County Donegal is sometimes called the “Forgotten County,” but that’s really a misnomer — this is a place worth remembering. Sitting right at the top of the Wild Atlantic Way, Donegal is packed with culture, heritage, dramatic coastline, unspoiled and uncrowded beaches, mountains and lakes, plus plenty of family-friendly things to do to keep everyone busy.
In our guide to Donegal for families, we’ve rounded up some of our favourite things to do around the county, whether you’re planning a weekend break, filling a rainy day, making the most of the sunshine, or just looking for something new to try.
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Family-Friendly Things to Do in Donegal
Lurgybrack Open Farm, just outside Letterkenny, is family-run and it shows. It’s well thought out, with lots for the kids to see and do, and reasonably priced. There’s a café on site, but you can also bring a picnic, as there are picnic benches dotted around. Alongside the animals, you’ll find ground-level trampolines, barrel rides, bouncy castles and more.
Enjoy splashing fun at Waterworld on the seafront in Bundoran, where you’ll find a wave pool, rapids, slide pool, and the Tornado and Twister flumes, as well as the Whizzer Slide — one of the fastest indoor waterslides in Ireland. There are also splash features and small waterslides for toddlers, plus a sauna and steam room for the adults.
Enjoy a 75-minute cruise around Donegal Bay with Donegal Town Waterbus, with full commentary on the history and geography of the bay from the experienced crew, delivered with a good sprinkling of Irish humour. Keep an eye out for seals at Seal Island and enjoy the views along the Donegal coastline.
Oakfield Park and Gardens in Raphoe has acres of parkland, woodland and gardens to explore between May and August. There’s a miniature railway with train rides at weekends, running over 4km of track around the lake and woodlands.
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Free Things to Do in Donegal
Stop by and see Stór the Troll on the Dungloe River Walk. The 40ft troll makes his home there as part of an arts trail aimed at creating a magical living storybook, with trolls, giants and fairies all inspired by legend and mystical folklore.
Here are some of our favourite family walks in Donegal, all free and spectacular. Another fun family walk option is to follow the Sculpture Trail in Bundoran — we love the giant daisies.
Bring the kids to one of the libraries in Donegal. Most have children’s sections where kids can settle in with a great selection of books, games and puzzles, and some offer weekly story times.
Bring the bikes to Rossnowlagh Beach for a fun cycle and some beach time.
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Outdoor Activities in Donegal
Glenveagh National Park offers plenty of outdoor options, as well as a stunning backdrop for family photos. Entry is free and there’s lots to see and do. Wander through the beautiful gardens or take one of the easier walking trails — the Derrylahan Nature Trail (2km loop) or The Garden Trail (1km loop). Interactive walks and events for all ages run throughout the year, along with seasonal events, so it’s worth checking their website before you go.
Ards Forest Park is one of Ireland’s finest forest parks, set right on the coast with lots of facilities for families. Enjoy forest walks and cycle paths, a children’s play area, and the beach. The remains of four ringforts can be seen in the park, along with a number of megalithic tombs — legend has it these were the beds of Diarmuid and Gráinne during their flight from Fionn Mac Cumhaill. There are numerous viewing points along the walks and trails with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. Note that the car park charges a daily fee.
Donegal’s beaches are some of the best in the world, not just in Ireland. One of our favourites is Murvagh Beach, a large Blue Flag beach near Donegal town with a lifeguard service during the summer season. There’s a car park, with access to the beach via a sandy path. There’s plenty of space for beach games, and kids will enjoy exploring the network of sand dunes. It’s an ideal beach for children, being both shallow and sheltered.
Letterkenny Town Park, found at the Hospital Roundabout, features trees, flower beds, an orchard, a herb garden, playing areas, a bowling green and lots of walks. There are two playgrounds — one for toddlers and another for older children — and a Garden of Remembrance.
