Glenveagh National Park: Our most recommended tours and activities

From Belfast: 4 Day Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way Tour

1. From Belfast: 4 Day Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way Tour

Day 1 You leave Belfast and travel to Hillsborough Castle and its stunning gardens. Here, you get to discover ornamental grounds, tranquil woodlands, and charming glens. Then the journey takes you to the city of Armagh in County Armagh, Ireland’s Orchard County. This city loves St Patrick so much it boasts two cathedrals dedicated to him. They also love their Bramley apple, so make sure to try local ciders and the legendary Irish Black Butter. Next, heading for the border past Lower Lough Erne, the landscape will get more rugged as you cross into the beat bogs and Hills of County Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. You will stay overnight in the town of Donegal, a popular foodie destination lined with cosy pubs filled with traditional music. Day 2 First are the Slieve League Cliffs, among the highest in Europe, that tumble down 600 metres to the unrestrained ocean and are steeped in legends. The landscape continues to get wilder as you travel through the sparsely populated Irish-speaking communities to Glencolomcille. Taking a break from the coastal delights, the route takes you through a striking mountain pass at Glengesh to the picturesque village of Ardara for lunch. You continue to explore the Wild Atlantic Way, before travelling through the impressive Glenveagh National Park. In the early evening, you arrive in Letterkenny, a vibrant town full of history and great traditional bars, where you spend two nights. Day 3 Leaving Letterkenny, you head straight for Fort Dunree. This strategic clifftop fort is now also home to a military museum. From here you travel along Mamore Gap, one of the most scenic drives in Ireland. Next up, you make your way to the lovely little town of Carndonagh for lunch. This market town boasts loads of pubs and restaurants, not to mention it’s the site of the ancient Donagh Cross or St Patrick’s Cross. After, it's time to make your way up to Malin Head. With its wild and rugged coastline, this northern-most point of Ireland feels out of this world, so no wonder it was used as a filming location for Star Wars VIII: The Last Jedi. Your adventure continues to Grianan of Aileach. This peculiar hilltop fort dates back to 1700 BC and has some breathtaking views. Day 4 Today you travel back into Northern Ireland to admire the beauty of Downhill, a prominent stop on the Causeway Coastal Route. Take a stroll along Downhill beach before you pop up to see Mussenden Temple perched right on the cliff’s edge. This 18th-century temple was originally built to house the eccentric Earl Bishop’s library and is now one of the most photographed places in Ireland and a Game of Thrones location. Our next stop is at the seaside village of Castlerock for a well-deserved lunch break. No trip to Ireland is complete without a bit of whiskey, so you head off next for Old Bushmills Distillery, the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery. With this delicious whiskey warming your insides, it’s time to head back to Belfast.

