How to Visit Donegal Castle
Read our travel guide on Donegal Castle in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
Towering over the River Eske in the heart of Donegal Town stands a 15th-century Norman tower house known as Donegal Castle.
During its heyday, it was one of the most formidable fortresses in Ireland.
Today, thanks to its rich history and interesting architecture, it's among the best things to do in Donegal Town.
Even though the former manor house remains in ruins, the older part of the castle has been nicely restored and offers a glimpse of what it was like there all those centuries ago.
Sure, Donegal Castle is definitely not as famous as the Rock of Cashel or Blarney Castle.
Despite that, it's an interesting and educational stop for anyone touring County Donegal and its section of the Wild Atlantic Way.
So here's everything you should know about Donegal Castle before you go.
Visit Donegal Castle
By the time we reached Donegal, it started to rain really hard.
Even though the castle was less than a five-minute walk from the parking lot, we were incredibly reluctant to step out of the car.
The weather radar showed that the rain would continue for at least the next hour, so we put our rain jackets on, paid for the parking at the nearby parking meter, and headed quickly toward the castle.
History
One of the main reasons to visit Donegal Castle is its turbulent history.
Due to its strategic location, it's believed that Donegal was built on a 9th or 10th-century Viking site.
In 1474 CE, Red Hugh O'Donnell, known as the Eagle of the North, built Donegal Castle as his personal fortress.
He was the leader of Tyrconnell and head of the wealthy O'Donnell family.
Later on, it's believed that his successor, Red Hugh O'Donnell (yes, same name, but a different person), burned down the castle in order to prevent it from falling into British hands.
His efforts came to nothing, though.
In 1616, English captain Sir Basil Brooke became the new lord of Donegal Castle and rebuilt it in Jacobean style, and added a manor house beside the tower.
We can't fail to mention that Sir Henry Sidney, Lord Deputy of Ireland, described the Donegal Castle as one of the finest Gaelic castles in Ireland.
Donegal Castle fell into ruin in the twentieth century and was restored in the 1990s.
Obviously, there is much more to Donegal's Castle history, but we will leave it at that.
Self-Guided Tour
There is a fee to enter, but we believe it's a good value for money.
Like Cahir Castle or Kilkenny Castle, Donegal Castle is situated right in the town center.
The good news is that Donegal is a small and compact town, and it's easily explored on foot, regardless of where you park your car.
We did a self-guided tour as it was pretty late, and no guided tour was available.
There were plenty of information displays scattered around the castle.
Furthermore, similar to Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, we also received a laminated pamphlet containing the most important pieces of information about the castle.
Obviously, a good knowledgeable guide can bring history back to life, so the choice is up to you.
The interiors were restored, and the multi-story building is filled with traditional furnishings, and lovely details.
The ornate stone fireplace and wooden roof are among the most notable features of Donegal Castle.
By the way, there were also some steep stairs, which is good to know if you have mobility problems.
Don't forget that some staircases were built for defensive purposes.
The interiors have an authentic feel comparable to Ross Castle, and the site won't disappoint in that regard.
After seeing the castle interiors, we stopped once again in front of the ruined manor house.
Now we could really appreciate how much work and effort had been put into renovating it as the Donegal Castle once used to be.
Where to Go Next
From our own experience, Donegal Castle is among the best things to do in County Donegal on a rainy day.
Especially as you can also find some nice pubs around the town's center to try the famous Guinness beer.
In case you lucked out on the weather, make sure to visit nearby Slieve League, Glenveagh National Park, or Fanad Lighthouse.
If you travel south, you can stop at Mullaghmore Head, Benbulben, or Knocknarea Hill.
Opening Hours
Donegal Castle has seasonal opening times. It's open from 10 AM to 6 PM from late March to early November.
From early November to late March, Donegal Castle is open from Thursday to Monday from 9:30 AM to 4 PM.
The last admission is 45 minutes before closing.
Opening times may change throughout the year, so always check the official OPW website for more information.
Entrance Fee
The entry fee to Donegal Castle is €5, which is very reasonable.
As it's not expensive to enter, it's a great place to visit for people traveling around Ireland on a budget, at least when compared to more popular sites.
How Much Time Do I Need
We believe you should allow yourself about 30 to 60 minutes for Donegal Castle.
Unlike Birr Castle or Bunratty Castle, there are no extensive grounds to explore, so it really depends on how much time you spend inside the castle.
Therefore, it doesn't take that long to walk around this site.
When to Go
Donegal Castle is open year-round, though there is usually a period around Christmas when the castle is closed.
There is no best time to visit Donegal Castle, as the castle is beautiful at any time of the year.
