Donegal & Ireland’s Wild Northwest

We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and continue onwards to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Donegal & Ireland’s Wild Northwest

On our way to Donegal, we cross briefly into Northern Ireland for a visit to the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh and discover the story of Irish emigration to America through a collection of carefully reconstructed historic buildings from both sides of the Atlantic. The experience begins in rural Ireland, where we explore authentic cottages, farmhouses and workshops that reflect the everyday lives of the people who had to leave their homeland in search of a better future. At the heart of the park is its most striking feature: a full-scale reconstruction of one of the notorious ‘coffin ships.’ These vessels carried thousands of emigrants across the Atlantic during the 18th and 19th centuries. The nickname reflects the perilous nature of the voyage, as many passengers faced overcrowding, disease and harsh conditions, with some never reaching their destination. Then we are transported to the New World through a series of reconstructed American buildings, from frontier homes and stores to churches and civic buildings, which reveal how Irish emigrants adapted to a new environment while helping to shape American society.

Half Day

Donegal & Ireland’s Wild Northwest

We visit Glencolmcille and discover more about life in Ireland’s Gaeltacht, the country’s traditional Gaelic-speaking regions. The village is made up of a series of carefully reconstructed cottages representing different periods of Irish history. As we travel through this spectacular part of Ireland, we experience the beauty of the Wild Atlantic Way, with its rugged mountains, windswept cliffs, rolling moorland and sweeping ocean views. 

Next, we journey to the Slieve League Cliffs, one of Ireland’s best-kept secrets. We enjoy a guided minibus transfer to the Cliffs, which rise almost 2,000 feet above the Atlantic. They are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe and offer outstanding panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sligo Mountains and Donegal Bay.

Later, we call at Killybegs, Ireland’s largest fishing port, with a scenic harbour and also famous for its tapestries and carpets.

Full Day

Donegal & Ireland’s Wild Northwest

Today, we head to Derry~Londonderry – the only completely walled city on the island of Ireland. We head out on a walking tour with a local guide, where highlights include the gleaming Peace Bridge across the River Foyle, St Columb’s Cathedral and the beautiful Guildhall. We enjoy some free time here after our tour.

Then we relax on a leisurely cruise on Donegal Bay. Here we can spot the seal colony on Seal Island and admire the beauty of the Bluestack Mountains. Complete with a full commentary about the history, environment and wildlife of the area, this is a lovely way to take in the stunning natural beauty of Donegal Bay.

Donegal & Ireland’s Wild Northwest

After checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin, where we spend the afternoon at leisure. There are plenty of historic sites, architectural splendours and iconic monuments to see, from the oldest, Dublin Castle, to one of the newest, the Spire of Dublin. Or you may like to experience one of Dublin’s traditional pubs – there are 1,000 lining the city’s cobbled streets! We also have the option to join a guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.

Half Day

Donegal & Ireland’s Wild Northwest

We check out of our hotel early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore, a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.

Walk the quayside as you visit Killybegs Harbour, Ireland’s largest fishing port. Watch trawlers unload, nets mended along the pier, and gulls wheeling over deepwater berths—a working waterfront where Atlantic swells meet skilled seamanship.

Glance into the town’s storied craft legacy with the renowned Donegal Carpets heritage, once supplying hand-knotted pieces to grand buildings worldwide. Maritime murals, fresh salt air, and boat-lined vistas invite you to soak in the quayside atmosphere.

Trace four centuries of history as you join a guided walking tour along Derry~Londonderry’s 17th-century city walls, the island’s only complete circuit. Take in skyline views before descending to landmarks including the riverside Peace Bridge, graceful Guildhall, and venerable St Columb’s Cathedral.

Your guide connects sieges, settlements, and cultural renewal, revealing how a fortified Plantation city evolved into a hub of creativity and dialogue on the River Foyle.

Glide across sheltered waters as you cruise Donegal Bay, scanning rocky skerries and sandy inlets for wildlife. With the Bluestacks rising inland, keep watch to spot the resident seal colony basking on Seal Island and admire cliff-stacked horizons shaped by wind and tide.

Enjoy live commentary on the bay’s ecology, maritime stories, and notable landmarks, adding colour and context to this relaxing look at Donegal’s spectacular coastal setting.

Explore the capital’s layers of history as you join a guided panoramic tour past Georgian squares and colourful doors, across the River Liffey, and along O’Connell Street and the General Post Office. Hear stories of writers, revolution, and everyday city life.

See the exteriors of Dublin Castle and St Patrick’s Cathedral, and pass Trinity College and the Ha’penny Bridge. This optional experience is bookable on tour at additional cost and offers an engaging overview of Dublin’s character and landmarks.

Explore cultural traditions at the edge of the Atlantic as you visit the Glencolmcille Folk Village in County Donegal’s Ireland’s Gaeltacht. Step through a cluster of traditional thatched cottages, each furnished to a different era, and look out to sea along the Wild Atlantic Way’s rugged bays and headlands.

Hear the echoes of Gaelic language and lore in exhibits on weaving, turf-cutting, and rural crafts. This evocative museum celebrates community memory, set against sweeping coastal scenery linked to Saint Columba’s historic monastic landscape.

Experience Atlantic drama as you join a guided minibus transfer to the Slieve League Cliffs, soaring almost 2,000 feet above the ocean. From the Bunglass viewpoint, drink in panoramic views over Donegal Bay, seabird-streaked skies, and quartzite faces plunging to foaming swells.

Learn how Sliabh Liag has inspired pilgrims and poets for centuries, its cliff paths etched by tradition and weather. Wind-shaped heather and distant islands frame a moment to pause for photos and reflection on one of Europe’s most spectacular coasts.

Discover living history in Omagh as you explore the Ulster American Folk Park, an open-air museum that traces Ireland’s great waves of migration. Wander between whitewashed cottages and artisan workshops, then step aboard a replica ‘coffin ship’ to grasp the stark realities of the Atlantic crossing before emerging onto recreated frontier streets of the New World.

Engaging storytellers and working exhibits illuminate the 18th- and 19th-century emigration story—from turf fires and farm tools to ship manifests and pioneer storefronts. This richly textured visit connects personal journeys with global history.