Boffin Ferry Donegal, a passenger ferry service from Magheroarty Pier to Inishboffin Island is open again for 2023 with daily crossings in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Inis Bó Finne, or Inishboffin island, is located between Magheroarty on the mainland and Tory Island in County Donegal. This daily service will ferry passengers to and from the island and complete the crossing in 10 minutes, for €12 return trip, which really makes it a perfect day trip for anyone visiting the area.
Inishboffin Island is a Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point, just 3km off the Donegal coast. It has a significant bird population and is a sanctuary for the corncrake, barnacle geese, choughs, arctic terns and peregrine falcons. It has much to offer in terms of tourism – beautiful scenery, walks, a wonderful beach and a unique destination to visit when in County Donegal.
The service was officially launched in June 2021 and was blessed by Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh who himself has close links to the island. Very few people live on the island all year but some return to fish and harvest the seaweed on the rocks during the summer.
The island offers an unrivalled panorama of some of Donegal’s most beautiful sights, including Tory Island, Inis Dumhaigh, Magheroarty Beach, the Derryveagh Mountains, Horn Head and Bloody Foreland, all surrounded by clear blue Atlantic waters. Visitors to the island are sure to enjoy the tranquil, beautiful east beach at Tobar an Ghlasáin.
The boat, Saoirse the Mara II (Freedom of the Sea), will operate initially three daily trips @ 10.30am, 1.30pm and 4.30pm and return later from the island. The service is open every Friday, Saturday & Sunday in June and then will operate daily for July and August. There may be more trips at weekends depending on demand. The price is €12 return for adults and €5 return for children under 12.
A clever idea for 2023 is a new ‘season pass’ offering excellent value for anyone who will use the service on a regular basis. €60 for a single season pass, €100 for a couple or €120 for a family pass. This ‘season pass’ initiative really offers fantastic value for money and a great opportunity to visit this unique island more often.
Eddie Curran (Philadelphia and Gortahork) recently commented “I have a lot of family connections from Boffin. It is great to be able to visit Inishboffin anytime this summer and learn more about the history of the island. I am inclined to buy the new ‘season pass’ even though I am only here for a week! Harry offer’s a fantastic service providing excellent value”.
Another popular option is a 90 minute cruise around the 3 islands of Inishboffin, Inisdooey, and Inisbeg. With the promise of breath-taking views and the opportunity to see natural marine life and hopefully some dolphins too. These tours will run at weekends mainly depending on interest over the summer months. Enquire directly by email for availability and rates.
Éamonn Mac Fhionnlaoich from Inis Bó Finne commented ‘We had no regular service to and from the island before now, but this is a fantastic service by Harry Coll, and it means we can bring friends and visitors here. There can’t be many places as beautiful in Ireland, and now it’s so accessible, so it’s great news. Beidh fáilte mhór roimh dhaoine’.
Féile Inis Bó Finne takes place on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July more details on their facebook page.
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