Experiences
From our coastal base on the Rosguill Peninsula, unforgettable days come easy: sunrise swims, world-class links, cliff-top drives, lighthouse climbs, forest walks, and chef-led dining.
Categories
Choose what inspires your day.
Beaches & Wild Headlands
Golden sands and wild coves just minutes from your residence.
From Melmore Crest or An Corrach, Donegal’s coastline is within minutes. Wander Trá na Rossan at sunrise, explore dramatic Murder Hole, or stroll Downings Beach just fifteen minutes away – each shoreline offers a different rhythm of Atlantic beauty.
Trá na Rossan (Tranarossan Beach)
A perfect crescent of sand sheltered by low headlands – calm mornings, glassy water and soft pastels at dawn.
Bring a thermos and watch fishing boats nose across the bay while you paddle the shallows.
- Distance: ~5–10 mins (car)
Murder Hole / Boyeeghter Bay
Two coves split by jagged rock, caves revealed at low tide, surf exploding into white lace—Donegal at its most dramatic.
Treat it as a look-and-linger beach: no swimming (rips). Check tides, and keep a respectful distance from the cave as swells rise.
- ~10 mins (car) + ~20 mins (on foot)
Downings Beach & Tramore Strand
A broad, family-friendly sweep at the base of the peninsula – lifeguards in season, cafés and an easy promenade. Walk behind the dunes towards Tramore for big-sky solitude, then circle back for ice cream on the pier.
- ~15–20 mins (car)
Golf
Legendary links, all within striking distance.
Staying at Melmore Crest or The Curlew places world-class golf within reach. Rosapenna lies only twenty minutes away, while Portsalon, Dunfanaghy, Narin & Portnoo and Donegal Golf Club each reward with unique challenges amid sweeping Atlantic landscapes.
Rosapenna Hotel & Golf Resort
A 54-hole links playground where rolling dunes and Atlantic light shape every shot. The historic Old Tom Morris hugs the bay; Sandy Hills carves through towering dunes; St Patrick’s Links delivers modern drama and world-ranked greens.
Play late for rose-gold sunsets over Sheephaven Bay, then dine on seafood in the village. Private helicopter arrangements are common in the area—perfect for time-pressed golf getaways.
- ~15–20 mins (car)
Portsalon Golf Club
One of Ireland’s oldest links (1891), sitting beneath the Knockalla Mountains on the edge of Ballymastocker Bay. Windswept dunes, rushing burns and Atlantic panoramas create a true links test.
- ~25 mins (car)
Dunfanaghy Golf Club
A Harry Vardon design from 1906, running beside Killahoey Beach with relaxed charm and spectacular coastal outlooks. Less formal than Rosapenna, it’s perfect for a scenic, social round with family or friends.
- ~35–40 mins (car)
Donegal Golf Club
Known as “the Muirfield of Ireland,” this Eddie Hackett design lies on the Murvagh Peninsula, surrounded by the Atlantic and Donegal Bay. Long, challenging, but always beautiful—an essential tick for serious golfers.
- ~120 mins (car)
Narin & Portnoo Links
A reimagined West Donegal gem, recently redesigned by Gil Hanse. Set on a wild, rugged headland with holes tumbling above the Atlantic. Modern strategy meets raw beauty; less crowded than Rosapenna or Ballyliffin.
- ~90 mins (car)
Scenic Drives & Viewpoints
Coastal drama and panoramas shaped by the Wild Atlantic Way.
Begin at Melmore Crest or The Curlew and the Atlantic Drive unfolds almost immediately. Further afield, Horn Head, Fanad Lighthouse, Errigal Mountain and Harry Blaney Bridge deliver panoramas and drama – all comfortably explored in a single scenic day.
Rosguill Atlantic Drive
A compact coastal loop that strings together cliff-edges, pocket beaches, and wide horizons – perfect when you want wow-factor without a long day. Do it twice: bright blues at midday, then a sunset reprise with a picnic above Trá na Rossan.
- ~45–90 mins with stops
Horn Head Scenic Drive & Lookout
A cliff-top loop above 180-metre precipices, with the Derryveagh mountains marching inland and the Atlantic heaving below. Short leg-stretches reach old lookouts – keep well back from unfenced edges on windy days.
