Donegal & the Wild Atlantic Way
4 day tour

  • Mussenden Temple
  • Malin Head
  • titanic quarter
  • Grianan Of Aileach
  • Slieve League Cliffs

Escape to county Donegal famed for its wild, rugged coast and warm welcomes.

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Castles
Lakes
Mountains
National Parks
Film Locations
Beaches
Distilleries

Places you explore

 

County Donegal - This part of Ireland will spellbind you with striking coastal views, rugged mountain tops, and rich Irish heritage.

Wild Atlantic Way - Get ready to be blown away by the wild beauty and unique experiences waiting for you on this epic coastal route.

Slieve League Cliffs - Gaze upon the second-highest sea cliffs in Ireland, three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher. 

Mamore Gap - Coast along this spectacular winding road and be on the look out for the magnetic hill along the way. 

Malin Head - Explore the northern-most point of Ireland and get your camera ready for pictures of this rugged headland that appeared in Star Wars.

Grianan of Aileach - This peculiar hilltop stone fort dates back to 1700 BC and has some breathtaking views. 

Mussenden Temple - The ruins of this 18th-century mansion belonged to an eccentric Bishop and was originally built as a library.

 

Your journey

 

This small corner of Ireland will mesmerise you with its intensity.

Here, in the land shaped by nature, the wave-lashed cliffs astonish with their height, the Atlantic Ocean intimidates with its power, and people greet you with the warmest of welcomes.

Find out what makes Donegal so special as you travel through the striking landscapes of the Wild Atlantic Way, visit vibrant villages, and try local food bursting with flavour.

 

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 09:15 (tour departs at 09:30) - Belfast Pick-Up, Donegall Square West, Belfast, BT16JH
Finishes (approx.)
18:00 - Belfast Drop Off, Donegall Square West, Belfast, BT1 6JH
Luggage
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.
Discounts

Students, seniors over 60, and children between 5 and 15 (unfortunately, we don't carry children under 5 years old)

Important information
  • This tour crosses the border, so you will need both euro and British pound sterling
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • Attraction tickets may need to be purchased in advance. More information is provided in your booking confirmation e-mail
Tour inclusions
  • Transport in a 16 seat Mercedes mini-coach
  • Air conditioning as standard
  • The stories and services of an English-speaking driver-guide
Tour exclusions
  • Entry fees to visitor attractions
  • Tour accommodation

Itinerary

Day 1

  • Walk around the gorgeous gardens at Hillsborough Castle, one of the official royal residences
  • Explore the culture, food, and music of Donegal

Good morning Belfast! Our tour starts with either a visit to the Titanic Museum in the well-known Titanic Quarter, or you can hop on the bus early and enjoy a scenice drive around the city of Belfast. Who knows what you'll see, maybe Stormont Estate, Queen's University, or some amazing political murals. 

After a bit of culture, we leave Belfast and travel to Hillsborough Castle and its stunning gardens. Here, you get to discover ornamental grounds, tranquil woodlands, and charming glens that have been a joy to the Royal Family and thousands of visitors. If you fancy, you can choose to explore the beautiful state rooms of the castle and find out more about its fascinating history (tickets subject to availability) and even grab a bite to eat for lunch. 

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

  • Head along the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the longest-defined coastal routes in the world
  • Gaze upon the Slieve League Cliffs, some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe

Today you wrap yourself in wilderness as you journey along the wild Atlantic coast.

First are the Slieve League Cliffs that tumble down 600 metres to the unrestrained ocean. These impressive crags are among the highest in Europe and are steeped in legends.

The landscape continues to get wilder as you travel through the sparsely populated Irish-speaking communities. 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.

Then, you continue to explore the Wild Atlantic Way and stop at locations graced with magnificent views of the rugged coast and islands, 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

  • Reach the northern-most point of Ireland at the rugged Malin Head
  • Drive along Mamore Gap, one of the most scenic drives in Ireland

Leaving Letterkenny the next morning, you head into the Inishowen Peninsula and 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. Spend some time discovering the treasures found along the route, including a holy well devoted to St Eigne.

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 you’ve filled your belly, 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.

After a quick comfort break, your adventure continues to Grianan of Aileach. This peculiar hilltop fort dates back to 1700 BC and has some breathtaking views. You then head back to Letterkenny for the night.

Day 4

  • Discover the striking beauty and iconic location of Mussenden Temple
  • Sip whiskey at the world’s oldest licensed whiskey distillery

Today you travel back into Northern Ireland to admire the beauty of Mussenden Temple perched right on a 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 town of Portstewart for a well-deserved lunch break where you have free time to explore. But 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 to try their smooth and fruity creation.

With this delicious whiskey warming your insides, it’s time to head back to Belfast.

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay one night in Donegal and two nights in Letterkenny*.

 

*Please note that some accommodation providers in Letterkenny require pre-payment. If you select us to organise your accommodation, depending on who we book, we may contact you to arrange payment prior to departure.

 

How can I book accommodation?

Accommodation is not included in the price of your tour. To book accommodation, there are two options: either Rabbie’s Tours can book it for you, or you can book your own. For information on how to do this, please see the ‘Accommodation’ tab on FAQ page HERE.

