Ferries for 2021

The Scenic Lough Foyle Ferry 2021 Linking the Wild Atlantic Way with the Causeway Coast. We are delighted to announce that daily sailings will begin  4th June 2021*. 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  The 2021 Season finishes on the 12th September 2021

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  2021   Lough Swilly Ferry Summer Schedule The Lough Swilly Ferry service will  be operating from the 4th June 2021  to September.  In June will depart Buncrana at 10am and last boat will depart Rathmullan at 6-at 640pm For July and August 2021 will run from 9am to 7pm   COMMENCES AGAIN Summer 2021 from 4th June 2021 to Mid September telephone +353 (0)87 211 2331   or  www.swillyferry.com   Operating between Rathmullen and Buncrana

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

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.

WE ARE OPEN ..Come visit Malin Head and Inishowen

YES,  WE ARE OPEN AT SANDROCK HOLIDAY HOSTEL!

We can offer restricted/private guest rooms to small family or small group of friends.  We are only using a maximum of 50% of our former capacity and have retained our our budget rate.

See go-visit-inishowen.com 

See us on this site and ALL that this fantastic area has to offer.   An excellent site for guests to make plans when visiting  Malin Head and this peninusla  – Inishowen

Please note we are no longer in collaboration with HOSTEL WORLD and therefore do not have an on line booking engine facility.  This js to enable us to better control our guest bookings.

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

OR

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

We will confirm all bookings by email.

WE ARE OPEN since JUNE 2nd – LIVING WITH COVID-19 in Ireland.-

WE ARE NOW OPEN !

**Please note we are no longer in collaboration with HOSTEL WORLD and therefore do not have an on line booking engine facility.   For bookings either send an email request to sandrockhostel@gmail.com  

OR telephone  our mobile 086 3256323 (This is a dumb phone so do not text)

LIVING WITH COVID-19 in Ireland.

Under the Plan for Living with COVID-19 which means WE  CAN OPEN on 2nd June when it will be safe to do so.    We obviously can take  bookings for now direct but not through on line booking engines..   ** Please contact us Direct by phone or email to discuss any booking plans.   Bear in mind guest accommodation numbers will be restricted to comply with safety rules  We will retain our budget prices until further notice.  We cannot take large groups.

History so far:

As a result of the Covid-19 Irish Government Restrictions the hostel CLOSED on the 29th March 2020 until the 28th June 2020.

On 28th June 2020 the hostel re-opened BUT with REDUCED OCCUPANCY levels to allow for 2 metre Social Distancing Guidelines.  We were open for 3 months with restricted occupancy.

On the 28th September 2020 the hostel again CLOSED under Government Directions and has been closed since.

There was another Government Review on 28th April 2021.    The Government has stated that we can allowed to reopen on 2nd June 2021.

SEAVIEW TAVERN RESTAURANT OPEN AGAIN

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

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

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!