Search

06 Sept 2025

Donegal pubs make it onto Lonely Planet list of 20 of the best in Ireland

Pubs in west and south Donegal recommended as among the best in the country

Two Donegal pubs make it onto Lonely Planet's top 20 list

The Rusty Mackerel, one of two Donegal pubs recommended by Lonely Planet

Two of Donegal's best-known pubs have made it onto the Lonely Planet’s list of 20 of the best pubs in Ireland.

With more than 7,000 pubs in the country, the Lonely Planet, which publishes travel guides and travel information, has published a list of 20 its writers recommend a visit to for “pints, music and the time of your life”.

The Rusty Mackerel in Teelin is recommended for serving fresh fish caught at night and delivered to their door every morning.
Close to the cliffs at Sliabh Liag, the pub has “the backdrop of some of the country's best scenery and attractions” and “serves up great drinks and mouth-watering seasonal food”.

The Lonely Planet also recommends visits to nearby Glencolmcille Folk Village and Silver Strand beach. 

Also recommended is Teach Hiúdaí Beag in Bunbeg. 

The bar is well known for traditional sessions every Monday and Friday night and attracts musicians from afar.

“The weekly traditional music sessions are legendary, and you can book to stay overnight in the guest house upstairs,” Lonely Planet says.

It also recommends a visit to some of Gaoth Dobhair's famous beaches, which are just a 10-minute walk away. 

To continue reading this article,
please subscribe and support local journalism!


Subscribing will allow you access to all of our premium content and archived articles.

Subscribe

To continue reading this article for FREE,
please kindly register and/or log in.


Registration is absolutely 100% FREE and will help us personalise your experience on our sites. You can also sign up to our carefully curated newsletter(s) to keep up to date with your latest local news!

Register / Login

Buy the e-paper of the Donegal Democrat, Donegal People's Press, Donegal Post and Inish Times here for instant access to Donegal's premier news titles.

Keep up with the latest news from Donegal with our daily newsletter featuring the most important stories of the day delivered to your inbox every evening at 5pm.