Ireland's North Atlantic Coast 5-Day Tour from Dublin

2. Ireland's North Atlantic Coast 5-Day Tour from Dublin

Enjoy a scenic tour of Eire and Northern Ireland’s Atlantic Coast on a 5-day package tour from Dublin. Stay in quaint bed and breakfast accommodation in Portrush, Donegal, and Westport along the way. Go to the edge of Europe at Achill Island, explore the new Titanic Quarter in Belfast to see where the ill-fated ocean liner was built, marvel at the dramatic geology of the Giant’s Causeway, and immerse yourself in Gaelic culture. Day 1: Depart Dublin at 09:00 and travel north towards the border with Northern Ireland. From here it is a short journey to Belfast, famous for its industrial past and turbulent history. After a short tour of some of the city’s key areas, arrive in the newly redeveloped Titanic Quarter, where you will have time for lunch and a visit to the award-winning museum. In the afternoon, experience the contrast between the busy city center and the scenery of the Antrim Coast and Glens. Follow part of the coast from Ballycastle to the world famous Giant's Causeway. Marvel at the stunning coastal scenery, before checking into your overnight accommodation in the holiday town of Portrush. Day 2: Go to the walled city of Derry, designated a UK City of Culture in 2013. Enjoy some free time to explore the old city center, and visit one of the many museums or galleries. Then cross the border to the Republic of Ireland, traveling into one of the most remote and unspoilt areas of the country. Explore County Donegal’s dramatic scenery and Gaelic culture. Pass through Glenveagh National Park and the Errigal Mountains, before following the coast through traditional fishing villages. Stop for nature walks along the way, and soak up the local culture before checking into your overnight accommodation in Donegal. Day 3: Travel south along the coast from Donegal to County Sligo, and see the grave of the famous poet W.B. Yeats. Gaze at the mountain scenery of Ben Bulben, before exploring Sligo Town at Carrowmore, site of the largest collection of megalithic tombs in Ireland. Continue west into County Mayo to discover an area hit hard by the great potato famine, leading many to emigrate to North America. Drive through large areas of farmland, bog, and open moor, enjoying panoramic views of the distant hills. Return to the Atlantic Coast and Achill Island on the edge of Europe. Savor the peace and quiet of the beautiful area, before driving to Westport for your next 2 nights accommodation. Day 4: Today’s itinerary is weather dependent, and your guide will advise the best things to see. Explore the beautiful house and grounds of Kylemore Abbey, or marvel at the wilderness of Connemara National Park. Go to Clifden to see where the first transatlantic flight landed. Other options include the scenic Sky Road and 12 Bens of Connemara. Return to Westport for an evening at leisure, and the chance to sample some local seafood in one of the many excellent restaurants. Day 5: Enjoy a leisurely start to the day, before leaving Westport and going inland through the heart of Connemara. Visit the village of Cong on the shore of Lough Corrib to see where the classic movie “The Quiet Man” was filmed. Explore Cong Abbey, or the Quiet Man Museum, before driving through the Maam Valley to Galway City. Enjoy some free time for lunch, and to explore the vibrant city center. Return to Dublin, stopping at the old whisky distillery of Locke’s Distillery in Kilbeggan to learn about Ireland’s favorite tipple en route.

From Dublin: 3 Day County Donegal & the Wild Atlantic Way

3. From Dublin: 3 Day County Donegal & the Wild Atlantic Way

Day 1 You depart Dublin and journey back in time to the 11th century to Ireland’s second Cistercian Abbey. Now in ruins, Bective Abbey is a maze of dead-end passageways and staircases that lead to nowhere. Let your imagination take you back to when this abbey was built and imagine what daily life might have been like. Next, it’s off to Trim. Sitting snuggly along River Boyne, the town is home to Trim Castle, the largest Norman castle in Ireland. Feel free to explore the castle as well as the town at this stop. You then head to Cavan for lunch before continuing across the border into Northern Ireland. Your next destination is the island town of Enniskillen, where you can spend some time exploring the cosy pubs, the castle, or simply stroll the charming streets. Finally, cross the border again and enjoy the beautiful scenery of County Donegal as you head to Donegal Town, your base for the next two nights. Day 2 Your first stop is at Slieve League Cliffs along the Wild Atlantic Way. These dramatic sea cliffs are the second highest in Ireland and three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher. Keep your cameras out because the drive coming up is worth its own Instagram post. You journey through the stunning and windy Glengesh Pass, passing by mountains and steep valleys that really make you feel small (in the best way possible). After a quick photo stop here, who can say where the road goes next? Only Enya. Just kidding. It’s time to head to Leo’s Tavern for lunch. This pub is a popular local watering hole and many now-famous artists performed here, including Clannad, Moya Brennan, and Enya. The final stop of the day is a visit to the Glenveagh National Park Visitor Centre. This national park lies in the heart of County Donegal and is home to protected wildlife in an array of pristine habitats. It’s the ideal escape for lovers of nature and wildlife; you'll just love cruising through this beautiful area and stopping for photos. The award-winning visitor centre is your destination, and you have some time to explore the area. You head back to Donegal for the night. Day 3 Your first stop is Mullaghmore Beach, a paradise for those who love a good beach walk, which is exactly what you’re here to do, so grab your cameras. You carry on to the coastal seaport of Sligo for lunch and a little exploration. This town is full of history, from its literary heritage that can be seen at the Sligo County Museum, to the medieval ruin of Sligo Abbey. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing drive through the heart of Ireland as you make your way to Belvedere House and Gardens. Built in 1740, this hunting lodge was built by Richard Cassels, one of Ireland’s foremost Palladian architects, for Robert Rochfort, 1st Earl of Belvedere. You have time to explore here and soak up the dramatic architecture, the Victorian walled garden, and the surrounding forest. A perfect way to end the trip and from here you head back to Dublin.

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Trip made great by our driver and font of knowledge, Gabriel. There was no end to his skills as story teller and information about places and people here and abroad. Thank you gabriel.