Fanad Peninsula

Fanad Peninsula (or Fánaid) is on the north coast of County Donegal. To its east is Lough Swilly, with Inishowen Peninsula beyond. To its west is Mulroy Bay, with a pinch that is nowadays crossed by the Blaney bridge: this means that Rosguill Peninsula is easily reached, and is also described on this page.

The entire population of Fanad was estimated at 700 in 2016. There's nothing so grand as a town, but settlements along its east coast coming from Letterkenny are Ramelton, Rathmullen, Clondalon, Anny and Portsalon the main beach resort. Up its west side are Milford, Kerrykeel and Rosnakill. A surveyor of 1835 was told that "Fanaid extends from Rathmeltan to Mulroy Lough, but the natives of the Parishes of Killygarvan, Tully and Aughnish, who considered themselves civilised, deny that they themselves are of the men of Fanaid".

See Letterkenny for inter-city routes by air, rail and road.

Local Link Bus 973 runs 6 times a day from Letterkenny via Rathmelton, Rathmullen and Kerrykeel to Ballylar (70 min). Four continue to Fanad lighthouse.

Gallagher's Bus 974 runs thrice daily from Letterkenny to Rathmelton, Millford, Carrickart and Downings, 35 min.

Swilly Ferry crosses the lough between Buncrana and Rathmullen. It carries cars and sails Jun-Sep daily every 80 min or so.

You need wheels to get around this scattered area. Take it easy, the roads are narrow and twisty, and not always in good repair.

Local Link Bus 993 orbits between Carrigart and Downings twice M-Sa.

• 55.0115-7.60921 Killydonnell Friary is an ivy-wreathed ruin on the Swilly shore. It was founded in 1471 for the Franciscans. It was suppressed in 1603 with the Tudor conquest of Donegal but the graveyard remained in use.
• 55.1802-7.57392 Knockalla Fort is one of the line of artillery batteries set up along Lough Swilly against attack by Napoleon. It was re-armed in the 1860s but abandoned in the 1870s, while several other batteries were retained well into the 20th century, just in case the sly Napoleon was biding his time. The fort is in surprisingly good repair, but that's because it's been converted into a private residence, and you'll have to make do with the view from the road.
• 55.196-7.6193 Portsalon is the main resort strip, with a golf course and long sandy beach. Its south extension is called Ballymastocker beach.
• Greenfort House Gardens at Portsalon are open May-Sep daily 10AM-6PM, donation €5.
• 55.2577-7.61974 Great Pollet Sea Arch is an islet just offshore. Follow the narrow lane signposted north of Doagh Beg village, then scramble down the hillside. You don't see it till the last minute, but it's worth the detour, as it's Ireland's largest natural arch.
• 55.276278-7.6317225 Fanad Head is reached by a scenic winding lane. The lighthouse was built after the 1812 loss of the frigate Saldana - the only survivor was the ship's parrot. The first light from 1817 had limited range and a more powerful light was installed in 1886. The three lighthouse keepers' cottages are available for self-catering.
• 55.189-7.7646 Harry Blaney Bridge, opened in 2009, carries the road across the outlet of Mulroy Bay, so linking Fanad and Rosguill peninsulas. Blaney (1928-2013) was a local politician. Seen 1 km to the west is Island Roy, linked by causeway to the mainland.
• Doe Castle and other sights near Creeslough and further west: see Falcarragh.

• Golf: Portsalon GC is a links course north end of Portsalon beach. White tees 6172 yards, par 72.

Otway GC by the junction of R247 and R268 is nine holes.

Rosapenna Hotel by Sheephaven Bay has three links courses: the Old Tom Morris, Sandy Hills and St Patrick's.

• Kayaking and other outdoor activities are organised by Eco Adventures.
• Wild Atlantic Way is a coastal itinerary of 2500 km (1550 miles) from Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula to Kinsale in County Cork. The Fanad section is signposted and self-evident. In summer coming from Inishowen you can either travel via Letterkenny or take the ferry across the lough from Buncrana.

• Lidl in Millford is open M-Sa 8AM-10PM, Su 9AM-9PM.
• Centra in Carrigart is open daily 8AM-10PM.

• The Blue Goat on Shore Rd, Ramelton F92 D9KE is a deli cafe open Th-Tu 9:30AM-6PM.
• Tap up is a tapas place on Shore Rd F92 EY0F open Th-Sa 5-9:30PM, Su 4-8PM.
• Bridge Bar, Bridge End, Ramelton F92 E427, ☏ +353 74 915 2226. Wed-Sun 5-9PM. Great reviews for dining here. (updated Aug 2026)
• 55.1359-7.67321 Ripples, Ranny, Kerrykeel F92 VX00, ☏ +353 74 915 0110. Tue-Fri 3-10PM, Sat 1-10PM, Sun 12:30-8PM. Pleasant relaxed restaurant with views over Mulroy Bay.  (updated Aug 2026)
• Narrow Quarter is a bistro and coffee house in Kerrykeel F92 AY0X, open Su-W 9:30AM-5PM, Th-Sa 9:30AM-8:30PM.
• Lighthouse Tavern, Araheera F92 NN88 (1 km from Fanad Head lighthouse), ☏ +353 74 915 9212. Thu 4-11PM, Fri-Sun noon-midnight. Great location for pub grub. (updated Aug 2026)

• Traveller's Inn in Millford is open F-Su noon-11PM.
• Beachcomber Bar in Rathmullen is open daily 1PM-2AM.
• Village Inn in Kerrykeel is open Su-Th noon-11:30PM, F Sa noon-12:30AM.

• 55.0766-7.68021 Mulroy Woods Hotel, Letterkenny Rd, Milford F92 TD4F, ☏ +353 74 915 3313. This hotel gets consistently good scores for comfort, service and dining. B&B double €130.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 55.1008-7.5292 Rathmullan House, Rathmullan Terrace, Rathmullan F92 YA0F, ☏ +353 74 915 8188. Superb country house hotel in Georgian mansion looking onto Lough Swilly, excellent dining. Open Feb-mid Dec. B&B double €240.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 55.1831-7.61253 Knockalla Caravan & Camping Park, Portsalon F92 Y338, ☏ +353 74 915 9108. Open Apr-Sep in a great spot, but cramped layout and unfriendly owner. Tent €35, tourer €40.  (updated Aug 2026)

• 55.1947-7.83594 Downings Bay Hotel, Downings F92 H7WK, ☏ +353 74 915 5586. Smart clean hotel by Sheephaven Bay. B&B double €170.  (updated Aug 2026)
• Bradley's Cuan Na Long Guesthouse is across the street from Downings Bay Hotel.
• 55.1886-7.82915 Rosapenna Hotel, Downings F92 PN73, ☏ +353 74 915 5301. Classy golf resort hotel by the beaches.  (updated Aug 2026)
• 55.2338-7.79586 Rosguill Holiday Park near the tip of Melmore has pitches for tents and tourers.

Quiet Moments Campsite is 500 m south, and Rossan Caravan Park a further 500 m west.

As of Aug 2026, there is patchy 4G coverage from all Irish carriers, with many dead spots. Milford, Kerrykeel and Portsalon have 5G from Eir.

• Letterkenny is the hub for north Donegal.
• Buncrana and Carndonagh are the main villages on Inishowen Peninsula, the north tip of Ireland.
• Tory Island is reached by ferry from Magheroarty.