Ballyliffin & District
Located against the backdrop of the hills of the Inishowen peninsula in North West Donegal, the village of Ballyliffin is a place of great natural beauty where visitors can enjoy panoramic views of Glashedy Island and the Atlantic Ocean, with its waves breaking on the sands of Pollan strand.
A bustling market place in medieval times, today the village is a popular seaside resort, renowned for its golf courses, spectacular scenery, high quality accommodation, a relaxed atmosphere and as an ideal touring base.
Ballyliffin has four outstanding hotels, providing a range of modern facilities for all ages and a choice of gourmet dining. Over 400 couples select Ballyliffin yearly as their wedding venue; no wonder the village has acquired fame as “The Gretna Green of the Emerald Isle”. Hospitable B and Bs and superbly appointed self-catering establishments are also available.
The village is a haven for golfers who can play two magnificent links courses, carved out of the landscape of the dunes and associated with Nick Faldo, nestled between the dark hills of the Inishowen peninsula and the golden Pollan sands.
Discover the hidden secrets of Irish history on a guided tour of Doagh Island’s Famine Village with its traditional thatched, white-washed cottages, folk museum, “Wake House” and other attractions ; this is a history lesson you are guaranteed to enjoy. In November and December, the place is transformed into Santa’s Kingdom, evoking an unforgettable experience of a children’s wonderland at Christmas.
Children can also indulge themselves in the eco-friendly play area near the beach, designated as Ireland’s first no-smoking playground while adults have a relaxing spa treatment, or enjoy the swimming pool or gym. The pool is ideal for children. Nature lovers can sample some the pleasures of rural living and admire the wildlife of the area by following our graded countryside walks, along the sand dunes or across heather-clad hillsides, close to dozens of archaeological sites, some of which offer superb examples of primitive rock art.
The village provides all the amenities of a small town : two supermarkets with delis, beauty theapy, an art gallery, petrol stations, post office, ATM machine, auto garage, hairdresser, broadband and a small church. Nearby, there are picturesque towns and villages with unique character – the post-Plantation villages of Malin and Culdaff, the market towns of Buncrana and Carndonagh; Greencastle is a fishing village with a car ferry to Northern Ireland and a maritime museum while Moville once enjoyed a period of fame as an emigrant centre. Further distant, Letterkenny and Derry City offer central shopping areas. Alternatively, why not hire a bike, visit an equestrian centre, browse in a tweed and craft shop or drop into an art gallery, pottery, or artists’ studio in the district.
For that special holiday experience, come and see Ballyliffin for yourself. We hope you enjoy it.