Overview
Mulroy Bay (Irish: Cuan na Mhaoil Ruaidh, ‘bay of the red current’) is a sea loch on Donegal’s north coast, between the Fanad and Rosguill peninsulas in north County Donegal. Its character is set by the tide. A narrow entrance opens onto a winding channel pinched by three narrows only 100-150 m across, where currents run hard. Past them lies the Broad Water, a shallow lough scattered with rocky islets. The name comes from the reddish cast the water takes on in winter.
The Harry Blaney Bridge crosses one of the narrows, linking the two peninsulas.
Villages on the shore – Milford, Kerrykeel and Cranford – have traditional pubs, craft shops and places to stay. Hills, sandy beaches and woodland ring the water.
A view from the mainland
The Mulroy Bay viewpoint at Altaheeran looks over the bay towards Fanad. Use the designated car park, keep the road clear and leave private shores undisturbed. For a separate visitor stop on Fanad, check tours and opening at Fanad Head Lighthouse.
Is there a drive around Mulroy Bay?
Yes: the Mulroy Drive loops out of Milford, tying in Fanad Lighthouse, Ballymastocker Bay and the Knockalla Coast. Check the Mulroy Drive website for the current route and stops. Stay on public roads and use designated parking.
History
The Irish name points to a long maritime past, when the bay was a route for fishing and trade and villages grew around small harbours and forges. Local lore still talks of the ‘Red Stream’ and the old forge sites around the shore.
Red Island (Oileán Ruaidh) has an older recorded name, Oileán na Bhreighe, ‘island of the prisoners’, which hints at a refuge or place of confinement. In the 19th century English surveyors wrote it down as ‘Island Roy’, a phonetic take on Oileán Ruaidh; the modern Irish name reflects the island’s winter colour. Treat the island as something to look at rather than a place to go.
Safety
The currents are swift through the three narrows, so anyone planning to be on the water should check the marine forecast and local advice first. The Donegal coast changes fast, so pack waterproofs and layers. The red water is most striking in winter.
Nearby
- Ballymastocker Bay – a white-sand beach, a short drive north.
- Doe Castle – a 16th-century fortress on a Sheephaven Bay peninsula, with a bawn wall and keep, 15 km west.
- Broad Water – the shallow southern lough of Mulroy Bay.