Activities
Activities and places to visit in the Malin Head area
Golf
Inishowen is a golfer's paradise. Ballyliffin Golf Club has a 36 hole course and an ultra modern clubhouse overlooking both courses and the spectacular sunsets over Pollan Bay. Greencastle Golf Club is a members owned eighteen hole course on the banks of Lough Foyle. Redcastle Golf Club has 9-hole parkland golf course in a stunning setting along the banks of Lough Foyle.
Hillwalking
Inishowen offers walkers a wide range of scenic routes, from gentle strolls to challenging mountain walks. Hill walking has become an increasingly popular activity, and there are some spectacular walks in the area. A rewarding coastal walk would be along the cliffs from Malin Head to Kinnegoe Bay, with its beautiful beaches and the site of the wreck of the Spanish Armada vessel, the "La Trinidad Valecera", which went down in 1588.
Horse Riding
Kate Mc Dermott has been involved with horses most of her life. She grew up in Lancashire but started her working life in Hertfordshire where, for eighteen years, she was teacher and later yard and riding school manageress for a large Equestrian Centre. Since her marriage to a local Donegal man and moving here she has been responsible for setting up two successful riding school businesses. A lady of great experience and skill, she has that rare ability - to teach and motivate riders of all ages and experience. There is a pony riders group for children and for adults wishing to obtain supervised tuition and experience in handling horses, the stables offer management and equitation skills courses; particularly those which lead to AIRE qualifications.
Fishing
There are plenty of opportunities for the fishing enthusiast at Malin Head with sea, shore, river and lake fishing. Sea-Angling Festivals are held annually. Rock and conger eels can be caught off Portmor Pier. Mackerel and mullet can be caught occasionally in summer. Bunagee Pier and adjacent rocks: Pollack and mackerel can be caught in season as well as the occasional sea trout. Float fishing for coalfish, wrasse and mullet is also possible at the Bunagee.
Kinnagoe Bay: Rock fishing at either end of the bay for pollack and wrasse. Beach fishing for flounder, dabs, plaice and occasional sole, bass ands sea dog. Dogfish and spurdog in autumn.
Famine Village at Isle of Doagh
In brief, the Famine Village is an outdoor museum that tells the story of life in the area from the Famine back in the 1840s, through the 1900s to the present day.Different to any other tourist attraction in Ireland the Famine Village depicts life in Ireland as it was, uncommercialised, interdenominational interspersed with humorous anectdotes of Irish life.
Guns of Dunree
Fort Dunree, Dun Fhraoigh in Irish means, “Fort of the Heather” and indicates that this site has been an important defensive site down through history. Today however, its stunning natural beauty and abundant wildlife are drawing increasing numbers of visitors to one of Inishowen’s most beautiful and peaceful locations. Fort Dunree was first opened to the public in 1986 and has attracted tourists from all over the world ever since. It is a must see for every visitor to the Inishowen peninsula.
Historic Walled City of Derry
Derry (Londonderry) is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. The Walls were built during the period 1613-1618 by the honourable, the Irish Society as defences for early seventeenth century settlers from England and Scotland. Few places in these islands can offer such a compelling and unique experience for the visitor as the Walled City of Derry - its setting on the steep hills overlooking the wide sweep of the River Foyle, its distinctive architecture and its famous walls all provide enormous appeal. A walk around the walls in Londonderry reveals a splendid city crammed full of history, heritage, interest and a vibrant cultural scene. The Walls, which are approximately 1.5km in circumference, form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade to view the layout of the original town which still preserves its Renaissance Style street plan to this day.
McGrory's of Culdaff
Mc Grory’s of Culdaff - Hotel, Bar, Restaurant and Music Venue - was first established here on the Inishowen Peninsula of Co. Donegal, Ireland in 1924 and has remained a family run business for three generations. The current owners are brothers John and Neil Mc Grory and their sister Anne Doherty.
Mc Grory’s of Culdaff boasts two unique bars: - The Front Bar which is noted for a fine selection of quality food and drink, traditional Irish music and a friendly Irish welcome, while The Backroom is famous throughout Ireland and beyond for its range and quality of music and entertainment. The Backroom can also be used for weddings, conferences, meetings etc. and has full AV facilities available. Mc Grory’s Restaurant caters for up to sixty diners in a comfortable yet stylish setting.
Image Gallery of Activities and Places to Visit
