Donegal & the Giant's Causeway

Iconic Irish landscapes

Step out onto one of nature’s most iconic sites as you explore a wonderful corner of Ireland. Discover some of Northwest Ireland's finest scenery – a land of stunning coasts, rivers and loughs, towering mountains and sheltered glens. Based in the lively town of Letterkenny, you'll visit the astonishing rock formations visit County Antrim’s astonishing UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, wander historic Donegal town and visit beautiful Glenveagh National Park and its castle. A day on the Inishowen Peninsula, a timeless, remote area steeped in heritage and antiquity, completes a magical break.

Highlights

Journey to the Giant's Causeway
Visit the beautiful Glenveagh National Park with a guided tour of Glenveagh Castle
Set off on a scenic drive along the Wild Atlantic Way
Explore the Inishowen Peninsula
Experience the thought-provoking Doagh Isle Famine Village
Travel to Ireland's most northerly point, Malin Head

Inclusions

Five nights' bed and Irish breakfast accommodation at the three-star Station House Hotel, Letterkenny
Four dinners and five breakfasts
Excursions to Donegal, the Inishowen Peninsula and Glenveagh National Park
A trip to the Giant's Causeway
Entry to Giant's Causeway's Visitor's Centre
Entry to the fascinating Doagh Isle Famine Village
Return flights to Belfast
Comfortable coach travel and transfers
The services of a friendly, knowledgeable tour manager

Day 1

Following your flight to Belfast, upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a Newmarket representative and transferred to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, you'll be able to spend the rest of the day exploring the town. Visit imposing St Eunan’s Cathedral, which dominates the skyline, wander through the charming Market Square or take a stroll along the picturesque Swilly River walkway. Alternatively, simply relax in one of the town's colourful pubs. You'll find several within walking distance of your hotel.

Day 2

Today, you'll head to Donegal town. Centred on its ancient marketplace, the Diamond, Donegal has a rich history reflected its imposing Jacobean castle, which sits above the River Eske. The 70-minute waterbus trip (payable locally) around Donegal Bay offers another scenic perspective on this attractive town – especially on fine days. See the seal colony on Seal Island, the Bluestack Mountains and the many islands dotted around the bay. Back on shore you'll find no shortage of pubs and restaurants where you can grab a spot of lunch.

Day 3

Today’s fascinating excursion takes you to the remote Inishowen Peninsula, a typically northern Irish landscape that includes Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head (familiar to listeners of the Shipping Forecast everywhere). Bordered by the waters of Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly, and the pristine beaches of the Atlantic coast, its towering mountains rising from a landscape dotted with ancient Celtic crosses and crumbling churches, Inishowen is a scenic delight. Your day includes a visit to the Doagh Isle Famine Village, an outdoor museum where the sights, sounds and stories of Irish life, from the famine of the 1840s to the present day, are recreated. The attraction is built around original thatched houses that were inhabited until 1983. From here, you’ll travel through the beautiful, timeless landscape, and on through the remote peninsula town of Carndonagh, to wild, windswept Malin, to enjoy the stupendous views, which stretch to the distant west of Scotland on clear days.

Day 4

The highlight of the whole tour for many will be today’s excursion to the breathtaking Giant’s Causeway. Long associated with legendary Irish hero Finn McCool, this astonishing collection of closely packed basalt columns, which rise like steppingstones from the Atlantic to the wild, windswept cliffs above, was formed after a volcanic eruption 60-million years ago. Your visit will include entry to the Visitor Centre, where you'll receive a free audio-guide to take to the stones and have the chance to explore the exhibits in the active interpretation area. Take the short minibus trip from the visitor centre to the Causeway (small charge, typically payable locally), or walk the mile or so along the cliff path to take in the breathtaking views and sea air. Continue to visit the city of Derry. On this walking tour, you'll view the 400-year-old city walls and learn about the city's marvellous history dating back to medieval times to modern day. Derry is renowned for its street murals and there will be an opportunity to visit and view these.

Day 5

Today, you'll head to Glenveagh National Park. This remote area of outstanding natural beauty is home to herds of wild deer, and a sanctuary for the endangered golden eagle and many other species of wildlife. By contrast to most of the rugged landscape, Glenveagh Castle, which overlooks the peaceful waters of Lough Veagh, comes as something of a surprise. A guided tour of the castle's keep and mismatched towers offers a real glimpse into a lifestyle of an earlier age, and you'll also have time to explore the spectacular gardens. Your route back to Letterkenny takes you back to the coast, via Mount Errigal and through Dunlewy village to Bunbeg. Here (weather permitting) you may like a stretch your legs with a stroll along the sandy beach before continuing up and around the Bloody Foreland (named for the red hue of the rocks at sunset), for a final stop in one of the area's quaint villages, such as Dunfanaghy.

Day 6

Bid farewell to Donegal, today, and return to Belfast airport to catch your flight home.

Further Information

Hotel transfer times

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours.

Combining hotel transfers

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Visits to the Giant's Causeway

Your visit will include entry to the new visitor centre for the Giant's Causeway. You will also be given a free audio guide to take to the stones.

The Station House Hotel, Letterkenny

The hotel has an inviting café/bar that serves food and drinks from dawn until dusk, occasional live music, and a lift.

Special requirements

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Itinerary changes

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Disabled access

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Currency

As this holiday is based in Letterkenny, which is in the Republic of Ireland, but includes travel to and from Belfast plus a visit to the Giant's Causeway (both of which are in Northern Ireland), you will need both sterling and euros.

Tipping

We are often asked about gratuities on our Irish holidays. At the end of a tour it is customary to give a coach driver around £2-3 per person per day and a Tour Manager around £3-5 per person per day; a gratuity of £1 per person per day for dining/waiting staff in your hotel will also be greatly appreciated. In a restaurant leave about 10% of a bill (no need to tip in a bar) and around £2 for services such as hairdressing.

Travelling to Europe

Rules may have changed since you last travelled to European Union countries as well as Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. The following are useful guidelines which will help you prepare for your next adventure. You do require government issued passport to travel. Names - It is very important that all passenger names are exactly as per your passport although we do not require middle names. Passport - Your passport must meet two requirements to travel to an EU country and to Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. It must be: Less than 10 years old on the day you return home (please check the "date of issue") and valid for at least 3 months after the day you return home (please check the "expiry date"). Visa - You do not need a visa for short trips to most EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. You’ll be able to stay for up to 90 days in any rolling 180-day period. European Travel Information & Authorisation System (ETIAS) - Commencing in late 2023 or 2024, all citizens of the United Kingdom will require a ETIAS electronic form completed prior to their arrival into the EU and Schengen member countries. The cost for this travel authorisation will be €7.00 per person with exceptions for under 18’s and over 70’s. The latest information and further details can be found at www.etias.com.