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ALL YEAR Sandrock Holiday Hostel is OPEN

Yes,  despite the closure of many rural hostels in Ireland, Sandrock Holiday Hostel in Malin Head is still open to holiday makers ….  provided guests pre book.   Variable accommodation requirements available at genuine budget prices at a prime scenic location.          See us on Youtube.
  View the rest of this site for information.
Accessible by pulic transport all week including Sundays…
Self catering facilities, safe sea dips swimming from pier below, walks, friendly bars, restaurant and other eating facilities, supermarket, and more.  Visit www.govisitinishowen.com

Ferries for 2025

    • The Scenic Lough Foyle Ferry 2025

    • OPENS    EASTER 2025
    • From 15th to 27th APRIL 2025
    •  9am to 8-15pm
    • Foyle Ferry – Greencastle to and from Magilligan Northern Ireland( ROUTE TO GIANTS CAUSEWAY)

    Linking the Wild Atlantic Way with the Causeway Coast.

    We are delighted to announce that daily  Summer Schedule sailings will continue.
    Full details check out latest sailing times on our website www. loughfoyleferry.com
    Tel: +353 74 93811901

 
Important information regarding  sailings – http://loughfoyleferry.com
 

 LOUGH SWILLY FERRY  2025

 

Lough Swilly Ferry Summer Schedule
Operating between Rathmullen and Buncrana 2025    CHECK ON GOOGLE.

Now known as the Lough Swilly Ferry telephone 087 211 2331.   The journey times and fares can be found on the website www.swillyferry.com or email: loughswillyferry@gmail.com  Booking is essential for vehicles

The scenic journey time is 40 minutes.  Operating  7 days  Summer Service from June 2025 between 10am  to 6pm (Buncrana) and 10-40am to 6-40pm (Rathmullan) on a first come, first served service.

Check website for Summer Timetable 

See   www.swillyferry.com   Email: loughswillyferry@gmail.com

Telephone: 00 353(0)87 211 2331

Visit Malin Head and Inishowen in 2025

HOSTEL IS OPEN but please pre-book

To pre-book contact me direct by phone or email *,

I can often offer private guest rooms to families and groups of friends, even sometimes, singles and couples to a budget self catering seaside break.

See us on www.govisitinistohowen.com this site and ALL that this fantastic area has to offer. This is an excellent site for guests to make plans when visiting  Malin Head and this Peninusla  – Inishowen

Also try  FACEBOOK look up Malin Head Community for up to date news and things happening in Malin Head.

or GOOGLE  or TRIPADVISOR for even more photos and info

*Please note I am no longer in collaboration with HOSTEL WORLD and therefore do not have an on line booking engine facility.  This is to enable me to better control our guest bookings.

*For bookings either send an email request to sandrockhostel@gmail.com  

OR

telephone my mobile 086 3256323 (This is a dumb phone so do not send text)

I will confirm all bookings by email.

 

Be aware that the hostel is located very close to the sea and we are surrounded by numerous birds.  So the sounds of the sea and the morning choruses of the birds may not appeal to everyone. 

Also at night the skies can be very dark with light activety events very visual or on moonlit nights the whole area including the entire sea areas can be lit up. Then there can be spectacular sunrises and sunsets. All these sights and sounds can be available at the hostel.  Also be aware that the occasional serious stormy weather with rough seas can be scary.

 

 

YOU MAY SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS  During the long nights and dark skies!  Due to low light pollution Malin Head in Inishowen is the best place to witness this astronomical phenomenon!         Look up on Google: ‘aurora borealis forecast’

 Northern Lights

 

 

March

NORTHERN LIGHTS – Watch the sky light up

As seen at Malin Head . More predicted!

YOU MAY JUST SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS AT THIS TIME OF YEAR>>

 February and October and November 2023 and again in February and March 2024 huge exposure of Aurora throughout Ireland and Malin Head.   See Donegalweatherchannel. ie

More seen during October especially 2024!

During the long nights!  Due to low light pollution Malin Head in Inishowen is the best place to witness this astronomical phenomenon!         Look up on Google: ‘aurora borealis forecast’

Just watch the sky light up !

CAR HIRE PROBLEMS and ADVICE

2024 Car Hire Problems have eased considerably according to recent Hostel guests.

Find your rental car. Simple. Transparent. Affordable.
Check the following app: ‘billiger-mietwagen.de’
Whether you are looking for the cheapest price or a rental car with the best insurance , you will find the right option with them.
billiger-mietwagen.de is your partner for individual mobility and Germany’s leading rental car price comparison portal since 2003. They compare rental car providers and also organizers such as Rentalcars or Auto Europe so that you can easily find the best deal – with or without insurance.

