Beautifully located at the foot of Sliabh Liag, the highest sea cliffs in Europe,"The Rusty" is a well-loved traditional Irish bar and restaurant, known for its genuine friendliness and craic.
It dates back to 1892 and, although its popularity with visitors in summer means that it can be very busy, this atmospheric venue serves tasty fare and remains very much itself. Food is hearty and wholesome, with an emphasis on fish and seafood from nearby Killybegs (including freshly battered goujons of fish on the children's menu), but also offering a balanced choice of popular meat, poultry and vegetarian options.
Ever-popular Rusty's Creamy Seafood Chowder with homemade bread makes a satisfying quick bite, for example, and a steak, or steak sandwich, can be upgraded to surf-n'turf with prawns added for a small supplement.
Drinks from the region to look out for include craft beers from Ballyshannon and Kinnegar, along with locally distilled ‘Silkie’ Irish Whiskey (named after the mysterious Silkies, mythical sea maidens that legend says once lived off the coast of Donegal) and An Dúlamán Maritime Gin with seaweed, both from the Sliabh Liag Distillery.
Music nights with traditional Irish dancing additional are regularly held (nightly in high summer) and visiting musicians are encouraged to join in, so you never know who might be the star on any given evening.
The Rusty was bought by Meath man Robert Lynch in 2018 and he's poured a lot of TLC into it since, with additions including a beer garden (complete with retractable roof, wood burning stove and patio heaters) and 13 comfortable new Fáilte Ireland Approved bedrooms. The rooms (doubles and triples) are family-friendly and pet-friendly, making an ideal moderately-priced base for an active holiday in this beautiful area.
