Ballybofey hotels

Hotels in Ballybofey

Renowned for its annual Twin Towns Festival and thriving arts scene, Ballybofey is a scenic County Donegal town just a short journey from the spectacular coastline of northwest Ireland.

History

Near to Ballybofey is the historic church of Drumboe Abbey, which has been a place of worship since the early Middle Ages, perhaps even as far back as the 6th century, when Christianity had spread throughout Ireland. The town is also close to the site of the old Glenmore Estate, which was once a grand Georgian country house, although the building was removed near the end of the 20th century and converted into a sporting estate.

The Twin Towns Festival

The highlight of the local calendar, the Twin Towns Festival takes place each summer and is shared with Ballybofey's twin town, Stranorlar. In the past, the event has included a crazy boat race, a special 'Finn Valley's Got Talent' competition, a parade, a fair, and plenty of other fun-packed activities.

Balor Arts Centre

Opened as Butt Hall in 1959, the Balor Arts Centre organises numerous festivals and productions throughout the year, and has expanded rapidly over the decades. The venue also organises various theatrical and musical performances, and markets itself as County Donegal's youngest purpose-built arts centre and the county's oldest theatre in continuous operation. The centre is near one of the most popular Ballybofey hotels, the Villa Rose Hotel & V-Spa, a deluxe 4-star boutique venue with dozens of immaculate rooms and a fantastic À La Carte restaurant.

Day trip suggestions

For some breathtaking scenery, explore the nearby Bluestack Mountain range, which is overlooked by the 674-metre high Croaghgorm mountain and the 671-metre high Lavagh More. Visit the ruins of enchanting Donegal Castle, which dates back to the 15th century and was the home of the wealthy Brooke family until the site fell into abandonment by the 18th century.

For more outstanding scenery, spend some time to tour the North Donegal coast, which features the dramatic cliffs of Horn Head, stunning white sandy beaches, and one of the Ireland's great driving routes, the Atlantic Drive. If you have time, you could also consider a day trip to Lough Erne, one of the most photogenic lakes in Ireland and a popular destination for water-skiing.