Top Things to do in Donegal Town
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The 10 Best Free Things to do in Donegal Town, County Donegal
Donegal Town is a fairytale of a place, featuring a charming harbor, serene beaches and stoic stone remains of centuries past, like those of 15th-century Donegal Abbey. Stern-looking Donegal Castle, recently restored to its one-time Gaelic glory, is the crown jewel of the area. If you’re looking for souvenirs, snag a hand-woven tweed or carpet, the signature goods of the area. For a good craic, the pubs of The Diamond area are a sure bet.
Restaurants in Donegal Town
1. Magee 1866
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 149 reviews
Magee is an Irish brand 149 years old. It is family run by the Temple family with both 3rd and 4th generations in the business at present and employs over 80 people here in Donegal. Magee Design and Weave fabrics in the mill in Donegal for our own collections but also ship world-wide for international designers. We currently also have 13 part-time hand weavers who still weave cloth in their homes. Our men's and ladies' wear collections are inspired by our heritage with a contemporary Irish twist. We are well known for our Tweeds and Suits but our range is now a full lifestyle collection in both Mens and Ladies. We have a fantastic new SS15 range which is available in our 3 shops in Ireland - Magee of Donegal, Magee at South Anne St. and Magee in Arnotts - and more recently our online shop,we offer free deliveries and returns to Ireland. Magee also supply independent retailers throughout Ireland and the UK. The Donegal shop not only stocks Magee, we also have a fantastic gift department, ladies boutique 'Maggies' with some fabulous new labels, as well as all of our ladies concession shops in store, Wallis, ShoeRack, Quiz, J Vert, Eastex, Dash, Precis,Winsmoor and Kira.
Reviewed By tmsSeatte1
I went to Magee's to order a tweed jacket while on holiday in Donegal. My fitting was with the assistant manager, Stephen, who has been with the company for the last 26 years. I can't speak highly enough of Stephen's patience and attention to detail during my fitting. He made me feel comfortable, confident and extremely valued as a customer. I consider my visit to have been as much an education as a fitting. To cap off the visit, Stephen demonstrated how tweed is woven on a hand loom, treated me and my wife to a factory tour and an introduction to the talented and friendly folks who produced the fabric for my jacket. All said, the entire experience was much more than I could have expected.
2. Bluestack Mountains Scenic Route
3. The Forge
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By dlynch200 - Donegal Town, Ireland
I will say I do live about a 2 minute walk from this pub and lived here for about 3 years now but have never actually visited this pub until recently. It is a lovely wee pub for a quite pint, I loved the way they keep a guitar stored behind the bar, it reminds me of an old Irish bar.
4. Giftworld
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
Established in 1870, Giftworld is one of Donegal's oldest businesses with fantastic displays of Irish Crafts, Souvenirs, Tweeds, Pottery and much more. A store full of character and incredible displays we would be delighted to take you on a tour of the store. Our brands include Foxford Woolens, Galway Crystal, Belleek Pottery, GUINNESS OFFICIAL MERCHANDISE..and much more. We hope to see you soon!
5. Triona
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 39 reviews
Triona is based on The Diamond at the heart of Donegal Town. We offer a unique customer experience where we provide a complimentary guided tour complete with traditional Irish Coffee to enjoy while you learn about the history and heritage of Triona Donegal Tweed and enjoy a Weaving demonstration on our 200 year old loom. We are a family run local business and are fifth generation hand weavers. Instore you will almost always meet one of the Mulhern family. For a more indepth experience we invite you to visit our factory based 20 minutes away in the scenic heritage town of Ardara Co. Donegal where we have Triona Donegal Tweed Visitor Centre.
Reviewed By DERtravels - Upland, United States
We had about two hours to shop and eat in Donegal Town during our coach tour. We stepped into Triona and immediately were offered live demonstration of the weaving process upstairs. The tweeds in this store were stunning. Although we live in a warm climate we were totally mesmerized by the workmanship of the Mulhern Family and the color palette. We selected a beautiful tweed cape which will be a memory for a lifetime and an item to pass on to generations. It is a contemporary twist on tradition but is rightly an heirloom in itself. We met Kieran, on of the Mulhern family members, while we were there. Very warm and congenial and very proud of his family's bespoke Tweed company. They have a visitor centre not too far out of town, which we would certainly visit next time when we are traveling independently. They willingly shipped our cape home, with a delay shipment to coincide with our return to the States.
6. Gola Island
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Reviewed By maryellenc374 - Letterkenny, Ireland
Visited gola for the first time this year, although we live locally, we never got around to making the trip. The ferry left hourly which was great as we had young family with us and we could stay as long or as short as suited us. The ferryman was more than helpful, loading and unloading a pram with a child in it and giving us all a helping hand on and off the ferry. The island itself is lovely and anyone we met were polite and pleasant. It's a day trip I will remember for a long time!
7. Hanna Hats of Donegal
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 13 reviews
In 1924 David Hanna Snr established a tailoring company in Donegal, on Ireland’s Northwest coast. Hanna Hats’ journey began in 1964 handcrafting bespoke headwear. David’s son John continued creating innovative tweed products using the age old tradition of craftsmanship. John’s children carry their father and grandfather’s vision as a third generation family business. Original designs are assembled by hand in Donegal. The natural fabrics used reflect the soft and muted shades of the rich Donegal landscape. Steeped in history and heritage, each creation is a little piece of luxury from Donegal. All visitors are welcome to our factory shop, located in Donegal Town.
8. Biddy’s O’Barnes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 39 reviews
This Famous Pub is nestled at the foothills of the Blue Stack Mountains, on the Banks of the Lowerymore River, nine miles from Ballybofey and six miles from Donegal Town. Biddy's was originally an Inn, dating back to the 18th century, a time when the Coach was the main form of transport, here was a stopping point, where horses were rested, and travellers relaxed before the next stage of their long and tiring journey through the Gap. Biddy's O'Barnes, to this day remains a stopping point for today's traveller. People from all over the world now pass through these doors. Pub grub served daily. However you spend your time with us, we hope you enjoy your visit.
Reviewed By 30shaunam
I have been to Biddy’s three times in August and I have to say their food is just delicious, best burgers I have tasted, best fish and chips and I had warm, chicken and bacon salad which is new to the menu and it was so tasty, the social distancing standards are excellent, the staff are very efficient, friendly and attentive. Well done to all of you in these strange times. I highly recommend this pub for food and I will definitely be back soon.
9. The Reel Inn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 422 reviews
The Reel Inn is Donegals No.1 venue for live Irish Traditional Music. A family run business providing live Irish music and entertainment 7 nights a week.
Reviewed By W8813OWkevino
Go to reel bar in Donegal town for a real visit to a genuinely friendly irish pub. My girlfriend and I went there on a recommendation from a server in Roscommon town. People could not have been more friendly. Helped us find a place to stay even before they found out I was an O'Neill Great locals and traditional music every night
10. Barnesmore Gap
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27 reviews
The road northwards from Donegal Town through Barnesmore Gap in the Bluestack mountains is one of the great scenic routes in Ireland. Bearnas Mor, the "Big Gap" was created by a glacier, which carved a wide, deep valley in the mountain range. This highway has always been of strategic importance as a geographic link between the north and south of the county.
Reviewed By 228hughm - Coventry, United Kingdom
Great little pub to have a pint in, its the tradition to drop in on the way back to Donegal town. Lots of coaches call in so pick your time to call in.
