Buncrana

Buncrana (Bun Cranncha, "foot of the river Crana") is a town on Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal, on the shores of Lough Swilly. It's mostly a commuter town for Derry (23 km) and Letterkenny (43 km), with a population of 7000 in 2022. The main reason to visit is to explore Inishowen Peninsula, the northern tip of the Irish mainland.

Visit Inishowen posts online tourist information.

For long-distance routes by air, rail and road, see Derry.

McGonagle Bus 256 runs from Derry via Burnfoot and Fahan to Buncrana (35 min), continuing to Cockhill. It's hourly M-Sa with only two on Sunday.

McGonagle Bus 951 runs from Letterkenny, taking 40 min. It runs four times M-F and twice on Saturday. The late afternoon run continues to Cardonagh and Malin.

Local Link Bus 959 runs from Greencastle and Moville via Culdaff and Cardonagh, with four M-F and three Sa Su.

55.136-7.4571 Buncrana Bus Station is the high falutin' name they give to the stop on St Mary's Rd. There isn't even a bus shelter.

55.1264-7.46462 Buncrana Pier is the landing point for the Swilly Ferry, crossing the lough from Rathmullen. It carries cars and sails June-Sep daily every 80 min or so, taking 25 min. No booking.

You need wheels to get around Inishowen Peninsula.

West End Taxis are on +353 74 936 2198.

• Castle Bridge at the outlet of Crana River leads to the Keep and Swan Park.
• 55.1398-7.46281 O'Doherty's Keep is the shell of a tower built by the Normans in the 14th century. The third floor was added in 1602 to welcome the Spanish army that would surely drive out the English, but they landed altogether the wrong end of the country at Kinsale, and were besieged then sent packing. Nothing daunted, Sir Cahir O'Doherty launched his rebellion of 1608 regardless, burning Derry, but he and his men were soon beaten. It only remained for the English to burn this place in reprisal, put to death any remaining rebels, and award the land to their own supporters. The Keep passed to the Vaughan family, who in 1718 recycled much of the stone to build Buncrana Castle adjacent (a private mansion, no tours), and they laid out the town on its present pattern. The Keep is unsafe to enter but you come for the scenic riverside park.
• 55.141-7.4752 Ned's Point Fort half a mile beyond the Keep is a gun battery built in 1812 against Napoleonic invasion. It was re-armed in the 1890s but disarmed in 1905. The structure is derelict and you can't enter.
• 55.1965-7.55393 Fort Dunree, Linsfort F93C424, ☏ +353 74 936 1817. Daily 10:30AM-4:30PM. Built against Napoleon like Ned's Point, but this is an altogether sturdier battery on a scenic outcrop. It was disused after 1815 but re-armed later in the century, and stood ready through the First World War. In 1938 it was one of the last fragments of British territory handed over to the Republic of Ireland: a few "Treaty Ports" and their defences had been kept on after independence in 1921. The Irish army used the fort until 1986 then it became a museum. Adult €10, conc €7, child €5.  (updated Aug 2026)
• Dunree lighthouse 200 m north of the fort was first lit in 1876 and remains in use.
• 55.0841-7.46194 St Mura's is a disused church in Fahan with monastery ruins in its graveyard.
• 55.065-7.4955 Inch Island is connected by road to its east and a footpath causeway to its south. A 15th-century turret stands at its southwest point, but you mostly come for the bird life in the lough channel. An 8-km loop path follows the shore.
• 55.197-7.3346 Slieve Snaght is the 615-m mountain between Buncrana and Carndonagh. You might be content to admire it from afar, as it's boggy and midge-ridden by any route. Shortest but soggiest approach is from the lane to the east, 12 km return. Many prefer to ascend from R244 around Drumfrees: a track leads up towards Slieve Snaghtbeg (505 m), then pick your way to the main summit.
• Grianan of Aileach: see Derry for this sturdy ringfort above Burt village.

For local events read Inish Times, Inishowen Independent, InishowenNews.com, or the Derry Journal.

• Cinema: Buncrana Cinema^{[dead link]} is on St Mary's Rd, north end of Main St.
• Golf: Buncrana GC is south side of town by Amazing Grace Park. Northwest GC is on the coast at Lisfannon 3 km south.
• Fishing: you need a permit for fishing in the river, available at several stores.
• WainsWorld is a children's indoor adventure play area on Milltown Business Park, 200 m east of Lidl. It could save your sanity.

• Buncrana is the shopping town for Inishowen Peninsula, with Aldi, Lidl and SuperValu all open daily.
• There are ATMs outside Bank of Ireland, AIB and Ulsterbank.

• Main St has a slew of inexpensive places: Ubiquitous, YMJ Thai & Asian Street Food, Oscar's, Abrakebabra, Sherpa and Fry and Flame.
• The Drift Inn, Railway Rd, Buncrana F93 FT99, ☏ +353 74 936 1999. Daily 12:30-11:30PM. Gastropub in the former railway station. (updated Aug 2026)

• Main Street has An Tuath Nua Bar, Cruiskeen Lawn, O'Flaherty's (below), Excelsior, Grant's, Classic Bar, Rodden's (below), McCallion's and Cottage Bar.
• O'Flaherty's Bar, 41 Upper Main St F93 X21F, ☏ +353 74 936 1305. Daily 10AM-midnight. Friendly central bar. (updated Aug 2026)
• Rodden's Bar, 4 Upper Main St F93 NT62, ☏ +353 86 894 8177. Daily noon-11:30PM. They often have live rock or soul at weekends and trad sessions Sundays. Open fire in winter. Decked beer garden open year-round. (updated Aug 2026)

• Camping and caravans may be able to pitch at Amazing Grace Park south side of town. Lough Swilly caravan park has closed.
• 55.144-7.45271 Tullyarvan Mill Hostel, Mill Lane F93 EC9V, ☏ +353 74 936 1613. Friendly well-equipped hostel open year-round. Dorm €25 ppn.  (updated Aug 2026)
• St Columb's House is at 29 St Mary's Rd in town centre.
• Caldra is a B&B north edge of town along Pillar Park.
• Lake of Shadows Hotel, Grianan Park, Buncrana F93 VY36, ☏ +353 74 936 1005. Comfy friendly hotel in town centre. B&B double €130. (updated Aug 2026)
• 55.125-7.45672 Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Railway Rd, Buncrana F93 PPH9, ☏ +353 74 936 1144. Relaxing hotel on the coast south edge of town. B&B double €120.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 55.116-7.46023 Harbour Inn, Derry Rd, Luddan F93 V57X, ☏ +353 74 932 1810. Friendly well-run small hotel on the coast road. B&B double €120.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 55.0852-7.46634 The Red Door, Fahan F93 FV4Y, ☏ +353 74 936 0289. This country house hotel is nowadays primarily a wedding venue but may be able to accommodate others.  (updated Aug 2026)

As of Aug 2026, Buncrana and its approach roads have 4G from Eir and Vodafone, and 5G from Three. The signal dies out north towards Malin Head.

• Carndonagh is the main settlement in the north of Inishowen Peninsula, with Malin Head the most northerly point on the Irish mainland.
• Derry is a fascinating historic city with intact 17th-century walls.
• Letterkenny is Donegal's main transport and accommodation hub.