Book Your Stay
Book Your Stay
Letterkenny · County Donegal
National Geographic Traveller named Donegal one of the coolest places on the planet. It is a county of ancient stone forts, sea cliffs three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher, Gaeltacht islands, world-class links golf, traditional singing, Atlantic surf, and a landscape that has been shaping people for thousands of years.
Rockhill House Estate sits in the hills above Letterkenny at the heart of it all — the natural base from which to explore everything the county has to offer. Our team have lived and worked here all their lives, and are always on hand to help you find what you are looking for.
Wild Atlantic Way
500 km
of the route in Donegal alone
WAW Discovery Points
39
in Donegal
Coastal Routes
2
WAW & Causeway Coast from Rockhill
Slieve League
601 m
highest sea cliffs in Europe
Glenveagh
20 min
from Rockhill House
Derry City
30 min
gateway to the Causeway Coast
Where to Begin
Every page below has been written by our team to help you make the most of your time in Donegal — with specific recommendations, named attractions, and honest advice on what is worth the journey.
2 Regions · 3 Signature Points
Rockhill sits at the northern end of the world’s longest defined coastal touring route. 500km of it passes through Donegal, with all three Signature Points — Malin Head, Fanad Head, and Slieve League — within reach. Our full guide covers the northern headlands, the southern coast, the Gaeltacht, and the Surf Coast beyond.
EXPLORE THE ROUTE →
30 min to Derry · 120 Miles
Derry is 30 minutes from Rockhill. From there, the Causeway Coastal Route takes you along the Antrim coast to Belfast via the Giant’s Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Carrick-a-Rede, Old Bushmills Distillery, and a dozen more stops worth making. Our full guide covers the entire route with named highlights and driving times.
EXPLORE THE ROUTE →
Golf Began on These Lawns · 1894
Golf in Letterkenny started on the lawns of Rockhill House Estate in 1894. Today, Rockhill sits at the mid-point of one of the finest links golf touring circuits in the world — Ballyliffin, Portsalon, Royal Portrush, and Rosses Point all within range. Our guide includes the full story and everything you need to plan a golf stay.
PLAN YOUR GOLF STAY →
Tweed, Knitwear & Working Studios
Donegal is internationally known for its handwoven tweed, traditional knitwear, bogwood sculpture, handcrafted copper, and artisan pottery. From Letterkenny’s independent shops and artisan market to working studios in Ardara, Kilcar, and Mountcharles — our full guide covers where to find the real thing.
SHOPPING & CRAFT GUIDE →
10 Minutes Away · Our Hometown
Donegal’s largest town is on the edge of the estate. St Eunan’s Cathedral, An Grianan Theatre, the Regional Cultural Centre, the Letterkenny Artisan Market, and a strong independent shopping scene all within a short drive. Our guide covers the best of the town and what is worth making time for.
EXPLORE LETTERKENNY →
Pubs, Music & Late Nights
Letterkenny has a lively and genuinely local night-time scene. From a quiet pint in The Cottage Bar or McCafferty’s to a late night at Pulse Venue, the town covers the full range. Our team know what is on and where to go — ask us before you head out.
PLAN YOUR EVENING →
All Ages · On the Estate & Beyond
The estate itself — the woodland, the walled garden, the dipping pond — gives children real space to explore. Beyond the gates, Letterkenny has Tropical World, Arena 7, Smarty Pants Play & Learn, Letterkenny Activity Centre, and Century Cinemas. Our guide covers all of it.
FAMILY GUIDE →
Theatre, Music & Film
Letterkenny has two exceptional arts venues. An Grianan Theatre runs a full year-round programme of touring plays, comedy, and international music. The Regional Cultural Centre hosts jazz, folk, trad, art exhibitions, and film. Both are key venues for the Earagail Arts Festival each July.
ARTS & THEATRE GUIDE →
Free Entry · Letterkenny
Housed in what was once part of the Letterkenny workhouse, the county museum holds a substantial collection of historical artefacts alongside regular exhibitions on archaeology, geology, and natural history. The North West Film Archive is available for public viewing. Free entry, free parking, family friendly.
VISIT THE MUSEUM →
The Big Ones
The attractions that justify the journey to Donegal on their own terms. Each one is within reach of Rockhill House.
WAW Signature Point 3 · ~90 min
Slieve League Cliffs
At 601 metres, Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) is among the highest sea cliffs in Europe — three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher and far less crowded. One of the most dramatic and humbling landscapes in Ireland.
National Park · 20 Minutes
Glenveagh National Park
The second largest national park in Ireland at 170 sq km, with a 19th-century castle, ornamental gardens, and Ireland’s largest herd of red deer set against the Derryveagh Mountains. Twenty minutes from Rockhill House.
WAW Signature Point 1 · ~75 min
Malin Head
Ireland’s most northerly point. One of the best places in Ireland to see the Aurora Borealis in season. The dramatic headland on the Inishowen Peninsula is a Star Wars filming location and a place of genuine natural grandeur.
1700BC · 20 Minutes
Grianan of Aileach
A stone ringfort on the summit of Greenan Mountain with origins dating to 1700BC. One of only five Irish sites on Ptolemy’s 2nd-century World Map. The views across Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone reward the short climb in every direction.
WAW Signature Point 2 · ~45 min
Fanad Head Lighthouse
Established in 1817 and one of the most photographed lighthouses in Ireland. Perched on the tip of the Fanad Peninsula with Atlantic views in every direction. Tours available. Watch for dolphins in the cove below.
