Newmarket Holidays : Iconic Irish landscapes Including Flights from London Gatwick

from 

£756

per person
 
Duration: 6 Days
Destination: United Kingdom
Tour Provider: Newmarket Holidays
Deal Code: DT9B517

 

 

Description

Travel Highlights

ICONIC IRISH LANDSCAPES

Step out onto one of nature’s most iconic sites as you explore a wonderful corner of Ireland.

Discover some of Northwest Ireland's finest scenery – a land of stunning coasts, rivers and loughs, towering mountains and sheltered glens. Based in the lively town of Letterkenny, you'll visit the astonishing rock formations visit County Antrim’s astonishing UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway, wander historic Donegal town and visit beautiful Glenveagh National Park and its castle. A day on the Inishowen Peninsula, a timeless, remote area steeped in heritage and antiquity, completes a magical break.

Tour Highlights 

  • A trip to the Giant's Causeway and Visitor Centre
  • A visit to beautiful Glenveagh National Park and a guided tour of Glenveagh Castle
  • A scenic drive along the Wild Atlantic Way
  • A tour of the Inishowen Peninsula
  • A visit to the thought-provoking Doagh Isle Famine Village
  • A trip to Ireland's most northerly point, Malin Head
  • Time to explore Donegal Town

WHAT DOES THIS PRICE INCLUDE?

  • Five nights' dinner, bed and Irish breakfast accommodation at the three-star Station House Hotel, Letterkenny
  • Excursions to Donegal, the Inishowen Peninsula and Glenveagh National Park
  • A trip to the Giant's Causeway and Dunluce Castle
  • Entry to the fascinating Doagh Isle Famine Village
  • Return flights to Belfast
  • Comfortable coach travel and transfers

Accommodation

Station House Hotel, Letterkenny : 

The welcoming Station House Hotel in Letterkenny stands on the banks of the tranquil River Swilly, overlooking Oldtown Bridge, within walking distance of the centre of this lively town.

Facilities & Amenities : 

The hotel has an inviting cafe-bar that serves food and drinks from dawn until dusk, occasional live music, and a lift. A complimentary guided walking tour of Letterkenny is offered by the hotel during your stay.

Rooms : 

The guest rooms are comfortable and well-appointed. Each has private facilities with a shower, TV, tea- and coffee-making facilities, a safe, free Wi-Fi and a telephone. Room service is available for a charge.

More Information

Hotel transfer time : 

The transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approximately two hours.

Combining hotel transfers :

We sometimes need to combine transfers to and from your hotel. We always try to keep any wait to a minimum, but you may be asked to wait at the airport for up to an hour, while other incoming flights arrive, before the transfer to your hotel. Similarly, we may need to transfer you back to the airport up to three hours before your flight home departs.

Visits to the Giant's Causeway : 

Guests  visit will include entry to the new visitor centre for the Giant's Causeway. You will also be given a free audio guide to take to the stones.

Station House Hotel, Letterkenny

This hotel offers a complimentary guided walking tour of Letterkenny during your stay.

Speical requierments : 

If you have notified us of any special requirements, please check that they have been noted and acknowledged. This is especially important with any dietary needs you may have.

Itinerary Changes : 

Occasionally, for operational reasons, we may have to change the order of the excursions on your holiday. The final day-by-day itinerary will be confirmed on your Final Travel Documents, which you will receive approximately three weeks prior to your departure.

Disabled access : 

The majority of our tours involve a certain amount of walking, including a short walk from the coach stop to the town, attraction or venue you're visiting. If you are bringing a wheelchair, please let us know at the time of booking so that appropriate arrangements can be made.

Currency : 

As this holiday is based in Letterkenny, which is in the Republic of Ireland, but includes travel to and from Belfast plus a visit to the Giant's Causeway (both of which are in Northern Ireland), you will need both sterling and euros.

Tipping : 

We are often asked about gratuities on our Irish holidays. At the end of a tour it is customary to give a coach driver around £2-3 per person per day and a Tour Manager around £3-5 per person per day; a gratuity of £1 per person per day for dining/waiting staff in your hotel will also be greatly appreciated. In a restaurant leave about 10% of a bill (no need to tip in a bar) and around £2 for services such as hairdressing.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 : Fly to Ireland

Following your flight to Belfast, meet your tour manager, and board the coach for the transfer to Letterkenny.

Depending on your arrival time, you'll be able to spend the rest of the day exploring the town. Visit imposing St Eunan’s Cathedral, which dominates the skyline, wander through the charming Market Square or take a stroll along the picturesque Swilly River walkway. Alternatively, simply relax in one of the town's colourful pubs. You'll find several within walking distance of your hotel.

