Weddingfest at Roarty’s Pub!

Roarty's Pub

Ceremony

Roarty's

Reception

Our Wedding

We are so pleased to have our three beloved boys stand by our side and share this momentous occasion with us!

Oisin, Joshua, Jacob

Wedding Party

Photos

Q + A

1. They are trustworthy. 2. Load the Tap a Taxi (run by taxi drivers trying to fight the big company Uber/Lyft charges) or FreeNow app (run by Lyft and runs in much of Europe). Both work like an Uber. FreeNow operates in several cities across Ireland, including Cork, Dublin, Galway, Limerick, and Waterford and also services smaller regional towns in these areas - Naas, Kilkenny, and in Waterford. As for other towns, there are local taxi services, but you have to call them. Most pubs will call one for you should you need one, but most run on cash. Rural areas can sometimes be a bit tougher to obtain.

Taxis In Ireland? 

So most tourists coming to Ireland do more driving than experiencing the wonder of the country. It can be exhausting and you might actually miss a lot of gems. Many do the “tourist V” / the bottom half of Ireland doing stuff like kissing the Blarney Stone, Cliffs of Moher, Cork City, Dublin…etc. All great stuff, but we suggest the road less traveled, called the Wild Atlantic Way (aka the west coast). Staying in Dublin for a couple of days at the end of your trip, if you’ve never been, is, of course, a must, but we recommend starting from us and going down the coastline of the Wild Atlantic Way. Ideas are Sligo, Achill Island, Dingle, Portmagee/Skellig Michael, then making your way to places like Kinsale. Don’t worry, you’ll still drive through the Ring of Kerry. If you only have a week, though, you might try limiting your towns/villages vs packing in as many places as possible so you can actually enjoy the experience. Unlike the US, driving is incredibly slow. If you need help, just text or messenger me.

What Else Should I See While In Ireland?

There are multiple ways to get to Glencolmcille once you land in Dublin. -Rent a car from Dublin (about a 4 hour drive) -Fly into Carrickfinn airport (about 1 and a half hours from our home) via Aer Lingus and rent from there -Take the train into Sligo and rent from there Is it possible to get around Ireland without driving? Yeah, but it’s not super easy and it’s very time consuming. We have a train in Ireland, but it has limited destinations ( irishrail.ie) and various busses.

After Dublin

This is our pub in Glen and where the magic started and where all the festivities will happen. The ensuite rooms have been recently renovated and have great views. You will be above the pub and the party! Roarty’s does not serve food, but they have a little community kitchen/lounge upstairs. There are restaurants within a few steps from the pub to fill your belly. *Let me know if you want to stay here and I will set it up for you as you can’t reserve it online. **In the Land of Saints and Sinners with Liam Neeson was filmed in Glen and surrounding villages. Roartys is heavily featured in the film.

Roartys Bar

Our other fav for accommodation, pints, and nightly music in the summer! Complete with a cozy pub and beer garden, the Rusty also happens to be our very favorite for a delicious meal in the area. This is in our neighboring village of Teelin, about 13 minutes away. Its located at the base of Sliabh Liag (Slieve League), the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe.

The Rusty Mackerel

The pub right next door to our festivities. It's recently been renovated with scenic ensuite rooms, beer garden, and it serves tasty dishes. You can easily book online.

John Eoinín's

Carrick Gate

In Carrick, the village next door. Also has food and pub.

Slieve League Lodge

Slieve League B &B

An Sean Ostan

If you’d rather find your own accommodations through Airbnb or another booking site, check the villages of Glencolmcille, Carrick (Donegal), Kilcar, Teelin.

AirBnB/Booking Sites 

Travel

The Folk Village Museum is a must see. It’s a cluster of several small cottages overlooking the Glen Bay Beach. Each cottage is an exact replica of a dwelling used by the local people in each of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries and is equipped with the furniture, artifacts, and utensils of its particular period. A reconstructed school house, fishermans dwelling, and tiny pub-grocer offer additional insights into rural Irish life in on one the most remote corners of the country! *There is also a gift shop and a Tearoom where we love to grab a hot bowl of soup, brown bread, and Irish coffee. They also do a full Irish breakfast.

Glencolmcille Folk Village

About a 15ish minute scenic drive from our village, is Silver Strand Beach. It's a 174 steps down to this gorgeous horseshoe beach. Even just the view from atop is worthwhile. As with anywhere you walk/hike in Ireland, make sure you close all gates behind you.

Silver Strand

The highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe, Sliabh Liag (Slieve League), are a must see! Unlike the well known Cliffs of Moher, Slieve League is still very local and rugged. Pick up the van at the visitor's center and head up the spectacular cliffs! Once at the top, you can choose to continue to hike up or just grab a non-alcoholic beverage and look out at the breathtaking views.

