New Year in Donegal

Johnplum

Hi folks - I'm new to the board and just after some advice about New Year over there. We're from Scotland and were thinking about doing something different for a wee Hogmanay change, so we're considering jumping onto a flight and heading across to the West coast of Ireland somewhere. Thought I'd start with Donegal.

So basically I'm just after a few tips on what it'll be like at that time of year. Thinking in particular of nightlife, pubs/clubs, any parties or events that may be laid on, accommodation (not too expensive), sightseeing (hangover dependent) and anything else you can recommend. We'd be there from Dec 31st till Jan 3rd/4th in all likelihood.

Cheers in advance. John

Local-womanizer

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056230453

That link will help.

There is usually loads on. And Donegal has plenty of sights. But a car would be essential for sightseeing the best Donegal has to offer.

Just don't plan to much travel in advance as the snow could put an end to that, only main roads are treated here during the bad weather.

With regards night-life I suppose it depends on what you are looking for, young or older crowd, nightclub or a pub.

As far as accommodation I wouldn't have a clue, I know enough people about the county so I have no need to lodge in a hotel or B&B!

Any idea on where you plan to go in Donegal would help too, just to narrow things down a bit.

overshoot

seeing as nightlife is brought in i may as well flog Donegal Town. Goats Don't Shave are playing the Abbey Hotel on the first of january... best known for the song Las Vegas in the Hills of Donegal. (if you have been out in ireland before ya have probably heard it) They will be having discos/bands/both every night (and probably 1000+ through the doors on the big nights), along with most pubs around the town. (every town in the country will at least have a pub with a band)
Hotels you can pick from The Abbey (only if your there for a session every night), the Central (both right in the centre) or the Mill Park less than 5 minutes walk. the other 2 HarveysPoint & Solis will be more expensive plus you start adding taxis. but they do have a nice lakeside location if you do want to go walking. & also their own events which would be quiter than the abbey. (5e a pint though!)
a few beaches within about 15minutes drive(i know its new year), there is also bluestack walks and half a hours drive or so slieve league would be another one (600m cliffs, 3x the height of the more famous cliffs of Moher). There is the old O'Donnell castle in the town too

Johnplum

Thanks for the replies guys - very useful. We'd probably stick to Donegal Town to be honest, as it looks as though that will be quite lively. We're just looking for a couple of good sessions, so bands and discos will be right up our street. Anywhere that will be jumping will suit us down to the ground.

We'll probably play the sightseeing thing by ear to be honest as we'll hopefully be having such a good time in the town that we won't want to go too far. Here's hoping anyway If there is a decent service we might jump on a bus one day and go exploring, maybe somewhere out to the coast to clear the head. We're both from the Outer Hebrides up in North West Scotland, so well used to biting winds and pouring rain which I'm sure you'll have plenty of at that time of year.

Away to check out hotel prices now. Thanks again!

cosanostra

You have the option of a direct flight from Glasgow into Donegal (Carrickfinn) which is in west Donegal http://www.flybe.com/

Local hotels include http://www.caisleainoir.ie/ in Annagry , http://www.gweedorecourthotel.com/ (an chuirt) in Gweedore
http://www.teacjack.com/ in Glassagh gweedore area

There are others but these are the ones i'd reccomend

Nightlife- its always buzzing in Gweedore at New year pubs include Sean ogs https://www.facebook.com/seanogs good lively bar Seaview lounge https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000962859414 nice modern bar and Hudai beags http://www.tradcentre.com/hiudaibeag/ a must if your into your irish trad music

Nightclubs https://www.facebook.com/TheDodgeGD decent enough nightclub with two rooms downstairs mainly dance rnb and upstairs for a bit of an older crowd with cheesy type music

You could probably get away without car hire if you weren't doing any sightseeing there is tonnes of taxis in the area

denis_pf

Johnplum wrote: »

Hi folks - I'm new to the board and just after some advice about New Year over there. We're from Scotland and were thinking about doing something different for a wee Hogmanay change, so we're considering jumping onto a flight and heading across to the West coast of Ireland somewhere. Thought I'd start with Donegal.

So basically I'm just after a few tips on what it'll be like at that time of year. Thinking in particular of nightlife, pubs/clubs, any parties or events that may be laid on, accommodation (not too expensive), sightseeing (hangover dependent) and anything else you can recommend. We'd be there from Dec 31st till Jan 3rd/4th in all likelihood.

Cheers in advance. John

To follow on with the great response from cosanostra where he mentioned Gweendore.
We were there over the summer. I can imagine it will be beautiful over the new year.

Make sure you try the Glenveagh National Park www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie. It is breathtaking and you mentioned low cost accommodation. We stayed a few miles away from the park at The lagoon in Termon. www.thelagoon.ie . They did amazing steaks and staff there told us about the area.
As you only have a few days, I don't think its worth moving too far but you can head back to letterkenny and try Donegal Town . You pass the gap and dont forget a pint at Biddys bar.

The people up there are great. Dont forget to leave a response here and tell us how you got on. Enjoy.