Donegal: the hallowed sites guided tour
Savour Donegal's hallowed sites on our guided tour
Welcome to Donegal: the hallowed sites tour. It complements our popular audio tour of Donegal’s Hallowed Sites available on all platforms. However, we have listened to feedback and yes, it is hard to beat being taken around these venerated spots.
Set over a week, I will drive you to the 25 featured hallowed sites, plus a few more for good measure. As you’ll see from the video, the tour has developed over the years. It focuses on some very special places, most of which no tour will ever go to, or indeed has heard of.
See the itinerary below for how the tour shapes up. It is a limited tour offered in the middle of each summer month. Book early to avoid disappointment!
Click on each point of interest to find out more - refresh if map doesn't show
Day By Day Itinerary
Pre-tour collection day in Dublin taking clients to Harvey’s Point.
D1: Lough Derg, Drowes River – Ballyshannon – Rossnowlagh – Donegal
D2: Famine Pot – Glencolmcille – Sliabh Liag – The Croaghs – The Laurels
D3: Inishkeel – Viking House – Kerrytown – Leo’s Tavern – Hudi Beag’s
D4: Tory Island/Errigal – Glebe – Lough Salt – Doon Rock/Doon Well
D5: Grianan – Dunree – Mamore – Doagh – Malin Head – Greencastle
D6: Derry Walls – Amelia’s landing – Beltany – MacCumhaill Park – Biddy’s
If required, a return drive to Dublin can be arranged
Day One
Day One starts with a visit to the shores of Lough Derg, known formerly as St. Patrick’s Purgatory. Each summer, some 30,000 pilgrims fast here every year. Next up right on the border of Ulster and Connacht is the Drowes River, a haven for salmon fishermen. Guitar legend Rory Gallagher hailed from Ballyshannon which still honours him with a rock festival each June. We’ll be stopping for lunch at Smuggler’s Creek in Rossnowlagh with the best possible view of Donegal Bay. Finally, we’ll return to Donegal Town with time for shopping or a visit to its castle.
Overnight stay: Harvey’s Point
Day Two
Day Two starts with a visit to the nearby Famine Pot in picturesque Lough Eske. We’ll then be driving right along Donegal Bay to Glencolmcille before ascending the epic Sliabh Liag cliffs (by car!). Lunch will be in the highly-regarded Rusty Mackerel just before the cliffs in Teelin. Crossing Glengesh Pass, we’ll be making our way to the forgotten Croaghs valley before a visit to The Laurels, made famous by Brian Friel’s classic play, Dancing at Lughnasa.
Overnight stay: Woodhill House
Day Three
We’ll be timing Day Three to coincide with the tides at Narin to walk out to the sacred isle of Inishkeel. After that, we’ll be heading north to Kincasslagh, home to crooner Daniel O’Donnell. Lunch will be at the Lobster Pot in the seaside village of Burtonport. A trip to the serene grotto of Kerrytown will be followed by two legendary hostelries that played key roles in Irish traditional music: Leo’s Tavern and Teach Hudi Beag’s.
Overnight stay: Teach Danni Minni’s
Day Four
Day Four offers a choice in either going off the mainland to Tory Island or if fit, climbing Errigal mountain. Lunch is in the award-winning Olde Glen Bar followed by a stop-off at Lough Salt to get a panoramic view of the coast. Once done, we’ll be heading for a tour of the wonderful Glebe House, home to Derek Hill or Glenveagh Castle, if preferred. The day finishes with a trip to Doon Rock and nearby Doon Well, both with fascinating histories.
Overnight stay: Castlegrove House
Day Five
Day Five takes us to the stunning Inishowen peninsula. Starting at Grianan of Aileach, we then head to Fort Dunree overlooking the Swilly. We’ll drive up Mamore, home to St. Eigne’s holy well before lunch in Nancy’s Barn. After lunch we’ll take in the legendary Doagh Famine Village before getting to iconic Malin Head. The route south will be via the fishing village of Greencastle.
Overnight stay: Bishop’s Gate Hotel
Day Six
We start off Day Six with a visit to the Guildhall and Walls of Derry. Just outside the city is where Amelia Earhardt made history in 1932. We cross over the border to get to the Beltany Stone Circle outside of Raphoe. Lunch is in Friel’s of Raphoe. We’ll be making our way south stopping off at MacCumhaill Park in Ballybofey before getting to Biddy’s O’Barnes. We’ll be enjoying the famous hospitality of Donegal Town to finish our tour in style.
Overnight stay: Donegal House
Like what you've seen?
Going the extra mile
We are keen to ensure your guided tour with us is a memorable and pleasant one. If there are any milestones being celebrated along the way or ancestral sites you wish to visit, please let us know when booking. We will endeavour to get you there if at all possible.
We can also take you back to Dublin after the tour if needs be. Just let us know. Finally, please note that Donegal weather is unpredictable, so prepare for the worst and bring sturdy walking boots and rain gear. If you opt for the Errigal mountain climb on Day Four, ensure you bring proper hiking gear for it.
Click on each Hallowed Site icon to find out more about it
