Discover Lettermacaward

Lettermacaward brings together two very different topics for planning a trip: a guided tour of an oyster farm and a historic rectory with distinctive architectural details. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in Lettermacaward, these highlights can help you plan around your interests and the itinerary for your visit.

Oyster farm tour with insights into oyster farming

Irish Premium Oysters offers a one-hour guided tour of an oyster farm in Lettermacaward. You will learn how an oyster develops from the seed stage to jumbo size and which methods are used in oyster farming. The journey from the farm to the restaurant plate is also covered. The focus is therefore not only on the finished product, but also on how it is produced.

The programme includes a demonstration of how to open oysters and the chance to try one; visitors can also taste fresh oysters directly from the farm. Tours depend on the tides and must be booked in advance. As tour content and tasting arrangements may change, it is advisable to confirm the current arrangements before travelling. To take part, you must be able to walk the 300 metres to the oyster farm at your own pace.

The Old Rectory and its architecture

The Old Rectory in Glebe is a detached Church of Ireland rectory built in 1828. The two-storey building stands above a raised basement and has a T-shaped plan and a projecting entrance. The term “three-bay” describes the building’s layout; together with its plan and raised basement, it creates a clearly legible architectural composition.

The details and setting also contribute to its historic character: timber sash windows add to its heritage value. Outbuildings, paved areas, and a rubble-stone boundary wall complete the setting. The Old Rectory therefore offers a different focus from the oyster farm tour: here, the emphasis is on architectural form and building details, while the tour focuses on oyster farming and processing. This does not imply that visitors can access the building.

Planning your stay and hotel search

If the oyster farm tour is important to you, check its tide-dependent schedule and book in advance. The tour lasts one hour; the 300-metre walk to the farm is also a condition of participation. These experiences describe the destination, not the amenities of individual hotels.

More to explore in the wider destination of County Donegal

The wider destination of County Donegal offers other distinct cultural and nature-related highlights. Donegal Castle was the personal stronghold of Red Hugh O’Donnell, Lord of Tír Conaill. A guided tour covers the history of the Gaelic lords, the Plantation, the castle’s long period as a ruin, and its recent restoration; check tour availability before travelling. Illustrated treasure hunts are available for families at the castle.

County Donegal’s diverse landscape is another highlight: Glenveagh National Park and Castle brings together mountains, lakes, waterfalls, valleys, native oak woodlands, and a castle with its original interior. Visitors can see red deer there and look out for reintroduced golden eagles. At Fanad Lighthouse, between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay, the tour lasts 45 minutes; it is advisable to check current availability before travelling. These examples offer more to explore in County Donegal without suggesting that the oyster farm or the Old Rectory is located there.

Discover more destinations: Kindrohid, Gweedore, Killygordon, Moville, Glenties, Malin, Glendowan, Knockfola.

Back to the wider travel guide: County Donegal.