Shannon & Keelan
Things To Do
Beachcomber Bar
The Beachcomber Bar is a long-established pub with a fabulous, seafront setting that offers panoramic views over Lough Swilly towards Inch Island and the Inishowen Peninsula. Look out over them while sipping your pint of Guinness in the beer garden. The pub has also built a reputation for great bar food. This is where we will be hosting our day 2!
The White Harte
The White Harte is a traditional Irish pub situated in the centre of Rathmullan overlooking the pier and beach and putting green. The house was built in 1901 and the bar was named after the first ship that docked at the pier afterwards. The bar has been run by the McAteer family for over 50 years. Don't expect any tv or music here - just enjoy the company.
Belles Kitchen Rathmullan
Located near the Pier area which leads down to Rathmullan beach, harbour and small marina. Belle's Kitchen is modern restaurant serving high quality local produce, cooked with pride and attention to detail, by owner and head chef Ronnie Blake.
Pavilion Pizza & Craft Beer
Open to both hotel guests and non resident guests, Pavilion is a beautifully bespoke, traditional, kingpole canvas tent serving a delicious menu of stone baked pizzas, homemade ice creams using local produce and farmhouse beers, all on the front lawns of the house. Pavilion is open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays until 1st September.
The Cook and Gardener
Also part of Rathmullan House Hotel, the Cook & Gardener champions local suppliers in its dishes and uses produce from the hotel’s walled garden. The menu is seasoned and varied, and expect dishes such as slow-cooked Irish pork belly, pan-seared fillets of fish landed in nearby Greencastle and roast rump of Irish lamb.
Rathmullan Bay Beach
Rathmullan Beach is a stunning seaside destination located in County Donegal, Ireland. With its picturesque views of Lough Swilly and Inch Island, it's a popular spot for visitors and locals alike. The visitors can enjoy delicious ice cream from the vans that are usually in the car park in the summertime, fish and chips and a nice cup of tea or coffee.
Lough Swilly Ferry
The Lough Swilly Ferry takes you to Buncrana and operates through June to September when there are eight return services every day and you can travel as an on-foot passenger (there is no extra charge for bicycles), by car, motorbike or minibus. No pre-booking is necessary and the short journey is a fine way to appreciate the surrounding coastline and all that it has to offer. Terrific on a fine day when the blue skies above highlight the turquoise waters underneath and once you reach the other end, there is another of Donegal’s lovely towns to explore.
Eco Atlantic Adventures Rathmullan
Are you someone who gets their thrills from the great outdoors? Step forward Eco Atlantic Adventures. The abseiling, kayaking and hiking tours on offer use the natural landscape, geology and natural resources with the utmost care for the environment. You can kayak out from Rathmullan Beach in the early evening as the sun sets and return there under moonlight.
Ballyboe to Millbrook Loop
Still on the outdoor exercise theme, try the Ballyboe to Millybrook Loop for a bracing, blow those cobwebs away walk. The trail is just under six kilometres (about one and half hours, depending on your pace). It takes you clockwise along the shores of Lough Swilly, before climbing the ‘Long Hill’ and returning to the town along the ‘Red Brae’. Your start point is the car park beside the beach, from where you turn left past the village putting green.
Ballymastocker Beach
Ballymastocker Bay on the Fanad Peninsula is only a 15-minute drive from Rathmullan and another beach well worth visiting when you are staying in the area. It is a long sandy beach that stretches for more than a mile on the western shore of Lough Swilly. The beach stretches from Portsalon to the Knockalla Hills and was once voted second most beautiful beach in the world. It has won a Blue Flag award (this relates to cleanliness and sustainability) and from the beach, you are afforded views of the Knockalla Mountain.
Portsalon Golf Club
Gloriously situated on the shores of scenic Lough Swilly, Portsalon is located on the extreme north coast of County Donegal. It’s a 15-minute drive from Rathmullan. Portsalon has a well-respected golf club bordering the golden sandy beach. It’s a great way to enjoy the spectacular Fanad Peninsula scenery while playing a round. The links includes a river and natural undulating landscapes.
