Please Note This Tour is Now Fully Booked. If you would like to have your name on our cancellation list, please email Geraldine, tours@goldenireland.ie
Thank you.
3rd – 6th October 2023
Golden Ireland is delighted to present the popular Best of the North West – Donegal and Derry Tour, exclusively for the Over 55s.
Combine Donegal’s breathtaking scenery with Derry’s vibrant and historic charm, and enjoy three days of heritage, history, culture and craic!
For further information or to book this tour, please telephone Geraldine: 00 353 (0)64 6630267, or Email: tours@goldenireland.ie
Tuesday, 3rd October:
Coach transfer to Donegal, with your first adventure in the Navan Centre & Fort, Armagh.
Navan Centre & Fort is a place where myth and reality meet. It is one of Ireland’s most famous and important archaeological sites, the legendary Emain Macha. Legends say that Macha, the ancient goddess of war and fertility, scored the earth with her brooch pin and traced the famous outline of this sacred stronghold of the hero Cu Chulainn, home of the famous Red Branch Knights and Ulster Cycle of tales.
Experience life over 2000 years ago, as you walk in the footsteps of warriors to the ancient Navan Fort, site of the great temple of 95BC.
Private Guided Tour and Lunch included.
Hotel Accommodation:
Inishowen Gateway Hotel, Buncrana, Co Donegal.
Stay in beautiful Buncrana, and enjoy an area of outstanding natural beauty, the hotel offers guests stunning views of Lough Swilly leading out to the Atlantic Ocean with the majestic mountains sitting imposingly in the background.
See TripAdvisor Reviews Here.
Three Nights Bed and Breakfast and Three Evening Meals.
The dinner Menu is a four-course menu with a vegetarian option.
Two Night’s Evening Entertainment is also included.
Wednesday, 4th October:
Be met in the lobby of The Inishowen Gateway Hotel by your Guide for the day, Mr John McGroary who is an Approved Tourist Guide of Ireland and a font of local knowledge. Enjoy a day-long tour of beautiful Donegal with three scheduled stops:
Stop One: Grianán an Ailleach: Grianán of Aileach is probably the best-known monument in Inishowen, County Donegal. Situated on a hilltop 250m above sea level the view from the stone fort of Aileach is breathtaking. The origins of the Grianán of Aileach fort are dated back to 1700 BC. It is linked to the Tuatha de Danann who invaded Ireland before the Celts and built stone forts on top of strategic hills. It is thought that St Patrick visited the site in the 5th century and baptised the local chieftain, Eoghan (from whom Inis Eoghan gets its name.)
Stop Two: Fort Dunree: Fort Dunree houses a fascinating display of military memorabilia, large guns and artefacts from the 20th century. Fort Dunree in Buncrana, County Donegal, was built in 1798 following the arrest of Wolfe Tone, the Fort was extended in the late 19th century. It provided protection to the British naval fleet anchored in Lough Swilly, prior to World War I Battle of Jutland. Dunree was handed over to the Irish Free State in 1938. It was first opened to the public in 1986. Admission Price Included.
The stunning setting at Fort Dunree is highlighted in the wonderful Waterfront Coffee Shop where you can sit and relax and marvel at the stunning scenery on offer. Lunch Not Included.
Stop Three: Malin Head Continuing as far north as one can go, you’ll reach the edge of Europe – otherwise known as the wild, rugged and romantic Malin Head. The start (or end, depending on your point of view) of the Wild Atlantic Way, Malin Head has long been renowned for its epic coastal scenery, thriving birdlife and historical curiosities. See some of the largest sand dunes in Europe when you approach Malin Head from the coastal road, along the north of Trawbreaga Bay at Lagg.
Thursday, 5th October
Derry Tour
Your friendly Guide, John will once again meet you in the Inishowen Gateway Hotel to guide you on your next adventure to the nearby City of Derry.
Arrive in the historic City of Derry which is approximately 35 minutes from the hotel.
Enjoy a private walking tour of The Walled City with the famous Martin McCrossan Tours. This hour-long tour covers the full background of the city’s history – as you walk on the historic 400 year old walls your guide will cover everything from the 6th Century Christian Settlement to the Siege of 1689 and the modern-day troubles.
Enjoy Free Time in Derry before meeting your Guide for your next excursion to The Museum of Free Derry.
The award-winning Museum of Free Derry recently re-opened its doors in the Bogside following an extensive redevelopment and offers a full multi-media exhibition on the civil rights and early conflict era in the city, including Battle of the Bogside, Internment, Bloody Sunday and Operation Motorman. The museum was established by the Bloody Sunday Trust in 2006 to tell the story of the civil rights movement and the creation of Free Derry in the 1960s and 1970s.
Friday, 6th October
Return Coach to Dublin
Tour Costs
€390 pps
€465 Single Occupancy
(Limited Availability)
Includes:
– Private Coach Transfer To and From Dublin
– 3 Nights B&B and Three Dinners (4-Course) in Inishowen Gateway Hotel
– 2 Nights of Evening Entertainment
– Admission and Private Tour of Navan Fort Centre & Lunch (soup/sandwiches & tea/coffee).
– Day Tour of Donegal and The Inishowen Peninsula (includes admission and tour of Fort Dunree)
– Day Tour of The City of Derry which includes a private tour of the Walled City and Admission to the Museum of Free Derry.
– Approved Tourist Guide of Ireland for two day’s excursions.
For further information and to book this tour, please email Geraldine: tours@goldenireland.ie
Tel: 00 353 (0)64 6630267
