22-24th August 2025
Killaghtee Festival 2025
Parking
Parking is available opposite the Church in Bruckless and at The Mart (F94 P227) in Central Dunkineely.
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Restricted parking available at the Bruckless Community Centre.
Help us celebrate our local community, amenities and heritage at and around Killaghtee.
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Everyone is invited to join us for free events, local celebrations, walks, talks and trips in the area!
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Some events may move to Community Centres, subject to weather conditions.
Grand Opening
Join us for our grand opening!
7pm, Friday 22nd August 2025
Including the Killaghtee Accordion Band, Kevin's School of Music Marching Band, Banjo and our Fancy Dress Competition.
Our fancy dress competition is for 0 to 10 year olds.
This year our theme will be characters from history.
Calling all knights, princesses and jesters!​​
Coach Trip
Join us for our Big Day Out
€20
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Taking place 9:30am to 5pm on Friday 22nd August, leaving from Dunkineely Community Centre
The tour will take us up to Ards Fiary and Newmills Corn and Flax Museum, with a stop at Doe Castle.​
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Lunch and tea and scones included!
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Plus get exclusive early access to the John Seward 'Inver Railway' train model, courtesy of the Donegal Railway Museum.
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Boat Trip
Once again we are offering a boat trip for just €15
(plus €1 online booking fee).
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Taking place at 6pm on Sunday 24th August, leaving from Killybegs, the tour will once again head out to St. John’s Point for some fantastic views of Killaghtee and the surrounding area.
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We will be using the bigger boat of Atlantic Coastal Cruises. The trip will be 2 hours long, with entertainment, refreshments and bar.
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Sponsored by LAWPRO, helping us celebrate Water Heritage Day!
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If you require a lift from Dunkineely/Bruckless to Killybegs, e-mail us on dunkineelycommunity@gmail.com.
Stephen Bennett
Live on Main Street Dunkineely.
(Free)
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Join us in central Dunkineely, Saturday 23rd August, 8 to 10pm,
for live music.
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Stephen Bennett is an up and coming Irish country star from Ardara.
Having been chosen as runner-up in a talent competition judged by Louis Walsh, he released his debut single “Traffic Jam" which went to No. 1 in the iTunes singer-songwriter charts in Ireland.
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Craft Market
Sunday 24th August Bruckless Community Centre
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From 10am to 4pm, take a stroll amongst the stalls in our indoor market and check out some of Donegal's finest local crafts people, specialising in artisan food, drinks, art, jewellery and more.
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E-mail dunkineelycommunity@gmail.com to book a free stall.
(Craft Stalls Only)
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Sports Day
A free event, just for kids.
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Sunday 24th August, 2 to 4pm.
A sports day blitz, being held by
Dunkineely Celtic Football Club.
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Come down to Bruckless Community Park for lots of fun.
Wheelbarrow, 3-Legged and Egg & Spoon Races, Tug of War, Penalty Kicks and more for all ages.
Children's Art
​​Sunday 24th August, 11am to 1pm.
Drop in to Bruckless Community Park for some kid's art with Heather.
Part of the Killaghtee Festival since the beginning, Heather's sessions with kids are always popular.
All materials supplied at this free session, so come on in!​​
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Bruckless Park
​​Sunday 24th August, 12noon to 4pm.
A full line up events at Bruckless Community Park.
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BBQ
Thomas the Tank Engine ride
Live Music (2pm to 4pm)
Face Painting
Plus the craft fair, children's theatre and sports day.
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Please park in the carpark opposite the Church. Community Centre parking is reserved for Disabled Parking.
Kid's Theatre
​​Sunday 24th August, 12noon to 2pm.
The MakeyUppers present...
Granny D's Treehouse
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Interactive fun for kids of all ages!
Plein Art
Saturday 23rd August
Old Killaghtee Church
2pm to 5pm
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Calling all artists!
We need your help.
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Old Killaghtee Church is an important part of our local history, having served both Catholic and Protestant communities. The Killaghtee Cross gravestone from circa 450AD can be found in the Graveyard.
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Plein air painting is about leaving the four walls of your studio behind and experiencing painting and drawing in the landscape. The practice goes back for centuries.
Bring your own equipment, all weather clothing and a desire to create.
Take a seat and capture the stunning views, Church or Cross.
