Culdaff Village
Culdaff Village is an ideal base for touring Inishowen, Donegal and the spectacular Causway Coast and Northern Ireland. Daytrips are possible to Doagh Famine Village, Glenveagh National Park, Dunlewey and The Glebe Gallery and many other attractions that Donegal has to offer. The Giants Causeway, Bushmills Distillery and the Historic Walled City of Derry are but a short journey by road or The Foyle Ferry between Greencastle and Magilligan.
The village of Culdaff is situated in the most northerly region of Ireland, the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal. An area of outstanding beauty and steeped in history, the picturesque village is set around the village green and pump-house. Dating back to the 8th. century the present village was originally the site of the monastery of St. Buadan.
The present day Church of Ireland stands on the foundations of the old monastic church and the ancient graveyard of Ardmore (opposite McGrory’s) was also part of the same site.
The village is set on the banks of the Culdaff River which is crossed by two stone bridges that mark the location of the ancient fords that gave Culdaff its name (in Gaelic, Culdaff is “Cul da Ath”, corner of the two fords.)
Culdaff has a population of approx. 200 people; contains three pubs, two shops, a hardware store and a post office (for those of a mathematical nature, that’s pretty much one pub to every 66 people!) Free from traffic jams with no such thing as a “rush hour”, except at closing time, Culdaff is a ideal place to switch off and relax.
Culdaff Beach
One of the most beautiful beaches in Ireland, the golden sands and pure water enthral all who visit whether for buckets and spades of the summer or the crashing waves of winter storms. This Blue Flag beach is extremely popular for bathers as the waters are both safe and clean and overseen by lifeguards during the summer months.
It is also becoming a popular centre for rock climbing, canoeing, surfing and shore angling and people come from all over just to walk along the beautiful golden sands of the “Long Strand”.
There is a newly upgraded children’s playground at the beach and there are good car parking facilities also. Culdaff Beach commands views of the Inishowen coastline and on a clear day, if your luck’s in, the Isles of Scotland.
Culdaff Beach was listed number 8 in a survey of Europe’s Top 50 Beaches in The Independent (U.K.).
Culdaff River & Estuary
Culdaff River is noted for its Salmon and Trout fishing. A free flowing river, its short course runs from Croc na Nonin and Drumley over the limestone of Gleneely through Baskill and Carrowmore and onwards through bogland at Cloncha Moss right down to the village of Culdaff and the estuary which flows into the sea at Culdaff Bay. The tidal estuary is a haven for birds and wildlife with many species visible throughout the year.
Bunagee Harbour
Bunagee Harbour is set at the north end of Culdaff Bay and was formerly a Coastguard and Lifeboat Station. An admiralty recommended anchorage point, it is used extensively by local fishermen and boating and water sports enthusiasts. Commercial fishing at Bunagee is mainly for crab, lobster and whelks with the Old Lifeboat House converted into a live storage facility. Regular exports occur from here to mainland Europe.
Sea angling is also a popular activity with one licensed registered charter vessel. “The Barracuda” (operated by Inishowen Boating) available for hire with wreck fishing in the unspoilt fishing grounds off the North Inishowen coast line a speciality.
These wrecks also offer divers wonderful opportunities for exciting and adventurous dives.