 

 

PRE 2024 Problems:

In the recent years wouldbe guests have been experiencing extreme cost problems in obtaining car hire 2022/2023.  So much so that was the main reason for cancellations with us at the hostel.

We have discussed this with many guests at the hostel with the following advice given:

Some more LATEST ADVICE September 2024……..  could be great news.  A French guest and computer expert stated the he hired a car for €17 per day!!!! through the  following:    His advice is the site to rent a cheap car is: rentalcars.com  https://www.rentatcars.com/

MORE  RECENT ADVICE September 2024 another guest used Booking.com/cars and was directed to Dollar car hire and paid €150 for 9 days hire of a small manual car.  Avoid automatic cars … much more expensive she said and watch the day charges .. even a one hour overlap and a whole day will be charged.

PREVIOUS 2024 problems:

In August 2022 Philip stated that he did the following: Prior to his holiday, months before, he kept scanning car hire firms for ‘Flexible’ rates and eventually a very good quote came up on the dates he required with a small SUV with the ‘Sixth Car Hire ‘  Company from Dublin Airport.

Other Guests quoted use ‘GO CAR’ or a new app entitled ‘FLEET’.  Some guests approached Irish friends/family and borrowed their spare car(s) after arranging insurance.  We also noticed that some single or twosomes were travelling in small van rentals

Some guests searched car hire from car dealers away from the airports.  The car dealers in the towns of Newry and Sligo were used.   Some dealers even met guests at airports with their car hire.

Tony mentioned Enterprise Van and Car Hire in Letterkennny and Michael recommended DMG Car and Van Hire in Donegal Town  See www.dmgmotors.ie  – Google these for more info.

Any other car hire advice we here at Sandrock Holiday Hostel can pass on to wouldbe guests is welcome.   See at the top of above for some latest 2024 advice.

Buses now 7 days a week and Bank Holidays

Enhanced Bus Routes: 7 days a week and Bank Holidays

Malin Head to Carndonagh to Derry etc

New timetable starting Monday 21st October 2024

Routes will now operate seven daily return services Monday to Saturday and six daily return services on Sundays. The enhanced routes will provide a more frequent service in both directions, with early morning and late evening options available. This includes peak-time services for commuters to Derry and later evening services from Derry, catering to tourists, shift workers and those socializing.

The route will offer new Sunday services for the first time and improved connectivity to regional bus and rail services in Derry, while serving the areas of Malin Head, Carndonagh, Greencastle, Moville, Quigley’s Point, Muff, and Derry.

See all timetables on:

https://locallinkdsl.ie/timetables/

Adventurer DOM MEE returns 18 years later

Adventurer Dom Mee returns with Charlie O’Donnell on 31st July 2024 18 years after his hurricane battered kite boat washed up in Malin Head shore a year after Dom Mee was taken off (rescued) off the east coast of Canada durng Hurricane Rita. Charlie found the boat at the rear of the Malin Head Fishery which he managed then. In August 1996 Dom was attempting to cross the Atlantic in his little kite boat named Little Murka and survived four hurricanes, Irene, Katrina, Maria and Orphelia before Rita struck! Was rescued b Canadian Coastguard helicopter. One year later 1997 he was informed that Little Murka ha arrived in Malin Head and he rushed here to be reunited with his boat. Stayed in Sandrock Holiday Hostel and celebrated with the local fishermen. He later transported Little Murka back to his UK home. Dom Mee later rowed the atlantic from the Canary Islands to USA.
Another of his Adventurer exploits.

Malin Best Kept Village in the Whole of Ireland

June 2024

Malin was awarded the BEST KEPT VILLAGE IN THE WHOLE OF IRELAND at the awards ceremony in Belfast on the 18th June 2024.

Malin also won the Tidy Towns competions in 1970

and 1991

Another Film made in Malin Head !

Another Film has been made in Malin Head !   The movie set was in the Malin Head area for several weeks and several days here at Port Ronan.

The movie is entitled  Cry from the Sea starring Hollywood stars Aidan Quinn and Dominic Cooper and is being produced by Sepia Films  and ShinAwil and directed by Vic Sarin.

When released lookout for scenes in Malin Head.

The Inishowen Walking Festival

The Inishowen Walking Festival is now in its third year will be taking place the weekend of September 15th-17th 2023. Walks will take place all over Inishowen and have been organised by the local community centres in partnership with IDP, Go Visit Inishowen and Donegal Sport’s Partnership.
For a full list of walks and more information please visit our website which will take you to a link for tickets for the walking events.
www.inishowenwalkingfestival.ie

BUS SERVICE 954 TO Malin Head 7 times a day, 7 Days a week Mon to Sun

Route 954 (Local Link Donegal) has convienient links with North West Buses between Malin Head, Carndonagh,  Derry and Letterkenny.