Alternatively, please email us your questions at tours@rabbies.com or call us on +44(0)131 226 3133.

Information you can find on the FAQ page, under the ‘Accommodation’ tab: types of accommodation, room types, the booking process, getting to and from your accommodation, and cancellation terms.

How much will the accommodation cost?

We book accommodation with third-party providers on your behalf and each property sets their own rates. Rates vary considerably depending on the accommodation standard, facilities, location, and local demand. We therefore can’t tell you exactly how much your accommodation will cost until your request has been allocated to a specific property.

As a guide, you can expect to pay the following prices, per person per night:

 

Approximate prices, per person per night

Overnight Location

 

Sole Occupancy

Multiple Occupancy

 

(1 person per room)

(2+ people per room)

B&B Standard

£80 - £120

£60 - £80

UK & Northern Ireland

€80 - €120

€60 - €80

Ireland

B&B En-suite

£100 - £145

£55 - £95

UK & Northern Ireland

€100 - €145

€55 - €100

Ireland

Hotel

£110 - £190

£75 - £150

UK & Northern Ireland

€130 - €235

€75 - €150

Ireland

NOTE: Prices quoted are for guidance only and may be higher on some occasions, especially for last-minute bookings and when demand is high (E.g. peak season, weekends, holidays, special events etc)

Breakfast will be included unless otherwise noted. The type of breakfast provided will vary from place to place so you may receive either a full cooked breakfast, a continental style breakfast (E.g., toast, fruit, cereal), or a packed breakfast bag or tray (E.g., porridge pot, fruit, granola bar).

FAQs

Do you offer hotel pickups in the departure cities?

The UK and Ireland's historic city centres are full of narrow streets and winding roads. So, to speed up your departure, we only pick up from our central meeting points. What's more is leaving the city using the most direct route also reduces the carbon footprint of our tours.

Is there parking close to the departure point?

We don't recommend bringing your car into the centre of our departure cities. It can be hard to find parking, and there are excellent public transportation services.

When should I get to the departure point?

Arrive 15 minutes before your departure time. Due to waiting restrictions, we can't wait for you if you're late.

What happens if I'm late or miss the tour?

If you're late for your tour, our cancellation policy applies. 100% charges are applicable, and you will not be entitled to a refund or alternative.

What are your cancellation policies?

Your cancellation terms depend on which tour you've booked.

For one-day tours: You'll receive a full refund if you cancel 24 hours or more before the tour departure

For tours of between two and nine days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 15 or more days before the tour departure

For tours of 10 or more days: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 21 or more days before the tour departure

For all European packaged tours: You'll receive a 90% refund if you cancel 42 days before the tour departure.

If you cancel inside these notice periods, full charges will apply and no refunds will be issued.

To cancel your booking, email tours@rabbies.com as soon as possible. The effective date of cancellation will be the date we receive written confirmation from you.

Click here to view terms and conditions

Can Itineraries change?

Your tour will always follow the itinerary as closely as possible. Your driver-guide will keep you up to date on the road, and we'll try to get in touch about any large changes prior to your departure.

Can I pre-book a specific seat?

Due to logistical reasons, we're unable to let you pre-book a seat on the bus. But our comfortable 16-seat mini-coaches have huge windows. So, you'll always get a good view.

Are there toilets on the bus?

Unfortunately, we have no on-board toilet facilities, but you'll have regular comfort breaks.

How do you cater for people with accessibility needs?

We aim to accommodate everyone. To read more information on how we do this, click here to go to our accessibility guide.

Do you take children on your tours?

We regret we don't carry children under the age of five on our scheduled tours.

You can ask us about the tours we recommend for younger children. And if your child is less than 1.35m tall, you should let us know, so we can provide them with a suitable booster seat.

How much time do I get off the bus?

We want you to enjoy Britain and Ireland. And we believe the best way to do this is to get you off the mini-coach and out exploring. So, we give you plenty of time to take photos, go walking, and explore ancient ruins.

Why do you exclude visitor attractions?

We exclude visitor attractions in your tour price because it lets you travel your way. It means you can pamper yourself with a luxury lunch or skip an attraction whenever you feel like it.

Do we need to bring our own lunch?

You don't need to. We stop in small towns, villages, and rural eateries where you can choose whatever meal pleases both your taste buds and your budget.

Should I tip the driver-guide?

Let's be honest, our driver-guides would never refuse a cheeky bonus. But it's up to you, and the amount is entirely at your discretion.

What about travel insurance?

We advise you take out travel insurance.

What is ABTOT?

You're protected by ABTOT when you chose to let us reserve your accommodation on a multi-day tour. This means you can claim back anything you've paid us if we become bankrupt. Read our terms and conditions for more information.

I have more questions, who can help me?

If you have any more questions, call us on +44(0)131 226 3133, email tours@rabbies.com , or check out our full FAQs .

Restrictions

Children
We regret we dont carry children under the age of 5 years old on our scheduled tours.

If your child is less that 1.35m tall, you should let us know and we will provide a suitable booster seat.
Luggage
You're restricted to 20kg (44lbs) of luggage per person. This should be one piece of luggage similar to an airline carry-on bag (approximately 55cm x 45cm x 25cm / 22in x 17in x 10in) plus one small bag for onboard personal items.