Fanad Head Lighthouse
Fanad Head Lighthouse is one of three Signature Discovery Points on the Wild Atlantic Way and it’s incredibly impressive. The lighthouse is a not-for-profit social enterprise that is run by a voluntary local committee and is a working lighthouse, voted one of the most beautiful lighthouses in the world. It is a 35 minute drive from Rathmullan.
Letterkenny
Letterkenny, the largest town in Donegal, is a 17th century market town that grew in importance once the railways came there in the 19th century. Here you will find the Donegal County Museum, which gives an excellent overview of the area’s history. There’s some excellent restaurants in Letterkenny and there’s some lovely old-school pubs in Letterkenny, too! Letterkenny is a 30 minute drive from Rathmullan.
Glenveagh National Park
Glenveagh National Park lies in the heart of County Donegal, among the wild and rugged landscape of the Derryveagh Mountains. Its pristine habitats and protected wildlife, and its trails taking in the stunning Victorian Castle and Gardens along Lough Veagh, make Glenveagh the ideal escape for lovers of the natural world. Glenveagh is a 35 minute drive from Rathmullan.
Innishowen Penninsula
The Inishowen Peninsula is one of the most beautiful corners of Ireland. Long, sweeping beaches, towering mountains and (plenty!) of hidden gems make the Inishowen Peninsula an absolute joy to explore – once you know where you’re going. The Inishowen 100 route gets its name from its length – 100 long and lovely miles of coast, mountainous landscape and stunning scenery. The minimum you’ll want to give yourself to do this drive is 5 hours – the more time the better. From Rathmullan to Malin Head (the tip of the peninsula and most northerly point of Ireland) takes 1.5-2 hours.
Donegal Road Trip
Located in the province of Ulster, County Donegal is tucked away in northwest Ireland. There’s endless things to do in Donegal, from Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head, to secret waterfalls, breath-taking beaches and much more. This website provides a great 2-3 day itinerary you can follow from start to finish!
Causeway Coast Route (personal favorite)
The Antrim Coast road starts in Belfast City and ends in Derry. It follows the coast road through the nine Glens of Antrim, peaking at the Giant’s Causeway before powering on through to its final destination – Derry. This is a personal favorite of ours as Keelan is from Belfast and we spend lots of time in his family caravan in Cushendun. This is a great route to drive if you are flying into Belfast airport and want to see some amazing sights before or after the wedding. You can do this drive in a day, but we'd recommend at least 2. Bonus points if you're a Game of Thrones fan!
Belfast
Belfast is Northern Ireland’s capital and also home to the Cairns family! It boats mighty hikes, like Cave Hill, exceptional tours, like Crumlin Road, and a brilliant food and pub scene. In our opinion three must dos are the Black Taxi Tour (for a bit of history), Cathedral Quarter (for the best pubs - Duke of York is great) and the Titanic Museum! Belfast is 2 hours from Rathmullan.
Dublin
Dublin speaks for itself. The capital is rich in history and things to do but it's also very different to the rest of Ireland. We spent a lot of time in Dublin during the first months of almost dating while I (Shannon) was studying at Trinity. It holds a special place in my heart but I firmly believe if you're visiting Ireland you need to get OUT of Dublin and explore the Wild Atlantic Way. That being said - 1-2 days in Dublin is a perfect amount of time to explore the main attractions in the city. My top three recommendations would be the Guinness Storehouse (duh), Trinity College, and a traditional pub crawl (Stag's Head, Grogan's, Kehoe's and Long hall to start). The attached guide also includes lots of nearby seaside towns and hikes which are amazing! Dublin is a 3.5 hour drive from Rathmullan.
The Wild Atlantic Way
The 1,500-mile-long coastal road known as the Wild Atlantic Way. From the wind-whipped tip of Malin Head in County Donegal to the balmy beauty of Kinsale town in County Cork, the west of Ireland will wow you with its epic landscapes and charm you with its quiet moments. It's a once in a lifetime kind of trip that you'll need 11 days to complete - but you can also condense it by picking and choosing certain areas you want to see. Truly the best way to see and experience Ireland!