Cruit Island Co Donegal is in the Gaeltacht, a region abundant in Celtic culture, music, language and Irish traditions.
You won't need a boat to reach this island, though, one
of the prettiest, most natural destinations in Donegal County. Unlike other destinations, such as vibrant Bundoran, Donegal Town and Letterkenny, Cruit is sparsely populated and off the 'beaten track', therefore ideal for a relaxing vacation.
If you like to get off the 'beaten track' and explore Celtic heritage though, you might also like the Saint Johns Point Donegal peninsula.
Cruit Island sits bathed in the wild Atlantic
ocean just a few meters off shore.
Cruit Island Co Donegal is in the Gaeltacht, a region abundant in Celtic culture, music, language and Irish traditions.
You won't need a boat to reach this island, though, one of the prettiest, most natural destinations in Donegal County.
Unlike other destinations, such as vibrant Bundoran, Donegal Town and Letterkenny, Cruit is sparsely populated and off the 'beaten track', therefore ideal for a relaxing vacation.
If you like to get off the 'beaten track' and explore Celtic heritage though, you might also like the Saint Johns Point Donegal peninsula.
Cruit Island sits bathed in the wild Atlantic
ocean just a few meters off shore.
Bridge Access to Cruit Island Co Donegal
The bridge to Cruit Island at low tideBridge Access to Cruit Island
The island is conveniently connected to mainland Donegal by a quaint little bridge near Kincasslagh. Two, in fact, one for traffic and another one beside it for walkers.
The bridge to Cruit Island at low tideAt less than five kilometers long, Cruit Island stretches northwards and slightly west towards the nearby Owey Island.
Together
with Arranmore Island, they cradle the
beautiful, dramatic Rosses Bay.
Exhilarating Strolls in Scenic Cruit Island Nature
Exhilarating Strolls in
Scenic Cruit Island Nature
If you love an exhilarating stroll among
rugged granite crags and grassy sand dunes, across pristine coves and
deserted sandy beaches in the company of birds and wildlife, you will love Cruit Island.
Tip
Watch the sky for magnificent Peregrine Falcons.
They occasionally soar overhead.
If you love the sound of wild Atlantic waves in your ears and the vast, ever changing deep blue ocean dancing at your feet, then you really will love Cruit Island.
Look Eastwards to see mainland Donegal and a superb view of iconic Errigal Mountain. Look to the Northeast for
views of Gola and other islands. And look to the
Southwest to see Rosses Bay and Arranmore.
Tip
Watch the sky for magnificent Peregrine Falcons.
They occasionally soar overhead.
For another type of walking, if you're a
golfer, head to the very northern part of the island. Keep going until
the road runs out.
Almost in the ocean!
That's where you'll find charming Cruit Island Golf Club with its natural nine hole, par 68 links course.
Cruit Island golf makes for a pleasurable and unique Ireland golf vacation experience, not without
challenges. The Cruit Island golf club and links have
stunning views over Owey Island and the vast, pristine, wild Atlantic ocean.
Other Pleasure Activities on and off Island
Other Pleasure Activities
on and off Island
Safety Tips
- Much of Cruit Island is unsafe for bathing. If you like to take a 'dip', ask your hosts for directions to those beaches where you can swim safely. They'll be happy to oblige.
- Check tidal times locally before walking out to the Inishkeel tidal island. Make sure you allow enough time to return safely before the tide comes back in.
Stay on the Island for . . .
- Boating, Windsurfing, Canoeing and kayaking
- Scuba diving
- Organized group climbs of the sea cliffs
- Fishing and Cycling
- A ferry trip to Owey
- Boating, Windsurfing, Canoeing, kayaking
- Scuba diving
- Organized group climbs of the sea cliffs
- Fishing and Cycling
- A ferry trip to Owey
Head to Mainland Donegal for . . .
- A ferry day trip from Burtonport to Arranmore Island
- A visit to singing star Daniel ODonnell's Centre in Dungloe
- A scenic trip on the 'old world' Fintown railway train
- A spot of fishing on the picturesque Rosses lakes
- A boat trip to Arranmore Island
- A visit to Daniel ODonnell's Centre
- An 'old world' trip on Fintown railway train
- A spot of fishing on the Rosses lakes
And if you're really energetic . . .
- Climb Errigal Mountain for panoramic views of Donegal County and beyond
- Take a scenic drive across Gweebarra bridge to Narin beach, and
- Stroll across Narin sands at low tide to explore Inishkeel tidal island, rich in early Christian Celtic history
- Climb Errigal Mountain for panoramic views
- Drive to Narin via Gweebarra bridge
- Cross Narin sands to historic Inishkeel
Safety Tips
- Much of Cruit Island is unsafe for bathing. If you like to
take a 'dip', ask your hosts for directions to those beaches where you
can swim safely. They'll be happy to oblige.
- Check tidal times locally before walking out to the Inishkeel tidal island. Make sure you allow enough time to return safely before the tide comes back in.
Accommodation, Meals, Entertainment, Shops
Accommodation, Meals, Entertainment, Shops
On-island accommodation includes good Ireland bed and breakfast hospitality, self-catering vacation house rentals, traditional thatched-roof Irish cottage options, and large holiday homes.
The nearest hotel accommodation is on the mainland, approximately a kilometer from the island.
The bar at Cruit Island Golf Club is open to the public. Other than that, you won't find any shops, pubs, restaurants or entertainment venues on this perfectly preserved island.
However most of your needs can be catered for in
nearby Kincasslagh. You won't have to travel far to find quaint Irish
pubs hosting traditional Celtic music, and a variety of popular restaurants.
Location and Getting There
Location and Getting There
Considering its remote location, just off Donegal's west coast, Cruit Island Co Donegal is surprisingly easy to get to.
A short drive of approximately six kilometers gets you there from Donegal International Airport.
The airport hosts direct Donegal flights to and from Dublin and Glasgow, Scotland, where you can get global connections.
Car hire and taxis are available at the Donegal airport.
Alternatively, Airlingus and other airlines provide Ireland flights into Dublin and Belfast, as well as Derry airport, Knock airport and Shannon.
There are ferry services into Belfast, Larne, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire and Rosslare. Continue your journey to Cruit Island Co Donegal by car. Rentals available.
New! Facebook Comments