Beaches

The Kincasslagh area is renowned for both the quantity and quality of the local beaches. The beach below the hotel is easily accessible by foot and is perfect for a leisurely stroll.

Cruit Island – located only 500m from the hotel and is accessible by bridge - Is one of Ireland’s hidden gems with over twenty unspoilt white sandy beaches dotted long the island coastline. A visit to Cruit is a must when staying at Carey’s Viking House Hotel.

Carrickfinn Beach – only 5km from the hotel - is regarded as one of Ireland’s finest beaches with over 1km of soft white sand. The beach holds “Blue Flag” status meaning that it meets the highest cleanliness and water quality standards, and is certainly worth a visit.

Golf

Cruit Island Golf Club is widely considered one of the best 9-hole golf courses in the world (as acknowledged by renowned golf publication Golf Digest) . Located only 3km from the hotel, Cruit Island Golf Club offers some of the most scenic and challenging holes that you may ever encounter. A must visit for any golf enthusiast.

Other superb golf-courses at Narin/Portnoo, Donegal, Gaoth Dobhair, Rossapenna, Portsalon, and Ballyliffin – home to the 2018 Irish Open - are all contained within this Northern Headlands section of the Wild Atlantic Way. Carey’s Viking House offers the perfect base to explore all of these golfing marvels.

Atlantic Sea-Angling and Coastal Cruises

The coastline around Kincasslagh is a haven for both river/lake and sea-anglers. Fishing gear and permits (where they are required) can be bought/rented locally.

Sea-angling trips depart Kincasslagh pier daily onboard the beautiful MV Caitlin Maire and can be booked through Saoire Mara Charters. Under the knowledge of local skipper Paul McGonagle you can experience some top-quality sea angling with species including Mackerel, Pollock, Coalie, Cod, Ling, Cuckoo Wrasse, Red Gurnard, Whiting, Haddock, Bluemouth and Octapus – to name but a few - all to be caught.

Daily sightseeing boat trips around the beautifully rugged and unspoilt coastline and islands of this area are also available onboard the Caitlin Marie.

Sea-Angling and Coastal Cruises can be arranged either directly through the hotel or by contacting Saoire Mara Charters using their website.

Local History

The local area has a vast depth of history just waiting to be discovered.

Within a 5km radius of the hotel you can visit - amongst others - :

• the site of the 14th Century Dungloe Castle of the MacSweeney Clan at Cloughlass;
• the Martello Tower at Kincasslagh which was built in 1798 as part of a system along the Irish coast to act as a warning system against a possible French invasion;
• Relig Cill Bhride (Cruit Island Graveyard) within which lies the remains of servicemen – and an Italian Prisoner of War - killed during maritime conflict off the Donegal coast during WWII; and
• Ballymanus Mine Disaster Memorial which commemorates the lives of 19 young local men who were tragically killed by a WWII mine that washed ashore in 1943.

Historical tours can be booked directly through the hotel in advance.

Rock-Climbing

The experts at Unique Ascent have explored and developed rock-climbing at Cruit Island making it into one of the most developed rock-climbing locations in Ireland, with over 300 recorded rock climbs making.

Unique Ascent offer an opportunity for people of all abilities to visit and climb in places of outstanding natural beauty where solitude and a truly great outdoor experience is guaranteed and offer a full range of experiences, courses and holidays with the goal of maximizing your potential and knowledge by building on your previous experience and knowledge.

Day-trips

The Islands
Arranmore and Tory Islands are two of Ireland’s most inhabited off-shore island and are easily accessible by ferry boat. Carey’s Viking House is the perfect base to arrange a trip to either Arranmore – with its famous lighthouse, Irish College, and fine hostelries – or Tory Island – where you can meet the King of Tory himself and Duggie the Dolphin.

The Poisoned Glen and Errigal Mountain
Within a 20 minute drive is the beautiful Poisoned Glen and Errigal Mountain which will undoubtedly take your breath away with its stunning scenery and ancient history. Ionad Cois Locha Centre is the perfect place to visit when exploring this region as it provides a detailed history of the area and its culture as well as boat-trips on Dunlewy Lake and many indoor and outdoor activities for children.

Glenveagh National Park
Glenveagh National Park is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains, pristine lakes, tumbling waterfalls and enchanted native oak woodland in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains in the north west of County Donegal.

At the centre of the Park on the edge of Lough Veagh is Glenveagh Castle, a late 19th century castellated mansion, built as a hunting lodge.

Glenveagh was recently described by National Geographic as being “Literally heaven on earth, peaceful, beautiful, charming and historical”. Enough said. A must-see when staying at Carey’s Viking House Hotel.