Ireland · DONEGAL TOURS
Good donegal tours fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Spend about three hours exploring Oakfield Park at your own pace, then ride its 4.5km miniature railway through meadows, woodlands, willow tunnels, lakes, and gardens. The mobile ticket combines park admission and the train ride, with visits available Wednesday to Sunday from April 15 to September 27, 2025.
“Buffers restaurant was delightful. The park itself is a very peaceful place and well manicured.”
Ride a self-guided e-bike route from Roxborough Glebe through Donegal’s coastal scenery, Slieve League, Silver Strand, Glencolmcille, and ancient sites. Seamus and Nora provide quality bikes, route notes, safety gear, and help if needed. You set the pace, stops, and schedule.
“The business owners were very friendly and helpful, providing useful instructions, panniers and a map. The scenery was spectacular and the roads were quiet, even on a hot day in summer. Lots to see and do along the way. The electric bikes were easy to manage and made cycling up hills a pleasure rather than a mission! Great value, we loved the experience and would definitely recommend it.”
Board at Town Pier in Killybegs for a 1-hour-45-minute guided cruise along Donegal Bay to the Slieve League cliffs. You will see lighthouses, Muckross Head, caves, waterfalls, and perhaps dolphins or porpoises. Life jackets are supplied, with indoor seating and refreshments available to buy.
“Relaxing cruise with fresh air, spectacular views, and wonderful staff who took extra care to make sure that we all enjoyed the wildlife like dolphins & seals. Lovely afternoon.”
This 6 to 7-hour Chieftain Tours outing links Donegal Castle, the Franciscan Abbey, Donegal town, Muckross Head, and Sliabh Liag cliffs. Guides such as Kevin, Brian, Joe, and Seamus add local stories, music, and practical help, while smaller vehicles reach coastal roads larger coaches cannot.
“A really nice way to see the area. The time management was good at the various stops. Our guide was excellent. Easy to find them getting off the cruise ship.”
Travel privately around Donegal’s Inishowen Peninsula with a guide such as Henry, stopping at Grianan of Aileach, Buncrana, Fort Dunree, Mamore Gap, Doagh Famine Village, and Malin Head. Expect big coastal views, local stories, flexible pacing, and extra fees for two attractions.
“Henry was GREAT! He made sure we did all the important things for us and got to see the most beautiful scenery. We got a taste of local culture and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip to Ireland.”
Walk an ancient Donegal bog with guide Sharon, learning how peat formed, why it matters to Irish culture, and how turf cutting, myths, biodiversity, and climate concerns connect. This two-hour hike reaches broad views across Inishowen and West Donegal, with a maximum of 12 people.
“I highly recommend taking the Bog Tour. Sharon shares wisdom, information and lore in a chatty and approachable manner. Plus you get to hike in a BOG! I was lucky to have Sharon to myself and relatively good weather. We met up with one of her neighbors out working in the big so got to see how the bog places a role in the daily lives of people still. It is a unique experience that I thoroughly enjoyed!”
Ride a top-quality electric fat-tire bike from Bunbeg Harbour through Donegal’s coastal and mountain scenery. Over about three hours, your local guide leads you to an abandoned famine village, Poisoned Glen, Dunlewey Church, a lake dam, and Bád Eddie shipwreck. Safety gear and mechanical support are included.
“Terrific experience (even in the rain!) Our guide was very friendly, knowledgeable and attentive to safety. The bikes were in great condition and E powered which was great on the hills. Definitely an A+ experience.”
Travel privately with an English-speaking guide from your Donegal pickup point to Grianan of Aileach, Dunree, Mamore Gap, Carrickabraghy Castle, Five Fingers Strand, and Malin Head. Expect flexible service, coastal views, local stories, onboard WiFi, and a full 6 to 8 hour day.
