The Glenveagh Castle
is located in Letterkenny. There are bus trips in the parking and visitor’s centre and the castle, but I highly recommend packing in some walking shoes and taking the road less travelled! Watching the sweeping landscapes of Donegal then seeing the lush greenery and the imposing face of the castle come into view is a sight worth appreciating.
The Castle itself has guided tours, and I cannot recommend them highly enough. Their guided staff are very friendly and clued-up, The tour highlights the changes the castle has undergone through the years and the different owners, and the decor is fantastically well kept and preserves.
Important Information
The entry to the Park is free.
Car Park, Toilets, Restaurant, Audio Visual
Opening times November 1st to March 16th : the visitor centre is open from 9.15am to 4.45pm
March 17th to 31st October : the visitor centre is open from 9.15am to 5.30pm
Castle prices : Adult: €7; Concession Castle Ticket: €5; Family Castle Ticket: €15
You can take a bus to visit the park : Bus prices: adult: €3, Single ticket €1.50
You can take rent bike to visit the park: 3hour for electric bike: €18; Hybrid bike: €12; Kids bikes and buggies: €6 – contact 087 6655599 or info@grassroutes.ie
Distance from Dublin Airport: 3H30 – 254 km
Distance from Shannon Airport: 4H30 – 340 km
Travel by bus:
You can take a bus tour with Donegal Tour. This bus tour pass by Glenveagh National Park&Castle, Errigal Mountain, Wild Atlantic Way&Bloody Foreland, Dunfanaghy. The price is 33 and it is every Thursday and Sunday.
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- Glenveagh Restaurant, Churchill
Slieve League
Don’t miss your opportunity to visit one of Ireland’s best kept secrets and amazing view on the Wild Atlantic Way. Located in south west Donegal along this magnificent costal driving route are Ireland’s highest Sea Cliffs, Sliabh Liag. A visit to the cliffs and the surrounding region is a must on your adventure. Experience the local culture, heritage and people of Donegal against the backdrop of our spectacular and rugged coastline.
Important Information
Free place, a best place for walkers
Boat tour: Nuala Star Teelin – the tour during 90mins
Bus tour: Sliabh Liag Tours, contact by +353 87 2860 471 and sliabhliagtours@sliahbliagtours.ie and the price is 35€. The departure is Donegal
It is possible to go in Slieve Leage by walking: The Sliabh Liag’s Pilgrim Path.
Distance from Dublin Airport: 4h – 278km
Distance from Shannon Airport: 4h30 – 365 km
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- Kitty Kelly’s Restaurant, Killybegs, Largy
- Mrs B’s Coffee House, Main Street, Killybegs
The Arranmore Island
is an island off the west coast of County Donegal on the magnificent Wild Atlantic Way touring route where land meets sea. Wild and untamed, the island has a rich and vibrant heritage and culture. The Gaelic traditions are still thriving on the Arranmore Island and if you are looking for a real taste of island life, this is definitely not be missed on the Donegal adventure. This beautiful place where way marked trails lead you from sandy breaches to rocky cliffs.
Important Information
The car ferry to Arranmore departs from Burtonport Harbour every hour during the summer months, and the crossing takes just 15 minutes. Pre-booking is advisable on summer weekends.
The ferry price: Adult: €15; Student: €10; Child: €7
The ferry price with car: €30
Distance to Dublin Airport: 3h50 – 284 km
Distance to Shannon Airport: 4h30 – 337 km
Distance to Donegal Airport: 20 min – 15 km
Travel by bus: Take the Bus Feda.
Direction Donegal to Glasgow. There is a stop for Burtonport.
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- Early’Bar: Leabgarrow, Arranmore Island
Tropical World
Astound and amaze with an unmissable experience with hundreds of amazing tropical butterflies of all shapes and sizes, all in free flight. Be greeted by the sounds of Lorikeets, Turacos and birds from around the globe serenading you through our exotic aviaries and on to the lemurs and miniature monkeys that call Tropical World home, along with racoons, meerkats and more.
Important Information
Adult €8.50 / Child (under 14) €7 / Accompanied Children (under 3) FREE / Family (2 adults & 2 children) €28
Opens seasonally: Saturday 24th March – 30th September 2018
Distance to Dublin Airport: 3h03 – 230km
Distance to Shannon Airport: 3h59 – 319km
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- Thyme Out, Alcorn’s Garden Centre Letterekenny – 0,3 miles from Tropical World
- Browns On the Green, Barnhill Golf Course Road – 0,6 miles from Tropical World
- Wood Berry Grill Bar & Restaurant, Ramelton Road Ballyraine Industrial Estate -1,8 km from Tropical World
- Wholegreen Healthfood, Church Lane – 3,3 km from Tropical World
Hornhead Loop
This is probably the most part of the beautiful Donegal peninsulas. You get a real view of the power of the sea and the a real sense of the wild peninsula. There are two magnificent viewpoints, one on the north side where the cliffs dominate the scenery and the other on the south side overlooking Dunfanaghy, with the backdrop of Muckish and the Derryveagh mountains. Before you cross the first cattle grid where the drive swings east, a narrow road ahead will bring you to a tower where you can enjoy the wild beauty all around you and even spot the houses on Tory Island to the west. Take your car a short distance on this road, park in the lay – by provided and walk the well-used trail towards the tower. Return to the junction to continue your drive where you emerge again in Dunfanaghy. Turn right in Dunfanaghy. As you head out of the village, the famine centre is on the right and chronicles the local effects of the terrible famine, which occurred in Ireland between 1845 and 1847.
