A working Irish fishing village on the mouth of Lough Foyle, Greencastle is the tender gateway to one of Europe's finest walled cities — Derry — and the wild, cliff-edged Inishowen Peninsula.
All ships tender to Greencastle Harbour — a short, scenic ride across the Lough.
💡 Pro move: Some larger ships may dock at Lisahally terminal (~11 km east of Derry) or Fort George berth in the city centre — check your ship's daily programme the night before.
Foyle Port manages multiple berthing options; most cruise calls use the tender anchorage off Greencastle.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most mid-size & small ships | Greencastle Harbour (tender from Lough Foyle anchorage)📍 | Tendered |
| Larger ships / select calls | Lisahally Terminal, ~11 km east of Derry city📍 | Docked |
| Small/luxury ships (e.g., Hebridean Princess) | Fort George Berth, Derry city centre📍 | Docked |
Whether you want history in a walled city, wild clifftops at Ireland's northern tip, or a secluded Spanish Armada beach, the Inishowen Peninsula delivers.
Walk the complete 1.5 km circuit of 17th-century city walls, visit the neo-Gothic Guildhall, and explore the powerful Bogside Murals and Free Derry Corner — a compact, walkable history lesson spanning 400 years.
Find Derry city tours →Drive to the northernmost point of mainland Ireland for dramatic sea cliffs, crashing Atlantic surf, and the famous EIRE sign — a Star Wars: The Last Jedi filming location. Pure, uncrowded Irish edge.
Find Inishowen Peninsula tours →An open-air living museum on Inishowen that walks visitors through Irish life from the Great Famine of the 1840s to the present day. Interactive, moving, and very well-done — not your average museum.
Find Doagh Famine Village tours →A breathtaking, secluded golden-sand cove surrounded by green hills — and the resting place of the La Trinidad Valencera, a Spanish Armada galleon sunk in 1588. Swim, explore the shoreline, or just enjoy the silence.
Find Inishowen day tours →Right on the tender pier in Greencastle's old Coastguard station. Covers the Spanish Armada, local fishing heritage, Lough Foyle shipwrecks, and a working planetarium dome. Easy walk from the boat — a good fallback if weather is rough.
Find Greencastle shore excursions →Follow the coastal path north from the harbour to the classic white Stroove Lighthouse overlooking the Atlantic entrance to Lough Foyle. Short, flat, scenic — perfect if you'd rather spend the day in Ireland than Northern Ireland.
Find Greencastle walking tours →Greencastle's waterfront is flat and immediately walkable; Derry's walled circuit is the standout walk of the region.
A flat, scenic coastal walk from the tender pier north along the Lough Foyle shore to Stroove Lighthouse. Pass Greencastle Castle ruins en route.
The full rampart walk atop Derry's 17th-century walls, with views over the Bogside and city centre. Begin and end at Shipquay Gate.
🗺️ See full route in Maps →Climate normals for Greencastle, County Donegal, Ireland (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 46°F / 8°C | 37°F / 3°C | 18 | 8:06 AM | 5:47 PM |
| Feb | 46°F / 8°C | 36°F / 2°C | 14 | 7:39 AM | 6:24 PM |
| Mar | 49°F / 9°C | 38°F / 3°C | 15 | 7:58 AM | 7:54 PM |
| Apr | 53°F / 12°C | 40°F / 4°C | 13 | 7:09 AM | 8:25 PM |
| May | 58°F / 14°C | 44°F / 7°C | 13 | 6:33 AM | 8:55 PM |
| Jun | 62°F / 17°C | 50°F / 10°C | 13 | 6:19 AM | 9:16 PM |
| Jul | 64°F / 18°C | 53°F / 12°C | 15 | 6:32 AM | 9:13 PM |
| Aug | 64°F / 18°C | 53°F / 12°C | 16 | 7:00 AM | 8:42 PM |
| Sep | 61°F / 16°C | 50°F / 10°C | 14 | 7:29 AM | 7:55 PM |
| Oct | 55°F / 13°C | 45°F / 7°C | 16 | 7:58 AM | 7:07 PM |
| Nov | 50°F / 10°C | 40°F / 4°C | 16 | 7:32 AM | 5:31 PM |
| Dec | 47°F / 8°C | 38°F / 3°C | 17 | 8:01 AM | 5:24 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
City Sightseeing Derry Londonderry hop-on hop-off tour operates in the city — passengers must first transfer from Greencastle port.
Many ships operating from the Greencastle anchorage provide shuttle buses to Londonderry city center. Shuttles can fill up — book early through your cruise line.
Local taxis cover the ~20-mile (32 km) journey to Londonderry in roughly 25 minutes. Availability at the port can be limited; pre-booking is recommended.
Pre-booked private transfers offer a reliable, comfortable option for groups or families, with the same ~25-minute journey time.
The TFI Local Link bus runs between Greencastle and Londonderry in about 45 minutes. Service is weekdays only and schedules can be irregular — not ideal if you have a ship departure to catch.
Upcoming cruises that call at Greencastle, County Donegal, Ireland. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.