Therefore, we recommend reading our post on when to visit Ireland first, where we break down the pros and cons of each season.
Summer is one of the most popular times to visit County Donegal as it brings warm temperatures and plenty of daylight.
For many travelers, it's also arguably the best time to visit Donegal Castle.
The only drawback are crowds and high prices for accommodation.
While Donegal Castle is not one of the most popular places in Ireland, don't forget that destinations such as the Ring of Kerry and the Wicklow Mountains will be packed.
We visited Donegal in the spring, and even though the weather during our visit was bad, we had a great time in Ireland otherwise.
What to Pack
Make sure to bring clothing according to the weather, comfortable footwear, and don't forget to stay hydrated during the day.
We also always kept our trusty rain jackets in our daypack regardless of the length and purpose of our trip.
Well, in this case, we had them on because of the heavy rain.
Here you will find our complete Ireland packing list.
How to Get There
There are several ways to get to Donegal Castle, depending on where you're coming from and your preferred method of transportation.
In our opinion, the best way to get there is by car, which allows you to explore as many places along the Wild Atlantic Way as you want.
Honestly, Ireland is a perfect destination for a road trip.
Here you will find our tips on driving in Ireland and renting a car in Ireland.
Car
Donegal Castle is about three and half hours northwest of Dublin, and the most direct route via N3 also leads across Northern Ireland.
Galway is about 200 kilometers south of Donegal. Follow N83, N17, and N15, and you should reach the castle in three hours.
The journey between Donegal and Derry takes about 75 minutes.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Public Transport
You can take a bus to Donegal from various locations throughout the country.
Expressway Route 30-X30 connects Dublin (Busaras) with Donegal, and the journey takes about 4 hours.
Bus 480 (Bus Eireann) runs from Sligo to Derry and also stops at Donegal, Letterkenny, and several other places along the way.
Even though Donegal has a former railway station, unfortunately, there is no train anymore.
Parking
Donegal Castle has no parking, but there are plenty of parking areas within the town.
Parking in Donegal town center is not free, though.
We left the car at the main parking lot by the River Eske, where you can also find Donegal Town Tourist Information Centre.
It was conveniently located, fairly cheap, and we reached the castle in less than five minutes from here.
Another two parking lots with parking meters are right next to the Aldi grocery store.
Keep in mind that the grocery store has a parking area for its customers and is limited to 60 minutes to reduce parking abuse.
Otherwise, paid street parking is available within Donegal town center.
Where to Stay
When it comes to accommodation near Donegal Castle, there are plenty of great options to choose from.
You can stay directly in the town or the countryside, depending on your preferences and budget.
The town has a few traditional Irish small-town hotels, though you can find even more luxurious options here as well.
In case you want to keep your budget at bay, there are plenty of nice family-owned bed and breakfasts in this area.
Here are our tips on the best hotels in Donegal.
Budget | Abbey Hotel Donegal - Situated on the main square of Donegal Town, right next to Donegal Castle, this traditional hotel has an ideal location, cozy rooms, friendly staff, and a great pub with live music.
Mid-range | Mill Park Hotel - Located within a 10-minute walk from the castle, this hotel offers a quiet location, spacious rooms, a swimming pool, and a fine dining restaurant. Free private parking is available at the hotel.
Luxury | Harvey's Point - Situated on the edge of Lough Eske amid the Bluestack Mountains, this hotel provides the ultimate luxury experience. It boasts a peaceful location, beautiful rooms, welcoming staff, gourmet food, well-kept grounds, and a romantic atmosphere.
Staying Safe
In principle, Donegal Castle is a very safe place to visit, as most places on this beautiful island.
Really, it's easy to stay safe in Ireland.
Always use your common sense, follow general safety tips, and you should be fine.
The only tip we can give you when visiting Donegal Castle is to not leave valuables in your vehicle or at least keep them out of sight if no other option is possible.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Is Donegal Castle Worth Visiting?
If you're in the area, Donegal Castle is definitely worth seeing.
As mentioned earlier, it's one of the smaller castles you can visit during your Ireland road trip.
It means that it is not as impressive as some of its more popular counterparts, but that also means fewer crowds and a more relaxed experience.
It's been beautifully restored, tickets are fairly cheap, and once you step in, you will get a chance to learn a lot about the local history.
Another main advantage of Donegal Castle is that you can explore the grounds and interiors without a guide.
Sure, if you stick to County Kerry or County Cork, then it makes sense to include only places from these areas in your Ireland road trip itinerary.
But if your journey brings you anywhere near Donegal, it's a great place to visit.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