- ~45 mins (car)
Harry Blaney Bridge Lookouts
An elegant sweep over Mulroy Bay that links Rosguill to Fanad; the approach reveals fjord-like inlets and islets. Pull into the lay-bys for photos, then continue to Portsalon or Fanad Lighthouse.
- ~20–25 mins (car)
Marvel at Mount Errigal
Rising 751 metres, Errigal is Donegal’s tallest peak—its quartzite flanks blush pink at sunset, a sight that’s almost surreal. Seen from afar it dominates the skyline; up close, it invites you to climb. The Errigal Path is a straightforward 3–4 hour hike, though boggy in parts; from the summit you’ll see Glenveagh, the Atlantic, and even Tory on clear days.
- ~50–60 mins (car)
Fanad Head Lighthouse
A Wild Atlantic Way Signature Point and one of the world’s most photogenic lighthouses. Climb the tower for sweeping ocean views and local rescue tales; pre-book in summer and check wind conditions.
- ~35–45 mins with stops
Forests, Castles & National Park Days
History and wilderness within an hour’s drive.
From Melmore Crest or The Curlew, history and wilderness are close companions. Ards Forest Park and Doe Castle lie twenty minutes away, while Glenveagh Castle and its vast national park wait less than an hour inland, surrounded by Donegal’s untamed beauty.
Ards Forest Park
Where woodland meets shore: boardwalks over salt marsh, pocket beaches and scented pine trails for all abilities. Pack a picnic and make a half-day loop – kids love the hide at the end of the marsh path for winter bird-watching.
- ~30–35 mins with stops
Doe Castle (Caisleán na dTuath)
A 15th-century tower house of the MacSweeneys, set on a tidal inlet – quiet, photogenic, and steeped in Gaelic lordship lore. Stroll the waterside grounds, then continue to Ards or Dunfanaghy for coffee.
- ~15–20 mins (car)
Glenveagh Castle
On the shores of Lough Veagh, this 19th-century castellated mansion combines turrets and battlements with lush terraced gardens. Built as a romantic retreat, it now welcomes visitors to wander its halls and landscaped grounds.
- ~35–45 mins (car)
Glenveagh-Nationalpark
The largest national park in Ireland’s north, Glenveagh stretches across more than 16,000 hectares of mountains, moorland, and shimmering lakes. In every direction, Donegal’s wilderness reveals itself in sweeping panoramas – raw, quiet, and unforgettable.
- ~35–45 mins (car)
Eat & Drink
From harbour seafood to historic inns, flavour meets character.
Just minutes from Melmore Crest or The Curlew, Donegal dining is rich and soulful. Savour seafood plates at Fisk or The Harbour, unwind in The Forge Bar or enjoy MICHELIN-rated cuisine at the 1760s Olde Glen Bar.
1
The Harbour Restaurant & Bar
Set by the water, this is Downings’ go-to for hearty meals, fresh seafood, and a lively bar buzz. Expect chowder, crab claws, and pints with sea views. It’s casual, friendly, and always busy in summer – perfect after a day on the sand or the golf course.
- ~15–20 mins (car)
2
The Forge Bar
A local institution: live music, pints pulled with personality, and a crowd that mixes golfers, surfers, and villagers. It’s the spot for Donegal hospitality—warm, a little loud, and entirely authentic.
- ~15–20 mins (car)
3
Olde Glen Bar
A 1760s whitewashed inn with a locals’ bar humming and a MICHELIN-rated dining room serving Donegal on a plate. Expect house-smoked salmon, local oysters, and a concise set menu that changes with the tide.
- ~25–30 mins (car)
4
Fisk Seafood Bar
Scandi-leaning small plates built around whatever the boats land – think crispy cod bites, pickled mussels, and bright, briny flavours. Summer evenings get busy; go early or slip in late for a relaxed post-beach supper.
- ~15–20 mins (car)
5
The Singing Pub
A picture-perfect thatched pub set on Atlantic Drive, just five minutes from Downings village. Inside, glowing open fires, rustic stone walls and traditional music sessions create an unforgettable evening. Family-friendly and welcoming, it's a hub of local warmth and Irish charm.
- ~15–20 mins (car)