Overview
The Finn Valley runs east–west through the heart of County Donegal, following the River Finn from Lough Finn down to Lifford, where the Finn meets the Mourne to form the Foyle. It sits between the twin towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar – gentle riverbanks, mixed woodland and open farmland – and works best as a base for walkers, anglers and families who want the quieter, inland side of Donegal rather than the coast.
History and heritage
The River Finn shaped where people settled. Medieval O’Donnell chieftains held fortified sites at the river fords, including Castlefin, to watch the crossings and protect trade routes, and by the 19th century the river carried grain services linking inland communities to Derry.
The most concrete piece of that history is the railway. The Finn Valley Railway opened in 1863 as the first rail line in Donegal, running from Strabane to Stranorlar; the Glenties branch followed in 1895, closed in 1947, and the main line shut in 1960. The old field boundaries, mill races and quiet river bends around Stranorlar still read as worked, lived-in country rather than wilderness.
What to see and do
The valley is a slow-paced place. The river and the ground around it suit low-key outdoor days:
- Walking and nature trails – the woods and riverbanks near Stranorlar have well-kept paths for easy strolls and birdwatching. Look for kingfishers along the river edges and dippers on the stones.
- River fishing – this is the draw for anglers. The Finn offers over 25 miles of salmon fishing from Flushtown to Bellanamore Bridge, with sea trout around Liscooley, Killygordan and Ballybofey. The Finn and its tributary the Reelan are among the most prolific salmon and grilse rivers in the whole Foyle catchment. You need a valid Inland Fisheries Ireland licence; spring and early summer bring the most active runs.
- Cycling – the valley’s flat terrain suits cycling, and the proposed Finn–Foyle Blueway aims to build a continuous riverside route towards Derry. Several sections are already usable via public roads and footpaths.
- Photography and wildlife – early light over the river and open skies make for good landscape shots. The lower reaches near Lifford hold otters and migratory birds.
The Finn Valley campus
It’s worth being clear about what’s here, because two facilities sit side by side and often get lumped together.
The Finn Valley Centre is the athletics and sports hub, home to Finn Valley Athletics Club – founded by Patsy McGonagle, later an Olympic team manager and coach. It has a full-size tartan running track, a 1,500m jogging trail, indoor sports hall, outdoor AstroTurf pitches, and The Valley Bar & Bistro at weekends. Opening hours generally run 9am to 9pm daily, though class schedules and pitch bookings vary by season.
Next door, the Finn Valley Leisure Centre is the wet-and-gym side: a 25m swimming pool, a children’s training pool and toddler area, steam room, sauna, jacuzzi, and a 35-station gym. It has proper disability access, including a pool hoist, an adult changing plinth and four blue-badge bays. New padel courts opened on the campus in June 2026 in partnership with Padel100 – a recent addition if you want a game rather than a swim.
Practical information
Getting there – the valley is reached via the N15, which links Letterkenny to Stranorlar and Ballybofey. From Donegal Airport near Carrickfinn the drive is about 40 minutes. City of Derry Airport is another option, roughly 50 minutes away, for visitors coming from further afield. Local Bus Éireann services link the main towns, but a car gives the most freedom for the rural trails.
Parking and access – on-site parking at the campus and along designated pull-ins near the walking routes. Accessible spaces sit close to the entrances, and most paths are gravel or compacted earth, fine for pushchairs and mobility aids in dry conditions.
Booking and contact – for pitch hire, court bookings or events, contact the Finn Valley Centre directly. Anglers should buy their Inland Fisheries Ireland licence before heading out. Self-catering accommodation is available around Stranorlar and Ballybofey; book ahead for peak summer and school holidays.
Note on the website – the old finnvalleycentre.com address has lapsed. The current sites are finnvalleycentre.ie for the centre and fvlc.ie for the leisure centre.
Exploring further
- Ballyshannon – a drive west to Ireland’s oldest town, on the River Erne, with a heritage centre and riverside promenade.
- Bundoran – about 30 minutes south, a coastal town known for its Blue Flag beach, surfing and the nearby Bluestack Mountains.
- Castlefin – a historic market town on the upper Finn, with an 18th-century market square and the ruins of an old stone bridge.
- Letterkenny – the county’s largest town, for shopping, dining and the Cathedral of St Eunan and St Columba.
If you’re here to fish, that stretch of the Finn from Flushtown to Bellanamore is the reason to make the trip – the walking and the campus are the bonus.