Falcarragh

Falcarragh, one of the last remaining Gaeltacht regions of Donegal, is a market town, fishing community, and seaside resort. Surrounded by breathtaking scenery, magnificent mountains, and lake filled valleys, Falcarragh is simply inspiring. If you wish to freshen up on your Irish, start from scratch, or simply enjoy the wildness of the North Atlantic coast, Falcarragh is the place for you.

Falcarragh, or “An Fhál Carrach” in Irish, means “the hedged enclosure”, an unlikely name for a part of the country so flattened by the wind that there are almost no hedges whatsoever.  This Irish speaking market town is an excellent angling centre, and the perfect base for walkers wishing to climb Muckish Mountain. It has a large house dating back to the plantation of Ulster, which is now home to a challenging nine-hole Golf course. A church with a large cross cut from a single granite rock, at Ray (Ráith) dates to the time of Colmcille. It is said to have been brought from Muckish Mountain en route for Thoraigh, but left at Falcarragh by Colm Cille as a gift to the monk who established the local church. Falcarragh is also home to a Gothic Church which dates all the way back to 1792. A visit to Falcarragh is not complete without a visit to Kane Design famous for their crafted pottery products and original designs.

Like many of Donegal’s northmost villages, Falcarragh has a range of alternative names. “Na Crois Bhealaí” (Cross Roads) is one of the old Names for Fal Carragh, but it is also known as “An Fhál Carrach”, and “Bhaile Robinstían”. This name is usually only found now in ordnance maps and electorial area descriptions. Most Irish Speakers outside of the village call it by this term “Na Croisbhealaí ” It is also one of the centres of learning for students of Irish at Coláiste Uladh and Coláiste Cholmcille, both members of the Irish Collages umbrella group “Concos”.

How to get to Falcarragh

By bus or car. Gallagher Travel provides 4 services daily from Letterkenny to Falcarragh. Alternatively follow the N56 north from Letterkenny to Dunfanaghy.

Where to stay in Falcarragh

Falcarragh has a wide range of good places to stay including small hotels, self-catering holiday homes, guesthouses and B&B's.

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Falcarragh is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don't miss Dunfanaghy and Downings if you are travelling east, and Tory Island and Bloody Foreland if travelling west.

Things to do in Falcarragh

1. Walk along the beautiful sandy shore where you get magnificent views of Falcarragh’s islands and mountains. Nearby is Magheroarty beach and Pier where the boats to the islands just off the coast leave from, while Marble Hill the Blue Flag beach is a short drive from Falcarragh.
2. Beach Walk: Turn right at Banc na hEireann. Walk past Loft Bar (on your right). Take first left, then left again at end of road. First right will take you to Pier and Beach. Walk across beach, cross sand dunes and continue walking until you reach car park of other beach (Drumnatinney Beach). Take road from beach, turn right at end then first left. This will take you back to Banc na hEireann. (allow 2hrs 30mins).
3. Dunmore Walk (Beautiful views of Muckish along route):From Banc na hEireann walk towards Church. From Church take upper road until you see car sales room / garage on your left. Turn right, walk to end of road (approx 1.5 miles). Turn right and continue into Falcarragh.
4. Killult: Cross road at Banc na hEireann towards AIB Bank which will be on your left. Continue to bridge at end of town, take road to left just beyond bridge, Turn left at old Church and continue to end. Turn left at Grotto and continue into Falcarragh (approx 50 mins.)
5. The Shamrock Bar on main street is a good venue for music lovers and The Gweedore Bar and Restaurant serves excellent meals all day and is located in the middle of the town.