogs; ask for a covered outdoor area, as at SeaView Tavern near Malin Head, which served good hake. · Blog, 2024
• Mrs B's Coffee House in Killybegs gives hearty winter meals, and Donegal Town has festive lights and evening shopping in December. · Blog, 2015
• Nancy's in Ardara serves good oysters; Mickalene's was better than Nesbitt Arms. · TripAdvisor, 2022
• Olde Glen Bar, about 30 minutes north of Letterkenny, gives upscale dining in an old-school pub with generous portions. · Rick Steves forum, 2026
• The Old Castle's menu has good seafood plus venison pie, and its ancient pub fireplace is worth seeing. · TripAdvisor, 2026

Sightseeing (9)

• At Sliabh Liag the lower car park cost 5 euros (~$5) in peak season, then a 30-minute walk to viewpoints. · Fodor's, 2023
• Book the Slieve League boat tour with Paddy Byrne's from Teelin for seabirds and minke whales, but fog may hide the cliffs. · TripAdvisor, 2023
• Day-trip to Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula from a base near Derry. · Rick Steves forum, 2019
• Doagh Famine Village on Inishowen was really worthwhile, about 2 hours; the guide lived there until 1984. · TripAdvisor, 2022
• Drive the Inishowen 100 for viewpoints, beaches and food stops. · TripAdvisor, 2025
• Glencolmcille Folk Village was closed in December; check seasonal opening before driving out to Donegal's far west. · Blog, 2015
• Slieve League viewpoint is about a mile's walk. · TripAdvisor, 2025
• Visit Malin Head on clear days; mist hides views. · Blog
• Walk from Ards Friary through the forest park to the white sand beaches nearby. · Blog, 2024

Where to stay (4)

• Overnight in a sheltered car park on exposed headlands; she parked behind SeaView Tavern at Malin Head to cope with gales. · Blog, 2024
• Rent cottages via goireland.com; Donegal cottage was good value. · Fodor's
• Warn Airbnb hosts about late check-in; a late dinner in Galway meant arriving in Donegal around 1:30am. · Blog, 2017
• Wild Atlantic Camp in Creeslough offers hot showers, Wi-Fi and a cafe with good pancakes near the road to Horn Head. · Blog, 2024

Other (5)

• Cap each day's driving and stop early; overdoing distance was her biggest mistake on the Donegal coast. · Blog, 2024
• Check weather before Sliabh Liag; mist covered the cliffs. Poll na bPeist on Inis Mor is dangerous to climb down to. · Blog, 2024
• Glen Tavern near Glenties has local music and is walkable from rural Airbnbs. · TripAdvisor, 2023
• In Donegal Town, The Reel Inn has live music nightly and The Forge is a good local. · Fodor's, 2023
• Phone knitters and weavers before calling to their cottages; Donegal makers do not always welcome unannounced visitors. · Blog, 2015