Donegal & the Giant’s Causeway

Make your own footsteps on one of nature’s most iconic sites, and explore a wonderful corner of Ireland.

Giants Causeway

Dunluce Castle

Day One – Fly to Ireland and explore

Letterkenny Following your flight to Belfast, meet your tour manager, and board the coach for the transfer to Letterkenny. 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 Two – Included Donegal excursion

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 Three – Included Inishowen Peninsula

excursion 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 to 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.

Available Aug to Dec 2022, Jan to Jun, Sep to Dec 2023, Jan to Jun & Sep to Dec 2024 Apr to Jul, Sep & Oct 2023

Fly direct (flight upgrades available). Prices from Fly direct from these airports. Prices from

• Heathrow £1,699 • Manchester £1,749* (UK connecting flights available – call us for details)• Birmingham £779 • Bristol £779 • Gatwick £769 • Glasgow £805 • Liverpool £779 Personalise your holiday • Luton £769 • Manchester £779 • Newcastle £779 • Stansted £769 • New Orleans City Tour (half day) – from £21Tour Only without flights from £670 • Bayou & Alligators Tour (half day) – from £25 • Memphis: Graceland & Sounds of the South (full day) – from £89Make your own way to the airport or your hotel. • Studio B & the Country Music Hall of Fame (half day) – from £45Room for Sole Use from £190

Room for Sole Use from £592Please note: The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours. Please note: *Some departures from Manchester into the USA are via Houston instead of Atlanta and will follow a slightly different itinerary which can be seen on our website. All of the main tour highlights remain included. The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately three hours.

Glenveagh National Park Malin Head

Giant’s Causeway

Letterkenny

Donegal Northern Ireland

Ireland

Belfast

Best Selling

ESCORTED TOUR These hugely popular tours, enjoyed by countless happy customers over the years, have truly stood the test of time.

• A visit to the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway with entrance to the Visitor Centre • Time to explore bustling Donegal town under your own steam • Visit beautiful, Glenveagh National Park • A fascinating guided tour of historic

Glenveagh Castle • A scenic coastal drive alongside the

Wild Atlantic Way, one of Ireland’s most picturesque roads • A tour of the rugged Inishowen Peninsula, including a thought-provoking visit to the fascinating Doagh Isle Famine Village • Five nights’ carefully chosen three-star dinner, bed and breakfast accommodation • Return flights to Belfast, with coach travel and transfers throughout • Fully escorted by a friendly, experienced tour manager

what our customers say...

Our excellent guide was very knowledgeable. It was a great trip all round. Looking forward to the next one! Val

Glenveagh Lake, County Donegal Glenveagh Castle, County Donegal Malin Head, County Donegal

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.

fun fact...

Did you know that the Giant’s Causeway is an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption?

Day Four – Included Giant’s Causeway excursion

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 stepping stones 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. Photo opportunities abound at your next stop, Dunluce Castle. One of the most extensive medieval castle ruins in Northern Ireland, Dunluce rises dramatically from a sheer rocky precipice that looms 100ft above the waves. Separated from the mainland by a deep chasm crossed only by a narrow bridge, this precarious fortification occupied a position of great strategic importance, and remains a wild, beautiful and astonishingly atmospheric place.

Day Five – Included Glenveagh National Park

excursion 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 Six – Fly home Bid farewell to Donegal, today, and return to Belfast airport to catch your flight home.

your hotel

Station House Hotel, Letterkenny HHH Half-Board

The welcoming Station House Hotel is conveniently situated by the banks of the tranquil River Swilly overlooking Old Town Bridge close to the centre of this lively town, and has its own Depot Café/Bar, serving food and drinks from dawn until dusk. Guest rooms are comfortable and equipped with TV, tea/coffee-making facilities, a safe, free Wi-Fi, telephone and private facilities with a shower. Room service is available for a charge.

Station House Hotel

fun fact...

Malin Head, the most northerly point of mainland Ireland, is an iconic location, which is rich in history, culture, flora, fauna and marine heritage. It also features in the movie Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).

Station House Hotel Malin Head, County Donegal