Overview
On the border of the Twin Towns of Ballybofey and Stranorlar, Seán MacCumhaill Park (Páirc Sheáin Mhic Cumhaill) is the main home for Donegal’s senior Gaelic football and hurling teams. With an official capacity of 17,500, it is a focus of local sporting pride and a regular venue for Ulster and All-Ireland championship fixtures. The steep terraces and tight footprint put you close to the pitch, which is exactly the point.
History and the man behind the name
Gaelic games took firm root in East Donegal in the early 20th century. Local clubs Ballybofey Éire Óg and Stranorlar Sarsfields merged in 1926 to form Erin’s Hope and eventually secured a permanent pitch at Drumboe. The case for a larger, dedicated stadium became clear during a 1946 Donegal versus Sligo friendly, which led to a Park Committee being formed.
The ground is named for Seán MacCumhaill (also known as Seán McCool), a prominent Donegal republican, former IRA Chief of Staff and secretary of the Donegal GAA board from 1946 until his death in May 1949. His funeral drew thousands through the streets of Stranorlar, and the newly acquired grounds were dedicated to him soon after. The President of the GAA officially opened the stadium in April 1950, and the local club took the Seán MacCumhaills name in his memory. A plaque at the main entrance marks his commitment to both the republican cause and Irish sport.
Over the decades the park has seen six Donegal senior county titles and any number of provincial clashes. A safety audit in 2012 temporarily cut the capacity, but a quick redevelopment finished in 2013 restored the current 17,500 limit. In August 2017 it hosted an All-Ireland Minor Football Championship quarter-final between Derry and Sligo.
Matchday experience and facilities
The park is set up for football and hurling, with a 145 m × 90 m playing surface. The layout brings spectators close to the action, and the terraces magnify the noise at the key moments. Recent investment has modernised the place:
- Floodlighting: an LED system on 45-metre columns gives professional-grade light for winter and evening fixtures.
- Pitch and drainage: a sand-seeded surface built for durability and consistent play, with upgraded drainage to cope with Donegal’s weather.
- Accessibility: recent upgrades include a dedicated disabled viewing area, modernised toilet blocks and better ramp access across the concourses.
- Clubhouse and heritage: the on-site clubhouse holds memorabilia, trophies and displays tracing the club from its 1916 founding to its current standing as one of Donegal’s most decorated clubs.
Current status and practical information
Worth knowing before you go: the main pitch is currently closed for a full redevelopment. While the work is on, Seán MacCumhaills GFC play their home fixtures at the Donegal GAA Centre of Excellence in Convoy. The club and Donegal GAA are running the upgrade towards a long-term, all-weather surface, with progress posted on their official channels. Check before you travel, or you may arrive to a building site.
Getting there: The stadium is just off the R267, the main route between Letterkenny and Ballybofey. Allow extra time on busy match days or in winter, when roadworks and weather can slow the journey. The nearest public transport stop is Main Street (McElhinney’s), served by regular buses linking Derry, Letterkenny and Ballybofey.
Parking and entry: On-site parking is free for match-goers, though access may be restricted during active construction. Entry to GAA fixtures is usually free for general admission, with ticketed seating for high-profile Ulster or All-Ireland matches through the Donegal GAA ticketing portal. Concession stands operate on match days.
Contact and updates: For fixtures, construction timelines and club information, see the official website at seanmaccumhaill.com.
Exploring the Twin Towns
A trip to the stadium slots easily into a wider East Donegal day. Ballybofey and Stranorlar share the Balor Arts Centre, a run of independent cafés and the historic Drumboe Courthouse. With more time, the coastline and mountain trails of North Donegal are within reach, and the Derry–Letterkenny corridor adds further dining and heritage stops. If you are coming for a game, arrive early for a spot on the terraces, and check the club’s website for the latest on the redevelopment first.