Perched on the west side of the Inishowen peninsula, Fort Dunree is a coastal defence fortification in Donegal dating back to the early 19th century.
Built to defend Lough Swilly during the Napoleonic Wars, today Fort Dunree is a popular site of historical interest for visitors to this most beautiful corner of Ireland.
It’s also going to be home to a glass walkway and ‘Ireland’s first funicular railway’. But more on that in a moment.
Some quick need-to-knows about Fort Dunree Military Museum

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Although a visit to Dunree Fort is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.
1. Location
You’ll find Fort Dunree along the wild Atlantic in Buncrana on the Inishowen Peninsula in County Donegal.
2. Opening hours
Dunree Fort is open daily from 10.30 am – 4.30 pm.
3. Admission
- Adult – €8
- Kids – €6
- Seniors – €6
- Family – €16
4. The glass walkway
Dunree Head is set to have a glass walkway installed along its coast over the coming years, offering visitors a very unique experience. There’s also due to be a funicular railway added, which is a carraige pulled by cables that’ll take people through the countryside that surrounds the fort.
5. Part of the Inishowen 100
Fort Dunree Military Museum is one of the key stops on the brilliant Inishowen 100 scenic drive. You can visit the fort while also seeing everything from castles and breath-taking scenery to some of the finest beaches in Donegal.
The history of Dunree Fort

Photo licensed from Lucky Team Studio
Located on the west side of Inishowen peninsula in northern Donegal, Dunree Head is a rocky promontory jutting out into the Atlantic Ocean.
Home to Fort Dunree (which means ‘Fort of the Heather’ in Irish), Dunree Head is renowned both for its natural beauty and as a highly strategic point of military defence down the years.
Since the early 1800s, Dunree Head has been home to Fort Dunree, where a key costa defence bastion was set up.
Dunree Fort was left neglected after peace was reached in the early 1800s, however, much later in 1874, 24 Pounder Guns were introduced to bulk up its defence.
Dunree Head and its famous fort are now a popular destination for people in search of Donegal attractions that boast a wealth of history.
Things to do at Fort Dunree

There’s a handful of things to see and do in and around the fort for those of you looking to make a day of it.
Below, you’ll find info on the tour, kayaking, walks and one of Ireland’s most scenic coffee shops.
1. Explore Fort Dunree Military Museum
Fort Dunree Military Museum opened back in 1986 and offers a unique, comprehensive insight into the bastion’s history of over 200 years.
A visit to the site includes a video film presentation in the audio-visual theatre and access to museum displays which exhibit life at Fort Dunree.
Highlights of the museum include a visit to the underground bunkers that house a collection of artefacts offering a look at the daily operation of the Fort.
2. Soak up the scenery around Dunree Head
As you might expect from the Donegal coast, the scenery at Fort Dunree is incredibly beautiful and dramatic in its scope.
Cliffs plunge into the frothing waters of the Atlantic, green hills tower in the distance. The sky seems to go on forever.
3. Enjoy a coffee with a view
For those who enjoy a distinctly less active day out, there’s an on-site cafe offers a range of delicious refreshments (along with some very tasty treats!).
Grab something hot to keep your hands toasty as you saunter around Dunree Fort or take a load of in the cafe’s comfy seating area!
4. Give kayaking a crack
The stunning natural beauty, based around the coastal vantage point that Fort Dunree enjoys, means that water sports are popular in the area.
Inish Adventures, a top kayak and aquatic adventure school provides everything from Kayaking to Snorkelling.
Things to see nearby
There’s plenty to see and do near Fort Dunree Military Museum, from walks and scenic drives to beaches, historical sites and more.
Below, you’ll find a handful of brilliant places to visit near Dunree Fort. Make sure to hop into our Inishowen Peninsula guide, after, to see everything there is to do in the area.
- Mamore Gap (10-minute drive): One of the most scenic (and steepest!) drives in Ireland
- Glenevin Waterfall (20-minute drive): One of a handful of hidden gems near Dunree Fort Military Museum
- Beaches galore (10-minute-plus drive): Pollan Strand, Tullagh Strand, Five Finger Strand and Buncrana Beach are all nearby
Keith O’Hara has lived in Ireland for 35 years and has spent much of the last 13 creating what is now The Irish Road Trip guide. Over the years, the website has published thousands of meticulously researched Ireland travel guides, welcoming 40 million+ visitors along the way. In 2022, the Irish Road Trip team published the world’s largest collection of Irish Road Trip itineraries. Keith lives in Dublin with his dog Toby and finds writing in the 3rd person minus craic altogether.