July 2008
Gweedore is one of the nicest parts of what is a spectacular county and Bunbeg is right in the heart of the area.
We hope we have the name right for this one (it might also be called Tra Mor). Anyway, this is an attractive family type beach, good for swimming and playing in the water. The old wreck a bit out from the beach is an added attraction but clearly should only be looked at.
There is a good stretch to Bunbeg so you can have a decent walk here. It’s also reasonably well protected, so you are likely to get your swim without too much choppy water.
DirectionsView Larger MapFrom the town of Gweedore take the R 258 which will bring you to Bunbeg itself. The beach is located just outside the town and watch out for a sign-posted left turn.
Ordnance Survey Map No. 1
If you are looking for a lively, family type beach then this wll suit you.
Downings is a popular holiday location for people from both south and north of the country . Holiday homes abound and a caravan park fronts onto the beach.
The beach itself is wide with plenty of room for football and other games. At either end there are rocks and pools for the kids to explore.
Dont come her looking for solitude but if you like it lively Tra Beg will fit the bill.
There is car parking near the beach and it appears to be both buggy and wheelchair accessible.
Glencolumbkille has the feel of being the last stop before New York and it’s a lovely place to visit. Well known for the pioneering work of Father James McDwyer it also has a very nice beach to complement its other visitor attractions.
Do, however, take heed of the warning signs at the entrance to the beach and keep clear of those rocks.
When we were there the tide was low and there was a gradual, if bumpy, wade in to soft but darkish water. This is one of the few Donegal beaches we have visited where the water isn’t clear – must be something to do with the geology of the area. That’s a minor quibble as we had a lovely swim in the calm water.
There are rocks at either end for shelter and dunes at the rear. Access from the decent sized car park is via a path with lots of steps. You will be carrying your buggy and its definitely not for wheel chairs.
Directions : From Donegal town take the N56 to Killybegs. Drive through the town and take the R 263 signposted for Kilcar and Glencolumbkille. Stay on this road and when you get to Glencolumbkille drive through it and keep going straight until you see the thatched cottage folk park with the car park on the right.
Tra na Rossan is located off the impressive Atlantic Drive on the Rosguill Peninsula. A huge growth in holiday homes in this area has spoiled its wildness but when you get to the beach it’s just the sea, surrounding hills and the wide expanse of the open fields behind you.
This beach is wide, sandy and good for swimming. Lots of room for children to play and some protection from the wind if you move up into the small dunes at the back of the beach. We have swam here with seals watching from a safe distance.
If you are adventurous and fit you can walk to the far end of the beach and from there climb the hill behind the hostel. From the top the views are spectacular (most of the photos were taken on this route).
There’s a reasonable sized car park, which was spoiled last time we were there by derelict caravans in a nearby field. However, once you get onto the beach they are out of sight and, hopefully, out of mind.
This beach is on the Rosguill Peninsula, beyond the towns of Carrigart and Downings. When you get to Carrigart you take the R 248 for Downings and then you branch off onto the sign-posted Atlantic Drive. Follow this twisty road until you come to a junction with a left turn for the Drive and straight on should be sign-posted Melmore Head . You go straight on toward Melmore and after a short distance you should see a signpost for a left turn to the beach. (The reason for the ‘shoulds ‘, as any driver in Ireland knows, is that signposts have a habit of disappearing).
Update: A site visitor reported (thank you) that “Tullan Strand is very unsafe for swimming, especially within 200 metres of the cliffs where there is dangerous rip.” Swim at your own risk here or not at all.
Tullan strand is big, bold and, on a good day, quite spectacular.
We were lucky to hit it on a really sunny day in April and this is really an impressive spot to swim, surf and walk.
The beach itself seems to stretch for what looks like a couple of miles and there is a lovely wild and remote feel to it. Tullan is quite open and can be breezy, although you will find some shelter in the dunes at its back. However, make sure you observe the military range warning signs.
This is a surfers beach and as such you can expect waves when swimming, so be careful. However, for those who like swimming in wavy water this is a great spot.
Tullan is a big beach so even on a good summers day there will be space for you to swim surf, play football or even ride your horse.
There is a good size car park but access to the beach is down a rough path and its not wheelchair or buggy accessible. You could carry a buggy down as its a reasonably short descent.
From Sligo you come on the N5 sign-posted Bundoran / Donegal. When you get to Bundoran drive straight through the town and then watch out for a signpost on your left for Tullan.
