County Donegal & the Wild Atlantic Way
3 day tour

  • Belvedere House and Gardens
  • Trim Castle
  • Slieve League Cliffs
  • Mullaghmore Beach
  • Enniskillen Castle

Whether you love history, literature, nature, or a good cosy pub, you’ll find something for you on this three-day tour from Dublin.

 

Tour map

Tour Highlights

Abbeys
Castles
Beaches
National Parks

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

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

Leo’s Tavern - The home of music. Famous artists like Enya and Clannad have performed here. 

Belvedere House and Gardens - This 18th-century hunting lodge boasts dramatic architecture and a Victorian walled garden. 

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

 

Your journey

 

Don’t you want to be one of those people? The ones who have the best stories, the most amazing photos, the most incredible memories?  

Recount the dramatic history of Ireland over a meal with friends. Incite envy when they find out you dined where Enya once sang. That you gazed upon the tumultuous waves of the North Atlantic Ocean crashing against some of the tallest sea cliffs in Europe. That you explored the largest Norman castle in Ireland.  

After this tour, you’ll have all that and much more. 

 

Tour Details

Starts
Check-in closes at 08:45 (tour departs at 09:00) - Dublin Nassau Street Pick Up, Opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin,
Finishes (approx.)
18:15 - Dublin Nassau Street Drop Off, Opposite the Kilkenny Shop, Nassau St, Dublin,
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) and a 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
  • Pack your waterproof clothing and walking shoes
  • This tour crosses the border, so you'll need euro and the British pound sterling
  • 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

  • Step back in time in the largest Norman castle in Ireland, Trim Castle 
  • Explore the island town of Enniskillen, full of charming streets and pubs 

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

  • Gaze upon the Slieve League Cliffs, some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe 
  • Dine in Leo’s Tavern, where famous artists like Enya and Clannad have performed 
  • Explore the beauty and varied landscapes of County Donegal

You won’t believe your eyes this morning, as the 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. Drink at the pub, anyone?  

Day 3

  • Visit paradise at Mullaghmore Beach 
  • Delve into the abundance of history in the coastal town of Sligo 

The adventure continues on your third and final day, but don’t worry that it’s almost over. Great memories last a lifetime. 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, arriving in the early evening.  

Accommodation

Where does this tour stay overnight?

You stay two nights in Donegal.

 

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 .


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