Getting to Dunfanaghy
How to reach Dunfanaghy by train, ferry, bus, or car.
Train
Dunfanaghy has no railway station, and neither does anywhere else in Co. Donegal. The nearest Irish Rail station is Sligo, about 146 km away by road, at the end of the line from Dublin Connolly. Bus Feda links the two: its Galway service calls at Dunfanaghy's town square and at Sligo, where it stops on Markievicz Road, about 550 metres from the station, and the run from Dunfanaghy to Sligo takes about two and three-quarter hours. The station at Derry~Londonderry is closer on the map, about 69 km by road, but it is across the border in Northern Ireland and on a separate network, and this guide does not cover connections there. For most visitors coming from Dublin, the direct coach is simpler than any train.
- Nearest Station
- Sligo (Irish Rail), about 146 km by road
- Onward
- Bus Feda from Sligo, Markievicz Road (about 550 m from the station), to Dunfanaghy Town Square, about 2 hours 45 minutes. Bus Feda runs twice daily each way, with extra Friday and Sunday services; check its timetable
- Alternative
- McGinley Coach Travel's direct coach from Dublin city and Dublin Airport to Dunfanaghy Square, about 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours
Tips
- •Do not plan a rail-and-bus connection at Sligo without checking both timetables on the day: Bus Feda runs a handful of departures, not a frequent service.
- •There is no rail widget for Dunfanaghy because there is no station to show.
Useful Links
Tory Island ferry
The ferry to Tory Island, Toraigh, sails from Magheroarty pier, about 22 km west of Dunfanaghy by road. It is run by Realt na Maidne and the operator describes it as a passenger-only service, about 45 minutes each way, sailing all year subject to weather. Magheroarty pier is tidal, and the operator warns that sailings can be rescheduled or cancelled because of it, so it asks passengers to ring before travelling or check its free app. Times vary by date and are published on the operator's own timetable, not here. The Irish Free Travel Pass is accepted.
- Operator
- Tory Ferry (Realt na Maidne)
- Departs
- Magheroarty pier, about 22 km from Dunfanaghy
- Crossing
- About 45 minutes, passengers only
- Season
- All year, subject to weather and tide
Tips
- •Check the day's sailings on the operator's timetable or app before driving to Magheroarty.
- •Leave the car at the pier: there are no cars for visitors on Tory.
Useful Links
Coach and bus
Dunfanaghy is a coach village rather than a bus town: private operators run long-distance services through the Square on the N56, and there is no local town service. McGinley Coach Travel's route 932 runs between Crolly, Dunfanaghy, Letterkenny, Dublin Airport and Dublin city, with four departures from the Square on most days in its current timetable and about 50 minutes to Letterkenny; the northbound coach to Dublin runs via Lifford and Omagh. Bus Feda's Galway service calls at the Square twice a day in each direction, with extras on Fridays and Sundays, and runs via Letterkenny, Donegal Town, Bundoran, Sligo, Knock and Tuam. Fáilte Ireland's car-free guide also mentions a morning service to and from Letterkenny run by Mangan Tours. All of these stop at the Square, beside Market House.
- Stop
- The Square (Market Square), Dunfanaghy
- To Letterkenny
- About 50 minutes on McGinley route 932
- To Dublin
- McGinley route 932, about 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours to Dublin Airport
- To Galway
- Bus Feda, twice daily, via Letterkenny, Sligo and Knock
Tips
- •Book the coach online: both McGinley and Bus Feda guarantee a seat with a booking, and Bus Feda says booking online is also cheaper than paying on board.
- •Weekend timetables differ from weekday ones, so check the day you are travelling.
Driving
Dunfanaghy sits on the N56, the Wild Atlantic Way road round the north-west of Donegal, about 35 km from Letterkenny. Everything in this guide is a short drive: Killahoey car park about 1.3 km, Marble Hill and the Shandon about 6 to 7 km, Ards Forest Park about 9 km, Doe Castle about 14 km, Glenveagh National Park's visitor centre about 21 km and Magheroarty pier for the Tory ferry about 22 km. The Horn Head road is the exception: narrow, single-track in places and not suited to large vehicles. Parking in the village is on the Square and along Main Street, and free car parks sit beside Arnolds Hotel and at the Workhouse.
- From Letterkenny
- About 35 km on the N56, roughly 30 to 35 minutes
- From Donegal Airport
- About 42 km, roughly 40 minutes
- From Dublin
- About 266 km, roughly 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours, via Monaghan and Letterkenny
Tips
- •Horn Head's road is narrow with few passing places: drive it slowly.
From the Airport
Live options for reaching the village from the nearest airports. Times and fares are a guide and can change with traffic or operator schedules.
Donegal Airport (Carrickfinn)CFN
42 km away- Duration
- About 40 minutes
- Cost
- Car hire and fuel
Donegal Airport, Aerfort Dhún na nGall, is at Carrickfinn on the coast west of Dunfanaghy. Aer Lingus flies to and from Dublin (twice daily in the airport's current schedule) and Loganair flies to Glasgow. Car hire can be arranged through the airport.
- Duration
- About 40 minutes
- Cost
- Quoted when booked
The airport lists taxi and transfer firms on its own site. Book ahead.
Dublin AirportDUB
266 km away- Duration
- About 3 hours 45 minutes to 4 hours
- Cost
- Fares on McGinley's booking site
Direct coaches from the Coach Park (Zone 16) at Dublin Airport to Dunfanaghy Square several times a day; in the current timetable the 09:50 from the airport reaches Dunfanaghy at 13:35. Book online to guarantee a seat.
Operator: McGinley Coach Travel
- Duration
- About 3 hours 30 minutes to 4 hours
- Cost
- Fuel and car hire
The direct road route passes briefly through Northern Ireland between Monaghan and Lifford.
EV & Essentials
Practical infrastructure on the ground: charging, water, and accessibility facilities worth knowing about before you arrive.
Accessibility Facilities
Beach wheelchairs at Killahoey and Marble Hill
Accessibility facility · Killahoey Beach and Marble Hill Strand
Donegal County Council says all its 2026 Blue Flag beaches are wheelchair accessible and have beach wheelchairs available for public use.
The Workhouse
Ramp access · 1-6 Church Meadows, Dunfanaghy
The coffee shop, toilets, craft shop, cinema and part of the exhibition are on the ground floor, with a lift to the upper section of the exhibition, per the Workhouse's FAQ.
Parking
Parking options in and around Dunfanaghy. On busy weekends, arriving early is recommended.
Arnolds Hotel side car park, Main Street
Recorded as free public parking in OpenStreetMap; check signage on arrival.
The Workhouse car park
Beside the Workhouse at the western end of the village.
Killahoey Beach car park
A large car park at the end of the golf course road, with portable toilets, per Donegal County Council.
Ards Forest Park car park
Charge paid by card or app at the barrier; Coillte annual cards accepted. Open 08:00-21:00 April to September and 08:00-17:00 October to March.
Planning the wider trip?
Our country-level primer covers national rail, intercity buses, airports, the Leap Card, and whether you actually need a hire car for your trip around Ireland.
Getting Around Ireland →