This road contains a €2.90 of a toll
Distance from Shannon Airport: 4hr 35min 353km
Distance from Dublin Airport: 3hr 42min 264km
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- The Mill Restaurant
- The Rusty Oven – Pizzeria
- Café Arnou
- Tom’s place
- The Starfish Café & Bistro
Malin Beg
Malin Beg is a beautiful bay with a beach, located near Glencolmcille in County Donegal. Quite narrow, it is one of the most beautiful beaches. Little frequented (the spot is often ignored by tourists), Malin Beg has the advantage of being a bay rather encased in the land, and associates green spaces, beach of a bright white, and transparent turquoise water. Perfect colors! A real little paradise for summer vacationers looking for peace and quiet, and a place to swim!
Important Information:
Car park
Distance from Dublin Airport: 4h – 288km
Distance from Shannon Airport: 4h19 – 332 km
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- An Chistin Restaurant, Gleann Cholm Cille, County Donegal
- Carrick Chinese, Carrick, County Donegal
- Wild Atlantic Tae, Carrick, County Donegal
Donegal Castle
The castle was built in 1474 by the clan chief Hugh O’Donnell, one of the most important families of the time. Built on the banks of the Eske River, the castle was therefore considered to be one of the most imposing castles ever owned by an Irish clan chief.
Important Information:
Opening Hours:
Easter – Mid-September: Daily: 10.00 to 18.00
Mid-September – Easter: Thursday – Monday: 9.30 to 16.30
Prices: Adult: €5.00
Senior: €4.00
Student: €3.00
Public toilets, Exhibitions
Leaflet/Guide Booklet: English, Irish, French, German, Italian and Spanish
Distance from Dublin Airport: 3h2 min – 228 km
Distance from Shannon Airport: 3h14 min – 272 km
Travel by bus: Take Bus Eireann Route X30
Departure: Dublin – Arrival: Donegal
Prices: Adult: €15,05 / Student: €12,25 / Child: €9,10
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- Olde Castle Bar & Red Hugh’s Restaurant, Castle Street, Donegal
- Market House Restaurant, The Diamond, Donegal
- The House Gastro Pub, The Diamond Centre, Milltown, Donegal
Donegal County Museum
Donegal County Museum is based in a fine old stone building, which was once part of Letterkenny Workhouse, which opened in 1845. The Museum houses a substantial collection of artefacts relating to the history and heritage of County Donegal.
The first-floorexhibition tells the story of Donegal from Prehistory to the Twentieth Century. Temporary exhibitions covering a wide range of topics are held in the ground floor gallery throughout the year, with something to suit all ages and interests.
Important Information:
Monday – Friday 10.00am – 4.30pm (10.00 – 16.30)
Saturday 1.00pm – 4.30pm (13.00 – 16.30)
Closed for lunch 12.30pm – 1.00pm (12.30 – 13.00)
Average visit: 45 minutes
Car park
Free place
Distance from Dublin Airport: 3h4 min – 229 km
Distance from Shannon Airport: 3h58 min – 318 km
Travel by bus: Take Bus Eireann Route X30
Departure: Dublin – Arrival: Donegal
Prices: Adult: €15,05 / Student: €12,25 / Child: €9,10
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- The Lemon Tree Restaurant, 32-34 Courtyard Shopping Centre, Donegal
- Restaurant Sage, 41 Port Road, Donegal
Donegal Esquestrian Center – Bundoran
Donegal Equestrian Centre is situated 1 mile from the centre of Bundoran in the beautiful
North West coast of Ireland is the perfect choice for all your horse riding.
The centre offers instruction in riding, pony camps, beach & trail rides suitable for all levels of rider.
We have a wide range of horses and ponies to suit all ages and abilities.
Packages can be tailor-made to suit your requirements.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Although they try to accommodate on the day bookings, advance booking is recommended.
Bookings can be made ONLINE https://donegalequestriancentre.com/
By phone: 00 353 (0)719841977
By Email: BOOKING ENQUIRY FORM
Distance from Dublin Airport: 2h47 min – 209km
Distance from Shannon Airport: 2h53min – 244km
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- La Sabbia – Bayview Avenue, 2.6km from the Equestrian Center
- Fox’s Lair Bar & Restaurant – Church Road, 2.4km from the Equestrian Center
- The Peak Restaurant – Eden Bay West End, 2.8km from the Equestrian Center
- Taj Mal – Main Street, 1.9km from the Equestrian Center
- Waves Surf Café – Main Street, 2.2km from the Equestrian Center
Bundoran Surf Co
We are a crew of surfers who are stoked to live in Bundoran, the Surf Capital of Ireland, and our lives revolve around the ocean and the waves. We have a surf school with lessons for all ages and abilities all year round. Our Surf Lodge has cosy rooms in the town centre and within walking distance of all amenities and the surf spots. Our Surf and Stay packages are really popular all year round and we even have return buses from Dublin at the weekends. In the surf shop we stock all leading brands of boards, wetsuits, clothes and accessories.
Important Informations:
Surf School proposes different lessons, like for Beginners, Improver Surf Lessons, Improvers Weekends, Group Surf lessons…
Prices for Beginners Adult Surf lesson €35 with 3hours surf lesson + equipment included + transfers to and from the beach + Hot showers and post surf drinks.
Lessons run at 10am, 12pm and 2pm all year round.
Kids Easter and Summer surf camps cost €20 daily, or €85 for 5 days Mon-Fri.
Family surf lesson (2 adults & 2 kids) costs €100.
Distance from Dublin Airport: 2h47 min – 211km
Distance from Shannon Airport: 3h54min – 242km
Restaurants around 5 kilometers:
- Stakes Restaurant – Main street
- Caroline’s Café – Main street, 0.1km from the Surf lodge
- Fox’s Lair Bar&Restaurant – Church road, 0.2km from the surf lodge
- Toan Thang – Moyview Main Street, 0.1km from the surf Lodge
- Mamma Rossas – Station Road, 0.1km from the surf Lodge