County Donegal will be on Level 3 of the Plan for Living with COVID-19.

Re Covid-19. Precautionary Hostel Closure

• Coronavirus Latest      

Due to the above virus and the medical advice to reduce interaction and social distancing we decided to keep the hostel and facilities closed until the advice changes.  We are now in LOCK DOWN until at least the 5th May 2020 and probably for a further period thereafter. We look forward to returning to normal as soon as is safely possible for our guests and ourselves.  In the meantime “Take care of yourselves”

Ferries for 2020

The Scenic Lough Foyle Ferry 2020 Linking the Wild Atlantic Way with the Causeway Coast. We are delighted to announce that daily sailings will begin  *3rd July 2020*. Our sailing times are 9am to 8:15pm daily operating a shuttle service throughout the day. No bookings required, social distancing on board at all times and where possible payments should be contact less. Full details on our website loughfoyleferry.com We cant wait to welcome our customers on board #summerishere #wildaltanticway #causewaycoastalroute #staycation #daytrips

FERRY OPERATING 2020 —- EASTER NOW CLOSED NOT OPERATING DUE TO COVID 19 Then from May Bank Holiday weekend only 4th May. THEN daily from 1st June until Mid September 2020   Summer Sailings 2020 from  1st JUNE until mid September   PREVIOUSLY We were delighted to announce the Foyle Ferry was officially opened reopened in 2018!between Greencastle and Magilligan Point. Operating a continuous shuttle service between 9am and 8:15pm #takethescenicroute #foyleferry #loughfoyle  Details for Summer 20120 above

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

LOUGH SWILLY FERRY  2020   Lough Swilly Ferry Summer Schedule The Lough Swilly Ferry service delayed due to Covid-19 may be operating from the 20th July 2020 to Mid September   COMMENCES AGAIN Summer 2020 from 20th July 2020 to Mid September telephone +353 (0)87 211 2331   or www.swillyferry.com   Operating between Rathmullen and Buncrana

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.

NEW BUS SERVICE 954 TO Malin Head 4 times a day, 6 Days a week Mon to Sat

From 1st July 2019 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.

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

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

 

 

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 RE OPENS

Crossroads Inn ( 200 years old but closed 4 years ago) has now reopened on 1-8-17 !!

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

Malin Head

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

Training in Malin Head

Rock Climbing

Photography Workshops Available

Nigel Cooke Photography offers tuition see      http://www.nigelcookephotography.co.uk/workshops/

A Little Bit About My Workshops

You may find my workshops a little different to others that you have been on in regards to the level of tuition that is offered. While of course we look to visit a number of beautiful locations and chase good light,  my focus is heavily weighted towards giving you as much tuition as possible during our time together. This is one of the reasons I keep the numbers very small, as this allows me plenty of 1-2-1 time with each participant.

My goal is to ensure when you leave you are more confident and better prepared to make your own beautiful landscape images going forward. Of course hopefully we also catch some great conditions during our time together so that you can also go home with some beautiful images.

All transport is also included in each of my workshops as I believe is it important to keep our group together as quite often, when in the car, we continue on our discussions or indeed road-side stops can allow for impromptu lessons on composition and light.

Bespoke Workshop ?

Please note I can also cater for a more bespoke approach to your workshop requirements including different dates to the above and indeed longer experiences. Please get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Introduction to Landscape Photography Workshop (Half Day or Full day)

This workshop is aimed at those just getting started in Landscape Photography and comes in either a half day (approx 4 hours) or full day (approx 8 hours) option. To ensure you gain most from our time together, prior to the workshop, your own requirements will be discussed, however some of the techniques we can cover include;

• Location Planning
• Basics rules of composition
• Metering a scene and paying attention to your histogram
• Focus techniques and understanding Depth of Field (DoF) to maximise sharpness in your image
• Using filters
• Long Exposure Photography

While conditions cannot be controlled best efforts will be made on both the half and full day workshops to be in position to make the most of any potential

A fantastic opportunity to explore many of the wonderful locations that the spectacular Inishowen Peninsula has to offer in a relaxed small group environment. Staying at the Sandrock Hostel, which is located right on Malin Head, will put us within a 10 minute drive of spectacular (and sometimes wild) locations to make best use of morning and evening light. My knowledge of the area will ensure we not only visit the key photographic locations, but do so at the right time to make best use of tides as well as weather conditions.

Depending on the conditions (and time of year) the Northern Lights may also be visible. We may also look to do some night / milky way photography. Again depending on time of year and conditions. This will be discussed prior to your workshop. 

Locations expected to visit include Strove Lighthouse, Dunree Head, Kinnagoe Bay, Tremone Bay, Malin Head, Glenevin Waterfall, Doaghmore Beach and Carrickabraghy Castle.

This workshop is aimed at those getting started in Landscape Photography or those looking to improve specific areas and will cover such topics as;

• Location planning
• Working on your composition for stronger images
• Understanding your histogram
• Depth of Field and achieving sharper images
• Use of Filters (both graduated and full)
• Long exposure techniques
• Night / Aurora photography (weather depending)
• Handheld vs. Tripod workflow
• Getting creative with the camera
• Evening photo editing sessions (Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop)

FOR MORE INFO SEE:

http://www.nigelcookephotography.co.uk/workshops/

NORTHERN LIGHTS frequent

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

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.

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!!

Northern Lights often seen from Malin Head

Kayakers Circumnavigating Ireland Stop Off 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’

 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

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!