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Árainn Mhór – Ailt an Chorráin Blueway

Getting here

Árainn Mhór is three miles off the Donegal coast, and every visit starts with the crossing from Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport). It takes 20 to 25 minutes, and boats run all year.

The crossing, at a glance

Crossing
20–25 minutes
Sailings
About six a day, each way
Season
Both operators run all year
From
Ailt an Chorráin (Burtonport), Co. Donegal
Fares and times
Check with the operator

Booking

Book ahead if you are bringing a car — it is recommended on every sailing, not only in summer. Foot passengers do not need to book. Fares and sailing times are the operators’ own, and both keep them up to date, so check with them directly rather than with us.

Bikes, dogs and motorbikes

Dogs travel free. What you pay for a bike or a motorbike differs between the two operators, so ask when you book. You can also hire a bike on the island, which saves bringing one across at all.

Parking

There is a small car park at the pier in Ailt an Chorráin, for anyone crossing on foot and leaving the car behind, and parking at the beachfront in Leabgarrow once you are on the island.

Driving to the ferry

Rough driving times to Ailt an Chorráin:

  • Donegal Airport — about 20 minutes
  • Letterkenny — about 1 hour 10
  • Derry — about 1 hour 40
  • Dublin — about 4 hours 30

When the weather turns

Sailings can be cancelled at short notice in bad weather. It is worth a phone call before you set out, especially in winter, and worth knowing which boat you intend to catch home: three of the four routes start on the mainland, so a walk can be timed around the last sailing rather than against it.

The two operators

Both run car and passenger ferries between Ailt an Chorráin and the island, all year round. They keep their own timetables and fares.

Ferry operators