Killybegs A Cruise Destination of Excellence It gives me a great deal of pleasure and pride to be asked to pen a foreword to this brochure which outlines the magic and mystery of one of Ireland’s jewels, the North West coast and specifically, Killybegs. The name Killybegs comes from the Gaelic or Irish – Na Cealla Beaga (The Little Cells) referring to a group of monastic cells. It is believed that the monks, who inhabited these cells, were the first settlers to grace these lands and it was they who dedicated a well in honour of St. Catherine of Alexandria. St Catherine is the patron saint of Killybegs and also the patron of all seafarers, confirming the rich seagoing tradition for which the town and the surrounding region are famous. I have had the pleasure of representing this area in the national parliament or “Dáil” since 1987. In that time, Killybegs has seen many changes but aspects of the town which remain unchanged are its legendary hospitality as well as the wonderful, unspoiled natural hinterland of the area. Since cruise ships started berthing in the town in the recent past, the community in Killybegs along with the local tourism authority have gone to extraordinary lengths to give visitors a special and heartfelt Donegal welcome. I am confident that each and every visitor arriving in Killybegs will remember the authentic experience for all the right reasons. You will have the pleasure of dropping anchor in an area rich in culture and heritage, peppered with wonderful historic castles and scenic national parks where bustling modern urban centres are juxtaposed with picturesque villages where the pace of life isn’t quite what city dwellers are used to…. The traditional “céad míle fáilte” (one hundred thousand welcomes) is par for the course here while the highest sea-cliffs in Europe located at Sliabh Liag - within a modest drive of Killybegs - are a breath-taking spectacular sight and a must see for KILLYBEGS HARBOUR CENTRE one and all. Do enjoy your time with us, I extend you the warmest of Donegal welcomes and please feel free to return and tell everybody about us. The New Killybegs Harbour Centre opened for business in May 2004 The Harbour centre is located in County Donegal on the North West Coast of Ireland Sincerely, Its position, at the tip of a deep fjord-like inlet, makes it one of the safest, most sheltered, deep-water harbours on the Irish coast. Mary Coughlan TD • The harbour operates at ISPS Level One Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment • There are no tidal, beam or draught restrictions • It is an all weather port with perhaps only 1-2 days of fog per year • Access to the Harbour is extremely safe (minimum of 20m water along approaches) • The port is open for business 365 days a year • Tugs available on request VESSEL RESTRICTIONS > No gross tonnage restrictions Contents > Max Draft: 12m > Max length: 300m Killybegs Harbour Centre 3 BERTHAGE Half Day & Full Day Itineraries 4 In total there is in excess of 1km of berthage at the pier Map of Killybegs 6 • 300 meter of berthage at 12m water MLWS Top Attractions 8 • 150 meter of berthage at 9m water MLWS Captains Blog 9 Killybegs is the primary fishing port in Ireland with ever increasing commercial traffic e.g. Killybegs Town Walk 10 Cruise Liners.As such excellent support industries exist. General ship supplies, ship chalendry and ship repairs are available locally e.g boatyard Did you know? 11 facilities, electronics, hydraulic, engine repairs etc. Activities & Special Interest 11 Contact details 12 St. Johns Point 2 3 HALF DAY AND FULL DAY TOUR OPTIONS Full Day Sample Itinerary Half Day Sample Itinerary Gracious Glenveagh A Day In Yeats Country Maritime Tours Coastline Delightful Donegal Bay Wild Donegal & Donegal Town By Waterbus Glencolmcille ◆ Glenveagh Castle ◆ Enjoy The Yeats Trail ◆ Tailor made tours including Drumcliffe along the Donegal ◆ Donegal Castle ◆ Donegal Bay Waterbus ◆ Glencolmcille Folk ◆ Glenveagh National Park Cemetery Coast Line Village ◆ ◆ Franciscan Abbey Ruins ◆ Donegal Town Picturesque Devils Glen ◆ Sligo Town ◆ Scenic Drive – Malin Beg ◆ The Diamond to include Sliabh Liag Donegal Town some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe CWb_d>Z$ <WdWZ>Z$ MALIN BALLYLIFFEN Jeho CULDAFF GREENCASTLE CARNDONAGH PORTSTEWART PORTSALON MOVILLE DUNFANAGHY Leisurely Landscapes MEENLARAGH BUNCRANA N56 RATHMULLEN MILFORD ◆ Scenic drive – Dungloe N56 BURTONPORT GWEEDORE N13◆ Scenic drive – Crolly CROLLY GLENVEAGH DERRY 7hWdceh[ NATIONAL PARK ◆ Irish Pub & Traditional DUNGLOE Music LETTERKENNY DERRY DONEGAL LIFFORD GLENTIES N15 BALLYBOFEY STRANORLAR GLENCOLMCILLE ARDARA N56 MALINMORE DONEGAL TYRONE SLIABH LIAG KILLYBEGS