Inver

Set in the midst of spectacular coastal scenery, the village of Inver lies on the spot where the River Eany enters beautiful Donegal Bay. Inver is quaint and charming and its locals like to call it “the Jewel of the Northwest”. And perhaps they are right. It certainly provides a focus for some of the most wonderful coastal attractions in this wonderful corner of Ireland.

Inver was once, of course, an important whaling post, and its tenacious whaling fleet pressed far out onto the Atlantic Ocean in search of some of God’s most wonderful creatures. The Whaling Station was based in the Port of Inver, located three kilometers from the town. One Thomas Nesbitt was the head of Inver’s whaling endeavour, and he greatly increased productivity on the high seas by inventing the harpoon gun. It was a radical achievement in its day, which unfortunately turned the balance in favour of the whalers, and would ultimately bring about massive declines in whale populations across the world. The ruins of Inver’s old whaling station are still to be seen in the port to this day.

Today whaling is only a ghostly memory in beautiful Inver, but its boats still scour the waters for whale, dolphin, and seal. Whale and dolphin spotting is very popular with ecologically minded visitors who wish to spend time in the company of these beautiful creatures. There are 24 main species of whale and dolphin in the waters off Ireland’s West Coast, and many of them can be seen at various times of the year off Inver, and the Donegal Coast. Local Whale and Dolphin Charters Boats have been keeping company with them for many years. They encounter Minke Whale, Bottlenose Dolphin, Common Dolphin, Porpoise, Basking Shark, and Sunfish on a regular basis. Dolphins love to play with the charter boats, and love even more to follow sailboats. Common Dolphin and Bottlenose Dolphins are often found in large, socially active groups and are often seen, bow-riding, surfing, lob tailing and breaching. They can leap several metres out of the water. Bottlenose, like many other whales and dolphins, are social animals.

The fishing port of Killybegs lies just a few miles away, while Donegal town and the extraordinary Slieve League Cliffs are nearby also. In all, Inver is and ideal base for any exploration of this beautiful coastline.   
 

How to get to Inver

By bus, or car. Take the N56 west from Donegal. Travelling by car will allow you to explore Donegal's heavily indented coastline.

Where to stay in Inver

Inver has great selection of quality accommodation options including self-catering holiday homes, guesthouses and B&B's.

Book Inver Accommodation

Explore more

Inver is surrounded by beautiful coastal towns. Don't miss Killybegs and Teelin if you are travelling north, and don't miss Donegal, and Rossnowlagh, if you are travelling south.

Things to do in Inver

Just north of Inver and Mountcharles, are the wonderful Blue Stack Mountains. On a clear day six different counties can be seen from the highest of its peaks. They represent one of the last true wildernesses in Ireland. You may see salmon under the Eske or Eglish Bridges returning home from their great Atlantic journey, Otter playing on the river banks, native Red Squirrel scampering in the hazel bushes on the lonely country lanes, Red Deer Stags rutting on the bogs, or the newly returned emigrant, the Majestic Golden Eagle soaring over Bluestack itself. The Blue Stack walking trail is no Sunday stroll. At the end of the trail is the Heritage Town of Ardara itself, which can connect you on to Slí Cholmcille, one of four Looped Walks in West Donegal, known collectively as “Bealach na Gaeltachta”.