This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Dungloe.
The Gaeltacht town of Dungloe is in County Donegal, meaning that it is in a region that speaks Irish as its first language. It is the largest town that primarily speaks Irish in this region, and is the main town in the Rosses. This may mean that if you choose to stay in a hostel here, it may be ran by an Irish speaking host. As a destination, it is typical of many Irish towns, and it has been since the eighteenth century.
A river passes through the bottom of the town, and it is from this river that the town gets its name, as once the only way of crossing the river was across a slab of rock that lay in the riverbed. Dungloe holds all of the quintessential Irish charm in its rolling hills and surrounding country fields - this calm rural atmosphere is what draws visitors to this region.
Scenery across Dungloe is very pretty and quaint, including Dungloe Bay. There are also a number of festivals held in town across the year, which brings in tourists eager for a taste of traditional Ireland. It is here that you will find a true sense of the Irish heritage, not only in the kindness and welcome of the residents, but also in the way of life, and in landscape and buildings, such as the ancient church, Templecrone.
As a town, Dungloe has excellent transport links and you will not feel as if you are missing out on any of the things you may need on a visit to Ireland - Guinness, for example, is plentiful, as it is across the country. You will find that accommodation in town fits into the traditional Irish aesthetic - most hostels are old houses that have been refurbished to room guests in dormitory style beds, and all provide the option for delicious, stodgy meals.
Choosing a hostel in this region is simple, as most hostels are fairly priced, and provide a warm welcome to any guest. If you are looking for solitude and the chance to explore outside of the town, then find a hostel by the river, and enjoy how nature mixes with slightly more urban life.
Written by local enthusiast for Dungloe hostels
Jakob Lombardi
