North West Ireland Tourism
Visitor Guide to Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan & Monaghan
Visitor Guide to Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan & Monaghan
Greencastle
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Greencastle
Greencastle takes its name from its ancient castle positioned on a rock overlooking the entrance to Lough Foyle, built in 1305 by Richard de Burgo, the Earl of Ulster. He was keen to fortify his lands and to guard the entrance to Lough Foyle but the castle was captured eleven years later by the forces of Edward Bruce.
The town has one of the most accessible harbours in Donegal, and is an ideal bolthole for yachts coming from Scotland or Northern Ireland. Greencastle harbour is the western terminal of the Magilligan Point car-ferry service. It is also the home of the National Fisheries School, and the Inishowen Maritime Museum. But, more than anything else, Greencastle is a charming and personable seaside town and fishing port. It is also the ideal base from which to explore the northerly shores of the Inishowen peninsula.
The Maritime Museum in Greencastle is located in the old Coastguard Station at Greencastle Harbour. It overlooks one of the largest fishing fleets in Ireland. The Museum’s exhibits include a 19th century rocket cart used to aid survivors of wrecked ships, a traditional Fanad Curragh built with hazel rods, a wild fowling punt with a swivel gun, and a Lough Foyle punt. The Museum also has a room devoted to the ships of the Spanish Armada which sunk off the Irish coast in 1588, and a room devoted to the part which Greencastle played in the history of emigration from Ireland. And the Inishowen Peninsula is also, of course, the home of a very curious delicacy known as “bog butter”. During turf-cutting operations on bog land at Gleneely, Moville, in 1943, a circular wicker work receptacle was found to contain, in one solid mass, about 28lbs. of the fatty substance known as “Bog Butter”. The butter was yellow in colour but turned pale after being exposed to the air for some time. This was the first recorded instance of its discovery in County Donegal. The custom of burying butter in bogs is of very great interest, although the period of origin of the custom is unknown. Various historians have put forward different theories to account for the practice. Some said that it was buried for preservation until the annual winter shortage, others that it was buried in order to acquire a flavour in the absence of salt, and more that the custom had a religious significance, being offered as a thanksgiving to the water-gods, for cures to milch animals such as cows and goats. When we remember that our bogs were originally lake-bottoms, and that the “butter” has been found throughout Ireland in containers of wood, bark, skin and cloth, as well as wicker, we are inclined to believe the last-mentioned theory. No one seems to know anything definite about the custom; but that it was medieval in origin and died out in our great-grand-parents’ time cannot be disputed.
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The town has one of the most accessible harbours in Donegal, and is an ideal bolthole for yachts coming from Scotland or Northern Ireland. Greencastle harbour is the western terminal of the Magilligan Point car-ferry service. It is also the home of the National Fisheries School, and the Inishowen Maritime Museum. But, more than anything else, Greencastle is a charming and personable seaside town and fishing port. It is also the ideal base from which to explore the northerly shores of the Inishowen peninsula.
The Maritime Museum in Greencastle is located in the old Coastguard Station at Greencastle Harbour. It overlooks one of the largest fishing fleets in Ireland. The Museum’s exhibits include a 19th century rocket cart used to aid survivors of wrecked ships, a traditional Fanad Curragh built with hazel rods, a wild fowling punt with a swivel gun, and a Lough Foyle punt. The Museum also has a room devoted to the ships of the Spanish Armada which sunk off the Irish coast in 1588, and a room devoted to the part which Greencastle played in the history of emigration from Ireland. And the Inishowen Peninsula is also, of course, the home of a very curious delicacy known as “bog butter”. During turf-cutting operations on bog land at Gleneely, Moville, in 1943, a circular wicker work receptacle was found to contain, in one solid mass, about 28lbs. of the fatty substance known as “Bog Butter”. The butter was yellow in colour but turned pale after being exposed to the air for some time. This was the first recorded instance of its discovery in County Donegal. The custom of burying butter in bogs is of very great interest, although the period of origin of the custom is unknown. Various historians have put forward different theories to account for the practice. Some said that it was buried for preservation until the annual winter shortage, others that it was buried in order to acquire a flavour in the absence of salt, and more that the custom had a religious significance, being offered as a thanksgiving to the water-gods, for cures to milch animals such as cows and goats. When we remember that our bogs were originally lake-bottoms, and that the “butter” has been found throughout Ireland in containers of wood, bark, skin and cloth, as well as wicker, we are inclined to believe the last-mentioned theory. No one seems to know anything definite about the custom; but that it was medieval in origin and died out in our great-grand-parents’ time cannot be disputed.
How to get to Greencastle
By bus, car, or ferry. There are regular bus services from Derry, Letterkenny and Buncrana to Moville, just 4km from Greencastle. There is also a daily direct bus service to and from Dublin, which is operated by McGinleys.Where to stay in Greencastle
Greencastle has a wide range of good places to stay including small hotels, self-catering holiday homes, guesthouses and B&B's.Book Greencastle Accommodation
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Greencastle is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don't miss Derry and Portstewart if you are travelling east, and Malin Head, and Doagh Famine Village, if travelling west.Things to do in Greencastle
- Arrive into Greencastle by way of the Greencastle/Magilligan Ferry, and enjoy spectacular views of Lough Foyle, Moville, and Greencastle itself. We love to arrive into ferry towns by water if possible, where views are enhanced, and all of the banging and clattering of the ferry arrival can be enjoyed.
- Spend a morning in the Maritime Museum, just 3km from the town centre of Moville. It offers something for all the family and puts special emphasis on local themes such as a maritime memorial, local involvement in the Great Wars, the Spanish Armada in the area, and emigration.
- Greencastle is noted for its fishing industry and has built a reputation as a sea-food mecca, so make sure to sample some of the freshest seafood in Ireland during your visit.
Inishowen Maritime Museum & Planetarium
The Inishowen Maritime Museum & Planetarium...
Greencastle Harbour
Co. Donegal
Co. Donegal
Kealy’s Seafood Bar
Perched on the Lough Foyle harborfront, this...
The Harbour, Greencastle
Co. Donegal
Co. Donegal
Lough Foyle Ferry
The Greencastle-Magilligan Ferry on Lough Foyle...
The Pier, Greencastle,
Co. Donegal
Co. Donegal
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