Downings: Beach, Tweed and Donegal Tweed

Downings Beach is located in the village of Downings on the Rosguill Peninsula in County Donegal. Together with its weaving history and the Atlantic Drive, it gives the area a varied character to consider when planning your trip. If you’re looking for a hotel in Downings, these different themes can help you choose the focus of your stay: the coast, crafts, outdoor activities or an annual event.

Weaving heritage in Downings

McNutt’s Donegal Woollen Mill in Downings has been weaving Donegal Tweed and Irish linen for over 60 years. You can also explore the site’s history here: the McNutt gift shop is housed in the original weaving mill, where the first McNutt weaving began in 1953. The McNutt Experience Theatre offers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the heritage, passion and creativity behind the woven collections. If you’d like to visit the shop or theatre, check the latest visitor information with the operator beforehand, as visitor arrangements may change.

Downings brings together a continuing weaving craft and an insight into how woven collections are made. This also makes the area interesting for travellers whose stay isn’t focused solely on beach activities.

Downings Beach and activities on the water

Downings Beach is right in the village. Swimming, kayaking, boating, windsurfing, sailing and surfing are possible there. Conditions are seasonal, and the availability of activities may vary by operator. So check the conditions and what’s on offer for your planned activity before making it the focus of your beach day. Downings Beach is also associated with a Blue Flag award from An Taisce, the National Trust for Ireland. Award status can be renewed regularly, so check the current status before your trip.

There are also different ways to spend time outdoors on land. Gáinne Mór Alpacas offers walks with alpacas on its grounds. The meet-and-greet experience lasts about an hour and includes hand-feeding the alpacas. As the operator may update the experience details and booking terms, it’s best to check these in advance.

Atlantic Drive and an annual event

Downings is associated with the Atlantic Drive, one of the scenic driving routes. e-Bikes Downings is located in the centre of Downings, at the start or end of the Atlantic Drive. If you’d like to include this in your plans, check current availability with the provider.

The Donegal International Rally, held annually, is another possible reason to visit. Visitors can plan their stay in Downings around the event. As dates and the event format may change, check the dates for the relevant travel year in advance. This lets you plan your travel dates around a specific event, rather than treating the rally and a beach holiday as the same focus.

More to explore in County Donegal

County Donegal also has distinctive cultural and natural attractions to consider when planning your trip. Donegal Castle in County Donegal was the personal stronghold of Red Hugh O’Donnell, Lord of Tír Conaill. Guided tours cover the castle’s history, from the time of the Gaelic lords through the Plantation and its long period as a ruin to its recent restoration. Illustrated treasure hunts are available for children; check before your trip whether tours are available on your dates.

Fanad Lighthouse is located in County Donegal between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. The lighthouse tour lasts 45 minutes. The virtual reality experience “The Storm, The Sea, The Saldanha” is also offered there. Check in advance whether the tour and experience are available on your travel dates.

Another natural setting in County Donegal is Glenveagh National Park and Castle, where mountains, lakes, waterfalls, valleys and native oak woodlands meet a castle with original interiors. Visitors may see red deer and look out for reintroduced golden eagles. These examples illustrate the range of attractions in County Donegal without equating them with the local offerings in Downings.

Discover more destinations: Ballyshannon, Culdaff, Fort Stewart, Milford, Dunfanaghy, Doocharry, An Charraig, Rossnowlagh.

For the county-wide travel overview: County Donegal.