Donegal: History, Railway and Tours in the Bay

Donegal Town overlooks Donegal Bay, with the Bluestack Mountains in the background. The town lies on the Wild Atlantic Way, combining a striking location on the bay with historical and cultural attractions. When planning your trip, you can choose different points of interest: the town’s history, its railway heritage or a tour on the water.

Castle and Abbey on the River Eske

Donegal Castle stands in the heart of Donegal Town and overlooks the River Eske. Red Hugh O’Donnell built the castle in the 15th century as his personal fortress. The builder, purpose and period are clearly identified, giving the site a tangible historical connection.

Other historical landmarks include the ruins of the Old Abbey of Donegal. The 15th-century Franciscan monastery is in Donegal Town, at the point where the River Eske flows into the broad, shallow estuary of Donegal Bay. Donegal Abbey was founded in 1474 at the request of Nuala O’Connor. The castle and abbey represent different historical themes: a personal fortress and the foundation of a monastery.

Railway history at the museum

The Donegal Railway Museum commemorates the various railways that operated in County Donegal from 1863 to 1959. It is housed in one of the few surviving original railway station buildings, built in 1889, and is 300 metres from Donegal Town centre. The museum displays the famous Donegal steam locomotive Drumboe.

The museum also features an interactive railway cabin, said to be the first of its kind in Ireland. Check whether this exhibit is available before your trip. The museum is considered a weather-independent attraction in Donegal Town, offering a different focus from a trip around the bay.

Tours on foot and on the bay

Since 2006, the Donegal Bay Waterbus has offered sightseeing tours from Donegal Town. The trip takes approximately one hour and 15 minutes. Boarding is easily accessible from the pier, and there is plenty of parking at the quay. The tour is suitable for families, tour groups and independent travellers.

On the outward journey, the crew explains the local history and points out places of particular interest in the bay. A seal colony on Seal Island can be seen from the Waterbus; as with wildlife watching, sightings may vary. Departure times depend on the weather and tides. Trips usually run in the morning, afternoon or evening. Check the current timetable and information about pier access and parking before your trip.

An alternative on land is the 90-minute guided walking tour offered by Donegal Town Walking Tours, which takes in the historical and cultural sights of Donegal Town. The tour is led by a guide recognised by Fáilte Ireland. Nearby, about two kilometres outside Donegal Town, you can visit the workshops at Donegal Craft Village. Glass, ceramics, paintings, jewellery and handmade felt art are on display there.

A timeframe to help plan your trip

The two tours differ in both subject and duration: the walking tour takes 90 minutes, while the trip on Donegal Bay takes approximately one hour and 15 minutes. The walking tour focuses on historical and cultural sights in Donegal Town, while the Waterbus tour combines commentary on local history with sights around the bay. If you are looking for a hotel in Donegal, these different timeframes and interests can be a helpful starting point for planning your trip.

Discover more destinations: Clonmany, Dunlewey, Naran, Dunkineely, Culdaff, Castlecooley, Rathmullan, Pettigo

For the main travel overview: County Donegal.