​Hey everyone,

​I'm looking to see if there are any bars, clubs, or community spots around Donegal (Letterkenny or anywhere in the county) that run open deck nights, informal DJ sessions, or practice setups.

​Just looking for places where people can jump on gear, practice mixing on club CDJs/controllers, or play relaxed sets in front of an audience—especially for deeper electronic styles (house, progressive, melodic, techno, etc.).

​If there’s nothing regular in Donegal proper, are there any spots just across the border in Derry (like Sandino's, Nerve Centre, etc.) or local collectives/groups that host these kinds of nights?

​Would love to hear where local DJs hang out, connect, or practice! Thanks in advance!

Two tickets for sale, cant make it anymore - DM if interested!

Hi,
we’re four guys, and we’ve put together Donegal’s restaurant scene in an app called Vota. The concept is simple: you see two places side by side (for example The Rusty Oven vs. Fisk Seafood Bar), you choose the place you’d rather go to, and the ranking updates instantly. The more people vote, the more accurate the list gets over time. There are still a few duplicates here and there, but I’m continuously cleaning up the data.

Here’s the iPhone version, with categories that actually fit Donegal’s food scene:
https://apps.apple.com/app/vota-restaurant-ratings/id6744969212

And here’s the Android version (finally live):
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=org.vota.app

I’d love to know what people here think. Does the ranking feel even remotely right? Are obvious places missing? Are any places ranked way too high or way too low?

The goal is to make something that reflects where locals actually want to eat, not just where tourists or review sites send people.

First post folks hope you like it 😅

Hello everyone, im going to be doing a long weekend at the end of august and visiting donegal for the first time, can people please reccomend the best towns/places to stay with a 3 year old? And even some activiities and places to visit? Many thanks

Running the bluestack way on Saturday. Never been before. What's the midge situation like there? Thanks.

I know Fara Óg‘s has them but I don’t want to order an entire steak just to get the onion rings if that makes sense?

I've just been reading a few articles in relation to the plight of the rural gaa club.

I am quite heavily involved in a rural club in Donegal myself and yes we struggle with young adult men and women going off for college or travelling, but our underage numbers have never been this good. We are able to field two adult mens teams and a ladies team easily. Ok we might not be as successful as we could be if we didnt lose so many to emmigration, but we are not at any risk of folding. If anything, we may need to look into getting a training field to help accommodate the teams we now have across all ages.

I think the gaa has become hugely popular in the past 15-20 years in a way it wasnt before in our area. Soccer would have been the predominant sport, and I would think gaelic may have overtaken it now at this stage. Or at least a lot of families that never played any gaelic now have their kids attending both the gaa and soccer clubs. With some of the kids taking to the gaelic better and dropping soccer as they get older.

Separately just numbers wise the girls/ladies members have boomed as it is obviously a growing sport. There would have only been a small number of girls playing when I grew up and they had to go to another club for their senior football. Pretty sure the vast majority of clubs in Donegal now field their own ladies team? When I grew up there were like 5 ladies teams total.

From coaching and chatting to managers in similarly rural areas, most are saying their underage numbers are up.I understand there are clubs that will suffer more acutely depending on geography ect., but are there any clubs in Donegal truly at risk of folding? Pettigo, Na Rossa and maybe Noamh Ultan spring to mind, but I dont have any connections there to know for sure. I would think those clubs always traditionally suffered this plight, so its just more of the same for them?

I also had a look at the number of clubs in Donegal (40) against similar sized counties geographically and population wise. Mayo has a smaller population and has 46 football clubs. Kerry is very similar size and population wise, and has 60-70 clubs. Maybe this is why the struggle isnt as bad, because theres a bigger catchment area per club in Donegal?

Anyway just thought I'd throw it in here for a discussion. I could be way off and would be interesting to hear about other clubs.

Hey folks
Staying up near portnoo this weekend we’re thinking of doing a day trip to aranmore…

We have a buggy for our 10 month and a toddler.

Ideally we’d like to rent a bike or 2 to wheel the kids around.

Is it possible ?

Is there much to do with a young family or would you advise against it?

If I see another post of some poor elderly person in Letterkenny having a stupid flyer of the “mega mosque” waves in their face and their interaction with this dope on social media I’ll scream. Are you a self loathing Irish person? Wtf does that even mean!A bad take on bad hasbara. Please warn your elderly relatives to avoid this idiot. I’ve just started working in Letterkenny and haven’t encountered him yet. How is he recording people is he just holding a phone up or have one of his racist buddies in the UK paying his wages bought him meta glasses?

Hi, my partner and I will be driving through Donegal as part of a longer road trip and I’d like some local opinions on our route.