Belleek Pottery & Donegal Town BALLYSHANNON ◆ Belleek Pottery Factory BUNDORAN & Showrooms BELLEEK ◆ Donegal Town ENNISKILLEN FERMANAGH SLIGO Fintra Bay 4 SLIGO MONAGHAN 5 LEITRIM CAVAN CAVAN Killybegs - Suggested Looped Walks A Well R A DA (395)M R R Tombs A TOWN DA 6 R WINDMILLS RESERVOIR 5 A TO N Fort (4kms): A Mass Rock & Countryside TO Tomb (3.5kms): A Megalithic Tomb, Stone Fort. Megalithic Tomb Scenic Costal Walk (Some Hills To Fort (8kms): A Climb) LOUGH CROCKNAFEOLA Mass Rock Windmills, Thatch Cottages (Steep) AROSHIN (8kms): B Old Church River, Lake & Forest (Off-Road In Parts) FAIAFANNON (200M) Kit’s Castle (3.5kms): B Small Bridge, River And Countryside St. Cathenine Well FIVE POINTS THE Countryside, Views Of Town, Boats & (7kms): B COMMONS Megalithic Tomb Piers, Tomb (Steep In Parts) L 3 WINDMILLS O 6 O 2 B H E R C AG * The above walks are unmarked and are essentially self-guided. We advise people S GAR that the routes are shared with traffic and to take appropriate care when walking and to be seen/wear high visable clothes etc. We also remind people to take MEENYHOOGHAN CARRICKNAGORE particular care especially where they cross national primary routes/busy roads. N 5 6 7 F D R A O A B O Starting Point A - Town Centre Starting Point B - Cornmons School R M L A CARNMORE D G O E HILL N N D E A O (116M) G O D A R T L H R CROWNARAD C A 6 C C O R MOUNTAIN U K N H W L (495M) C A I Y 5 N FINTRA S R263 R OL O SCHOOL D FIN TT A R RA ROAD D BEG A BOU FI T NTR FINTRA ROAD R O BE A ILLY K P A A I C L H K BRUCKLESS C H A PIERS R & S BINROE LIEV 1 E L LIFFS EAGUE C P GLENLEE LARGY FINTRAGH 10 11 P 8 2 BAY AD 9 Y PIER AST RO 3 CO SHALW RINN (50M) POINT ROSHIN CARNTULLAGH McSWYNE’S (80M) BAY COVE DRUMANOO 4 ROTTEN ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE SEA ANGLING DRUMANOO WHALES & HEAD DOLPHINS 6 7 .LOO\EHJVB0DSBYLQGG SLIABH LEAGUE TOP ATTRACTIONS CULTURAL CENTRE ENJOY SOME TIME AT (VISITOR CENTRE) THE CAPTAINS TABLE Ionad Cultúrach Sliabh Liag, Teelin, County Donegal BELLEEK POTTERY “As we approached the pilot station at Killybegs, I DONEGAL BAY www.sliabhleague.com VISITOR CENTRE WATERBUS. THE PIER, always recall the first time I brought the Saga Ruby www.belleek.ie Donegal Town The Cultural / Visitors Centre here back in 2006. At the time we were the biggest featuring Ti Linn, a unique Established in 1857 Belleek www.donegalbaywaterbus.com cruise ship to use the pier and the whole town turned Coffee shop and Craft Pottery is one of Ireland’s oldest Enjoy a trip around Donegal Gallery Tourist Information out to see us. So I am always warmed by the local and most historical potteries. The Bay with lively commentary Centre. Car and Coach hospitality and friendliness and I always enjoy Killybegs, building features a museum, tea from skipper Billy Bustard taking parking. Bus service to room, video theatre, showroom as I know we are going to be looked after well. in the sights of Donegal. Slieve League viewing point. and a guided tour of this unique As we sailed away, I gave three long blasts on the ships Archaeological Resource craft in production. It is also whistle to say farewell to the port until the next time and DONEGAL TOWN Unit. Craft Workshops, conference home to the world famous thank you for all their help. I took the ship close to Slieve Donegal Town is of great & seminar rooms. Hill walking, Belleek Fine Parian china. League Cliffs at the western extremities of the coast line. historical interest. Situated Archaeological Tours, Tourist Guide providers. Impressive cliffs to say the least and this was an area where DONEGAL CASTLE, at the point where the River Eske flows into Donegal Bay, the Sunderland and Catalina flying boats would practice Donegal Town KILLYBEGS The centrepiece of Donegal Town this bustling small town is still THE FOUR MASTERS, their target bombings in readiness for U boat hunting. In very popular and an ideal base LOOPED WALKS Donegal Town fact the cliffs are called “The Targets” by the locals.” is without a doubt O’Donnell’s – see map centre pages Castle better known as Donegal from which to explore the south The Four Masters are Captain Alistair McLundie, Rose Castle by the banks of the river and west of county Donegal. Explore any of the six looped walks commemorated in Donegal town by a 25ft monument of Eske. The castle was built by Hugh around Killybegs discovering the “The same warm welcome I received some three years Roe O’Donnell in 1474 when he beautiful area and deep history local stone. This monument ago was delivered by the local Killybegs tourist office. I also built the Franciscan Friary it has to offer. The walks vary in celebrates the names of the further down the river Eske.