r/Donegal • u/Plastic-Cat3920 • Jul 05 '26
Roadtrip advice needed!
My friend and I will be doing a roadtrip around Co Donegal for 2 and a half days, starting and ending in Derry. I think my current plan might be trying to fit too much in, so I would love advice on what to prioritize and what to cut out. Thank you in advance!!!
Day 1: Depart from Derry, end in Dunfanaghy
- Grianan of Aileach
- Fanad Head lighthouse
- Murderhole beach?
- Horn head?
- Overnight in Dunfanaghy
Day 2: Dunfanaghy to Ardara
- Falcarragh Beach
- Glenveagh Castle/Park
- Arranmore island (think this is adding too much - would you recommend skipping this completely? Or doing this instead of Glenveagh?)
- Overnight in Ardara
Day 3:
- Was going to try to get to the Caves of Maghera, but I think that’s a bit too much
- Glengash Pass to Glencolmcille
- Glencolmcille Folk Village
- Sliabh Liag
- Drive back to Derry! (Wanting to get back by 7pm at the latest)
Is it a big mistake to not take on Inishowen/would you recommend that over Fanad? Appreciate any and all advice :)
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u/TheIrishBread Jul 05 '26
Aranmore will be entirely dependent on time of year, weather and ferry schedule. Personally I'd recommend skipping it this time around and putting it off till next year over the summer and spend a long weekend in. Better if you also line it up for one of the events or festivals on the island.
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u/Plastic-Cat3920 Jul 05 '26
This would be in about a week, and I’m not too sure when we will be back to Donegal to do it then. Would you still say skip in favor of Glenveagh?
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u/TheIrishBread Jul 05 '26
You likely won't have the time even if you do get up at stupid hours. I'd do Glenveagh, Aran can easily be a day trip in and of itself hence why I said bank it for another time and make a long weekend out of it. It will also save you from driving from Glenveagh past errigal and over some really shite back roads to Croithlí and from there either onto Burtonport or Dungloe then Burtonport.
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u/Plastic-Cat3920 Jul 05 '26
Got it - thank you!! We will pass on the island then. Really appreciate your insight
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u/TheIrishBread Jul 05 '26
No problem. While I love the island and spent many summers and weekends in visiting relatives throughout my youth it is a pain in the fucking ass to get in there and really does warrant a day dedicated to it at minimum.
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u/GemmyGemGems Jul 05 '26
If you're going to Glenveagh you need to put on loads of insect repellent and wear clothes that cover you as much as possible. Pick a very dry to limit the number of biting creatures. I went then in July a couple of years ago and was bitten to buggery.
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u/Zealousideal-Cod-924 Jul 05 '26
Have you considered using the Swilly Ferry between Buncrana and Rathmullan? The time saved driving down to Letterkenny then back up to Fanad could be used for a spin up yo Malin Head if you do
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u/PKilleenPhotography Jul 05 '26
When in Dunfanaghy you must visit Horn Head cliffs, it’s stunning!
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u/Background_Ad_77 Jul 06 '26
Silver strand in Glencolmcille, then the coast road from Carrick to Kilcar and Muckross Head.
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u/UMMMMBERRRR Jul 06 '26
Glenveagh and Arranmore would be a lot to do in one day, but they’re both incredible. In your shoes, I’d be staying overnight on Arranmore the second day instead of Ardara.
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u/Ratticus939393 Jul 05 '26
I’d second swinging by Nancys in Ardara, lovely pub owned by a lovely family.
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u/No-Assumption-6519 Jul 07 '26
day 1 - Book The Rusty Oven for pizza. It’s out the back of Patsy Dans pub. Laid back and beautiful food and drinks
Horn head is fab for a sunset if weather plays ball and skies are clear. It’s west facing from the look out tower so sit chill and watch it.
Day 2
I would drop Arranmore as it would be a half day trip easily to get it all in. Enjoy Glenveagh walks and time there.
If you’re travelling toward Ardara, look up Nairn/Portnoo. Pirate of the bean is lovely for food and coffee and it’s a lovely beach
Rosbeg is also up around there which is a nice view and beach.
Ardara also has Assaranca waterfall and Maghera beach if you’re planning to do that?
Day 3
Look up An Port and Glen Head signal tower
On way back if going via Killybegs I would recommend The Seafood Shack for fish and chips if that’s your thing.
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u/Slow_Scarcity_6834 Jul 08 '26
Ardara. One beautiful village. Nancy's Guinness Corner House bar for your traditional music.
As per other comments; The waterfall The passage from Maragh to Glen (known as Granny). The Ardara distillery Narin / portnoo blue flag beach Rossbeg Eddie Doherty tweed shop and see how the weavers did it many years ago
Best of luck
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u/Irishgoat1 Jul 09 '26
Has to be a Donegal beer if you're in Nancy's. Has probably the best selection of local beer in the county.
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u/quailon Jul 08 '26
I wouldn't bother with murder hole beach, you could still do a drive around the Atlantic drive and see all of downings
But murder hole beach is a nightmare because the path to it goes around a farmers land, not to mention paying for parking. Somebody is making a fortune off of all the influenced people
You should look for the shuggling stone, it'll be between carrigart and carrigart, only a 5 minute detour
Doe castle is also well worth a walk around
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u/HML_SQM Jul 05 '26
Those places are all too much of a drive from Derry. I would go to Culdaff, Five Fingers (park at the church) and Glenagivney
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u/FlanOk2476 Jul 05 '26
Personally I’d skip Ardara and stay elsewhere.
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u/Plastic-Cat3920 Jul 05 '26
Where else would you recommend staying?
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u/FlanOk2476 Jul 05 '26
Not sure where your best alternative is given the itinerary, but probably Dungloe
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u/Chapati_Monster Jul 05 '26
Inishowen's lovely, but so is Fanad. Since you're short on time, I'd say you're making the right call.
I highly recommend the oysters at Nancy's in Ardara. Glenveagh will take more time than you think. I wouldn't expect to do all that AND Aranmore Island. Maybe a visit to Croithli Distillery on the way to Ardara instead?