Mulroy DriveCo. Donegal
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Sunlight on a sandy cove and green headland at Melmore, Rosguill, Co. Donegal

Co. Donegal · Wild Atlantic Way

Experience the beauty ofMulroy Drive

A 35km circular route around Mulroy Bay, joining the Fanad and Rosguill peninsulas. Beaches, castles, holy wells and the long water views Donegal is known for - all within an easy afternoon.

Explore the route Visitor guide

Welcome

A short detour that turns into the best part of the trip

Mulroy Bay is a long, sheltered sea inlet on Donegal's northern coast - an area of remarkable unspoilt beauty, and one most visitors drive straight past on their way along the Wild Atlantic Way.

Take the turn. In 35km you can circle the whole bay by car or by bike, taking in history, heritage and the idyllic views of inshore waterways, vaulted hill views and stunning scenery that Donegal is renowned for. Fanad Lighthouse, Ballymastocker Bay and the Rosguill peninsula are all a short run from the loop.

See the route Find a bed
The Harry Blaney Bridge crossing the narrows of Mulroy Bay, Co. Donegal
35km
Circular route
2
Peninsulas joined
8
Beaches nearby
~1hr
Without stopping

The route

Six stops around the bay

The loop runs from Milford at the head of the bay, north along the Fanad shore, across the Harry Blaney Bridge, and back down the western side.

Schematic map of the Mulroy Drive loop A simplified diagram of the 35km circular route around Mulroy Bay. The bay is drawn as a narrow sea inlet running in from the Atlantic at the top. The route starts at Milford at the head of the bay, runs north up the east shore through Kerrykeel and Leatbeg, crosses the water on the Harry Blaney Bridge, then returns south down the west shore through Cranford and Carrick to Milford. Dashed lines show detours to Carrigart and Downings, Fanad Lighthouse, and Portsalon and Rathmullan. ↑ to the Atlantic Carrigart / Downings Fanad Lighthouse Portsalon / Rathmullan Mulroy Bay Milford start / finish Kerrykeel east shore Leatbeg Fanad shore Harry Blaney Bridge the crossing Cranford west shore Carrick woods & shore

Schematic - simplified and not to scale. Use a road map or satnav for navigation.

1
Milford
Head of Mulroy Bay
2
Kerrykeel
East shore
3
Leatbeg & the Fanad shore
Northbound
4
Harry Blaney Bridge
The crossing
5
Cranford
West shore
6
Carrick & Woodquarter
Homeward
Full route guide

Explore

Everything along the Drive

Where to stay, what to do, and where to eat and drink around Mulroy Bay.

Places to Stay along the Mulroy Drive
01

Places to Stay

Hotels, guesthouses, cottages and campsites, from links resorts to a lighthouse keeper's house.

Places to Stay
The Great Outdoors along the Mulroy Drive
02

The Great Outdoors

Beaches, woodland trails, sea kayaking, links golf and an alpaca farm above the bay.

The Great Outdoors
Dining Out along the Mulroy Drive
03

Dining Out

Chowder at the harbour, a fry after a swim, and proper dinner when the day is done.

Dining Out
Night Out along the Mulroy Drive
04

Night Out

Trad sessions, quiet pints by the fire, and the pubs that keep the craic going.

Night Out
History and Heritage along the Mulroy Drive
05

History & Heritage

Ancient sites, holy wells, mass rocks, castles, and the wreck of the SS Laurentic.

History & Heritage
Events and Festivals along the Mulroy Drive
06

Events & Festivals

Village festivals, the Donegal Rally, and the Earagail Arts Festival each July.

Events & Festivals

Don't miss

Four that are worth the detour

None of these are on the loop itself. All four are within half an hour of it.

The crossing Harry Blaney Bridge, The crossing, Co. Donegal

Harry Blaney Bridge

Opened in 2009, the bridge over the Mulroy narrows joined the Fanad and Rosguill peninsulas by road for the first time - and turned two dead-end runs into one circular drive.

Rosguill Melmore Head, Rosguill, Co. Donegal

Melmore Head

Right at the top of the Rosguill peninsula, where the road runs out and the Atlantic takes over. Boyeeghter Bay - the Murder Hole - is a walk away over the dunes.

Fanad Ballyhiernan Bay, Fanad, Co. Donegal

Ballyhiernan Bay

A wide, quiet strand on the Fanad side, usually empty even in August. Firm sand, big skies, and the dunes at your back.

Churchill Glenveagh National Park, Churchill, Co. Donegal

Glenveagh National Park

Half an hour inland: 16,000 hectares of mountain and lough, a Victorian castle, and gardens that shouldn't work at this latitude but do.

Performers at the Earagail Arts Festival in Co. Donegal

What's on

The summer calendar

Every village around the bay runs its own festival week, and the county-wide Earagail Arts Festival brings music, theatre and circus to venues from Letterkenny to the Gaeltacht each July.

JulAnnual

Lennon Festival

Music, family days and river events in one of Donegal's prettiest Georgian villages.

Ramelton

JulAnnual

The Carrigart Fest

A village weekend of music, sport and street entertainment on the Rosguill road.

Carrigart

JulAnnual

Earagail Arts Festival

Two weeks of music, theatre, circus and visual art, from outdoor concerts to Gaeltacht storytelling.

County-wide

AugAnnual

Downings Music Festival

Live music across the village bars and marquee, right at the top of Rosguill.

Downings

Full events calendar
Aerial view of the Donegal coastline near Mulroy Bay

Come for the view. Stay for the week.

The visitor guide covers the whole route, with places to stay, eat and explore along the way.

Read the visitor guidePlan the route