Ballyliffin

Ballyliffin (Irish: Baile Lifin) is a small village located in the North Western tip of Inishowen, County Donegal, Republic of Ireland.

The surrounding landscapes are highly picturesque, with the village being encapsulated by Pollan Strand, Binion hill and Crockaughrim hill.

Views of Ballyliffin

 

.

 

 

Points of Interest

» A small island off Pollan Bay called Glashedy is located roughly one mile off the coast. The English translation of the name is the Island of the Green Cloak derived from the layer of grass present on the top. Throughout the ages various ships have become wrecked near to the island, which provide rich fishing grounds and also contributed the rat population to the island.

» Ballyliffin railway station opened on 1 July 1901, but finally closed on 2 December 1935. It is now a private residence.

» Ballyliffin also has two 18 hole golf courses. Among Nick Faldo's favourite links courses, they were designed by top course designers. An "egalitarian" quality of the course is that it has reasonable annual membership fees, many of its members are on social services and unemployed. These members can be found playing beside highly paid executives. With many people coming from all over the world to play on its links, overlooking Pollan Bay and the Atlantic, and the nearby Glashedy Island.

» Just outside Ballyliffin is the Isle of Doagh which offers great view of Trabrega Bay and Glashedy Island. There is also a 16th century castle on the island . The Isle of Doagh is famous for it's visitor centre. This outdoor museum tells the story of life in this area in the 1970's going back to the famine in the 1940's. During the months os November and December the village becomes Lapland with Santa arriving down the chimney.

» Ballyliffin is only a small village, yet it is home to five hotels. They are The Ballyliffin Lodge and Spa, The Strand Hotel, Transa House, The Ballyliffin Hotel, and soon to come The Sandy Bay hotel.

» Ballyliffin has several beaches Pollan Bay and Lagahurry on the Isle of Doagh. At Pollan beach is a children's playground area. At Pollan Bay, at the extreme end of which sits the ruined Carrickabraghey Castle. The Isle of Doagh was once an island but now is essentially that of a peninsula. On the extreme tip of the Isle at the very end of the road, facing the full force of the Atlantic on a raised rock is Carrickabraghey Castle.the Carricka

» There is a pitch 'n' putt course at Clougherna, just outside the village.