These are the top three places in the annual tidy towns competition in Ireland’s county Donegal
- 1st Place: Carraig Airt (Carrigart) – A picturesque coastal haven on the Rosguill Peninsula, Carrigart is a gateway to some of Donegal’s most stunning landscapes. Visitors are drawn to its pristine beaches like Tramore and the wild beauty of the Atlantic Drive, which offers breathtaking views of Sheephaven Bay and Horn Head. The town itself is a charming base for exploring the region, with excellent traditional pubs, golf at Rosapenna, and access to the secluded walking trails of the peninsula.
- 2nd Place: Letterkenny – As the bustling cultural and retail hub of Donegal, Letterkenny seamlessly blends urban energy with its rich heritage. Attractions include the modern regional cultural centre, An Grianán Theatre, and the poignant Cathedral of St. Eunan and St. Columba. It’s the perfect starting point for exploring the nearby Glenveagh National Park and serves as a vibrant centre for music, dining, and festivals throughout the year.
- 3rd Place: Buncrana – Nestled on the shores of Lough Swilly with views towards the Inishowen Peninsula, Buncrana is a family-friendly town with a relaxed seaside charm. Its main attraction is its beautiful, long beachfront and the scenic Swan Park along the Crana River. History enthusiasts can visit O’Doherty’s Keep, while everyone can enjoy the stunning coastal walks to nearby Ned’s Point Fort or use it as a base to drive the famed Inishowen 100.
The winners of the restaurant awards from Donegal:
- Overall: The Lemon Tree, Letterkenny
- Café: Hatch’d
- Casual Dining: Snugborough
- Chef: Ciaran Sweeney of The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box
- Contemporary Irish Cuisine: The Olde Glen Bar, Restaurant & Bia Box
- Customer Service: The Red Door Country House
- Employee Excellence Award: Tatjana Erinc of The Restaurant at Harvey’s Point
- Gastro Pub: Whoriskey’s
- Hotel and Guesthouse Restaurant: The Restaurant at Harvey’s Point
- Innovator: Foam
- Local Food Hero: Martin Anderson, Sonder
- Newcomer: No. 9 Market Square
- Pub: The Reel Inn
- Restaurant Manager: Claire Williamson of BRAAI
- Sustainable Practices: Simple Simon’s
- Use of Social Media: Sonder
- Wine Experience: Castle Grove Country House
- World Cuisine: Chandpur Restaurant
Restaurant awards
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Donegal:
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – New – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets– Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846 – 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
Donegal is a land of wild coastlines and Gaelic heritage, with Slieve League’s towering sea cliffs offering some of Europe’s highest coastal views. Glenveagh National Park features a historic castle and sprawling gardens amidst rugged mountains. The beaches of Bundoran and the traditional tweed workshops of Ardara make Donegal an engaging destination for nature and cultural enthusiasts. The Grianan of Aileach stone fort adds ancient intrigue and splendid views. Donegal is Ireland’s fourth largest county by size (4,830 square km) and 13th largest by population (167,084). Population peaked at 296,448 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 108,344 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Donegal is also Ireland’s 13th most visited tourist county with around 199,000 international visitors per year.
2024 Irish Restaurant awards by county:
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
2025 Irish Restaurant awards by county:
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