Glacial Fjord · On the Doorstep
Lough Swilly
One of only three glacial fjords in Ireland. Letterkenny sits on its southern shore, and Rockhill House looks out across its valley. Rich with wildlife, layered with history including the wreck of the SS Laurentic, and one of the most distinctive natural features in the North West.
16th Century · Sheephaven Bay
Doe Castle
Surrounded by water on three sides at Sheephaven Bay, Doe Castle was the stronghold of the MacSweeney clan and offered refuge to Spanish Armada sailors in 1588. Guided tours run in summer. A setting that is hard to photograph adequately.
Forest by the Sea · ~35 min
Ards Forest Park
Ancient woodland rolling down to golden beaches at Creeslough. A boardwalk trail, marked walks of varying length, a children’s play area, and a café in a wooden cabin. A full day in one place, whatever the weather.
Rockhill Connection
Fort Dunree & the Rockhill Collection
A Napoleonic-era coastal fortress on the Inishowen Peninsula, now a military museum. Among its exhibits: the Rockhill Collection, military memorabilia on loan from soldiers who served at the estate during the Irish Defence Forces years. Spectacular cliff walks and one of the best spots in Inishowen for the Northern Lights.
The Land in the Work
Craftspeople have been taking inspiration from the landscape of Donegal for centuries. From handwoven tweed to bogwood sculptures reclaimed from ancient peatland, the land has literally made its way into the work. These are producers worth visiting not just to buy, but to watch and understand.
Croithlí · First Donegal Distillery in 180 Years
The first licensed whiskey distillery in Donegal since 1840, housed in a restored 1901 stone building in the Gaeltacht village of Croithlí. The building has been a British Army barracks, a carpet factory serving kings and presidents, and the home of the world-famous Crolly Dolls. The distillery uses vintage Charentais Cognac stills over direct fire — a technique that connects Donegal’s distilling tradition, which the distillery traces to the 6th century, with its award-winning small-batch whiskey of today. Guided tours and tastings available seven days a week.
Crolly whiskey is served at the bars here at Rockhill House.
THECROLLYDISTILLERY.COM →Mountcharles · Original Donegal Loom
Siobhán handweaves on an old Donegal loom complete with flying shuttle in the coastal village of Mountcharles. Visitors can watch a weaving demonstration and learn about the history of Donegal hand weaving. Unique handwoven scarves, blankets, and purses for sale. Contact ahead to arrange a visit.
Inishowen · Ancient Peatland Material
Mary Doherty creates sculptures from bog oak — ancient wood reclaimed from Donegal’s peatlands, untouched by human hand for centuries before she finds it. Each piece carries the age of the landscape itself. One of the most distinctively Donegal craft forms you will encounter anywhere.
Magheroarty Beach · Celtic Copper
An artisan workshop beside the beautiful Magheroarty Beach, creating handcrafted copper pieces that blend Celtic tradition with contemporary design. Each piece is made in the working studio on-site. A remarkable setting and a genuinely unusual craft to find.
Donegal Craft Village · Master Craftsperson
Kevin Callaghan makes unique one-off handmade pottery at the Donegal Craft Village — beakers, large platters, coffee and whiskey vessels. A Master Craftsperson from the Craft Council of Ireland with a Masters from the Royal College of Art in London. The work is exceptional and the studio is open to visitors.
Downings · Fanad & Rosguill
A photography gallery in Downings showing local images of the Fanad and Rosguill Peninsula — Donegal’s sky at night, seascapes, and landscapes by a photographer who has spent her life in this light. Located next to the local post office and well worth seeking out along the southern WAW route.
Year-Round
Donegal has a remarkably rich programme of festivals year-round. Several are worth timing a visit around.
July · County-Wide
Earagail Arts Festival
Bilingual, multidisciplinary, county-wide. One of the most ambitious arts festivals in Ireland, with An Grianan Theatre in Letterkenny as a principal venue.
Summer · Dungloe
Mary from Dungloe Festival
One of Ireland’s longest-running cultural festivals. A week-long celebration in the Gaeltacht town of Dungloe on the Wild Atlantic Way, drawing 45,000 visitors annually.
Spring · Inishowen
Inishowen Singing Weekend
The longest-running traditional singing festival in Ireland, now in its 36th year. Four days of sessions, concerts, and workshops in Ballyliffin and Clonmany.
July · Carndonagh
Live in the Marquee
One of Donegal’s most anticipated summer events, born to celebrate the Irish Open at Ballyliffin and now a festival in its own right. Three days of live music in the heart of Inishowen.
May · Arranmore Island
Féile Siulóid Árainn Mhór
A walking festival on Arranmore Island off the west Donegal coast. Walks along the Arranmore Blueway, island life, and traditional music in the evenings. A genuinely distinctive long weekend.
Before You Leave the Estate
Many guests find they need never leave the estate at all. A hawk walk through the ancient woodland, a bee safari with estate beekeeper Frank Chaney, a cheese and wine tasting in the cellar, yoga in the starry temple, croquet on the formal lawn, or an afternoon with a book by one of the fires. Our team can arrange any of it.
ESTATE EXPERIENCES HAWK WALKSComplimentary for All Guests
All guests at Rockhill House receive complimentary access to our digital guide — a curated collection of our recommendations for the estate, Letterkenny, and County Donegal. Attractions, restaurants, walking routes, surf spots, golf courses, craft producers, and insider tips from our team, all in one place.
ACCESS THE GUIDE →Your Donegal Base
Our team have lived and worked in this county all their lives. Tell us what you are looking for and we will point you in the right direction.
