Taste the Island - A Celebration of Ireland's Food and Drink - 2019 Buyers Guide

Day 5:  Donegal – TheWild AtlanticWay Day 5 offers a little relaxation from food and drink to explore a little more of the wonderful coast along the northern route of the wild AtlanticWay. Letterkenny to Fanad Head [42km/46 mins] Morning En route to Fanad Lighthouse call into Rathmullan House Hotel, a Blue Book Property for a stroll through their Walled Garden admiring the array of seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers on show. Fanad Lighthouse www.fanadlighthouse.com The first stop is a visit to Fanad Head Lighthouse on Fanad Head peninsula. Learn about the light and aids to navigation past and present that serve to protect the many fishing vessels and ships that journeyed these waters. Given the lighthouse location, on the North Atlantic shipping route, once one of the busiest in the world, and its location at the entrance to Lough Swilly harbour, it offered a beacon of refuge to be headed to during difficult weather.With more than its fair share of shipping causalities, as you step back in time you will hear stories about light-keepers in days gone by and climb to the top of the tower for spectacular views of land and sea. The tours offer a fantastic insight into the rich and vibrant history of Fanad Lighthouse and the beautiful Fanad Peninsula. Travel to Glenveagh National Park [42km/46mins] Lunch & Afternoon at Glenveagh National Park Glenveagh National Park & Lunch www.glenveaghnationalpark.ie bookings@glenveaghtearooms.com www.grassroutes.ie Glenveagh National Park, one of five National Parks in Ireland, is a remote and hauntingly beautiful wilderness of rugged mountains, pristine lakes, tumbling waterfalls and enchanted native oak woodland in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains NW Donegal. At it’s centre, on the edge of Lough Veagh is Glenveagh Castle, a late 19th century castellated mansion, built as a hunting lodge. Here your group can enjoy lunch in the Tearooms before exploring the Castle Gardens, enjoying a looped walk from it’s selection of trails or hopping on a bicycle with Grass Routes bike Hire (offering electric and hybrid bikes in addition to standard) to enjoy more of the park at their leisure. Travel from Glenveagh to Ardara [61km/58 minis] Evening – Irish Tweed and a Local Seafood Platter in the Village of Ardara The Story of Irish Tweed www.trionadesign.com www.handwoventweed.com Have your clients finish their day in Donegal with an uncovering of the story of Irish tweed, in the character filled town of Ardara, with its rich heritage of handweaving. Enjoy a stop off to Eddie Doherty or Triona Design to see the weave being crafted on the hand looms, before investing in a piece to take home or as a gift. What better way to end the day than over a sharing platter of local Irish seafood including oysters from local Donegal waters, as well as mussels, smoked salmon and warm smoked mackerel. Served with homemade Irish Soda Bread, real irish butter and a local craft beer or a local distilled whiskey, in front of the turf fires in Nancy’s Bar in Ardara, a taste of the Wild AtlanticWay doesn’t get more authentic than this! Travel fromArdara to Donegal Town region to overnight [35km/38mins] www.lougheskecastlehotel.com www.harveyspoint.com Overnight at the 5* Solis Lough Eske or 4* Harvey’s Point, both overlooking the wonderful Lough Eske waters. 135 SECT ION 14 – SUGGESTED I T INERARI ES