How to Visit Fairy Bridges in Bundoran
Read our travel guide on Bundoran's Fairy Bridges in Ireland. Includes tips on what to expect, what to see while there, how to get there, where to stay, or when to go.
The series of natural rock formations known as Fairy Bridges are among the best things to do in Bundoran, the surf capital of Ireland.
For us, this place was the first stop in County Donegal while touring the iconic Wild Atlantic Way.
Even though we didn't come to Bundoran with the intention of trying this activity, we couldn't miss a chance to explore this area.
It won't come as a surprise that this was a great stop, as there is plenty to see and do, especially if you do the Rougey Cliff Walk that connects almost all the points of interest Bundoran has to offer.
From this trail, you can enjoy a beautiful Tullan Strand, Fairy Bridges, the Wishing Chair, and endless views of the Atlantic Ocean.
This place is very easy to visit, but there are a few things to know about Fairy Bridges before you go.
Visiting Fairy Bridges
You can reach Fairy Bridges via Rougey Walk, which connects Bundoran with Tullan Strand.
As mentioned above, you will also find a great surfing spot, a beautiful beach, a stone chair with magical powers, and one of the Wild Atlantic Way Signature Points here.
Rougey Walk
A coastal path known as Rougey Walk is a 3-kilometer circular route that you can access either from Bundoran or Tullan Strand.
This is a nice and easy looped trail suitable for all ages. It doesn't matter where you start; we suggest doing the whole trail to soak in all the beautiful views.
Just be prepared that it gets windy here.
Tullan Strand
If you follow in our footsteps and decide to leave your car at Tullan Strand, this beautiful 2-kilometer stretch of golden sand will be the first stop on the route.
We've seen a fair share of beaches on our Ireland road trip, but this has to be one of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
The view from the trail is really breathtaking, even on a cloudy day.
It's not a Blue Flag Beach, and despite the presence of surfers, swimming is not safe here due to dangerous currents.
Still, if you love long beach walks, Tullan Strand is the place to go.
Fairy Bridges
The two natural blowholes are the main attraction along Rougey Walk.
When the tide conditions are right, the seawater crashes into the shore and blows through the natural holes in the rocks.
On our visit, the Atlantic Ocean was too calm to produce any waves that would affect the blowhole, so we didn't really see or hear much while there.
In fact, the Fairy Bridges look more like a natural arch in the cliffs than proper blowholes.
Some centuries ago, local people believed that the thundering sound of the powerful waves hitting the rocks was the sound of fairy guns.
Since the 1800s, Fairy Bridges has been a popular tourist attraction in Bundoran.
Wishing Chair
As the name suggests, those who will sit on a Wishing Chair will be granted good health and good fortune.
Famous poets, surfers, and many others have sat in the Wishing Chair.
According to legend, you need to carefully approach the stone chair so you won't disturb its magical powers.
There is an information board right next to the chair with exact instructions.
Then you can make a wish, keep it to yourself, and it might come true.
If you're interested in similar attractions, note that you can receive the gift of eloquence by kissing the stone at Blarney Castle in County Cork.
Bundoran
Located in the southwest of County Donegal, Bundoran is a true tourist seaside town and one of the best surfing places in Ireland.
There are several fun things to do in Bundoran. There are plenty of stores, Adventure Park, Waterworld, surfing schools, hotels, a museum, a golf course, a cliff jump, restaurants, and a couple of coastal walks.
Bundoran also has a popular Blue Flag Beach with lifeguards during the peak season.
It's located directly in the town, and swimming there is safe.
As you can clearly see, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of County Donegal.
Opening Hours
There are no opening times for Fairy Bridges, as this is a natural attraction that is accessible at any time of the day.
Entrance Fee
There is no entry fee to Fairy Bridges, though you will most likely end up paying for parking.
Still, it's a great place to visit, even if you travel around Ireland on a budget.
How Much Time Do I Need
The walk to Fairy Bridges takes about five minutes, and you will need another five minutes to get back to your car.
However, we suggest allowing yourself at least an hour for the Rougey Cliff Walk or the Tullan Strand.
On a picture-perfect day, it's easy to spend hours watching the surfers riding the waves here.
When to Go
You can visit Fairy Bridges year-round. The weather is at its best during the summer, which is often considered to be the best time to visit Fairy Bridges and Bundoran area.
Thanks to warm temperatures and days with plenty of daylight, this period is generally a great time when to visit Ireland.
