Discover the Wild Atlantic Way – Donegal’s Untamed Beauty.
Downings – Na Dúnaibh
The Wild Atlantic Way has opened the doors for many tourists coming to Ireland to explore the northern parts of County Donegal and especially Downings. Downings is a Gaeltacht village known as ‘Na Dúnaibh’. Many residents of Downings still speak Irish as their first language and with the local primary school serving as a Geal Scoil the Irish language is here and still going strong. Many years ago Downings used to be a significant fishing port with a substantial herring fleet. Today, however, the economy survives on tourism, and only three crab boats make a traditional living from the sea.
The Wild Atlantic Way is Ireland’s first long-distance touring route of 2,600km, spanning over seven of Ireland’s counties from the coast of Donegal to West Cork and of course where you will find the Beach Hotel, Downings!
This makes it one of the longest defined coastal route in the world. Each county along the Wild Atlantic Way hosts 3 signature points and in County Donegal we have Malin Head, Sliabh Liag, and Fanad Lighthouse, which is only 15km away from Downings.
Donegal’s section of the Wild Atlantic Way offers towering sea cliffs, golden beaches, windswept headlands, and ancient landscapes. Highlights include:
- Slieve League Cliffs – Among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, offering panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounding coastline.
- Fanad Head Lighthouse – A postcard-perfect lighthouse perched on a rugged headland, where you might spot dolphins or basking sharks.
- Horn Head & Malin Head – Stunning viewpoints with spectacular sunsets, sea stacks, and dramatic cliffside walks. Malin Head marks the northernmost point of mainland Ireland.
- Glenveagh National Park – A peaceful escape inland, with walking trails, a historic castle, and wild deer roaming free.
Adventure Awaits
Whether you’re surfing the waves in Dunfanaghy, hiking along coastal trails, or simply enjoying a quiet moment by the sea in Downings, Donegal offers unforgettable experiences for every kind of traveller.
Scenic Drives & Beaches
- Atlantic Drive – A dramatic 12 km loop around the Rosguill Peninsula. Drive, cycle, or walk this route to soak in stunning coastal vistas—from Sheephaven Bay to Melmore Head, with views of Horn Head and Fanad Head
- Downings/Tra Beg Beach – A Blue Flag sandy beach ideal for swimming, beach walks, and family fun. Lifeguards on duty in summer
- Tra na Rossan – Secluded and framed by hills, perfect for an early-morning stroll
- Murder Hole Beach (Boyeeghter Bay) – A dramatic cove accessible via a hill trail. Stunning scenery, though swimming is not safe due to strong current
Water Sports & Activities
- Jaws II Watersports – Lessons in surfing, SUP, kayaking and more, with a summer kids’ club
- Windsurfing & Sailing – Local outfitters, including Gartan, provide lessons and equipment .
- Diving & Angling – Explore wrecks (e.g. HMS Laurentic) or book deep-sea fishing charters in Sheephaven Bay
Trails, Parks & Wildlife
- Glenveagh National Park – 16,500 ha of mountainous terrain, lakes, woodlands, gardens, and deer. Guided castle tours and hikes
- Ards Forest Park – Beach and woodland trails, salt marshes, ring forts, and wildlife—ideal for a day trip
- Muckish/Errigal – For keen walkers seeking panoramic mountain views
- Gáinne Mór Alpacas – Friendly alpaca walks near Sheephaven Bay—great for families
Culture & Heritage
- Downings Pier & Laurentic Gun – Historic pier offering fishing opportunities, sheltered anchorage, and the recovered 6" naval gun memorial
- McNutts of Donegal – Visit the original tweed mill and gift shop for authentic Donegal wool and crafts
- Doe Castle – A medieval Mac Sweeney fortress with guided summer tours just a short drive away
- Fanad Head Lighthouse – Iconic Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Site. Guided climbs and visitor centre experiences
eBikes Downings
Located right in Downings village—at the start/finish of the famed Atlantic Drive circuit—eBikes Downings is a family-run electric bike rental service offering everything needed for a scenic and effortless cycling adventure .
Perfectly placed for exploring Melmore Head, Murder Hole Beach, and the Atlantic Drive route
All packages include an e‑bike, helmet, high‑vis vest, route maps, and safety induction
Guided and self-guided options: Pre-designed routes range from easy (19–20 km) to moderate (35–46 km), and you can also book custom guided tours using high-performance Bianchi T‑Tronik e‑bikes
Family and group friendly: Options include child trailers and group bookings—with great testimonials praising the service and ease of tackling hillier terrain.
