Ardara

The picturesque town of Ardara is famous for its spectacular scenery, and superb beaches.  Ardara is a designated Heritage Town, and also a long established centre for the manufacture of Donegal tweed. Indeed it has several rather famous tweed “outfitters” on its main street where you can buy home-made tweed and hand-knitted sweaters. And Ardara is a lively town too. The “Festival Capital of Donegal” boasts a thriving tourist trade and social scene.

Ardara sits between the green hills and the blue waters of Loughros Bay on the banks of the Owentocher River. Once a thriving market centre, Ardara is now a busy tourist destination. A number of very popular festivals take place throughout its tourist season. The better known among these festivals are the “The Cup of  Tae” festival, and the internationally acclaimed Ardara Walking Festival. Another very popular festival is “The Melting Pot Festival” which brings a taste of different world cultures to the town. With the influx of tourists there is always a lively bar to be found, and live traditional music is available nightly. There are many good restaurants to choose from, from fine dining and seafood specialties, to oriental and Asian cuisine.

Fishing on the local Owentocher River is excellent, as it is on the nearby Owenea River too. Just a little further away the Brackey River is a treat for the experienced salmon or trout angler. Ardara’s many small lakes also have abundant stocks of bown trout. Rock fishing is popular along the shore, especially at Loughros Point and further afield at Dawros Head. Beach casting can be productive at nearby beaches but , as always when dealing with the open sea, great care is advised.

The greater Ardara area is extraordinarily rich in wonderful scenery. The beautiful glacial valleys of Glengesh and Granny are particularly impressive. Nearby Maghera ofers a collection of sea caves in addition to the beautiful Assnaranka Waterfall. This coastal detour is very beautiful with many colourful islands set in the sands of this tidal estuary. The route is dotted with early christian cross slabs and prehistoric tombs.  The mountain route from Maghera west towards Slievetooey, and further towards Glencolmcille, is exceptional for it’s ruggedness, tranquility and raw Atlantic scenery. Bird watching here is highly recommended. Look out in particular for for Chough and Golden Eagles.

And, of course, with a multitude of beautiful beaches and secluded coves, the area around Ardara is just made for swimming. There are literally hundreds of suitable swimming locations, but we are going to send you to the better known more established ones, such as beautiful Maghera Beach and Trawmore near Rosbeg.

How to get to Ardara

By bus or car. Bus Eireann, and several local carriers, provide daily services from Donegal. Alternatively follow the N56 north from Donegal to Ardara.

Explore more

Ardara is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don't miss Rosbeg and Burtonport if you are travelling north, and don't miss Glencolumkille and Rathlin O'Beirne Island if you are travelling south.

Where to stay in Ardara

Ardara in Donegal has high quality accommodation options including hotels, self-catering holiday homes, guesthouses and B&B's.

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Things to do in Ardara.

1. Nancy’s Bar is the place to be in Ardara. This old-world pub-restaurant successfully makes its guests feel as though they’re sitting in Nancy’s living room. It serves superb seafood and chowder with hearty wheaten bread and is also the best place in town for a social pint or two. Enjoy.
2. Visit the Ardara Heritage Centre. Set in the old town courthouse, this centre traces the story of Donegal tweed from sheep shearing to dye production and weaving. A weaver is present to demonstrate how a loom works and explain the stitches used in traditional garments.
3. Drop in to the Corner House, a really good spot to listen to an Irish music session (Friday and Saturday year-round; nightly from June to September). It’s the type of place where someone will spontaneously break out into song and, if the mood is right, the rest of the pub will join in.