Angeline & Kieran
Things To Do
Kinnegar Beach
Kinnegar beach is located right next to Drumhalla House. There is a small carpark a short walk or drive from Drumhalla. One of the best things about Kinnegar Beach is its shallow, and usually quiet waters. As it is a small bay, the waters are sheltered from strong winds and currents, making it an ideal place for swimming and paddling, or a short walk. From Kinnegar Beach you can enjoy a great view of Buncrana and inch island. It's a great spot for relaxing and enjoying the natural beauty of the area.
Rathmullan Beach
Visitors can explore Rathmullan Beach in a variety of ways, whether it's walking along the beach or strolling on the wood path beside it, towards Rathmullan House hotel. The pier located at the start of the beach is also a popular spot for a walk, where visitors can take in views of Lough Swilly and the surrounding landscape. The beach itself is perfect for a picnic, with plenty of picnic benches and a nearby playground for families with children. Parking is available right next to the beach in Rathmullan village and there are lots of cafes, bars and restaurants in the village, as well as some lovely mobile coffee trucks and food trucks by the beach entrance. We would recommend a pint from 'White Hart' bar (you can sit on a bench outside overlooking the pier and beach), and fish and chips from the food truck at the pier. There is also public toilets at the pier.
Ballymastocker Viewpoint
Ballymastocker viewpoint is a 13-minute (11km) drive north of Drumhalla house. It offers a scenic backdrop for photos, with a panoramic view of portsalon beach. Portsalon beach is a short drive from here, which is a popular beach for long walks and swimming. There's plenty of parking at the beach and often a coffee/ice cream truck at the car park. There aren't any shops so be sure to bring snacks from Rathmullan if you are starting from there.
Rathmullan Town
Rathmullan is the closest town to Drumhalla House, located just 2.3km away. It’s a 10-minute drive from Ramelton, a 25-minute drive from Letterkenny and a 30-minute drive from Downings. Its facilities include shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, a resource center, playpark, hotels and churches. There are also the remains of a friary that was sacked by the English in 1595, which was later turned into a fortified mansion in anticipation of a French invasion during the early 19th century Napoleonic wars. You’ll find the remains of a Martello tower here too – another precaution against French invasion built at that time. Our favourite places are 'Belles Kitchen' for coffee and lunch, 'The Beachcomber Bar' for live entertainment, the food truck at the beach for fresh fish and chips, and any of the bars for a pint (White Harte or The Beachcomber are most scenic).
Rathmullan Playpark
Rathmullan Playground is a beautiful scenic playground right on the beach, with fantastic rides for children and great facilities around it. Shops, restaurants, coffee, tea vans, bathrooms with changing rooms, you name it! Just around the corner, there's a lovely (roughly 3km) forest walk along the edge of the beach, with rope swings hanging from beautiful old trees and fairy doors to amuse kids. The path is suitable for cycling and walking, but a bit bumpy for ordinary buggies. There's more than one narrow path to the sandy beach, either walking back to the car park or sitting and relaxing and taking it all in.
Inishowen Peninsula Road trip
Inishowen penninsula: stop at one of the many beaches including Lisfannon beach, Lenan bay (or take a hike around the hill overlooking this bay) Tullagh beach (we got engaged near here), Ballyliffin beach, cludaff beach, or five finger strand (a lovely beach near Malin Head). Be sure to visit Ireland's most Noertherly point, Malin head. Grainan of Aileach (stone fort near Buncrana) and Fort Dunree are also worth a visit for great views and historical points of interest.