Reservation recommended, especially in summer—either online or by phone (+353 87 2855558)
Off-season (Sept–May), open weekends or by appointment
Atlantic Drive
The Atlantic Drive Downings, although one of the shortest scenic drives at only 12km, provides the most amazing seascape views around the Rosguill Peninsula and the unspoilt landscape of Downings and its town-lands. Stopping in Dooey on a clear day you can see Horn Head and even as far as Tory Island. Continue along the drive to view the infamous Tra Na Rossan beach and further more to Melmore Head with spectacular views reaching to FanadHead
Downings Pier
Downings pier is very well sheltered and offers good shore fishing. It is one of the safest anchorages on the northwest Irish coast and in 2003 Downings held the World Boat Championships. Downings Pier hosts the ‘Laurentic Gun’ one of guns recovered from the Laurentic ocean-liner after it sank in January 1917 along with a memorial to the 354 men who lost their lives on that night. The Laurentic, which was travelling to Canada, struck a German mine and the wreck is one of Ireland’s most popular diving sites mainly because the ship was carrying over 3,000 gold bars and legend has it that not all of them have been recovered!
McNutts of Donegal
Famous worldwide for their weaves, McNutts of Donegal have been in business in Downings for over 60 years. The shop is located in the original building where the first McNutt weaving factory originated in 1950. Open March to October and well worth a visit!
Fanad Lighthouse
Fanad Lighthouse is only 15km away from Downings village. Guided tours are available daily during the summer months and the new visitors centre is open providing information, refreshments and gift shop
Doe Castle
Doe Castle situated on along the shore in Sheephaven Bay is a short drive from Downings. The Castle was stronghold of the Mac Sweeney Clan for about 200 years, and it was in this castle that the survivors from the wrecks of the Spanish Armada were sheltered. First reference to the castle is around 1544, but it is suggested that it dates back further.
The Castle grounds are open daily and guided tours of the tower-house are available during the summer months.
Glenveagh National Park
Just 25km away from Downings is Glenveagh National Park. The park is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains, pristine lakes, Located in the Derryveagh Mountains the park visit Glenveagh Castle or explore gardens, woodlands, lakes and waterfalls. There are many walking and cycling trails as well as fishing. For further information and maps see www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie
Ards Forest Park
Ards Forest covers approximately 1200 acres of a variety of landscapes from beaches to woodlands. Choose from many walking trails depending on your ability and explore the park in all its glory. The park is also home to a wide selection of animals and birds and during the winter you can watch the winter visitors feed on the salt marsh. For those interested in human history, there are a number of historical and archaeological features. There are the remains of four ring forts together with a holy well and a mass rock. For further information and maps see www.coillte.ie
Beaches & Walks
Downings host a number of beautiful beaches with our very own Blue Flag beach – Tra Beg. The beach faces into the sheltered waters of Sheephaven Bay this is a relatively safe spot for swimming and other water-sports. A life guard is on duty during the summer months. Other Beaches include Tra Mor, Tra Na Rossan, Dooey Beach, Melmore Beach
Windsurfing
Gartan - registered outdoor pursuits, perform lessons on Downings beach during the summer months and by appointment at other times of the year. Downings hosts the annual wind surfing competitions in August each year which forms a leg of the European qualifiers. See www.gartan.com
Angling
Deep-sea wreck fishing and shark fishing are among the visitors favourites.
SummerRose Charters has an 11 meter Ocean Tramp Angling Boat that fishes out of Downings and offers some of the best fishing in Ireland including reefs, hard and sandy bottom for species from Skate and Turbot to Tope and Blue Shark in the summer months.
For further information contact Seamus Doherty on +353 868637939, +44 7511580330 or seadoc1@hotmail.co.uk
Diving
Countless wrecks off the Donegal shores have attracted divers from all over the world with many returning on an annual basis.
Downings is a haven for film crews as the visibility is so good.
Horse Riding
Carrigart Horse Riding Centre - 0872276926
Located just off Main Street in Carrigart, offers a delightful way to explore the countryside and sandy beaches on horseback.
Open daily during summer and selected weekends, they provide a range of rides from one-hour beach treks to longer two- and three-hour countryside adventures
Local Eateries
Beach Hotel Downings
Downings Bay Hotel
Fifi's Coffee
The Galley
Fisk at the Harbour Bar
Goose & Gander Pizzaria
The Singing Pub
Glen Bar
Donegal Boardwalk
The Carrigart Hotel
Galanta Gifts – Carrigart – Gift Shop
Post Office – Downings Main Street or Centra Carrigart
Transport
Patrick Gallagher Travel offers a bus service twice daily between Downings and Letterkenny which in turn connects to the major bus routes from Bus Eireann.
See www.patrickgallaghertravel.com for timetables.
Further Afield...
Doagh Famine Village
Errigal Pet Farm
Poisoned Glen
Mount Errigal
Muckish
Slaibh Laig
Malin Head
Donegal Town
Killybegs
An Grainan
Bunbeg Wreck
Inishboffin Island
Tory Island
The Cove of Light
Contact
Address
Main Street
Downings
Co Donegal
Ireland
F92 H363
Phone
+353749155303
