Passenger service to Inishbofinn is open again for this year

A passenger ferry service from Magheroarty Pier to Inishboffin Island is open again this year with daily crossings in the morning, afternoon and evening.

Boffin Ferry Donegal travels to Inis Bó Finne, or Inishboffin island, located between Magheroarty on the mainland and Tory Island. The daily service will ferry passengers to and from the island completing the crossing in ten minutes.

Inishboffin Island is a Wild Atlantic Way Discovery Point, just 3km off the 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 the county.

The service was officially launched in June 2021 and was blessed by Fr Brian Ó Fearraigh who himself has close links to the island. Many people 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.

Tá tránna galánta ar an oileán seo agus radharcanna iontacha ón oileán ar an tír mór agus ar na hoileáin thart uirthi. Is fiú cúpla uair a chaitheamh anseo ag spaisteoireacht, ag snámh, nó ag ligean do scíste agus tú ag éisteacht le ceol binn na n-éan agus le fuaim na farraige móire thart ort.

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 and 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 new 'season pass' will be offered to 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. 

Eddie Curran from Philadelphia and Gortahork recently said: "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."

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 said: "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 8th and Sunday 9th July more details on their facebook page.