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Family-Friendly Museums & Galleries in Donegal
Donegal Castle is one of Ireland’s most splendid Gaelic castles, built by the O’Donnell chieftains in the 15th century and rebuilt in the Jacobean style in the 16th century by Sir Basil Brooke, after Hugh O’Donnell burnt the original to the ground rather than let it fall into enemy hands. Information panels chronicle the castle’s history, and guided tours are available. There’s an admission fee, with free entry on the first Wednesday of every month.
At Donegal County Museum you can explore a substantial collection of artefacts relating to the history and heritage of County Donegal. The first-floor exhibition tells the story of Donegal from prehistory to the twentieth century, while temporary exhibitions in the ground-floor gallery cover a wide range of topics throughout the year, with something to suit all ages and interests. An events and education programme runs year-round, and admission is free.
Glebe House and Gallery is run by the OPW. Formerly the home for nearly thirty years of the renowned artist Derek Hill, it sits beside Lough Gartan, east of Glenveagh National Park. The Regency-style house is decorated with William Morris textiles and collections of Islamic and Japanese art, alongside works by leading twentieth-century artists such as Picasso and Kokoschka. There’s an admission fee, apart from the first Wednesday of every month, when it’s free for everyone.
At the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre, just 300 metres from Donegal Town centre, you’ll find a museum celebrating Donegal’s railway heritage in one of the few remaining original station houses. View railway rolling stock, interesting artefacts and displays, a video presentation, model railways and more.
The Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny hosts children’s and family events, including the annual Wainfest for children each October, as well as visual arts, film and more.
Lifford Old Courthouse is a multi-purpose visitor centre offering guided jail tours, escape rooms, musical performances and an on-site bistro.
Stroll around Doagh Famine Village and explore the outdoor museum of life-size cottages to see what life was really like in Ireland during the famine years. Admission covers a guided tour, along with tea/coffee and wheaten bread or biscuits at the end. Afterwards, you’re free to wander around while the kids explore the cottages and you get some photos.
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Rainy Day Activities in Donegal
Enjoy some swimming and splashing time at:
- Ballyshannon Leisure Centre
- Buncrana Leisure Centre
- Letterkenny Aura Leisure Centre
- Finn Valley Leisure Centre
- Waterworld Bundoran
For some bookshop time, head to Four Masters Bookshop in Milltown, Book Centre in Ballybofey, Universal Books and The Bookmark in Letterkenny, or A Novel Idea in Ballyshannon.
For indoor soft play:
- Wainsworld in Buncrana
- Kidz Kingdom in Magherabeg
- Smarty Pants in Letterkenny
- Arena7 Entertainment in Letterkenny
- Craic @ Jack’s in Ballybofey
You can go bowling at Arena7 or Bundoran Glow Bowl, or puzzle your way out of the escape rooms at Lifford Old Courthouse.
Catch a movie at Eclipse Cinemas in Bundoran, Buncrana Cinema, Century Cinemas in Letterkenny, or Eclipse Cinemas in Lifford. The Regional Cultural Centre in Letterkenny also occasionally screens family films.
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Family-Friendly Hotels & Accommodation in Donegal
At the Shandon Hotel & Spa, standard and superior family rooms come with two double beds and the option of an extra camp bed for larger families. Superior adjoining rooms are also available for extra comfort. The hotel runs a kids’ club and has a leisure centre with adult and kids’ pools, plus free use of on-site buckets and spades for trips to nearby Marble Hill Beach.
Walking distance from Donegal Town centre, the Mill Park Hotel‘s family rooms include either a queen-sized bed and two single beds, or two double beds. For larger families, there are interconnecting rooms or bigger family rooms sleeping up to six. There’s a pool and kids’ pool at the leisure centre.
At the Redcastle Golf & Spa Hotel, the Family Suite offers a double bedroom with a separate living area featuring a double sofa bed and a single bed. Families preferring one room together can opt for the large family room, with a double bed, double sofa bed and single bed. Set on the Inishowen Peninsula, the hotel runs cinema nights and a kids’ club during the holidays, plus a large heated pool and leisure centre for guests.
