Places to See in Donegal

Dooey is located close to the towns of Glenties and Dungloe which are located on the western coast of County Donegal. Dooey beach is a long sandy beach approximately 3km long on the Atlantic coast of Ireland. The beach is contained to the south by the Gweebarra estuary and sheltered to the north by the headland. The beach is west facing into the Atlantic Ocean and gets a strongwash of water from the rough sea directly onto the beach. It is an extensive sandy beach in a rural environment. The beach is backed by an extensive and majestic sand dune system with a well defined primary duneridge.

Dooey is a Green Coast awarded beach for 2026.

The Green Coast Award is a prestigious environmental accolade given to beaches that achieve excellent bathing water quality while being prized for their natural, unspoilt, and rugged environments. Unlike the traditional Blue Flag award, which requires built infrastructure like toilets and paved access, the Green Coast Award focuses on protecting rural, low-development beaches. In the Republic of Ireland, the initiative is operated annually by An Taisce with the backing of the local community.

General Advice

All beach users are asked to take care when at the beach, and in particular:

• Never swim alone - Or surf, dive or sail unless there is someone with you.

• Always engage in water activities with family or friends.

• Tell someone when you will be back.

• Note Locations of Life Saving Equipment - Before entering the water familiarize yourself with the location of lifebuoys.

• Report Missing or Damaged Lifesaving Equipment - If you find that lifebuoys are missing or vandalized, please contact the Blue Flag Co-ordinator, Donegal County Council, Central Laboratory, The Kube, Magheranan, Letterkenny. (074) 91 22787 or (074) 91 76276. Email - beaches@donegalcoco.ie