North West Ireland Tourism
Visitor Guide to Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan & Monaghan
Visitor Guide to Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan & Monaghan
Burtonport
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Burtonport
The charming village of Burtonport, Co Donegal, nestles in a deep inlet on the north-west coast of Ireland. This attractive fishing village takes its name from Lord Burton Conynham, a wealthy English landowner who played an important part in its development. He established a pier and called it “Burton’s Port”. This was eventually shortened to became “Burtonport”. Unusually for the north west of Ireland, the name was retained over the years, despite the establishment of Independence. Burton Conyngham also built an inappropriately refined terrace of houses on nearby Rutland Island. It was an ill-advised commercial development which did not serve him well.
Burtonport is the gateway to the island of Aranmore. Daily sailings to and from the island attract a constant flow of visitors throughout the summer months. Every ferry departure is a social event, attracting bustling crowds of locals, visitors, greeters, and curious onlookers. Everything consumed on the island passes through Burtonport Harbour. Its pier fills with boxes and barrels of all shapes and sizes. Box vans and trailers disgorge strangely shaped pieces of machinery and flocks of nervous sheep. The waters of this portion of the Donegal coast, too, boast perfect visibility. They attract diving enthusiasts from all over Europe. Indeed, the coast is speckled with a range of superb dive sites which bring enthusiasts back to Burtonport again and again year after year.
Up until recent years Burtonport was a thriving commercial fishing port. The ongoing tightening of fish quotas over the years has, however, reduced the size of the fishing fleet and forced diversification. Now much of the harbour area is being used to support Burtonports growing tourism industry. New facilities are being developed for water sports and sailing enthusiasts. The Burtonport Festival, too, takes place towards the end of July. It is followed by the wonderful “Mary from Dungloe Festival”, a much-loved international event which draws participants from around the globe. The festival runs for ten days with music, dance and traditional entertainment.
Book Burtonport Accommodation
Burtonport is the gateway to the island of Aranmore. Daily sailings to and from the island attract a constant flow of visitors throughout the summer months. Every ferry departure is a social event, attracting bustling crowds of locals, visitors, greeters, and curious onlookers. Everything consumed on the island passes through Burtonport Harbour. Its pier fills with boxes and barrels of all shapes and sizes. Box vans and trailers disgorge strangely shaped pieces of machinery and flocks of nervous sheep. The waters of this portion of the Donegal coast, too, boast perfect visibility. They attract diving enthusiasts from all over Europe. Indeed, the coast is speckled with a range of superb dive sites which bring enthusiasts back to Burtonport again and again year after year.
Up until recent years Burtonport was a thriving commercial fishing port. The ongoing tightening of fish quotas over the years has, however, reduced the size of the fishing fleet and forced diversification. Now much of the harbour area is being used to support Burtonports growing tourism industry. New facilities are being developed for water sports and sailing enthusiasts. The Burtonport Festival, too, takes place towards the end of July. It is followed by the wonderful “Mary from Dungloe Festival”, a much-loved international event which draws participants from around the globe. The festival runs for ten days with music, dance and traditional entertainment.
How to get to Burtonport
By aircraft, bus, or car. Flybe and Loganair fly daily services from Heathrow and Glasgow to Donegal Airport, immediately adjacent to Burtonport. Alternatively follow the N56 north from Donegal, and then the R259 to Burtonport.Explore more
Burtonport is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don't miss Bunbeg and Kincasslagh if you are travelling north, and don't miss Rossbeg and Ardara, if you are travelling south.Where to stay in Burtonport
Burtonport has a few good accommodation options including hotels, self-catering holiday homes, guesthouses and B&B's.Book Burtonport Accommodation
Things to do in Burtonport
- Visit the Daniel O’Donnell Visitor Centre in nearby Dungloe. Daniel is one of Donegal’s greatest ambassadors, and he now, rather reluctantly, has his own visitors’ centre. It is an amazing tribute to the Kincasslagh singer, bringing you through his childhood, adolescence and into the world-renowned icon he is today.
- Take time to visit the Rosses Fishery, Donegal. The Rosses Anglers Association has been fishing on West Donegal’ s 130 lakes for almost a hundred years now. Fish for salmon, sea trout, and brown trout, and all of them within a five-mile radius of the town.
