About the area
Yeoow welcome to beautiful county Donegal and the west coast of Ireland. Here are some of our favourite surf and gift shops, places to visit and activities to do. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Rossnowlagh © Jules Tuttlebee
.jpg)
Bundoran © Jules Tuttlebee
Our favourite surfshops in the area
​
Coming from a family of surfing pioneers, local surfer Neil Britton runs his surfschool and surfshop just mere footsteps from the beach in Rossnowlagh. Fin McCools has a great selection of Wetsuits, Rental boards and boards for sale. They are especially the place to go if you are looking to buy a beautiful longboard. He also sells his own legendary FinMcCools Hoodies which come in loads of different colours and are so fluffy on the inside. If you are looking for a shirt from local artist Barry Britton you are also at the right place there.
Please note: Fin Mc Cools is not only by the sea but also right next to the Brew box, where Joe supplies you with the best coffee in the area!
​
Owned by local big wave pioneer Richie Fitzgerald, surfworld started as a tiny corner of wave’s café mainly to provide locals with a place to stock up on surfwax. Since then it has steadily grown and now has a large selection of boards to rent and to buy for all levels, along with wetsuits and clothes for all styles. Drop in, have a chat with Paki and he will make sure you are well equipped for your Irish surf adventure.
Our favourite places to visit
​
In Irish, 'Sliabh Liag' means 'mountain of stone pillars. This describes the second highest sea cliffs in Ireland, which are also some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe. The most common viewpoint is called 'Bunglass' and can be accessed via a windy road from Teelin.
​
​
For a special angle on our impressive Sea Cliffs, book a tour on one of Paddy Byrne's boats and enjoy his anecdotes about local history or even jump in for a swim in the crystal clear waters underneath the cliffs. Paddys tours take about 1h45 and depart from Teelin. For more information about private boat trips check out his website.
.jpg)
.jpg)
Pmpa © Jules Tuttlebee
Benbulbin
​
Is a very distinctive mountain and part of the Dartry Mountain Range. From its summit, you have a breathtaking view over the North County Sligo coastal plain and the Altlantic Ocean.
If climbing to the summit after a long day of surfing feels like a bit too much, you might enjoy the more gentle, approximately 1.5 hour hike of the Ben Bulben forest walk.
Ben Bulbin © Jules Tuttlebee
Donegal Town
​
the cute town is located at the mouth of the River Eske and Donegal Bay as well as overshadowed by the Blue Stack Mountains. The centre of Donegal town, called 'the Diamond' is a hub for music, poetic and cultural gatherings in the area. You will find plenty of local restaurants, gift and craft shops in and around the town centre.
.jpg)
Donegal Town © Jules Tuttlebee
Other outdoor activities
Trad climbing and adventuring
​
Ireland has some impressive and fun climbs if you are comfortable with or want to learn traditional climbing. In Trad climbing you learn to place your own protection as you climb and do not rely on preplaced bolts of which there are very few in Ireland. However there are many beautiful walls as well as seastacks for you to discover. There is also many other great hiking and adventuring options:
​
Ian and his team guide people on experiences of true adventure to remote unclimbed sea stacks, previously unclimbed cliffs, uninhabited islands, difficult to access sea caves and of course to the summits of Ireland's and the UK's mountains in both summer and winter conditions. These outdoor experience days are open to everyone and there are no requirements to have any previous climbing, kayaking or hillwalking experience. We tailor every guided day to your aspirations, experience, fitness, weather and sea conditions to get the best day out we safely can. Check out their website.
​
Donegal Climbing is an adventure tourism business that offers amazing rock climbing and mountain training adventures in Inishowen, County Donegal. No mather if guided hikes, adventures or learning mountain skills: Bren from Donegal Climbing has got you covered :)
Sligo Kayak Tours run guided kayak tours of the beautiful coastal estuaries and tranquil inland lakes of Co. Sligo, Ireland. Discover untouched nature and world renowned landmarks from the comfort of your own sea kayak
