Bunbeg Beach

Located near the town of Bunbeg in Gweedore, County Donegal, in the northwest of Ireland, Bunbeg Beach - also known as Tra na Bona and Magheraclogher Beach- is a small but wide beige sand beach with few rocky portions.  The beach is positioned at the mouth of the Gweedore River on Donegal’s rugged Atlantic coast and has a beautiful background of sand dunes, hidden coves, boulders, streams, and coastal vegetation, which offers stunning views of Torglass Island, Gola Island, Mount Errigal, and the vast Atlantic Ocean.  The beach name "Bunbeg" translates to "the small river mouth" in Irish, referring to the beach's position at the mouth of the Clady River.  On the southwest end of Bunbeg Beach, the Clady River drains into the Crolly River near Bunbeg Quay.  The beach and its surrounding areas are home to a variety of wildlife, including seabirds, marine life, and dune flora. This beach is part of the designated Special Areas of Conservation (SAC), protecting its natural habitats and species.

The beach is renowned for the iconic shipwreck of the Bad Eddie. This fishing boat, originally built in Brittany, France, called Cara Na Mara (Friend of the Sea), was bought by local fisherman Eddie Gillespie. It came ashore for minor repairs and remained there for unknown reasons in 1977. The wreck retains its allure and mystery despite its rust and deterioration. It has since become an iconic landmark and a popular subject for photographers.

Bunbeg Beach, Donegal does not have lifeguards but offers many other amenities, except restrooms and picnic areas.

Bunbeg Beach is a family-friendly beach that offers many fun activities, including swimming, sunbathing, beachcombing, surfing, watching birds, fishing, hiking, rockpooling, picnicking, and photography.  The beach has a safe swimming area, but we recommend being cautious as the water is known to have unpredictable rip currents.  If you enjoy rockpooling, the beach opens up into a wide expanse of hidden coves, rock pools, and streams at low tide, offering endless opportunities for exploring and observing rich marine life.  Anglers may catch a wide variety of fish.   If you like surfing, Bunbeg Beach is an ideal spot to go surfing due to the frequent windy weather.  Hikers can enjoy the nearby hiking trails, which offer unique insights into the local biodiversity.   The beach also hosts several cultural and music festivals throughout the year, celebrating local traditions and Irish heritage.  Bunbeg is part of the Gaeltacht, a region in Ireland where the Irish language and culture are actively preserved and promoted.  The beach is a beloved spot for locals, who often participate in community clean-ups and conservation efforts to maintain its natural beauty.  Dogs are allowed if they are on a leash, and the beach is open from sunrise until sunset.

Bunbeg Beach offers an access path for people with disabilities.

Getting to Bunbeg Beach is easy - the beach has many parking spots located at 6 Strand Road, which provides easy access to the beach.  It is worth noting that visitors can drive onto the beach, but only at low tide.

Interestingly, the Bunbeg Beach shipwreck was featured in the famous music video "In a Lifetime" by Bono and Clannad.  The song "Left in Peace" from Héritage des Celtes' album "Finisterres" also makes reference to it.

The wreck once appeared in a photo shoot for the renowned Vogue magazine. Also, the popular author Michael Moore revealed that the Bunbeg Beach boat wreck inspired him to complete his book "Dude, Where's My Country."

There are many attractions near Bunbeg Beach.  Glenveagh National Park is spread over 16,540 hectares and is home to a diverse landscape that includes mountains, lakes, glens, and woods.  In addition, it is home to Glenveagh Castle, a 19th-century mansion built in 1873 and surrounded by beautiful gardens with a wide variety of exotic plants and flower beds.  The park also has a visitor center that provides interesting information on the park’s history, wildlife, and guided tours of the castle.  Poison Glen is located at the foothills of Mount Errigal, the highest peak in County Donegal.  This viewpoint is known for its breathtaking views of its rugged landscapes, serene lakes, and dramatic mountain views.  Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including hiking, boat tours, and photography.  

Dunlewey Centre is a family-friendly recreational area that offers a range of activities and experiences that highlight the natural beauty, culture, and heritage of the area, including exhibits on traditional Irish crafts, music, and folklore.  Visitors can enjoy many fun activities, including craft workshops, walking trails, horse rides, and boat trips on Dunlewey Lough.  It also hosts various events and festivals throughout the year, celebrating local culture, music, and traditions with live performances.  Errigal View Pet Zoo is home to a variety of farm animals, including sheep, goats, pigs, ponies, rabbits, and birds.  Visitors can enjoy interactive petting and feeding sessions and learn about the animals, their habitats, and their care.  In addition, it also has a playground, an indoor play area for kids, picnic areas, restrooms, and a small snack bar where visitors can relax and enjoy refreshments.  If you are looking for another nearby attraction, Donegal Castle was built in the 15th century in Gaelic and Jacobean architectural styles by the O'Donnell clan.  Visitors can take guided tours that provide a fascinating glimpse into Ireland's past, with its well-preserved architecture and engaging historical narratives.  It also hosts various cultural events, including traditional music performances, historical reenactments, and seasonal celebrations.

If you get hungry, there are many great restaurants within an eight-minute drive of Bunbeg Beach.  Fara Og’s Bar & Restaurant serves salads, wraps, burgers, pasta, seafood, steaks, meat, and poultry dishes.  The Lobster Pot serves amazing seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Caprinis Restaurant serves salads, fish and chips, sandwiches, pasta, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  Bridge Inn Dungloe is a traditional Irish pub that serves delicious soups, salads, steaks, sandwiches, burgers, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.  If you are looking for another affordable nearby restaurant, Donegal Boardwalk Bar & Restaurant serves eggs, pancakes, soups, salads, pasta, burgers, beef, seafood, meat, and poultry dishes.

If you are looking for a nearby Bunbeg Beach, there are many great options nearby.  If you are looking for an upscale hotel, the 4-Star An Chuirt Hotel Gweedore is nine minutes away by car and offers many amenities, including an outdoor pool with a health club, a spa, steam rooms, saunas, a hot tub, a massage room, a bar, a carvery, and two restaurants.  A more affordable option is the 4-Star Waterfront Hotel, which offers several amenities, including an outdoor pool, a restaurant, and complimentary breakfast.  Another moderately priced option is the 4-Star Shandon Hotel & Spa, which has several amenities, including an indoor pool, a spa, a sauna, a fitness center, and a restaurant.   A more reasonably priced option is the Bunbeg House, which offers a few amenities, including free wifi and a restaurant.  If you are looking for another good and affordable nearby hotel, Caisleain Oir Hotel offers a few amenities, including a restaurant and complimentary breakfast.