The Delights of Donegal

We depart Sussex and make our way north. Having made suitable comfort stops we arrive at our overnight hotel in Gretna late afternoon.

After breakfast we commence our journey across Dumfries and Galloway to Cairnryan for our morning ferry to Belfast. On arrival in Belfast we head to our hotel in Bundoran where we arrive late afternoon. Time to settle in before dinner.

This morning we visit the highest marine cliffs in Europe, the towering Slieve League Cliffs, standing a staggering 609m high above the Atlantic Ocean. From the cliffs’ visitor centre, we board a minibus for a guided tour of the cliffs, when we will gain an insight into the local wildlife and spectacular geography of the area. In the afternoon, we make our way to Glencolmcille Folk Village where we step back in time and take a self-guided tour exploring the replica thatched roof cottages and dwellings of a rural Irish village.

This morning is free for you to enjoy a relaxed start to the day, the hotel’s facilities and the lovely surroundings. You may like to walk the Bundoran Roguey Cliff Walk and enjoy the lovely views or have a swim in the indoor swimming pool. There is also a golf course for you keen golfers. We may be be able to accommodate your golf bag, please call to discuss. Around lunch time we make the short drive to Donegal where there will be some free time for lunch in the town before we embark on a 75 minute cruise of Donegal Bay (subject to tidal timings we may reverse the order of this day). We enjoy full commentary of the points of interest along the way with a little onboard musical entertainment on the return leg of our journey!

Our day starts with a fabulous scenic drive, taking in parts of the Wild Atlantic Way as we travel south past Mullaghmore to the picturesque Rosses Point. We have arranged a guide to take those that wish on a walking tour, discovering the history of the area’s coastal heritage whilst admiring the gorgeous backdrop of the Wild Atlantic Way. This afternoon, we travel to Sligo where we have time for lunch and to explore at leisure. We follow in the footsteps of the poet, Yeats, and you can visit the sights and scenes that inspired him. Attractions include the Sligo County Museum & Art Gallery, Yeats Society Memorial Building and Sligo Abbey

This morning we have arranged a visit to The Historic Lissadell Estate, owned by Edward Walsh and his wife Constance Cassidy.  Writing about Lissadell for the Sunday Times forty-four years ago the BBC’s Anne Robinson observed that “the garden is overgrown, the greenhouses are shattered and empty, the stables beyond repair, the roof of the main block leaks badly and the paintings show patches of mildew“  After 70 years of neglect an intensive programme of restoration – without any public funding – has taken place in the House, Gardens, Stable Block and grounds since 2004 and Lissadell is once again a place of beauty.  We spend time here exploring the house and gardens and seeing the results of the extensive restoration programme.  We return to our hotel early afternoon allowing some time to enjoy the hotel facilities and relax before our departure tomorrow.

Sadly we leave Bundoran after breakfast and make our way back to Belfast. We will go into the city centre where there will be time to explore and find some lunch before we make our way to the ferry terminal for our 15.30 sailing back to Cairnryan. On arrival in Cairnryan we continue to our hotel in Gretna where we arrive for a latish dinner.

After breakfast we leave Gretna and begin our journey back to Sussex. Having made suitable comfort stops en route we expect to be back in the Maresfield area by approximately 19.00.