Holiday rentals in Rathmullan

The peaceful village of Rathmullan sits on the western banks of glacial fjord Lough Swilly in County Donegal in the north of Ireland. Rolling green vales and dramatic mountains form the backdrop to this village on the Fanad Peninsula, with Knockalla Mountain rising majestically to the north.

The tranquillity of Rathmullan today belies its significance in Irish history — this was the site of the pivotal Flight of the Earls at the beginning of the 17th century, when two prominent noblemen and established aristocratic families went into permanent exile. The event is commemorated with a statue on the shore. The town’s past can also be traced through the ruins of the Rathmullan Priory and Rathmullan Fort, standing guard on the shore.

In recent years, this small community has become a popular seaside resort, boasting three kilometres of sandy beach lined with trees. Sunbathers look out across Lough Swilly, the Lake of Shadows, to Buncrana and Inch Island, while windsurfing and mini-golf are also on offer. A pier stretches out into the water, where anglers try their luck for ray in the evenings and ferries transport cars and passengers across the water to Buncrana during the summer months.

Rathmullan is around 15 minutes from the rugged North Atlantic Coast, so from the autumn to the spring, the village can experience strong winds and prolonged periods of heavy rain that blow in from the Atlantic Ocean. As the summer months approach, the days get longer and temperatures begin to rise, although there is always the chance of an Irish shower. July and August are when the village is at its busiest, but the vast expanse of beach means that you always have room to roam. There’s a popular three-day regatta in August that has been held for almost 200 years. Visitors flock to the village to see a host of different events on the water during this time, including the Parade of the Boats.

Rathmullan Wood Nature Reserve

Around a 30-minute walk from the centre of Rathmullan village, a one-kilometre walking loop will give you a taster of what the 33 hectares of National Nature Reserve Rathmullan Wood have to offer. The site is home to a beech plantation and mixed native woodland, where you can spot ravens and sparrowhawks overhead and bilberries, hard ferns, and bluebells on the ground.

Rathmullan Priory

The ivy-clad ruins of Rathmullan Priory sit on the outskirts of the town overlooking the sea. Dating back to the beginning of the 16th century, the site has a chequered history, from its time as a priory used by Carmelite monks to its later incarnations as a barracks, a castle, and a private residence.

Ballymastocker Bay

Voted one of the best beaches in the world, Portsalon Beach on Ballymastocker Bay is around a 25-minute drive north of Rathmullan along the Wild Atlantic Way. This sheltered beach boasts a mile of white sand, with countryside behind it and views across the fjord of Lough Swilly to the Inishowen Peninsula. Lifeguards are on duty between June and September.