At Lough Mardal Lodge and Luxury Glamping, you can stay in one of five Skydome Yurts, each with a superking-size bed and up to two optional single beds for children. Each yurt has a wood-burning stove, windows with beautiful views, a large dome skylight for stargazing, and lovely touches including bedding, towels, hot water bottles, reading lights and private outdoor decking. Two of the yurts are pet-friendly. Breakfast and BBQ packs can be arranged on request, along with activities such as surf lessons and beach horse riding.
Check out more of our favourite family-friendly hotels and accommodation in Ireland — from luxury breaks and hotels with kids’ clubs to self-catering choices and family camping and glamping.
Family-Friendly Restaurants in Donegal
There are many good restaurants in Donegal to choose from — here are a few recommended by parents:
- If you’re heading to Sliabh Liag cliffs, it’s well worth stopping at The Rusty Mackerel for some delicious seafood — the chowder and monkfish and prawns come highly recommended.
- Watch the surfers at the Gaslight Restaurant while you enjoy the view over Rossnowlagh Beach. Good food and a fun kids’ menu with options like “the young pirate soup with potato” and Treasure Island ice cream.
- There’s a comprehensive menu at The Harbour in Donegal town, including seafood, steaks and pasta dishes. Its own pizzeria at the back of the restaurant is great entertainment for kids to watch while they wait.
- The Stateside American Restaurant in Letterkenny is very child-friendly, with a kids’ menu packed with options for even the fussiest eater, from goujons to burgers to toasties.
Things to Do in Donegal for Older Kids and Teens
Enjoy bowling at Arena7 or Bundoran Glow Bowl, or try the escape rooms at Lifford Old Courthouse for some puzzle-solving fun.
Ever played Footgolf? It’s exactly what it sounds like — a game played on a golf course with a football. A round takes around an hour and suits all ages and fitness levels. Try Footgolf at Bundoran FootGolf, Letterkenny Activity Centre, or Rosapenna Footgolf & Pitch ‘n’ Putt.
Head to Gartan Outdoor Education Centre, 15 minutes outside Letterkenny on the lakeshore, close to mountains, woodlands, rivers and coast. It offers a wide variety of courses, including orienteering, archery, canoeing and windsailing.
Try surfing at one of Donegal’s fantastic beaches — surf lessons are on offer at spots such as Bundoran and Rossnowlagh.
Tigerceramics in Ballyshannon has a working pottery within a craft centre, with a viewing area and pottery demonstrations and events, such as paint-a-pot days.
Need a retail blitz? Letterkenny Shopping Centre has Penneys, while H&M and River Island are at Letterkenny Retail Park.
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If your crew is happy in the car, you’ll love the Inishowen 100 Scenic Drive, voted one of Ireland’s top scenic drives.
Highlights include the breathtaking Gap of Mamore, a scenic roadway rising to 800 feet above sea level before a twisting, corkscrew descent with panoramic views of the entire northern coastline; Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point; and Fort Dunree, a magnificent viewing outpost.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Donegal a good destination for a family trip?
Yes — Donegal has a great mix of beaches, outdoor parks, museums, castles and indoor activities, so there’s plenty to fill a weekend break or a longer stay, whatever the weather.
Are there free things to do in Donegal with kids?
Absolutely. Glenveagh National Park, Donegal County Museum, several family walks, the Dungloe River Walk, and many of the county’s beaches are all free to enjoy.
What can we do in Donegal on a rainy day?
Donegal has several leisure centres with swimming pools, indoor soft play centres, bowling, escape rooms, cinemas and cosy bookshops — plenty of options if the weather turns.
Are there family-friendly hotels in Donegal with kids’ clubs and pools?
Yes, a number of hotels across the county offer family rooms, kids’ clubs and leisure centres with pools — a few of our favourites are included above.
Related Articles
- Top 10 Things To Do in Donegal with Kids
- 13 Picturesque Walks in Donegal for Families to Enjoy
- Best Outdoor Places in Donegal for Families to Enjoy
- Rainy Day Activities for Kids in Donegal
- 12 Stunning Scenic Drives and Family Road Trips in Ireland
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