St Johns Point Donegal Travel Guide

Saint Johns Point Donegal Accommodation

Another surprising thing about this remote destination is the variety of accommodations available.

Award Winning Castle Murray House

Castle Murray House: 'Hideaway Of The Year 2018'

Castle Murray House  offers boutique accommodation with breakfast and magnificent views across Bruckless Bay, Rahan castle ruins, and the south Donegal Atlantic coast.  Evening meals are available by reservation if you're staying there.

This charming coastal guesthouse is just off the N56 route that passes through the villages of Dunkineely and Bruckless along the northern end of the peninsula.

Formerly a small hotel, the guesthouse was awarded 'Hideaway Of The Year 2018' (opens new window), deservedly so in our opinion.

Lighthouse-Keeper's Cottages

Saint John's Point lighthouse with flat-roofed cottages behind

As if it wasn't exciting enough to see a working lighthouse, you could spend your entire vacation in one of the lighthouse-keeper's cottages on Saint Johns Point Donegal, at the very end of the peninsula.

These charming cottages are in a private cliff-top complex along with the lighthouse.  The two cottages, named SJ Schooner and SJ Clipper (opens new window), are surrounded by the ever-changing Atlantic Ocean on three sides.  The panoramic views from this remote location are superb.

Other Accommodations

There are a number of other unique vacation rentals both on and very near to Saint Johns Point Donegal.  Cozy holiday cottages, for example, with traditional Irish thatched roofs.  You can also stay in several bed and breakfasts.

Airbnb Vacation Rentals

Quite a few of the peninsula's accommodations are listed and can be reserved on the Airbnb vacation rentals website (opens new window).

Dining Options

You might find the dining choices on Saint Johns Point peninsula to be somewhat limited.  There are several good options, though.  Here's what's available both on the peninsula, and in nearby Killybegs about six kilometers from Bruckless village...

Breakfast, Lunch And Treats On The Peninsula...

Castle Murray House and the Bed and Breakfasts provide substantial breakfasts for their residents.

Lunch is available at Mary Murrin's Bar in Bruckless as well as at Baskins Cafe and Take-Away in Dunkineely.

And the two village grocery stores, Barry's of Bruckless and Floyd's in Dunkineely offer hot beverages and light snacks to go.

Tara Hotel lunch overlooking the harbor in Killybegs

...And In Nearby Killybegs

You can get a tasty lunch as well as some seriously tempting treats in Killybegs.  Try...

• Mrs. B's scrambled egg with slivers of smoked salmon
• Ahoy Cafe's mouthwatering seafood chowder, or
• A delicious carvery lunch at the Bay View or Tara hotels.

Evening Meals

If you're staying at Castle Murray House, you have the option of making dinner reservations there.

Alternatively, you can get an evening meal at Mary Murrin's Bar in Bruckless or at Baskin's Cafe and Take-Away in Dunkineely.

Or you can dine at the Bay View and Tara hotels in Killybegs.

Self Catering

If you're on a self-catering vacation the two grocery stores, Floyd's in Dunkineely and Barry's of Bruckless can provide pretty much all the ingredients you might need to prepare your own meals and treats.  There's also a larger store, Supervalu, in Killybegs.

St Johns Point Donegal Location And Getting There

Saint Johns Point peninsula is in the south of County Donegal, near the picturesque fishing port and harbor of Killybegs.   It is easily accessible by car or bus from anywhere in Ireland via Donegal Town, as well as by air or sea.  Local car hire is available...

By Car

From Donegal Town head west for approximately 20 kilometers in the direction of Killybegs on the N56 national secondary route.

The N56 passes along the northern end of Saint John's Point peninsula, through the two villages of Dunkineely and Bruckless.

You'll get to Dunkineely first.  Bruckless village is roughly two kilometers further on.

The junction for the scenic road that leads to the very end of the peninsula is just outside Dunkineely.  Drive through and out of the village, then immediately look for a narrow road to your left, signposted for Saint Johns Point.  Don't worry if you miss your turn, though, you'll very quickly come to another road that you can take instead.

More on how to get to Saint John's Point in our Questions And Answers section.

Carrickfinn Airport in Northwest Donegal

By Plane

Carrickfinn Airport, also called Donegal International Airport, provides direct Donegal flights to and from globally connected Dublin and Glasgow, Scotland.

From Carrickfinn, get onto the N56, then travel south via Loughanure, Dungloe and Ardara (car hire info below).

Alternatively, Airlingus and other airlines provide Ireland flights into Dublin and Belfast, also Derry airport, Knock airport, and Shannon.  Car hire and bus services are available.

By Ferry

There are ferry services into Belfast, Larne, Dublin, Dun Laoghaire and Rosslare ports.  Drive from there.

By Bus

Bus Éireann, Ireland's national coach company, provides a limited bus service in conjunction with McGeehan Coaches between Dunkineely and Donegal Town.  There are some connections from Donegal Town to  Dublin, Galway, and various towns along the way.  Car hire is available in Donegal Town and Dunkineely...

Local Car Hire

You'll need a car to get around locally, as well as for exploring further afield.  Car hire services are available at...

A hired car from SR Motors in Donegal Town

O'Donnell Motors in Dunkineely
Tel:  +353 74 9737058 from outside Ireland
Or:  074 9737058 from Ireland
E-mail:  kerrill@odonnellmotors.com

and...

SR Motors, a Euro Mobil agency in Donegal Town
Tel:  +353 74 9723462 from outside Ireland
Or:  074 9723462 from Ireland
E-mail:  admin@srmotors.ie

If you're flying into Donegal Airport, there's an Enterprise Rent A Car desk there (opens new window).