Rossnowlagh: Beach and Surfing

Rossnowlagh combines a beach with a variety of water-based leisure activities. Rossnowlagh Beach stretches from the cliffs near Coolmore in the south to the rocky headland of Carrickfad. Walkers, swimmers and sailors come to the beach; it is also a popular spot for kitesurfing. When planning your trip, you can take these different interests into account without everyone having to choose the same activity.

Rossnowlagh Beach and Surf Experiences

Rossnowlagh Surf School is located at Rossnowlagh Beach. Fin McCool Surf School is a 20-metre walk from the beach.

The surf camps also come in different formats: Rossnowlagh Surf School offers a five-day surf adventure camp for children aged 7 to 16. Fin McCool Surf School runs daily surf camps for children during the summer months. Age groups and scheduling may change, so check the latest programme details if you would like to include a camp in your travel plans.

The history of Rossnowlagh Surf Club and that of the Surf School belong to different organisations: the Surf Club was founded in 1969. Rossnowlagh Surf School was founded in 2014; its first surf lesson took place in May 2014. This places the club’s historical connection and the school’s founding and first lesson as separate milestones.

Accommodation and Planning Your Stay

For travellers with their own vehicle, a specific pitch capacity is listed: Boortree Touring in Rossnowlagh Lower has 22 pitches for campervans, touring caravans and motorhomes. The figure applies to these vehicle types.

Rossnowlagh Beach offers several options for planning your day: in addition to the surf experiences mentioned above, the beach is used for walking, swimming, sailing and kitesurfing. Which of these you focus on depends on your own travel interests. If you plan to attend a camp, check the specific formats and age details.

More to Explore in County Donegal

County Donegal also has its own historical and scenic attractions. Donegal Castle was the personal stronghold of Red Hugh O’Donnell, Lord of Tír Conaill. Illustrated treasure hunts are available there for children. Tours tell the story of the castle, from the time of the Gaelic lords through the Plantation and its long years as a ruin to its recent restoration. If you plan to take a tour, check its availability before your trip.

Fanad Lighthouse lies between Lough Swilly and Mulroy Bay. A tour lasts 45 minutes; a virtual reality experience, “The Storm, The Sea, The Saldanha,” is also offered there. Check the availability of these experiences before your trip. The combination of a tour with a stated duration and a named VR experience gives culture lovers two distinct activities to choose from.

County Donegal has other clearly identified places for coastal walks: at Malin Head, Ireland’s northernmost point, a circular trail follows the coast to Banba’s Crown. Visitors can hike at the Sliabh Liag cliffs. A boat trip from nearby Teelin Harbour reaches the base of the sea cliffs; as the trip operates seasonally, check in advance whether it is running. This makes it possible to distinguish a coastal loop walk, a hike and a boat trip as different ways to experience the landscape.

Discover more destinations: Leabgarrow, Burtonport, Rathmullan, Gweedore, Knockfola, Killybegs, Fort Stewart, Lifford.

For the main travel overview: County Donegal.