Information about Gaoth Dobhair

Culture & Craic

This area is renowned for the regeneration in recent times of its rich musical heritage in particular and the numerous famous musicians born in this area: Clannad, Enya, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Altan, Maighread and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Skara Brae, Aoife Ní Fhearraigh, Dominic Mac Giolla Bhríde, Gearóidín Breathnach, Lillis Ó Laoire to name but a few.

Students are given the opportunity to attend music classes, partake in music sessions that are held locally or sing in a local choir such as Cór Thaobh a’Leithéid. Lively traditional music sessions are held in the famous pub, Tábhairne Hiúdaí Bhig every Monday night. Our students often take part in sessions with musicians such as Clann Uí Mhaonaigh, Ian Smith and Dominic Mac Giolla Bhríde; a source of much enjoyment to one and all.

Drama is another important aspect of the locality. Aisteoirí Ghaoth Dobhair regularly produce plays in the theatre and television and radio programmes such as Cois Cuan, CU Burn, Gleann Ceo and FFC are recorded in the area. Our students ofter take part in these activities. The arts also feature strongly in this area, local artist’s host exhibitions in An Gailearaí and Cló Ceardlann na gCnoc and Comharchumann Forbartha Ghaoth Dobhair organise art courses. It is clearly evident that Gaoth Dobhair is a lively and vibrant area and students are encouraged to take part in the various cultural activites organised in the area. 

Aside from these cultural events, there are plenty of vibrant pubs in the area, Tí Sheáin Óig for example, where various different types of music are played and where people enjoy themselves. Another famous pub is Tábhairne Leo, a pub owned by the Ó Braonáin Family (Clannad and Enya). Those who wish can attend a disco in the Millennium Club in Óstán Radharc na Mara during the year and the Gaoth Dobhair GAA club-house. 

Gaoth Dobhair is a rural area and boasts all of the natural amenities associated with a rural area; vast unspoilt beaches, hills and mountains suitable for walking excursions. It is undoubtedly worthwhile climbing the majestic Errigal Mountain or Muckish Mountain or taking a stroll in Cró Nimhe in Dún Lúiche or around Cnoc Fola and the splendid views of the islands along the coast. Glenveagh National Park is also worth a visit. The castle and gardens are famous the world over due to the fact that Hollywood stars stayed here during the middle of the last century. Fishing enthusiasts will have ample opportunities to partake in sea fishing and river fishing.

It is definitely worthwhile visiting the islands in the area. The Tory Ferry goes as far as Tory Island regularly and the Gola Ferry goes as far as Gola. 

Accommodation

Students don’t normally have any difficulty getting accommodation in the area; various different types of accommodation are available in the area – holiday homes, apartments, guest houses and hotels. The staff in the Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge Centre will be pleased to assist you with any queries you may have. 

Transport

Bus             

Air           

• Feda Ó Domhnaill  
  Telephone: 00 353 74 954 8114.      
• John Mc Ginley   
  Seirbhís go Baile Átha Cliath. 
  Telephone: 00 353 74 913 5201.
• Pádraig Ó Gallchóir 
  Telephone:00 335 87 230888.         

• Aerfort Dhún na nGall 
  Telephone: 00 353 74 954 8284.                           

Mecical

Doctors

Dentist

• An Dr Delap
  Telephone: 00 353 74 953 2445.
• An Dr Brogan
  Telephone: 00 353 74 953 2334.
• Nowdoc
  Telephone: 1850 400 911.                       
  

• Anne O’Donoghue
  Telephone: 00 353 74 953 1113.
                                                        
  
  

Services

• Teach Níocháin
  Telephone: 074 95 31207 
  Opened every day from 8.00am till 8.00pm      
  
  

• Chló Ceardlann na gCnoc
  Gailearaí ealaíona.
• Ionad Cois Locha
  Bialann, áit súgartha do pháistí,
  ceolchoirmeacha den scoth agus lear eile.

Food & Drink

• An Chúirt 
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9532900
• Danny Minnie's 
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9548201
• Gola Bistro
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531159
• Khory's
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9560954
• Tábhairne Leo
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9548143
• Teach Jack
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531173
• The Sundowner Wine and Tapas Bar
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531177
  
  

• Caife Mhachaire Chlochair
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531110
• Caife Mholloy
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531165                 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• An Greim Gasta
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531600
• Ríocht na Gréine
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9560834
• Khory's
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9560954
• An Chisteacnach
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9560956
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• Teach Hiúdaí Beag
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531016
• Teach Phaidí Óig
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531306
• Teach Chonnie
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531038
• Teach Sheáin Óig
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531999
• Teach Phete
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9532453
• Teach Mhic Gréidigh
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9531405
• Teach Leo
  Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9548143
• Teach Mhic Giolla Chomhaill
   Telephone: 00 353 (0)74 9548124

Festivals

• Frankie Kennedy Winter School
  This is a traditional music festival held during Christmas and the New Year. Music classes for every level and first class concerts form part of this festival. Among the musicians who attend this festival are Altan, Steve Cooney, Skara Brae, Liam Ó Maonlaí and Tommy Peoples. 
• Errigal Arts Festival
  A variety of events as part of this festival are held in various venues the width and breadth of Donegal. Both local and international artists attend the various events. 
• Guth Gafa
  Gufa Gafa is a documentary film festival held in Gort an Choirce in May.    
• Féile Scannán Muirí Oileán Thoraí
  This festival focuses on productions relating to the sea.
• Féile Chnoc Fola
  This festival celebrates the traditional crafts and customs of the area.
• Éigse Uladh
  This is a festival of debate and seminars based on Gaeltacht and Irish Language themes held over a weekend. This event is held in March. 
• Samhain
  

Sports & Games

There are plenty of sports facilities near the Centre. Among the facilities are soccer and gaelic football pitches and during the winter football or basketball can be played indoors in the Gaoth Dobhair GAA club-house. If you prefer to play outside there is a floodlit Astroturf soccer pitch in the Gaoth Dobhair Business Park. There is also a swimming pool and a gymnasium in Óstán Ghaoth Dobhair, which offers a special discounted rate to our students. Gaoth Dobhair Golf Club is also worth a mention; a nine hole course in an idyllic location beside the sea. Various different night classes are also held in the area: yoga, tai chi, exercise etc.