​Picture by Alexis Mehaffy from our 2024 Plein Air event.​
Parking is limited. We advise you to park at McSwyne's Castle and take the 15min stroll to the churchyard. Beware the traffic! Ground at the church is very uneven!
GPS of church: 54.627729, -8.378738​
Walk to Sentry Hill
Saturday 23rd August
Meet at Dunkineely Community Centre
10am to 11:30am
Join us for a leisurely walk up Sentry Hill and enjoy some of the best views Donegal has to offer. Talk by Natalie on the history of the area plus a guest speaker investigating our local flora.
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This barrow is one of the hidden gems of the area.
Suitable for family groups.
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Parking closer to the hill is available if required, just ask when you arrive at the Community Centre.
(Walk includes sections of open field and light climbs, there may be some mud!).
No dogs please - sheep present.
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Folklore
Saturday 23rd August
​2pm to 3:30pm
Dunkineely Community Centre
Following on from our highly successful and very popular course on folklore, join Natalie for a talk on tales from the area and enjoy some refreshments.​​​​
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Depiction of the Bruckless Drowning by Sam Hunter
History and Music
Saturday 23rd August
​​​4pm to 5:30PM​​​
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​The Old Killaghtee Church
Join Kate Robb, Donegal County Council Archaeologist for a
talk on the site.
Music supplied by Kevin O'Donnell's School of Music.
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Parking is limited. We advise you to park at McSwyne's Castle and take the 15min stroll to the churchyard. Beware the traffic!
The churchyard is very old, and severely uneven.
Not suitable for anyone who has difficulty on uneven ground. Dogs welcome.
GPS of church: 54.627729, -8.378738
Sound Bath
Back by popular demand!
(Free)
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Join Rosabella 6 to 7pm on Saturday 23rd August upstairs in Dunkineely Community Centre.
Use the rear entrance (steps)
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This immersive experience promotes wellbeing, calm and peace.
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Bring your own yoga mat and blanket.
Nightlife
Mac’s Bar - Music Friday and Saturday night.
MacLaughlin’s - Saturday night at 10pm 'til late - Stinging Rodgers. Sunday 24th 5-7pm - Darren Burke.
McIntyre’s - Saturday 10:30pm ‘til Late - Music with Francis and Sean, Sunday 6pm to 9pm Irish Trad Session
Kid's Walking Treasure Hunt
Join us as we walk from Dunkineely Community Centre to the Bunlacky outlet. Dogs are welcome.
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12noon to 1:30pm on Saturday 23rd August.​​
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Prizes available.
Walk and Talk
Saturday 23rd August
12noon to 13:30pm
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Meet at the Dunkineely Community Centre for a walk to the Bunlacky outlet and on to 'The Scar'.
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Explore the shore at the Bunlacky river mouth with the Discovery Programme's Hannah Boyd and Edward Pollard.
Examine evidence of past fishing, seaweed harvesting,
salt making and how the landscape is continually changing.
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Very uneven ground, wear sensible shoes. Dogs welcome.
Heritage Treasure Trail
Starting from Dunkineely Main Street.
F94 FN82
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Join us as we launch our new Killaghtee Heritage Trail.
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Pick up your first clue between 5pm and 6:30pm
on Saturday 23rd August.
€5 per car.
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Join in on a treasure hunt for little adventurers and big alike.
Travel around local heritage sites, exploring history and the stunning views of St. John's Point, while working out clues for your next hunt.
Can you win the prize?
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Car required.
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Salute to the Sun Yoga
Celebrate the dawn on St. John's Point
(Free)
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Join Rosabella at 6:15am on Saturday 23rd August for our annual early Yoga.
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Taking place back at St John's Point Beach.
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Will you be brave enough to go for a dip in the Atlantic afterwards?
Walk and Talk
Come along to McSwyne's Castle for a walk and talk with Edward Pollard from the Discovery Programme.
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Find out what they discovered during a recent look into corrosion at the site as part of the DACCHE project. Mud permitting, we hope to get down to the castle to see first hand what they found about the castle’s history.
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Sunday 24th at 11am
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Ground is uneven with some light climbs. Wear sensible shoes.
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Sponsors
A big thankyou to all the local festival sponsors.
If you wish to sponsor our festival e-mail us today!
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We also receive sponsorship for DCL and our many programmes from other sources. Their logos can be found at the bottom of the page.
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If you want to volunteer to help on the weekend, please e-mail dunkineelycommunity@gmail.com