Pre-Trip Service
Erin was most helpful with information on where to stay and things to do prior to the beginning of my walk with Wilderness Ireland and then also with advice on the quickest and easiest way to get to Scotland in 12 hours so that I was at the starting point of my next walk with Wilderness Scotland.
I can't thank her enough!
Trip Comments
It seems such a long time ago now that I'm back in Australia!
My Wilderness Ireland experience was thoroughly enjoyable. Glorious scenery!
My dietary requirements (I'm coeliac) were accommodated perfectly.
Our guide Calliam did his best despite us having some rather inclement weather during our week of walking. I enjoyed his get on with it attitude as I'm a bit adventurous but this may not appeal to others. In fact I found it totally different when I joined my second walk with Wilderness Scotland as our guide on that walk was much more cautious and careful about the paths he took us on.
I would recommend this particular walk and hope to join Wilderness Ireland again to see some more beautiful Irish scenery.
Accommodation & Food
My walk took place at the end of August beginning of September and I'm racking my brain to think of anything that stood out!
The Bayview Hotel rooms were spacious, clean and very comfortable it would have been lovely to have a view of the ocean rather than the car park but at least everyone in our tour group had a view of the car park. Breakfast and Dinner were very nice and we had a view of the ocean from the Dining Room. Staff were friendly too.
Glen House was lovely and our group were the only guests staying the 2 nights we were there. The owner could not do enough for us. Breakfast and lunches were really good and the places that Calliam took us too in the evenings for our dinner were lovely!
The Nesbitt Arms Hotel was pleasant but there was a large busload of guests sharing the hotel with us for one of the nights which made it feel a bit too touristy for my liking. Our final dinner together was at Nancys which was a cute little restaurant around the corner from the Nesbitt Arms and was a bit more authentic than the Nesbitt Arms Hotel.
We talked Calliam into letting us have a drink at the Rusty Mackerel pub after we finished our walk at the Slieve League Cliffs and I thoroughly enjoyed this and having a chat to a few locals (even though I could hardly understand their accents)
Your Guide
Calliam was young and enthusiastic and to me typically Irish.
He knew lots about different things - the history, the geography, the plants and animals. We did a bit of foraging which I found fascinating. I also enjoyed the Irish music that he played in the van.
His recommendations for evening meals were good and he also recommended a really good local Irish gin which I now wish I'd bought a bottle of the An Dulan gin.
He was helpful with recommendations and suggestions of other Wilderness Ireland tours that he thought I would like.
The Bottom Line
I'd highly recommend this particular trip "Causeway Coastal Route and Donegal".
Everyone at Wilderness Ireland from the office staff to our guide were friendly, helpful and couldn't do enough for me it made the whole process so easy from start to finish. I'll be back to see more of Ireland!
