Killybegs, Donegal – An Essential Travel Guide for 2025

The town of Killybegs in south County Donegal is home to the largest fishing port in Ireland. It sits on the Wild Atlantic Way and is an excellent base for exploring the rugged countryside of this vast county. Ideally located at the gateway to Donegal Bay, this town rarely features as a destination to visit in its own right. Are people skipping a town worth visiting here?

Read on to find out!

Public Transport: Although Donegal is in the Republic of Ireland and shares a tiny border with Leitrim, it is difficult to reach without crossing into Northern Ireland. This was a contributing factor in the closure of the railway lines into the county, with Killybegs Railway Station shutting in 1960.

The only public transport option is therefore to hop on a bus. From Dublin City you can catch the Bus Eireann 30 or X30 bus to nearby Donegal Town. This is a slow journey, so try to catch the quicker X30 which skips many villages! You can then use the TFI Local Link bus service to get here from Donegal Town in around 35 minutes.

The food scene revolves around locally caught seafood and nowhere better exemplifies this than Andersons Boathouse Restaurant on Main Street. A beautiful interior adds to a relaxing atmosphere, and there is a nice area for dining outside during the summer. The seafood is delicious but even non-seafood lovers will find something tasty here. The €22 Gaelic chicken is our favourite, although we were disappointed to find it was €4 dearer than when we last visited.

The Killybegs Seafood Shack, brought to you by the same family as Andersons Boathouse Restaurant, is famous throughout the county. The scampi is fresh and utterly delicious, if a little expensive for takeaway grub. People travel from throughout the county to give this spot a try.

Hot Beverages: Mrs B’s Coffee House is open every day except Sundays and serves delicious breakfast, lunches and savoury treats. We found it to be a relaxing option for a coffee before heading off on our travels for the day. The food is of a very high standard, so try to visit on an empty stomach!

Alcohol: There isn’t a particularly vibrant bar scene here but pint connoisseurs can still head to the Harbour Bar, for the best pint of Guinness in town. It’s nice, if unspectacular, with a decent atmosphere, but lacking the level of memorabilia that we like to see in a traditional pub. It is dog friendly however, which is a big plus, and has a pool table which is a rare sight in pubs these days!

The bar at the Bay View Hotel is the best of the rest when it comes to pubs here. Hotel pubs are often lacking in atmosphere but this one is actually very charming, with friendly staff and good vibes. The harbour views make it a great choice for a laid back drink while you watch some live sport.

As the largest fishing port in the country, Killybegs Harbour houses some of the most impressive ships on the Irish seas. The harbour is a serene place for a leisurely stroll, as you get up close to fishing vessels, cargo ships and everything in between. Plan your visit to coincide with the arrival of some of the stunning cruise ships that frequent here by checking the calendar below.

Killybegs Cruise Ship Calendar

There are no beaches in the town itself, but Donegal has more blue flag beaches than any other county and one of the best is nearby. Fintra Beach is just 5 minutes away by car, or a 40 minute walk. The golden sands of this 1km strand are perfect for strolling and the waters are safe for paddling, with lifeguards present during the summer.

Many people opt to make the 30 minute jaunt to Maghera Beach on the northern side of the peninsula. Although lovely, this gigantic strand is not better than Fintra in our opinion and there is now a charge to use its car park!

Spend an hour here and you will immediately get the sense that this town is more commonly passed-through than actually stayed in. This is a pity, because the beautiful boats of the harbour make it a splendid place for a day of wandering. There is a distinct maritime feel to the town and it is obvious that life here revolves around the fishing industry.

Unfortunately, the facilities are not really there to make this a holiday destination. Many seaside towns in Donegal are set amidst a backdrop of children laughing and playing, but Killybegs is a lot quieter. Some might argue that this is a positive, but we felt that it lacked a little fun. As night descends the town quietens, with places like nearby Donegal Town boasting far superior pub scenes.

Check out our Donegal Town Travel Guide

Since 2019 Atlantic Coast Cruises have been giving people a chance to admire the breathtaking Sliabh Liag cliffs from a maritime perspective. You will see a multitude of sights and wildlife while travelling onboard this pet-friendly vessel, that comes equipped with a bar and is wheelchair accessible. Keep an eye out for dolphins and seals swimming along the boat as you travel. The Atlantic Coast Cruises are expensive at €33 for an adult, but there are family rates available on the website.

Book Atlantic Coast Cruise Tickets

Killybegs is the perfect starting point for tackling the Donegal Bay Drive. Set aside a full day to tackle this drive, as you follow the brown Wild Atlantic Way signs, making plenty of stops as you travel.

Don’t miss the rocky Muckross Head, the scenic GAA pitch in Kilcar, the cliffs of Sliabh Liag (Slieve League), the winding Glengesh Pass (Col Glengesh) and the deserted village of Port. There are many other stunning points to stop along the route.

Donegal Bay Drive Route

It is no surprise that fishing is a favourite pass time of the residents here. Killybegs Fishing Trips offer visitors the opportunity to hit the seas with skipper Michael McGettigan in search of mackerel, shark, cod, dogfish, sole and many other fantastic species. You are guaranteed to bring in a haul on these individual or group fishing trips, whilst having fun at the same time.

The Killybegs Heritage Trail is a leisurely stroll that is jampacked with history. Google the route and follow the simple map to explore and read about locations like the Coastguard Station, The Corn Store and The School of Tourism. This isn’t a laborious hike, but rather a relaxing amble through the key points around the town. Whilst none of the sights are spectacular, it is still an interesting free activity to kill an hour or two.