Day 2 : Included Dongeal excursion

Today Guests will head to Donegal town. Centred on its ancient marketplace, the Diamond, Donegal has a rich history reflected its imposing Jacobean castle, which sits above the River Eske. The 70-minute waterbus trip (payable locally) around Donegal Bay offers another scenic perspective on this attractive town – especially on fine days. See the seal colony on Seal Island, the Bluestack Mountains and the many islands dotted around the bay. Back on shore you'll find no shortage of pubs and restaurants where you can grab a spot of lunch.

Day 3 : Included Inishowen Peninsula excursion

Today’s fascinating excursion takes you to the remote Inishowen Peninsula, a typically northern Irish landscape that includes Ireland’s most northerly point, Malin Head (familiar to listeners of the Shipping Forecast everywhere). Bordered by the waters of Lough Foyle and Lough Swilly, and the pristine beaches of the Atlantic coast, its towering mountains rising from a landscape dotted with ancient Celtic crosses and crumbling churches, Inishowen is a scenic delight.

Your day includes a visit to the Doagh Isle Famine Village, an outdoor museum where the sights, sounds and stories of Irish life, from the famine of the 1840s to the present day, are recreated. The attraction is built around original thatched houses that were inhabited until 1983.

From here, you’ll travel through the beautiful, timeless landscape, and on through the remote peninsula town of Carndonagh, to wild, windswept Malin, to enjoy the stupendous views, which stretch to the distant west of Scotland on clear days.

Day 4 : Included Giant's Causeway excursion

The highlight of the whole tour for many will be today’s excursion to the breathtaking Giant’s Causeway. Long associated with legendary Irish hero Finn McCool, this astonishing collection of closely packed basalt columns, which rise like stepping stones from the Atlantic to the wild, windswept cliffs above, was formed after a volcanic eruption 60-million years ago.

Your visit will include entry to the Visitor Centre, where you'll receive a free audio-guide to take to the stones, and have the chance to explore the exhibits in the active interpretation area. Take the short minibus trip from the visitor centre to the Causeway (small charge, payable locally), or walk the mile or so along the cliff path to take in the breathtaking views and sea air.

Photo opportunities abound at your next stop, Dunluce Castle. One of the most extensive medieval castle ruins in Northern Ireland, Dunluce rises dramatically from a sheer rocky precipice that looms 100ft above the waves. Separated from the mainland by a deep chasm crossed only by a narrow bridge, this precarious fortification occupied a position of great strategic importance, and remains a wild, beautiful and astonishingly atmospheric place.Day 5 : Included Glenveagh National Park excursion

Today you'll head to Glenveagh National Park. This remote area of outstanding natural beauty is home to herds of wild deer, and a sanctuary for the endangered golden eagle and many other species of wildlife. By contrast to most of the rugged landscape, Glenveagh Castle, which overlooks the peaceful waters of Lough Veagh, comes as something of a surprise. A guided tour of the castle's keep and mismatched towers offers a real glimpse into a lifestyle of an earlier age, and you'll also have time to explore the spectacular gardens.

Your route back to Letterkenny takes you back to the coast, via Mount Errigal and through Dunlewy village to Bunbeg. Here (weather permitting) you may like a stretch your legs with a stroll along the sandy beach before continuing up and around the Bloody Foreland (named for the red hue of the rocks at sunset), for a final stop in one of the area's quaint villages, such as Dunfanaghy.

Day 5 : Included Glenveagh National Park excursions

Today you'll head to Glenveagh National Park. This remote area of outstanding natural beauty is home to herds of wild deer, and a sanctuary for the endangered golden eagle and many other species of wildlife. By contrast to most of the rugged landscape, Glenveagh Castle, which overlooks the peaceful waters of Lough Veagh, comes as something of a surprise. A guided tour of the castle's keep and mismatched towers offers a real glimpse into a lifestyle of an earlier age, and you'll also have time to explore the spectacular gardens.

Your route back to Letterkenny takes you back to the coast, via Mount Errigal and through Dunlewy village to Bunbeg. Here (weather permitting) you may like a stretch your legs with a stroll along the sandy beach before continuing up and around the Bloody Foreland (named for the red hue of the rocks at sunset), for a final stop in one of the area's quaint villages, such as Dunfanaghy.

Day 6 : Fly home

Bid farewell to Donegal, today, and return to Belfast airport to catch your flight home.

Online Enquiry
Terms & Conditions

Prices listed are per person in Great British Pound, based on twin occupancy, rates for single occupancy may differ, Rates offered are including all discounts unless otherwise stated. All bookings are subject to availability. Other travel periods may be available. Some block out dates may apply. Rates may alter depending upon the dates requested and surcharges if applicable. Final booking confirmation only provided once payment has been processed. Contact our travel team for more details. Our Holiday Centre reserves the right to withdraw this promotion without notice at any time. Flights are not included. Pricing correct as at 4th Jan 2022