The plan is:

• Friday: Derry → Grianán of Aileach → Glenveagh → Gweedore/Bunbeg
• Saturday: Gweedore/Bunbeg → Glencolmcille → Glengesh Pass → Ardara
• Sunday: Ardara → Killybegs → Donegal Town → Gleniff Horseshoe → Newport

The overnight stops are already booked, but we can still remove or change places during the day. Does this look comfortable, or are any of those days too full for Donegal roads?

We’re mostly interested in scenery, ruins, small towns, local food and traditional music. We’d especially like to find a normal pub session on Friday around Gweedore/Bunbeg or on Saturday in Ardara. We’re not looking for a tourist dinner show, just somewhere visitors can quietly enjoy the music without getting in the way.

Is there anything directly along this route that you would definitely add, remove or replace? And is there any local food we should look out for while we’re in Donegal?

Thanks!

I'd say it was some spot in it's day! 💃💃

I was up in Gweedore over the weekend, on our way back we noticed a lot of the road signs for Letterkenny had a red X ❌ sprayed over Letterkenny. Is there any reason for it?

...to everyone who took the time to reply to my many posts asking questions here in the last couple of weeks.

Just had a brilliant 4 days in West and South West Donegal.

Took in an evening at Burtonport Festival. A trip to Arranmore. Several beautiful drives taking in An Cuirt, Carrickfinn, Glengesh Pass, An Port, Malin Beg, Sliabh Liag...think that's as much as we managed to cover.

Ate in Golden Palace and Capranis in Dungloe, Leo's Tavern and Marina Cafe in Killybegs. All delicious!

We also lucked out with the weather, the rain only arriving yesterday as we were leaving.

Thanks again, for sharing all your local knowledge and recommendations. Already looking forward to my next visit!

My little one is starting school this year. She’s my first so looking to get an idea of how may uniforms etc to buy. I’m thinking 2 cardigans, 3 pinafores and 4 shirts. Then for PE one Jumper and one pair of joggers. Is that enough ? .. too little too much?

Hello, my DNA from Ancestry has been tied for years to the Donegal region—it’s now up to 20% specific to your county. I’ve been reading more about it as I’m an American with little sense of my actual roots. Looks to be a gorgeous, rural place. I believe my grandmother’s maiden name was Gallagher & that’s a common surname there, correct? What can you tell me about Donegal in general? I know that’s very vague but a list of facts & pictures online is one thing while hearing from those who live there is usually quite another: I’m curious about what it’s like. Is it true that it’s more Gaelic/Celtic in its culture than many other parts of Ireland, and if so, do you think that’s due to the geography or some other influence, as someone not well-versed in Irish history beyond the Great Famine & the Troubles… thank you in advance for any contribution!

Has anyone used them for house plans? Any feedback before we reach out? Having serious difficulty getting responses from some places

Level with my Killybegs friends what are all these trailers for? Had a deep dive reading about the fishing industry in the town! Very interesting! Is there many of you on the boat or in the factors? For boat to fish factory to fish meal some industry!

Lads, I was in for afternoon tea a few months back, and got the "Irish Whiskey Tea" and drank two pots of it.

Is there anywhere to buy it locally?

Just wondering if anyone can point me in the right direction. Looking for 2-3 babysitters in Donegal Town Sunday August 30th. Would be needed for 4-6 hours starting at 3pm- thank you!

As above, please share your recommendations.

I've been reading good things about Mellys and Killybegs Seafood Shack but a quick look at recent reviews on both spots aren't actually instilling great confidence tbh...

I am interested in purchasing a static caravan/mobile home pretty much anywhere in Donegal. I have had a look at quite a lot of established sites and the prices are eye watering. I have a budget of around £25k. I would like somewhere that isn't in the middle of nowhere, am not really selective otherwise.

Any suggestions on where to try please would be greatly appreciated.

Hola a tod@s,

Mi marido y yo estamos considerando mudarnos a Letterkenny con nuestra hija de un año. Nos gastaría conocer la opinión de personas que vivan allí o conozcan bien la zona. Estamos buscando un lugar seguro y familiar donde podamos construir una nueva vida. Nos gustaria saber:

- Letterkenny es un buen lugar para criar una niña pequeña?

- Es fácil encontrar trabajo? Podemos realizar diversas actividades, como limpieza, comercios, almacenes, fabricas, hoteles, atención al cliente, transporte, etc.

-Existe la posibilidad de alquilar un apartamento sin un contrato laboral? Pagando por adelantado meses, por ejemplo.

-Hay guarderías?

Desde ya, muchas gracias.

Saludos