Sliabh Liag Cliff Experience & Visitor Centre

Hear stories about our area, capture beautiful views from below the cliffs, enjoy a unique and affordable couple of hours of fun!

Sliabh Liag Boat Trips

Need a moment of relaxation? Sliabh Liag Sauna is your destination in neighboring Teelin, located next to the magnificent Sliabh Liag Cliffs. Treat yourself to a unique experience of sauna therapy and invigorating ocean or tub dips in their serene environment right on the pier. Book online for a 30-60 minute solo or small group (up to 6) sauna.

Sliabh Liag Sauna

Locally owned by a wonderful family, this fantastic shop uses locally sourced wool for their hand loomed knitwear. They also have a variety of other Irish woolens as well. It’s perfect place for gifts for yourself and others at a prices you cannot beat.They have also added a sweet shop in Carrick!

Rossan Knitwear

See that sea cliff with the tower on it here in Glen? Thats Glen Head and it is a worthwhile hike. Constructed, furnished, and staffed between 1804 and 1806, the tower at the top is one of Irelands Napoleonic-era signal towers of the early 19th century. This communications system was in response to the threat of a French invasion. Each tower works by line of sight with the next. The threat of invasion was significantly diminished following Napoleons defeat at Waterloo in 1815, so most were abandoned due to cost. *As with anywhere you walk/hike in Ireland, make sure you close the gates behind you.

Glen Head

Whether on the screen in the pubs watching County Donegal dominate or the fun of the local games, its the greatest sport ever and will make you wonder how you’ve lived without it until now. Ask about it when you arrive. Im sure there will be a game during our wedding weekend.

Gaelic Football!!

Need to work out aside from dancing and hiking (you weirdo)? The Aislann in Kilcar has a great little gym. It also has a snooker room, library, and a dining area - Tea Room. Check for days/times

Áislann Chill Chartha

Golfers! Founded in 1905, Narin and Portnoo is a gorgeous seaside course and has been established as one of Ireland's must play links. About 50 minutes away from Glen.

Narin & Portnoo Links

Nestled at the bottom of Sliabh Liag, The Rusty sports delectable food,  pints, and nightly music.

One of our all time favorite local pubs for a relaxed day/night perfect pints and music in the middle of our neighboring village of Carrick.Find it on FB

Evelyn's Central Bar

A heck of a fun pub two villages over in Kilcar! Great atmosphere for music, pints, and camaraderie.

John Joe's Bar

The perfect place to kick off a perfect pint in Kilcar.You can even fill up your car in front.

O'Garas Bar&Lounge Kilcar

Kilcar House, in Kilcar, is great stop for a pint with the locals

Kilcar House

This site, created by some our super locals, highlights more of our must see stops while you’re in our area!

Need More Ideas?

Killybegs is our closest town and is usually around 30ish minutes away. You probably drove through it to get to us. It is the largest fishing port in the country and houses hotels, restaurants, pubs, and some shops like McGinley's for sports fan items (like Glencolmcille shirts) and other clothing items/shoes, and the Wild Atlantic Crafts shop, which is a co-op of Donegal artists featuring all handmade items. It's a great place for gifts. It also has the area's main grocery store, SuperValue.

Killybegs 

Donegal Town is usually slightly less than an hour from us. It has hotels, lots of shops, restaurants (Olde CastleSeafood Bar), pubs (McCafferty's), castle ruins to walk through, and is usually a lively place during the summer months.

Donegal Town

Things to Do

On a 2018 martini whim, and meaning to travel somewhere tropical, Amy purchased a 3 month non-refundable ticket to a random village called Glencolmcille, Ireland. There, she found Roarty’s pub during her first week and a new pub buddy, Martin, her second. The poor guy was forced to have countless conversations, but many had a sneaking suspicion that he rather enjoyed them...although, as an Irish man, he’ll never fully admit it. After over a year and a half of giving him fabulous chats and quick hugs at the end of the evenings, Martin finally decided enough was enough and asked her to go for a spin (a drive) one fine Saturday. It was their first time outside of Roartys together and that spin turned into their first date on Arranmore Island. She found him handsome, smart, talented, and entirely hilarious. Neither could have imagined that, that spin would change their lives forever. During the next 6 years, friendship turned into love, a bachelor house turned into a cozy home, and family and friends happily accepted the pairing. These two crack each other up constantly, still take spins, fish, bond over their love of seafood, and travel. He even gets to hear her melodic voice singing show tunes and made up songs about cats and sheep! And oh yes, probably because of her singing, he asked her to marry him in December of 2020. Now, in front of cherished family and friends, these two will finally and quite happily say, “I do!”

Amy & Martin

Amy & Martin

Photos