Sliabh Liag Cliffs Centre and Tí Linn Café - a great place to eat and so much more

The cliffs at Sliabh Liag are a hugely popular attraction in Donegal, and Sliabh Liag Cliffs Centre which includes Tí Linn Café is fast becoming a destination in its own right. 

The venture is a sister business of Tríona Design, known for handwoven tweed and a stunning range of clothing. It includes a 60-seater café, with a further 65 seats now available in a brand new pergola with a retractable roof. This makes outdoor dining an option rain or shine. 

There is also a gift shop suitable for all budgets, and guided tours to the cliffs with a long-established bus company and a multi-talented local tour guide.

The Mulhern family have drawn on their experience in preserving and sharing the heritage of handweaving while meeting the needs and wishes of the modern, discerning customer. The same approach of retaining the best of the old while embracing innovative architecture and Ireland’s ever evolving food culture works extremely well in the Sliabh Liag Cliffs Centre.

Kieran Mulhern explains: “It was started by a man called Paddy Clarke 20+ years ago. 

“In late 2019 he was looking to sell, and we agreed to purchase the business from him. We went into it in early 2020 with a little bit of a tidy up, some minor refurbishment.”

Two days after the doors opened, they were closed again as Covid-19 restrictions came into force.

“We were out of action at the worst time after opening a brand new business but we eventually got up and running as restrictions eased,” recalls Kieran.

2022 and ‘23 saw renovation work carried out, with the shop demolished and a brand new 2,000 square foot modern design constructed.

“William Donoghue Associates designed it and we completed the new store at the beginning of 2024,” says Kieran. “The modern architecture has the same sort of peaks as the cliff incorporated into the design.”

Tí Linn Café remained intact, with the original whitewashed walls a delightful feature of this beautiful eatery. 

A recent addition to the team is chef Claire McNeill. 

Kieran says: “Claire has put in her own ideas to the menu which is rustic with a modern element. 

“We have a big focus on a seafood theme with being on the Wild Atlantic Way. We have so many great natural ingredients in Donegal - fish, veg, meat, it's all there, and there is a great food scene in Ireland now.

“We are working with some fantastic local producers such as Shine’s Tuna. The feedback we are getting is very positive.”

The Sliabh Liag Cliffs Centre is the last stop on the way up to the cliffs and the first on the way back down, and the team has gone all out to ensure that visitors enjoy the best possible experience.

Kieran says: “When we took on the business, there was a great local company- the Haughey family in Teelin - running shuttles to the cliffs. They are very experienced and we are very happy to be able to continue working with them. 

“And we have a wonderful tour guide, musician Eunan McIntyre from Glencolmcille.”

Well known locally as an entertainer, Eunan trained as a tour guide in ATU Killybegs.

“Eunan incorporates his music and storytelling into the tours, and he knows all the local history and tales of the locality,” said Kieran. 

“He plays music on the cliffs or in the cafe when they come back down.”

The shop is a little different from Triona’s other ventures in Ardara and Donegal Town.

“It has a focus on gifts and local artists and producers rather than clothing, though we do stock some of the Triona brand,” says Kieran. 

“For example, we have Noelle Sharpe’s hair products, work by Glencolmcille artist Conal McIntyre, and photography by Brian Campbell.”

Employing a team of 20, the plan now is to go from being a seasonal business to being open all year round.

“It is a great day out for people here in Donegal and the north west - take a trip out to the cliffs and then call to Tí Linn Café for Saturday brunch or Sunday lunch,” Kieran says. 

So whether you are local or are visiting the area, be sure to visit the Sliabh Liag Cliffs Centre where a warm welcome, delicious food and some of the most stunning scenery in the country awaits.