However, Bundoran is a seasonal area, so some travelers may prefer to come during the shoulder seasons (spring and fall) when the summer crowds are gone.
You can visit Fairy Bridges in winter, but be prepared that the weather can vary greatly, and days are short and cold.
What to Pack
Fairy Bridges are just a stone's throw from the parking lot. The trail is paved and well-maintained and accessible to all visitors.
If you want to do the whole Rougey Walk, you should have comfortable walking shoes.
Coastal areas are known for unpredictable weather, and this part of County Donegal is no exception.
A quality rain jacket or lightweight windbreaker are essential items on every Ireland packing list, and they may also come in handy here.
The trail is exposed, so don't forget to use good sunscreen on clear summer days.
How to Get There
The easiest way to get to Fairy Bridges is by car, although you can also use public transport if that's how you get around Ireland.
Fairy Bridges are located about 1.5 kilometers off the N15, a national road that is in good condition and easy to navigate.
The most important thing to know about driving in Ireland is that you drive on the left, and some rural roads are very narrow.
We also recommend reading our post packed with useful tips on renting a car in Ireland.
On Foot
Fairy Bridges are located about two kilometers north of Bundoran, so it's very easy to get to Fairy Bridges on foot from there.
It's an easy walk that requires about 20 minutes of your time.
Car
It takes about 30 minutes to reach Fairy Bridges from Sligo Town via N15 or 30 minutes from Donegal Town when coming from the north.
From Dublin, you can either follow M4/N4 or M3/N3 routes.
Depending on the current traffic, it takes about three hours to reach Fairy Bridges from Dublin.
The journey from Galway to Fairy Bridges via N17 takes about two and a half hours.
Travel Resources
When renting a car, we use Rentalcars.com.
Parking
Tullan Strand has two parking lots located above the beach, right next to Rougey Walk trailhead.
The paid parking was fairly large, while the other was very small but free.
Either way, we had no trouble finding parking space here.
Having said that, this is a popular surfing spot, and parking fills up quickly on busy days.
Alternatively, you can start the Rougey Cliff Walk, where you can also park your car.
Public Transport
Bundoran is relatively well-connected with the rest of the country.
You can take bus 480, operated by Bus Eireann, which connects Bundoran with Sligo, Donegal, Letterkenny, and Derry.
Route 64 connects Bundoran with Galway.
Expressway Route 30-X30 goes from Dublin to Ballyshannon, a small town located about 7 kilometers east of Bundoran.
Where to Stay
The seaside town of Bundoran is one of the buzziest areas along Donegal's coast.
Due to its increasing popularity, the town offers a good selection of hotels for all budgets.
That being said, choosing the best area to stay when visiting Fairy Bridges will depend on your reason for the trip and your budget.
Here are our tips on the best hotels in Bundoran.
Budget | Rougey Lodge Hostel - If you're looking for budget accommodation in Bundoran, this comfortable hostel is a good choice. It has an excellent location, central heating, a guest lounge, a shared kitchen, and free parking. It also has storage for surf equipment and bicycle rental.
Mid-range | Allingham Arms Hotel - Situated on Bundorans' main street, this hotel offers comfortable rooms, welcoming staff, good food, and an excellent location. Free parking is available at the hotel.
Mid-range | Holyrood Hotel - Located near Bundoran Beach, this 4-star hotel boasts spacious rooms, a great restaurant, an indoor pool, and free parking.
Staying Safe
Fairy Bridges are generally safe to visit.
For your own safety, use the designated pathway that connects the Fairy Bridges with the Tullan Strand parking or Bundoran.
Unlike some trail sections at Slieve League or even Cliffs of Moher, this path is very safe.
However, the Wishing Chair and Fairy Bridges are located off the main path.
What surprised us was that there was no designated trail, just a network of narrow dirt and grassy trails. Tread carefully, especially on a rainy day.
There was also a box with emergency response equipment on the main path.
Here you will find more tips on staying safe in Ireland.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Are Fairy Bridges Worth Visiting?
If you're touring County Donegal, Fairy Bridges are definitely worth seeing.
There are plenty of things to see and do in Bundoran, with Fairy Bridges being at the top of the list.
To be completely fair, it's also the Rougey Cliff Walk and Tullan Strand that make this experience so great.
Together, they make a fantastic addition to every Ireland road trip itinerary.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
