Fort Dunree

Located directly on the coast of Lough Swilly in County Donegal, Fort Dunree is a 19th-century military fortification. It is situated high on a cliff face that overlooks Dunree Head, which is a rugged and awe-inspiring landscape at the gateway to Donegal Bay.

The site was originally an Iron Age promontory fort, first occupied by the O’Doherty family in the 10th Century. During World War II, the fort was converted for use as a British Naval outstation. Later, it was used as a training ground for the Irish Defence Forces and is now home to the Irish Naval Service. Today, Fort Dunree is a popular tourist attraction. Visitors will find two museum buildings on site with five exhibition areas devoted to Irish military history from the 19th Century through to the present day. There are also guided tours of the fort and its underground galleries, which were built in 1798. A path leads down the steep cliff face to a rocky beach—the remains of an old gun emplacement can be seen along the way. The area has many interesting geological features such as sea caves, arches, and a sunken ship. Also onsite are several species of wildflowers, unique to this region of Ireland. Fort Dunree is a fascinating historical site and an ideal place to explore the rugged coastline of Donegal.