“It was a rainy day to begin with...and we had not received any contact from the tour guide prior. We had a port of call delay that we communicated to the tour company, with a new pickup time of 10 am. No change to the itinerary was suggested. Connie (owner and driver) didn't arrive until 10:45 am. She apologized for being late. She said she couldn't find our number on WhatsApp to inform us. After 45 min waiting in the rain, one member from our group went back to the cruise ship. We had to walk the distance past the security gates because Connie forgot to register with the Harbour…”
Guide Henry takes your private group of up to seven from Donegal, Buncrana, or Letterkenny through Glenveagh National Park and northern Donegal. Expect mountain and coastal views, castle grounds, Gaeltacht culture, local stories, and optional visits to Glenveagh Castle and Crolly Distillery.
“Three Generations of family traveled to Ireland with our focus on Donegal. We highly recommend Donegal Tour Guide. Henry was fabulous. So incredibly knowledgeable and he knows everyone. He was extremely patient with 83 year old father-in-law who has been studying Irish for about 3 years. Henry answered all his questions. The area is incredibly beautiful. This is an incredible tour and we highly recommend it. You cannot go wrong with Henry. He is extremely professional and will cater tour to your interests.”
Start at Teac Campbell Guesthouse near Bunbeg Harbour with a top-quality fat-tire e-bike, helmet, and route app. Rory and Sarah explain the bike and provide support, then you follow a self-guided loop past Poison Glen, an abandoned village, a ruined church, Lough Nacung, Dunlewy Lough, and Bád Eddie.
“We had so much fun biking the Irish countryside. I’m 57 and in terrible shape, but the electric assistance helped me keep up with my husband. Best day ever!”
Spend 7 to 8 hours with Chieftain Tours exploring Donegal’s castle and abbey, Killybegs harbor, soaring Slieve League, and Glencolmcille Folk Village. Your private driver, often Joe, can tailor the day, collect you from a Donegal hotel, and provide a wheelchair-accessible vehicle on request.
“Excellent , amiable, informed and personalized tour geared to our requests. We recommend this tour to anyone interested in scenery and the history of Donegal.”
Walk from the Sliabh Liag Visitor Centre to the Bunglas viewpoint with local guide Teresa. This small-group tour covers Slieve League’s geology, folklore, culture, and history, ending at Ireland’s highest accessible sea cliffs.
“Excellent walk. Teresa was such a delightful tour guide. She’s very knowledgeable of Slieve League. The walk was breathtaking so beautiful.”
Spend 7 to 8 hours with a private guide exploring Derry’s 17th-century walls, Grianan of Aileach, Burt Castle, and Buncrana’s Swan Park. Ian can tailor the day to your interests, with hotel pickup in North and West Donegal or Derry city, plus wheelchair-accessible transport on request.
“We had a fabulous day with Ian! He shared personal stories and showed us some beautiful sites in and around Donegal. Because the tour was private, Ian tailored the tour to our preferences and allowed us time to enjoy the day at our own pace. Highly recommend taking time to see this part of Ireland!”
Join Teresa for a two-hour walk from the Slieve League Visitor Centre to a cliff viewpoint. Hear local tales of fairies, mermaids, the sixth century, and World War II while taking in Donegal Bay and views toward Sligo, Mayo, and Galway.
“Excellent walk with Teresa to Slieve League. Interesting local information from 6th century, World War II, fairy and mermaids, Local stories and people. Would highly recommend.”
Spend 7 to 8 hours with an accredited driver-guide exploring Donegal’s coast and castles. Visit Fanad Head Lighthouse, Doe Castle, Glenveagh National Park, and Grianan of Aileach. Joe and Nicola can adjust the day to suit your interests, with pickup available in North and West Donegal, Letterkenny, and Derry City.
“We had such a fantastic time with Chieftain Tours on our recent trip to Donegal! Even though the weather at the cliffs was wild, wet, and windy, it actually made the whole experience feel even more exciting and memorable (they don't call it the Wild Atlantic Way for nothing_”
Pick a coast road, a castle or a counter.
