Burtonport is located in West Donegal 5 miles from Dungloe, the largest town in The Rosses. The village is home to Burtonport Fishermans Co-Op and is Donegals second most important seafood landing point after Killeybegs. Large numbers of wild Atlantic Salmon and Lobster are landed every year & its fish processing facilities export various species, mainly to Japan and the Continent. The ferry departs from the main slipway and tickets can be bought on board the boat, or at the booking office on Burtonport pier during the Summer months.

The journey from Burtonport on the mainland, to the pier in Leabgarrow takes you between a number of small islands, before crossing the stretch of open Atlantic known as Aran Roads. The narrow channel between Rutland island (Inis Mhic an Doirn) and Inishcoo (Inis Cú/Ederinish island is known as The Black Hole due to its deep, dark, fast moving waters. The shelter provided by the islands allows the Ferry to run in all but the most severe weather conditions.