This beach lies to the north of Buncrana and can be reached by car directly or you can find it at the end of the Buncrana Coastal Walk. This beach is great for walking or metal detecting. This beach is a beautiful reward weither you walk along the coastal path or through Buncrana. If you choose to walk along the coastal path you will come across Father Hegarty's Rock.
Father Hegarty's Rock:
Father James Hegarty was born in Inishowen in1649. He was ordained a Dominican by Oliver Plunkett at Dundalk in 1672. He ministered in the church of Lower Fahan and Desertegney and administered the Sacraments that were prohibited under punishment of death by the Penal Laws dictated by the English in 1698. Like different priests at another time Fr Hegarty refused to apostatize and sign the *Oath of Abjuration. He would suggest Mass at night in forlorn quiet areas in the landscape in all weathers to avoid being discovered by the English forces. Some parishioners would comprise ‘look outs’ watching as long as the English forces discovered ruling class. During this time Fr Hegarty use hiding in a small grotto north-west of Buncrana. His twin Mary often visited him producing him food and she was the only classification member the one knew of his location. Her husband Thomas Doherty was rumoured expected an English-sympathiser.
One day he found Father Hegarty’s hiding place afterwards following his wife and curve him in to the ‘Redcoats’ for the £5 reward. Soldiers under the command of an English deputy called Vaughan continued horseback after Fr Hegarty but the rector fled on a horse that had been likely to him by locals to the rock famous today as Father Hegarty’s Rock. He springed into the waters of Lough Swilly with the intention of swimming to the other side to avoid capture. His pursuers acted not want him to be shot or drowned in the water fearing his body maybe lost, named out to him telling him he would be spared if he returned. On his return nevertheless he was beheaded and his body was buried near the rocky outcrop where he had entered the water. He was buried near the spot where he had been killed. His head was shipped to Dublin as there was a bounty on priests’ heads at that time.