Experience the rugged beauty and rich history of the North half of Ireland on a 7-day private tour.
‘Donegal Tour Guide’ will arrange all transportation for your private multi-day trip of Ireland, incorporating Ireland’s Ancient East, Northern Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way.
Below is a suggested itinerary for an extended tour starting in Dublin. We can however tailor this to start from anywhere in Ireland.
Day 1: Dublin to Belfast
Begin your private tour of Ireland with a visit to Newgrange in the Boyne Valley, a 5,200 year old passage tomb built by Stone Age farmers. Continue on to Northern Ireland and visit the world-famous Titanic Museum. This museum extends over nine galleries, telling the Titanic story in an interactive, fresh and insightful way.
Highlights
Newgrange
Titanic Museum
Where to stay
Belfast City (1 night)
(accommodation not included)
In your own time
Visit the quirky bars of Belfast’s Cathedral Quarter and the beautiful murals on the walls of the alleyways.
Day 2: Belfast to Derry
Travel on the Causeway Coast Road from Belfast to Derry and Donegal. This road has been compared to the Great Ocean Road in Australia and you will soon see why. Visit Game of Thrones locations, Ballintoy Harbour and Dunluce Castle as well as the stunning Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, where you can sway Indiana Jones’ style over the choppy Atlantic Ocean below. Visit Northern Ireland’s top tourist attraction The Giant’s Causeway. Renowned for its polygonal columns of layered basalt, it is the only World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland.
Highlights
Giant’s Causeway
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Walls of Derry
Where to stay
Derry City (1 night)
(accommodation not included)
In your own time
Walk around Derry’s historic city walls.
Day 3: Derry to Donegal
Soon after crossing into County Donegal, travel up the foothill of a mountain, known as An Grianan Aileach, to an ancient stone fort with breathtaking views from the top. Journey onwards to the remote and scenic Fort Dunree. Continue north via Mamore Gap to explore the Inishowen peninsula including Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head, the filming location of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. Step back in time at Doagh Famine Village and experience a traditional Irish wake.
Highlights
Grianan of Aileach
Fort Dunree
Mamore Gap
Doagh Famine Village
Malin Head
Where to stay
Buncrana, Co. Donegal
(1 night)
(accommodation not included)
In your own time
Take a walk along the ‘Shore Front’ and visit Buncrana’s many bars and restaurants on Main Street.
Day 4: Donegal
Explore Glenveagh National Park and castle in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area). The park is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains, pristine lakes and enchanted native oak woodland hidden in the Derryveagh Mountains. End the day with a late afternoon visit to Sliabh Liag, Europe’s highest accessible sea cliffs. From the highest point on the cliffs, it’s a staggering 609m (1,972 feet) drop into the swirling Atlantic Ocean below.
Highlights
Glenveagh
Sliabh Liag Cliffs
Where to stay
Donegal Town, Co. Donegal (1 night)
(accommodation not included)
In your own time
Get some retail therapy in the Donegal tweed shops in Donegal Town or take a trip on the Donegal Bay Waterbus.
Day 5: Donegal to Sligo, Mayo and Galway
Visit ‘Atlantic Sheepdogs’ for a demonstration in the art of herding sheep with sheepdogs. Learn about sheep farming in this area of the country from local farmer Martin Feeney, who, together with his dogs, has represented Ireland on an international stage over the past 20 years.
Take in views of Mullaghmore and Benbulben in Sligo while travelling to Northwest Mayo. Stand at the edge of the world at Downpatrick Head to view Dun Briste sea stack. Continue on to the picturesque village of Cong, where the Oscar-winning movie, ‘The Quiet Man’, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, was filmed. Browse film memorabilia in the quaint museum followed by a walk along Lough Corrib. By evening, arrive in Galway City, the 2020 European Capital of Culture.
Highlights
Atlantic Sheepdogs
Downpatrick Head
Cong
Where to stay
Galway City (1 night)
(accommodation not included)
In your own time
Enjoy the street entertainers along the cobbled streets of Galway City and choose from the amazing bars and eateries the city has to offer.
Day 6: Galway to Dublin
Enjoy a walking tour of Eyre Square, Spanish Arch, Galway Cathedral and the Old City Walls before some leisure time browsing around the shops and being mesmerized by the street entertainment. Return to Dublin via Athlone, stopping at Sean’s Bar, Ireland’s oldest pub.
Highlights
Galway Cathedral
Eyre Square
Sean’s Bar
Where to stay
Dublin
(accommodation not included)
In your own time
Visit Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse and the many museums of Dublin.
Your private tour of Ireland is completely customisable, based on your group’s interests and timeframe available. Chauffeur collection from and drop off to anywhere in Ireland means that you don’t have to worry about car hire or public transport during your Irish vacation.
Donegal Tour Guide will help you to create the perfect Ireland tour itinerary to ensure that you make the most of your time here and don’t miss any of what Ireland has to offer. The best part is that you’ll be in the relaxed company of an Irish tour guide, touring at a pace that suits you. We are happy to suggest accommodation options at each location.
Please note, Donegal Tour Guide does not book accommodation. It is the responsibility of the guests to choose and book their own accommodation.