The landscape around Dunkineely combines a distinctive coastal setting with traces of early settlement and Christian history. St John's Point is known for its geology and wildlife; nearby Killaghtee and Reilig offer specific places where the area's religious past can be explored.
Coast, Fossils and Wildlife
St John's Point is a 12 km-long spur of Carboniferous limestone that extends from Dunkineely into Donegal Bay in the Atlantic. The quality of its rock exposures and its fossil content make it a nationally important fossil site. The entire St John's Point area lies within a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and a proposed National Heritage Area (NHA). A colony of Marsh Fritillary butterflies, a red-listed species included in Annex II of the EU Habitats Directive, lives on the peninsula.
St John's Point is also an important wildlife habitat. Dolphins, seals, porpoises and basking sharks are regularly seen there; the basking sharks feed on smaller shoals of fish. Unlike the geological features, wildlife sightings are seasonal and variable. Those interested in wildlife can therefore plan for this as a changing focus of their trip, rather than as a guaranteed experience at a particular time.
At the end of St John's Point, The Point includes a lighthouse, an Éire sign, a lookout post and caves. Diving and wildlife watching are associated with this area. Free parking is available at the lighthouse; check current access and parking conditions before visiting. The beach area beyond the gate is private property.
Early Settlement and Religious History
Dunkineely has been settled since at least the Bronze Age, around 4,500 years ago. The nearby Killaghtee Cross is believed to date to around 650 AD. A Maltese cross is still visible on its head, while a triple-knot loop engraved below it is now barely discernible. The cross is said to mark the grave of the early monk St Aedh, who is believed to have had a small prayer and meditation cell there.
The old Killaghtee Church and Graveyard, also known as Spamount Graveyard, lies at the northwestern end of St John's Point. The church ruins are believed to date from the mid-12th century; the church was used until the early 18th century. A short path and a gate beside the road lead to the site. The ground is very uneven, so the site is not suitable for everyone. Check local access and ground conditions before visiting.
Reilig near Dunkineely is a burial ground with several penitential cairns and a small D-shaped platform, sometimes called Conall's Bed. Turás, or pilgrimages, are still practised there on the feast day of St Conall on 22 May; check dates and arrangements locally. St Conall's Well near Dunkineely is associated with the 6th-century St Conall of Inishkeel Island. The Ballysaggart Third Order Regulars were active in the area of John's Point from 1500 to 1602.
Plan Your Journey
A TFI Local Link route 293 timetable printed in March 2023 showed a service from Glencolmcille via Killybegs to Donegal Town, with a stop in Dunkineely. Check current departure times before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Killybegs, Carrickart, Moville, Gweedore, Rosnakill, Manorcunningham, Treantagh, Dunlewey
For the wider travel overview: County Donegal.
