Hi David
I haven't actually been able to get out much as of late because of house renovations (...cks to that) Ordinarily I would be going out quite a lot and if pressed would say I prefer dawn - although most of my fishing tends to be later in the afternoon. I've certainly caught my nicest fish in the mornings. Had one really good morning a couple of months back when I was getting a hit almost every cast and came away with 4 or 5 Pollack in the 4 - 5lb mark. That was from the rocks with shallow sub-surface lures - my preferred method these days although soft plastics do just as well.
Don't believe what you read on the web as I have never seen a Bass around here, certainly never caught one nor have I heard of anyone catching them. I think we are too far north here - there are a good number down the South, but not here. Around here it is Pollack mostly, Mackerel when they are about and the occasional Wrasse. There are other species also depending upon what method you are using Mullet, dogfish and others.
Personally I do almost all of my fishing up at St.Johns Point which is across the Bay from Rossnowlagh and so I can only really speak about that. If you like Pier fishing then there is Creevy Pier which is not too far from Rossnowlagh. Across the other side from there there is the pier at Salthill below Mountcharles - 10 mins up the road from Donegal town. Down from Rossnowlagh there is Mullaghmore which apparently is good for Pollack off the rocks but I've never tried it yet myself. It is certainly very beautiful there and worth a go if not just for a lovely day out fishing.
Hope this helps and tight lines for the weekend.
Cheers