 

Route 955 (Local Link Donegal)which is a route from Buncrana to Carndonagh covering Isle of Dough Famine Village, Ballyliffen, Clonmany, Waterfall, Urris and Dunree Fort.

Timetables see   www.locallinkdonegal.ie   click on Routes 954 and 955 for information

 

See TRAVEL heading for more info.

Summer Malin Head PHOTOS

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Malin Head

Northern Lights As seen at Malin Head 1-3-17. More predicted!

28-6-17 Travelling round Ireland anti clockwise

The author of this book said he was inspired to write whilst sitting here in 2014

The author of this book said he was inspired to write whilst sitting here in 2014

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1516-4843

image (1)2009 basking shark port ronan malin head2

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAsand3sm100_0385-1Boat at SandrockOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

SEAVIEW TAVERN RESTAURANT OPEN

The Seaview Tavern at Malin Head are looking to forward to welcoming all their wonderful customers back.
Opening times:
12-30pm to 9pm for  Dining in bars and restaurant
12 t0 late  for bars.

WEDDING Tim and Nadine were Married in Sandrock Holiday Hostel on 2-7-2019

Married in Sandrock Holiday Hostel on Tuesday 2nd July 2019 at 3pm

The beautiful Civil Marriage Ceremony of TIM from New Zealand and NADINE from Germany took place in Sandrock Holiday Hostel conducted by Executive Registrar Florence Blackburn.

 

Tim and Nadine became engaged at Malin Head several years ago and returned to complete the process.  All was prearranged from New Zealand by Nadine and Tim.

German Craftsmen visit Sandrock Holiday Hostel

German Craftsmen Still Go On Hardcore Medieval Pilgrimages

For three years of training they’re not allowed to go home, drive or use public transportation. The term “jack of all trades” came from them.

 

These guys were German woodworkers travelling and training to become official masters in their guilds.  The medieval journeymen pilgrimage is fairly simple:  walk around the world for three years with only a light bundle.  Knock on random doors to seek work and accommodation.   Before leaving home they must pass an exam and finish an apprenticeship.  They must be unmarried, childless and debt-free.

Journeymen built most of Europe’s great cathedrals. The practice fell out of favor in the industrial age, but craftsmen still wandered up til the 1920s. Then the Nazis banned it, and the Berlin Wall made the travelling nearly impossible, but after the 80s, it slowly began to return.

 

MAY THE FORTH BE WITH YOU Festival Weekend

Celebrating the film location  at Malin Head.

 

At Malin Head and throughout Inishowen The FORCE BE WITH YOU (MAY THE FORTH BE WITH YOU) Festival Weekend is on the 3rd, 4th and 5th May. The road to Malin Head R242 will be renamed R2D2 for the Festival. Numerous activeties planned.

SEE:                  www.wildatlanticway.com/may-the-4th

Our organisers website is now live!

Keep up to date with the programme, book tickets for the events and keep up to date with the events and scheduling of the first ever ‘May the 4th by with you’ festival in Malin Head here….

https://www.maythefourthbewithyoufestival.com/

May the 4th Be With You Festival makes an anticipated return to the Wild Atlantic Way with the introduction of Malin Head in County Donegal to the festival offering.

With events happening across the Inishowen Peninsula, there is plenty of family-fun events for all ages.

Star Gazing at the Planetarium
Filmed Orchestra & Fireworks Display
Death Star Footie Skills Target Practice
Blaster Tag & other Intergalactic Fun & Games
Jedi Cadets Academy (under 8yrs)

In addition to family events, there are also a number of immersive galactic adventure experiences available – why not explore Star Wars Film locations through outdoor Tai Chi Qigong or a guided tour and walk with an organic food and cooking demo? If you’re feeling more adventurous, you can even observe dramatic film locations from ‘The Last Jedi’, including the site of the Millennium Falcon, from the unique viewpoint of the Atlantic Ocean or embark with Inish Adventures for an exciting half day kayaking trip.

If sitting back and relaxing is what you’re after, take in the breath-taking film locations on a scenic tour or check out the drive-in cinema and watch The Last Jedi, Episode VIII as you have never seen it before with the magnificent northern skies as the backdrop.

Download the Malin Head/Inishowen May the 4th Be With You Festival programme

 

Farren’s in Malin Head is the best pub in Ireland

It’s official: , Farren’s is the best pub in Ireland  Email Published: 14:36 Friday 04 May 2018
 
There were celebrations in Malin Head this week as the iconic Farren’s Pub was named the ‘Best Bar in Ireland.’
The well-known pub, which is not only popular with Inishowen locals but also visitors from Derry and beyond, won the prestigious accolade at the Irish Hospitality Awards 2018 in Dublin on Tuesday night.
 

