Travel bookseller extraordinaire by day and intrepid budget traveller by candlelight and weekends, guest editor Julie Gamble and proud Irish native, shares with us , one of Ireland’s best kept secrets- Trá na Rosann hostel in Donegal.
Hostel at the end of the world: Inlet by Tra na Rosann
Most visitors to Ireland do Dublin and a day trip here and there, but my advice is go west!
Ireland’s Atlantic coast is wild, sometimes desolate but always beautiful and mysterious.
This is truer the further north and west you go.
Tra na Rosann from the Hill ( Taken by Julie Gamble )
We stayed in a very remote hostel at Tran a Rosann in Co. Donegal last June, on the Rosguill peninsula.
You most definitely need a car for this one – but it’s worth it.
Tra na Rosann Hostel( Image courtesy of http://www.eyemead.com/CI-PHOTO.htm )
Facilities are basic but, as expected, the welcome was warm and a blazing peat fire was lit for our arrival (yes, in June – the winds were whipping in from the ocean!(
The hostel is run by volunteers, our host had come up from Dublin for a few weeks in the wilds!
I’d been on family holidays in the area and wanted my friends to see the beach at Tran na Rosann.
Handily the hostel is only about 150m away across a couple of fields.
Stand there on the strand and watch the Atlantic rolling in, see the mists gather over Tory Island and know that if you were to sail straight out from there the next place you’d reach would be Greenland.
Sunset at Tra na Rosann ( Taken by Julie Gamble)
If you have time explore the little headland to the right of the beach, there are some breathtaking views.
The area is great for cycling, walking, fishing and swimming and you have the stunning ‘Atlantic Drive’ along the coast.
The small town of Downings is about 6 miles away there are a few restaurants there which serve good local food.
Shop before you get there, there is no local store.
However there is a pub 2 miles down the road.
Perfect -what else do you need from a holiday?
Essentials
Book your stay at Tra Na Rosann Hostel from as little as £14 a night.
The hostel has a mix of 6 bed Female Dorms and 10 bed Male Dorms.
Note: The hostel is open only in June, July and August.
That looks like a fantastic please to get away from it all – great photo’s
Tristan
Donegal is very beautiful, have just been again – to the southern coast – and was (almost literally) blown away by the scenery!
Amazing Stunning Donegal North Ireland setting. Basic comfortable, historical ( ask about that ! ), inexpensive, quiet, peacefull, friendly,warm very remote country hostel. Truly great walking and biking all around the hostel. Take your map and compass and take a few days to walk the wild Donegal headlands all around there. Secluded wild beach just 5 mins walk from the door and lots more beaches and country roads all around. No other building nearby. Great old style Irish country pup nearby with excellent traditional music. Will go back again as soon as possible. One of the wildest places in Ireland. I have travelled all over the world and I can confirm this is a must visit place. If you never stayed in a hostel , open your mind and try this one first. You will love it. I stayed there early 2014. Gerry Kenny, Ireland, Dundalk.