Dunkineely is a small village in County Donegal, Ireland. It is situated 11 miles from the town of Donegal and 6 miles from Killybegs on the N56National secondary road. It is a small single street village with a population of around 300 in its surroundings. There is a dun on the edge of the village from which Dunkineely derives its name. The village lies at the top of St John's Point, a narrow peninsula jutting seven miles into Donegal Bay. Dunkineely lies at approximately 150m above sea level. It is the larger of two villages in the parish of Killaghtee, the other being Bruckless, now the location of the Roman Catholic parish church. Nearby is the ancient parish church of Killaghtee. In the old graveyard there is one of the oldest Celtic crosses in Ireland, the Killaghtee Cross. The population is a mix of Roman Catholic and Protestant. Employment in the area relies on seasonal fishing and mixed agriculture as well as service and light industry in the nearby towns of Killybegs and Donegal town.
Facilities
The town has two local industries in the village that comprises a fish processing factory and architectural design and fabrication factory. Services in Dunkineely include a shop, cafe, car dealership, a fishing tackle shop/florist, barber shop, auctioneers, 3 bars, a radio communications shop and a budget accommodation hostel. There are several B&B's in the locality. McIntyre's bar hosts a weekly Irish traditional music session. There is also a National School, Community Centre, GAA pitch and soccer pitch.
opened on 18 August 1893, and closed on 1 January 1960. Dunkineely lies on the main N56 road between Donegal Town and Killybegs. A regular bus service operates along this route.
Festival
Every year in the month of July or August the town hosts a 3-day weekend Summer Street Festival. Events over the years have included a parade through the town, soap box derby races, live bands, pub quizzes, sporting competitions, classic car show, wheelie bin races and digger and tractor driving competitions.
