WE ARE OPEN ..Come visit us in Malin Head and Inishowen

HOSTEL  OPEN to holidaymakers now !

¬It is advisable to  pre-book direct with us by phone or email *. 

We can often offer private guest rooms to families and groups of friends, even sometimes, singles and couples.

See us on www.govisitinishowen.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 GOOGLE and TRIPADVISOR for even more photos and info

*Please note we are no longer in collaboration with HOSTEL WORLD and therefore do not have an on line booking engine facility.  This is 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.

The safety and comfort of our guests and ourselves is our main priority.  

We ask that guests who are feeling unwell that they do not attend.  

Be aware that we are 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 JUST SEE THE NORTHERN LIGHTS AT THIS TIME OF YEAR>> 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’

2023 Northern Lights

March 2023

NORTHERN LIGHTS frequent

As seen at Malin Head . More predicted!

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

26th February 2023 huge exposure of Aurora throughout Ireland and Malin Head.   See Donegalweatherchannel. ie

More seen on 27th February 2023!

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’

CAR HIRE PROBLEMS

Wouldbe guests have been experiencing extreme cost problems in obtaining car hire this year.  So much so that has been 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:

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.

CAR HIRE DISCOUNT  sent to us in 2021

My name is Sue and I work for Avis Budget Car Rental Ireland.

 As restrictions ease, people will begin holiday planning. Road trips towards their favourite destinations are top of everyone’s list. For the growing number of city dwellers living in Ireland, that do not have their own transport and the traditional foreign tourist, renting a car is a safe and flexible travel choice for your visiting guests.

We’d like to work with you and offer your guests  a 10% discount when booking with two of our car hire companies online:

 www.avis.ie/staycation

Discount Code: V002400

www.budget.ie/staycation

Discount Code: Stay10

 Avis and Budget have made a strong commitment to keeping everyone safe and have introduced safety measures at every stage of the rental process.

 Detailed information about the “Avis Safety Pledge” and the “Budget Worry Free Promise” can be found on our websites.

 It would be really great if you could share this benefit with guests planning to stay with you this summer 

Any other car hire advice we here at Sandrock Holiday Hostel can pass on to wouldbe guests is welcome.

Ferries for 2023

FERRY OPERATING 2023 Daily from 1st June until Mid September 2023.  Often operates on Bank Holiday weekends outside of the main season!  Check!   Summer Sailings 2023 from JUNE until mid September.    Check on GOOGLE   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

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

LOUGH SWILLY FERRY  2023   Lough Swilly Ferry Summer Schedule Operating between Rathmullen and Buncrana 2023     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 2023 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

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.

SEAVIEW TAVERN RESTAURANT OPEN

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 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

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

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!