Local Activities

The Inishowen Gateway Hotel is centrally located to offer our guests the very best our beautiful Donegal has to offer. Explore our picturesque seaside town of Buncrana, the breathtaking landscape of Inishowen, the North West of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Your perfect ativity break starts here!

Malin Head

The most northerly point in Ireland and famous for its rugged natural beauty of mountains, bays, inlets and rocks. At Bamba's Crown there is an information point and a marked path taking you on a walk to some fantastic scenic points. Great for photography. Day tours to Malin Head available from the hotel on request. Please visit http://www.malinheadtours.com/ for more information.

Malin Head was also successfully selected as one of the Star Wars filming location in Ireland for the new movie, episode 8 - The Last Jedi released in Ireland on the 15th December 2017. Filming took place in 2016 and the entire Peninsula was taken over with set design, cast and crew. Malin Head was the exact location used for filming to represent the planet Ahch-to in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.

On your next visit to Inishowen why not join the Star Wars film location movie trail and visit the area the movie was filmed, call into Farren's Bar in Malin and hear the locals stories and get a photograph taken with a Storm trooper, should they be in the area that day.
Why not take a boat trip to view the set location or book an excursion with Bren from Donegal Climbing and discover the many reasons why Malin Head and Inishowen was chosen as one the film locations.

Inish Adventures

Located in Moville, only a short 30 minutes drive from Buncrana, Inish Adventures offers a truly unforgettable experience when exploring Inishowen from the water. Kayaking, yacht hire and archery are just some of the activities on offer from their base and private trips can be organised in water venues in Buncrana to make it easier for you.The dolphins resident in the waters just of Malin Head are always looking for company.

Wild Alpaca Way

Wild Alpaca Way was set up in 2019 by John McGonegal and his family after seeing the potential of the stunning Malin Head area. The land is privately owned and overlooking the Atlantic Ocean making it ideal terrain for Alpacas to live. Nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of Malin Head, County Donegal, lies our unique community – a herd of 37 playful alpacas thriving in their Irish haven. More than just adorable fluff balls, these intelligent and social creatures live a life rich in connection, hierarchy, and adaptation, perfectly attuned to their environment. Let's delve into the fascinating world of these Malin Head Alpacas and discover how they live and thrive in this windswept paradise.

Wild Alpaca Way is situated on the Wild Atlantic Way Route.

Admission: €25 per person | €45 per family
Walks daily 11am 1pm or 3pm.

Wild Ireland

Step back in time into an ancient woodland inhabited by extinct creatures to experience some of Ireland’s ancient lost wildlife. Walk among the ancient trees and encounter Bears, Wolves, Lynx and Wild Boar on your journey through the past.

‘Wild Ireland’ is located on the Wild Atlantic Way and is the newest and most exciting visitor attraction in the North West of Ireland. Just a few centuries ago, Ireland was clothed in a thick blanket of Temperate Celtic Rainforest. Due to destruction and deforestation, this woodland has all but disappeared, in a small pocket of remaining woodland on the Inishowen peninsula, the hands of time have been rolled back to an era were ferocious beasts ruled the Irish countryside.

Come see our Brown bears, European Wolves and Lynx back together in the Irish forest for the first time in thousands of years. Here they live in their natural habitat in the temperate rainforest. Lots of wild birds call Wild Ireland home and our beautiful lake is home to swans, ducks and even a cheeky pair of otters.

There is lots to see and do for children too, take the fairy trail around the rainforest, be delighted with our tales of ancient folklore, play in our state of the art play park and finish off with some tasty treats from our Wild Ireland Shop and café.

Admission: Adults €10 | Children €8 | Under 2 - FREE! (First 2 children full price - Additional children half price €4)

Open daily from 10am - 4pm. (Last Entry 3pm)

Grianán of Aileach

One of the five most ancient sites mentioned on Ptolemy of Alexandria's 2nd Century map of Ireland. It is an impressive stone ring fort, located on top of Greenan hill and with spectacular panoramic views of the surrounding hills, lakes and countryside.

Dunree Fort

Located 7 miles north of Buncrana, situated along the shores of the Lough Swilly commanding majestic views of the Swilly and its shorelines. The facilities include an Exhibition centre, Audio visual facilities, Cafeteria, Scenic Walks, Unique Flora and Fauna, Bird-life. The Fort is open all year round and at various times they host Art exhibitions. Leaflets at Reception.

Fahan Graveyard

Located on the main Derry to Buncrana Road, it was the site of a monastery founded by St Colmcille for his disciple St. Mura, situated in the graveyard is the Fahan Mura Cross, an early 7th Century cross-slab, the design demonstrates a close connection with Scotland. This graveyard contains the graves of 71 sailors who lost their lives with the sinking of the Laurentic in 1917. Agnes Jones is also buried in the graveyard, Agnes was born in Fahan House and trained and worked with Florence Nightingale during the Crimean War.

O'Doherty's Keep, Buncrana

Built circa early 1600 and situated over the Crana Bridge, this is the location where Wolfe Tone was held prisoner when he was brought ashore in Buncrana in 1798.

Ned's Point Fort

Just north of Buncrana Town, a Napoleonic fort manned by the British from 1812 to defend the area from invasion. The R.N.L.I. lifeboat station is situated nearby.

Tullyarvan Mill, Buncrana

Once a corn mill in the 19th Century, restored over the past number of years and is now a museum dedicated to depicting the textile industry that has long been associated with the surrounding area. It houses a craft shop, exhibition area, café, an Irish school, conference venue, a hostel and regularly host concerts, music and visual arts workshops and summer schools.

Doagh Famine Village

Located in the Isle of Doagh, just north of Buncrana, a beautiful visitor centre opened in 1997. An outdoor museum tells the story of life in this area in the 1970's, going back to the famine in the 1840's. A combination of inofrmative story telling and life size exhibits provides an informative, thought provoking and at times humerous look at Irish life.

Inishowen Maritime Museum and Planetarium

Visit the Planetarium for one of their daily Astrology shows in the Dome Theatre with seating for up to 30 people or take a stroll around the Museum which tells the story of the fishing industry out of Greencastle Village over the past 100 years. Enjoy a coffee and light bite outside in the garden overlooking the harbour. For more information visit

Moville Pottery

Full range of pottery available to buy, tour of pottery and painting your own piece of pottery can be arranged for groups of 2 people or for up to 30 or 40 people.

Amazing Grace Yacht Charters

Travel in luxury around our Inishowen coastline, and enjoy a truly unique experience of Ireland Wild Atlantic Way. Whether its a half day sail for the opportunity to see the dolphines or a full day excursion to Inishtrahull Island, it will be an experience you wont forget.

Leisureland Redcastle

Only a short drive from Buncrana this child friendly indoor play arena has loads to keep little fingers busy with a huge jungle gym, rides and food served all day.

Atlantic Coastal Cruises

Enjoy a boat trip around the Sliabh Liag cliffs, in and around the most beautiful scenary Donegal has to offer. They also offer boat trips around the harbour or hire for private use.

Local Link Bus

Local Link provides a nationwide bus service in rural areas around Inishowen so you can enjoy what we have on offer!
Take the bus and visit Malin Head, Clonmany Waterfall or Doagh Famine Village for example.

View the timetables here:

- Buncrana - Carndonagh

- Carndonagh - Malin Head