Discover Dunfanaghy
A north Donegal village of strands and headlands on Sheephaven Bay, under Horn Head
A village of strands and a headland, on Sheephaven Bay
Dunfanaghy, Dún Fionnachaidh in Irish, is one main street and a square at the head of a small bay off Sheephaven. Horn Head, Corrán Binne, fills the view to the north, with quartzite cliffs the National Parks and Wildlife Service records at up to 207 metres and a protected seabird colony. Killahoey strand starts at the end of the village, Marble Hill is six kilometres east past Port na Bláiche, and Tramore Beach under Horn Head is reached only on foot.
At the other end of Main Street is the workhouse that opened in June 1845 and held 481 people by 1851; it is now a Famine heritage centre built around Wee Hannah Herrity's story. Across the bay is Doe Castle, the MacSweeney stronghold, and a short drive west is the Cloughaneely Gaeltacht and the pier at Magheroarty for the Tory ferry.
What's On
Upcoming events and things happening in Dunfanaghy
Writers' Weekend with Alf McCreary at Arnolds Hotel
A residential writing weekend at Arnolds Hotel, 13 to 15 November 2026, led by Alf McCreary. €370 per person sharing, with two nights, meals and tuition.
Christmas Arts and Crafts Fayre at the Shandon
A one-day Christmas fair of local crafters and artists at the Shandon Hotel, Sunday 15 November 2026, 11:00 to 16:00.
Santa Sunday Lunch at the Shandon
Christmas family lunches with Santa at the Shandon Hotel on 6, 13 and 20 December 2026, plus a sensory-friendly Silent Santa Lunch on 29 November.
Dunfanaghy Right Now
Dunfanaghy is a coastal village with an exposed headland on its doorstep: pack a windproof layer even in summer, and boots for Horn Head, where the moorland is wet most of the year. If the top of Horn Head is in cloud from the Square, save the walk for another day.
Where To Eat
From fine dining to casual favourites
Arnolds Hotel Restaurant and Whiskey Fly Bar
The family-run hotel kitchen on Main Street, cooking Sheephaven Bay seafood and Horn Head lamb, with dinner in the restaurant in season and in the Whiskey Fly Bar when it is closed.
The Rusty Oven
Wood-fired sourdough pizza in the courtyard behind Patsy Dan's pub. Often full, with opening days that vary, so check and plan ahead.
Muck 'n' Muffins
A café above a working pottery on the Square: homemade soup, toasties and baked potatoes upstairs, the sisters' own ceramics downstairs.