You don’t have to get all the way to the top if you don’t want to but you can’t ignore the looming Mount Errigal bearing down on the hostel as a constant reminder of its challenge!
For something a little less hardcore, you can always visit Dunlewley Centre across the road from the hostel, organise a walk around Glenveagh National Park and, if the weather’s good, the seaside village of Bunbeg is only 10 minutes drive away!
ATTRACTIONS – cultural and historic
Use your Hostelling International Membership card to receive discounts in the following attractions in the area:
Dunlewey Centre - Located on the shores of Dunlewey Lough in the shadow of the mysterious Poison Glen (complete with its own ghost!). There is a vertitable list of things to do at the centre including a Restaurant & Tea Room, Craft Shop, Adventure play area, Historic homestead guided visit, Tweed weaving demonstration and enjoy some Ceol Traidisiunta (Traditional Music) too! There’s also an Audio-Visual show on Dunlewey, Lakeside walks, Boat cruise on Dunlewey Lake (with story-telling), Farmyard Animals to feed, Pony & Trap to rent or if you prefer to take the reins yourself, there’s also Pony riding. The Dunlewey Centre offers 20% off all tours for all members.
Donegal Castle - Built by the O'Donnell chieftain, known in the history books as Red Hugh O'Donnell in the 15th century, beside the River Eske and located in Donegal town, this is a smaller castle which has been lovingly restored. If you’ve any interest in history or how they lived in the past, this is a must-see attraction. All members are entitled to group rates.
Glebe House & Gallery – Built in 1828, Regency House is set in woodland gardens. An art-lover’s delight, it is decorated with William Morris textiles, Islamic and Japanese art. The collection includes 300 works by leading 20th century artists including Picasso and Kokoshka. All members are entitled to group rates.
ACTIVITIES
This area of Ireland is a haven for nature lovers and those who enjoy being active in the great outdoors!
Got a group and want to organise some outdoor adventure activities for everyone? Well, EcoAdventure Ireland have another branch in their popular chain of adventure centres at our Donegal Hostel in Errigal and offer the best rates around for group adventure activities!
Activities include: pony trekking, paintball shooting gallery, mountain biking, trail riding, archery, team tasks, survival training, target shooting, low ropes and much more! Visit www.ecoadventureireland.ie for further details and to book in for our overnight rates!
For smaller groups, families and individuals, the following activities are also available:
1. Hillwalking/ Hiking – take up the challenge on your doorstep and make it to the top of Errigal Mountain and enjoy the breathtaking views!
2. Fishing
3. Horseriding
4. Golf
5. Visit the beautiful Bunbeg beach and try out the surf!
6. Cycle to the village of Gweedore
There are plenty of things to do in Errigal including:
• Spot the Green Lady – ghost of the Guinness Estate - while on the story-telling boat cruise – keep an eye out for the fairies too!
• Get some great photos of the red deer and golden eagles while on some beautiful walks around Glenveagh National Park
• Swing out at the Adventure play area or climb to the top of the climbing wall at Lakeside Centre
• Feed and pet the farm animals at the petting zoo
• Go back in time with a visit to Glenveagh Castle surrounded by one of the finest gardens in Ireland
• Put on your Arts and Craft’s hat at the Weaver’s cottage demonstration
• Feeling musical? Check out the line-up for the Concert and Drama centre
Nightlife and Eating out:
Leo's Restaurant/Pub (15 mins drive from hostel) - Home of the famous musicians Enya and Clannad. This pub provides nightly music ranging from traditional Irish music to ballad sessions.
Tessies Pub is also only 15 minutes drive from hostel and is similarly popular.
In fact, music sessions in Tábhairne Leo and Teach Tessie can be seen and heard on this BBC link!
But not forgetting Huidi Beags Pub in Bunbeg (10 minutes drive from hostel) which has traditional Irish music every Monday and Friday night from 10.00pm onwards all year round. This is alleged to be one of the best sessions in the country and not one to miss!
