DONEGAL DAY TOUR: Costa e Castelli

Great day out. Very informative. The guide. Joe, was knowledgeable and he entertained us at lunch with Irish songs.

We had an excellent private (2 persons) tour with Chieftain Tours. We explained our likes and dislikes and how we would like to vary from the timeline of the typical tour itinerary we booked. Joe was GREAT about coming up with new stops catered to our preferences to fill the time of the places we wanted to skip. He provided wonder history and insights about the region, and always volunteered to play photographer throughout the day. One request we had was to take a photo with a sign that said Letterkenny, as we had family from that area. He found a great photo op w the English and Irish spelling in front of a beautiful church.

+12

We had Joe as our guide / driver and he was excellent with our time and giving us the information and history of all the areas we visited. Had great stories and knowledge of all the locations we visited.

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_ Nicola was an absolute gem, so knowledgeable, kind, and fun to spend the day with. She really brought the history and beauty of Donegal to life for us. She was also incredibly accommodating of our schedule constraints, fitting in as much as possible within the time we had during the day. When we make it back to Ireland, we’ll definitely be booking with Chieftain Tours again for a different/longer tour. Highly recommended!

Joe led us on a fantastic tour, one of the best guides we have ever had. He was very knowledgeable, entertaining, and funny. Donegal was a charming town., fun to walk. The views of the Atlantic coast were incredible. The visit to the pub was a blast. Joe and his friend played and sang several Irish songs - a real treat! I would highly recommend this tour.

The Coast and Castles tour was our second day tour with Joe. We enjoyed the South Donegal tour so much and were excited about traveling with Joe again on this tour. Joe picked us up in Donegal Town and before heading out, we pulled off to see the most incredibly carved, large Celtic Cross. Second stop was to be Grianan Aileach, an ancient stone fort, built up on a hill with an incredible 360 degree view of the beautiful surrounding landscape. The fort itself is so unique and the scenery has to be seen to be believed. From there it was an interesting drive, with many twisty roads, to reach the Fanad Lighthouse. The lighthouse if beautifully maintained and has incredible views out to Malin Head and the Ocean. They have a really cool virtual reality film about the sinking of the HMS Saldanha, which crashed off the coast. You can climb the stairs up to the top to see the views. From the lighthouse it is a bit of a drive to Glenveagh Nation Park, so we stopped for a view of Doe Castle from across the lake, so that we would have plenty of time to see the Glenveagh Castle and some of its gardens. The Castle and the views from it and around the gardens are well worth seeing, again fascinating history. Thanks again to Joe for a second fantastic day exploring Donegal, this time the north and central part of the County. More people really need to see the hidden gems of Donegal County!

+11

Booked a private tour around Donegal in search of relatives. Joe Greene proved a highly informed guide through Donegal who went well out of the way in search of sites associated with family who immigrated in the 17th century. After family search spent a most pleasant day touring ancient ruins, Columbkille sites, and into Derry. Joe was totally open to all suggestions and did everything possible to make the day memorable. The car was new and very comfortable. If you value personal service and local knowledge, Chieftain Tours is perfect for you.

Joe was an extraordinary guide, and we immediately knew it would be a great day with him the minute we engaged with his remarkable personality! He suggested that we briefly discuss the tour and our preferences so he could ensure he would meet our expectations (which were exceeded). We are seasoned travelers with a strong interest in learning about the history, stories, and culture of the places we tour. Joe, having been born and raised in Ireland, was definitely prepared and uniquely qualified to deliver an exceptional experience. As we began our journey, Joe shared the historical background of our first location and described the stops we would make along the Wild Atlantic Way. What stood out to us right away, is that he shared how the history of these incredible places and events impacted those living in these locations during the periods covered, as well as the Irish people living there today. His expressive storytelling provided us with a much deeper understanding of the people of Ireland. We also learned how far back the history of Ireland has been verified (prior to the neolithic era)! If you enjoy history and learning about the people and places you visit when traveling, this educational, entertaining and impactful experience is for you! Joe was also a skilled driver with a wonderful sense of humor, which he generously shared with us as he graciously shared the road with others. Thank you, Joe, and Chieftain Tours, for creating treasured lifelong memories and an incredible day of sights, stories, and fun!