Buncrana & the Irish Causeway Coaster

Inishowen Peninsula

The Inishowen Peninsula in the northeast of County Donegal is perhaps the great overlooked treasure of the Irish landscape (and certainly has the longest signposted scenic drive – the “Inishowen 100”), offering a diverse and visually exciting terrain, where the views usually encompass the waters of the loughs or the Atlantic waves. Virtually every aspect of the landscape is superb – the beaches, the towering headland bluffs (Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point, Inishowen, Dunaff and Dunree) and the central mountain range, with towering Slieve Snaght at the middle of it all.

The peninsula derives its name from Eoghán, who was made First Lord of the island by his father Niall, High King of Ireland. Phases of the peninsula’s history before and after Eoghán have left a legacy of fine antiquities, from the Grianán Ailigh fort to a host of beautiful early Christian crosses (Cloncha, Mura, Carrowmore and Cooley).

Londonderry

Derry, officially Londonderry is the second-largest city in Northern Ireland and the fourth-largest city on the island of Ireland. The name Derry is an anglicisation of the Irish name Daire or Doire meaning "oak grove". In 1613, the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James I and gained the "London" prefix to reflect the funding of its construction by the London guilds and is the only remaining completely intact walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of a walled city in Europe.

Glenveagh National Park

Glenveagh National Park is one of six national parks in Ireland. Situated in the Northwest of Co. Donegal, Glenveagh encompasses some 16,000 acres in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Such a great wilderness is the haunt of many interesting plants and animals. These lands were managed as a private deer forest before becoming a national park in 1975. With the completion of public facilities Glenveagh National Park was officially opened to the public in 1986. The Visitor Centre is located on the northern end of Lough Veagh, near the edge of the National Park. Its award-winning design incorporates a living heather roof mimicking the surrounding landscape causing minimum disturbance. The extensive displays contained within provide an introduction to the parks natural and built history as well as providing information on walking trails, events etc. Guides on duty will also be happy to provide visitors with information about the park and surrounding area.

The Giants Causeway

For centuries the splendid sight of the Giant's Causeway's 38,000 hexagonal shaped columns of basalt has astounded visitors from all over the world. There have been many different theories and scientific arguments to explain the origins of the Causeway stones and the reasons for their unique shape and form. Mythology long ago, an Irish giant named Finn MacCool roamed the north coast, where he could look across the narrow sea of Moyle to Scotland. A Scottish giant, Benandonner, was Finn's greatest rival, challenging his strength and reputation. As the two giants had never met, Finn decided to invite Benandonner to Ireland, to engage in a decisive battle. There was no boat large enough to carry giants, so Finn built a causeway of huge stones across the water so that the Scottish giant could travel on dry land; thus he would have no excuse to avoid the confrontation.

Coleraine-Derry Railway

Why not sit back, relax and enjoy the views! Whether you start your day in Derry or Coleraine, there’s many things to see along the way. Taking the train means you’ll travel in comfort and get plenty of time to view the scenery. The 45 minute journey was decribed by Michael Palin as "one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world”. The railway track runs alongside the coast and through the longest railway tunnels in Ireland, measuring 668 and 307 yards respectively.

Inishowen Gateway Hotel

On the Inishowen Peninsula overlooking Buncrana Golf Club and Lough Swilly, this modern hotel is 1 km from Buncrana beach and 1.7 km from Buncrana town centre. The bright rooms all include en suite bathrooms, and have flat-screen TVs and free WiFi, as well as tea and coffee making facilities. Most rooms have scenic lake views.

The Loughview Bar serves a light lunch and traditional evening menu, and the Peninsula Restaurant serves creative cuisine using local produce in more formal surroundings.

There's also an indoor pool, a sauna, a steam room and a hot tub, as well as a gym. Guests are free to use Buncrana Golf Course