Our favourite dive sites

Downings

Directions:
There are a number of ways to get to Downings - (1) for the main route, head for Letterkenny. At Letterkenny, take the N56 signposted Creeslough/Dunfanaghy. As you go along the N56, just before Creeslough, take a right turn to Downings on the R245. At Carrickart take a left turn onto the R248. You will pass Rosapenna golf course and Rosapenna village. Shortly afterwards, you will take a left turn to Downings Pier (from memory it is just marked 'Pier'). After a hundred yards of so, there is a large car park to the left.

You could also go (2) via Milford or (3) just after Kilmacrennan follow the Lough Salt drive.

Occasionally we dive in Mulroy Bay, this is the pier to the east of Downings (Magherabeg) - see second map below.

Both sites are approx 37miles each way from Strabane

Parking:
There is a car park, just before the pier. Space is limited. This is a popular dive spot so other clubs may be there along with people enjoying a day out. There is additional parking if you take a right (past the tea shop) opposite the pier car park - but longer to carry your gear

Facilities:
On the main Downings pier there are toilets. In summer the tea shop will be open, but probably easiest to bring your own food/drinks.

There are no facilities at Magherabeg.

Tides and weather:

Tide table - closest datum point is Downies Bay (Downings)

Weather - closest datum point is Letterkenny

Shipping Forecast - Sea Area Malin

Previous 24 hours weather data - Buoy M4  This Marine Institute buoy is approx 80 miles NE from Killybegs (Location:55.0000°N 10.0000°W) and reports current conditions on an hourly basis

Why we like Downings:
A number of great sites off the west Rosguill peninsula - for example Black Rock - about 25m. On the east side of Rosguill is the narrow entrance to Mulroy Bay - great drift dives in about 20m to 25m - but only with extreme care, a huge amount of water is moving on each tide and currents can be quite fast - exciting to say the least!

 

Downings Pier - the toilets are the white buildings on the pier. The photo is taken from the edge of the car park

The boat is leaving the slipway on the east side to do a drift dive in 'The Narrows' - entrance to Mulroy Bay