If you haven’t heard, Donegal Airport has one of the most scenic airport approaches in the world. As the aircraft makes its approach to Donegal Airport, the Atlantic stretches out beneath you, with Carrickfinn Beach and the rugged coastline coming into view
Flying from Dublin, you can be in Donegal in less than an hour. A FlyBreak makes an ideal way to experience it. With return flights from Dublin, car hire and two nights’ bed and breakfast arranged, you can settle into your chosen hotel and spend 48 hours exploring at your own pace.
Day One: The Rosses and the Donegal Gaeltacht
Collect your hire car at the airport and head towards Carrickfinn Beach, one of Donegal’s finest stretches of golden sand. From here, follow the coast towards Bunbeg and Gaoth Dobhair, where Irish remains a living language and traditional music is woven into everyday life.
Make a stop at Bád Eddie at Machaire Chlochair, the famous fishing boat which has rested on the beach for more than 40 years. Nearby, Crolly Distillery, housed in the former Crolly Doll Factory, offers an insight into the area’s history as well as the craft of whiskey-making in the Donegal Gaeltacht.
For lunch, stop for coffee and something homemade at Solas na Mara in Annagry, or settle down for lunch at Fara Ógs at An Chúirt Hotel.
Golfers should make time for Cruit Island Golf Club, a scenic nine-hole links course where the Atlantic, surrounding islands and Donegal mountains provide a spectacular backdrop. For those who would rather admire the scenery than play a round, Cruit Island is well worth exploring by car.
Come evening, west Donegal’s food scene provides plenty of choice. Danny Minnie’s in Annagry is a long-established, award-winning restaurant specialising in high-quality local seafood and meats, while The Viking House in Kincasslagh takes pride in working with local artisan producers and putting fresh Donegal ingredients centre stage.
After dinner, make your way to Leo’s Tavern in Crolly. Famous for traditional music and its connections with Clannad, Moya Brennan and Enya, it is a fitting place to experience the musical heritage of the Gaeltacht.
Carrickfinn Beach – Donegal
Day Two: Donegal Town to the Wild Atlantic
After breakfast, take the scenic drive south towards Donegal Town. Start with a coffee at McBrew on The Diamond, then visit Donegal Castle, the historic stronghold of the O’Donnell chieftains.
Continue towards Killybegs, Ireland’s largest fishing port. For lunch, the Killybegs Seafood Shack is hard to beat, with fresh seafood and chowder offering a genuine taste of the town’s maritime heritage.
From Killybegs, continue towards Slieve League, where some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs rise dramatically from the Atlantic. There is no need to tackle the more strenuous walks; the viewing points provide extraordinary views across Donegal Bay and the surrounding coastline.
The road then takes you towards Assaranca Waterfall, where the water cascades down the hillside shortly before reaching Ardara. Take time to explore this characterful heritage town and visit Triona Design, where the story of Donegal Tweed and the county’s weaving tradition comes to life.
Continue towards Narin Portnoo Beach, another beautiful stretch of Atlantic coastline. If golf is your passion, Narin & Portnoo Links offers another opportunity to play with the ocean as your backdrop.
As evening approaches, make your way back towards your chosen hotel. For dinner, McCafferty’s Bar in Leitir offers good food and a welcoming local atmosphere, before finishing the evening at The Bridge Inn in Dungloe for a drink, traditional music and some local craic.
Donegal Airport Runway
Make it a FlyBreak
The beauty of a Donegal break is that you can experience an extraordinary amount without feeling that you have to rush. Fly from Dublin, collect your car, unpack once and spend two days following the coast, discovering local food, enjoying a round of golf, exploring Donegal’s heritage and simply stopping whenever the scenery demands it.
FlyBreak packages start from €250 per person, including return flights from Dublin, two nights’ bed and breakfast and car hire.
To see the available hotel options and plan your own 48-hour Donegal escape, visit donegalairport.ie.
