Leabgarrow: Arranmore Ferry and Blueway Routes

If you’re looking for a hotel in Leabgarrow, ferry travel and activities on the water may be central to your plans. The Blueway routes vary in difficulty and conditions—important points to consider before choosing a particular route.

Getting here and finding your way around

Leabgarrow is home to the Arranmore ferry terminal and Leadhb Gharbh Pier. Regular, reliable passenger and vehicle ferries run from Burtonport Harbour, making Árainn Mhór accessible year-round. Check the latest departure times before travelling.

Boathouse Beach Bites is located directly above Leabgarrow Pier, and is the first and last stop before the Arranmore ferry. Visitors can get local information and ferry times there. The menu includes hot and cold drinks, ice cream and takeaway food. Check the latest information about services and offerings before your visit.

Blueway routes and conditions

The Árainn Mhór–Ailt an Chorráin Blueway offers opportunities for hiking, cycling, snorkelling, sailing and kayaking. Two routes with different ratings and distance information are listed at Leabgarrow Beach.

Blueway Trail 5 at Leabgarrow Beach

Blueway Trail 5 is suitable for beginners and experienced participants. However, beginners must be accompanied by an approved provider. The waters are moderate to challenging, and the area has a moderate tidal range. Conditions depend on the tide and weather. So experience level alone is not the only factor when planning: the required accompaniment for beginners and the conditions on the water at the time also matter.

Carricklea More Blueway

The Carricklea More Blueway at Leabgarrow Beach is intended for experienced participants. The route is less than 1 km long, follows the coast and has water depths of 2 to 5 metres; the waters are of moderate difficulty. Sea conditions vary. Compared with Trail 5, the short route length and depth information are explicitly part of this route profile. However, the distance alone does not replace the water rating or the need to take conditions into account.

Island route and destinations in County Donegal

Árainn Mhór is also home to the 17.8 km Slí Árainn Mhór – Arranmore Island Loop. The route leads into the island’s wild, uninhabited interior and to the west side of Arranmore. A 2 km detour leads from the route to the remote lighthouse at Binrawros Point. This information relates to the island route; it does not describe the course of the Blueway routes at Leabgarrow Beach.

Beyond Leabgarrow, County Donegal offers distinctive cultural and scenic destinations. Donegal Castle was the personal stronghold of Red Hugh O’Donnell, Lord of Tír Conaill. Tours trace its history from the era of the Gaelic lords through the Plantation and the long period as a ruin to its recent restoration; check availability in advance. Glenveagh National Park and Castle brings together mountains, lakes, waterfalls, valleys, native oak forests and a castle with original interiors. Visitors may see red deer there and look out for reintroduced golden eagles.

Discover more destinations: Derrybeg, Carrowkeel, Ballintra, Burt, Moville, Burnfoot, Ballygorman, Castlecooley

For the broader travel overview: County Donegal.