Yoda mural at Farren’s Bar, Malin Head. Yoda mural at Farren’s Bar, Malin Head.

 

 

 

Hugh Farren, who owns and runs the bar, said they were “delighted and shocked” when their name was called out at the glitzy event.

Read more at: https://www.derryjournal.com/news/it-s-official-farren-s-is-the-best-pub-in-ireland-1-8487697

IRISH OPEN GOLF 2018 from the 4th to 8th July

The Irish Open Golf 2018 took place at Ballyliffen Golf Course in the summer from 4th to 8th July which is just a 25 minute drive way!

The event was screened live into 500 million households.  Up to 100,000 spectators attended

COOLEST PLACE ON THE PLANET

 

  • 2017 Donegal was named the COOLEST PLACE ON THE PLANET by National Geographic
  • Malin Head was the location for the 8th STAR WARS film THE LAST JEDI released in December 2017
  • Northern Lights provide a free light show when conditions are right
  • Malin Head and Sandrock Holiday Hostel provide  spectacular views and on WILD ATLANTIC WAY
  • Only 50 minutes from Derry, 2 hours from Belfast and 3 .5hours  from Dublin
  • Weekday bus service to from and Sandrock Holiday Hostel (See TRAVEL heading)
  • Dolphin sightings extremely likely
  • AND MORE see rest of this site!

 

 

CROSSROADS INN Has Closed again unforunately since Covid closures

Crossroads Inn ( 200 years old but closed 4 years ago) reopened on 1-8-17  but now closed again since Covid closures!!

KAYAKERS stopping at Sandrock Holiday Hostel

 

Julian Haines 22-6-17  travelling around Ireland clockwise!

28-6-17 Gundi Pau Viktorsson from Iceland, Lee Taylor (See Lee at Sea) from England and Eoin Fitzgibbon from UK and IR about to leave after a night in the hostel!

Gundi, Lee and Eoin leaving Sandrock Holiday Hostel Port Ronan 28-6-17

28-6-17 Travelling round Ireland anti clockwise

Serious Rock Climbing at Malin Head

ROCK CLIMBING and Training now available

Brendan 4 IMG_5420

Malin Head

Brendan 5 IMG_5421

Malin Head

 

  Rock Climbing Training, Instructor Courses at Malin Head can be arranged by Brendan of       www.donegalclimbing.ie
Email: bren@mountaintraining.ie   or Phone: 087 6657790 (ROI) or 00353 (0)74 93 75001   An info pack will be available at the hostel soon!

Malin Head

Malin Head

Training in

Training in Malin Head

2015 Rock Climbing

Rock Climbing

Star Wars crew and Actors arrive in Malin Head’ for filming of Episode VIII

Members of the Star Wars crew and actors have taken over Malin Head from 13th to 16th May  for the filming of Episode VIII.Brendan 5 IMG_5421

It is believed that some 300 crew members have already landed in Malin Head, where filming is taking place.  There is tight security in the area with road closures to vehicles, pedestrians and restricted sea movements.  All the bars , restaurant and cafes are open and are very busy!!

photo Lucy 2013

Northern Lights often seen from Malin Head

The Farren's 2 17-4-15Malin Head 2 12-01am 17-4-15

  

  The local Farren Family spotted the Aurora at just after midnight on 17th April 2015 and many times since!

 

 

 

 

BambasThe Faren's at Banbas Crown 17-4-15

Kayakers Circumnavigating Ireland Stop Off at Hostel

12th June 2015 two kayakers stop for the night at Hostel

12th June 2015 two kayakers stop for the night at Hostel

Landed at Port Ronan see log on facebook 'Going Round 2015 IE'

Landed at Port Ronan see log on facebook ‘Going Round 2015 IE’

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 At sea circumnavigating Ireland in two kayaks for last 5 weeks arrived at Port Ronan on 12th June 2015 and rested overnight at Sandrock Holiday Hostel then left at 8am the next morning and rounded Malin Head.  Follow their exploits on facebook!

 

Northern Lights at Malin Head on 10th April 2015

Brendan night 9415 IMG_5711

4am Friday 10th April 2015

The Northern Lights have been frequently seen at Malin Head.  Brendan took this  picture at Malin Head at 4am Friday the 10th April 2015.

 

For more photos see facebook – www.facebook.com/inishowenart  or www.adamroryporter.com  for further photos.

The THREE MUSKETEERS arrive at Sandrock Holiday Hostel

On the 17th May 2013 these three Musketeers arrived!

On the 17th May 2013 these three Musketeers arrived!

He Proposed to her whilst at Sandrock

Nadine and Tim

Nadine and Tim

Tim proposed to Nadine from Christchurch,  New Zealand at Wee House of Malin on 3-1-13 after 4th visit to Sandrock Holiday Hostel