The Landscapes & Gardens of Donegal
A six day exploration of North West Ireland with Gareth Austin, Chantal Cookson & performances by London Festival Opera
- 14 June 2020
An Introduction by Andrew Cochrane, Noble Caledonia Founder & Director
" Ireland has a special place in my heart and for the past 40 years I have been exploring its length and breadth, but only recently have my travels taken me to the far north western corner to County Donegal. It is about as far as it is possible to travel from our home in Ireland’s South East. It’s an omission that has been corrected by two recent visits and not a little sadness that it took me so long to discover this mesmerising corner of Ireland. Constantly changing light, an extraordinarily beautiful coastline, mountain streams and, for me best of all, some spectacularly sited and idiosyncratic gardens. Remote and unspoiled, it’s a land of myths and legends, famous for its writers and musicians. The much heralded ‘Wild Atlantic Way’ begins here as it navigates around rugged mountain-backed peninsulas and for many, the stunning scenery, unquestionably Ireland’s finest, is reason enough to visit Donegal.
If you enjoy exploring gardens, Donegal will not disappoint. Our tour includes some of the best; an intriguing mix of historic, baronial to small and often eccentric but all blending into a sublime landscape. It will be a journey of headlands, promontories and towering sea-cliff peninsulas and across glens, rivers and lush green hills often instilling a sense of other-worldliness. For all this, remote Donegal has yet to be inundated by tourism, fortunately it does not fit easily into the standard requirements of large tour organisers and that is why for me it is so very special.
Staying with us will be London Festival Opera who will perform at Rathmullan House and Lough Eske House and, this being Donegal, we will have the pleasure of listening to local musicians who have through the ages produced some of Ireland’s finest music."
Useful links & Travel Advice
Please find a selection of useful websites to refer to for information from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, on visa requirements, NHS travel health advice and other useful travel tips.
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London Festival Opera
We are delighted that London Festival Opera will be joining us for our stay and presenting two concerts in superb settings – performing a selection of celebrated arias and ensembles from the operas of Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Bizet and Puccini as well as some lighter pieces from the world of operetta and musicals. We have long been associated with London Festival Opera and each year our music-themed tours grow in popularity. London Festival Opera has achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera in the UK and overseas and has performed for Presidents, Prime Ministers and senior members of the British and European Royal Families. The company has performed at 10 Downing Street, the British Embassy in Paris, the President’s Palace in Malta and as a guest company in one of Italy’s greatest opera houses, La Fenice in Venice. Bringing together artists from the major British opera companies including the Royal Opera, English National Opera and Glyndebourne the programmes presented include a wide and varied range of repertoire, performed in formal evening dress and authentic period costume for an added visual impact.
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan House captures the spirit of Donegal. Built as a grand Georgian holiday home it became a hotel in 1962 and is now run by Mark and Mary, the second generation of the Wheeler family. Sitting on the shore of Lough Swilly it has the best of both worlds, lovely gardens and a long sandy beach, perfect for an after-dinner stroll. For the duration of our tour we have taken all of the hotel’s 30 rooms. You have the choice of staying in the main house or the Regency style wing. All offer great style and comfort, each having a unique feel that only a privately owned and run hotel can successfully manage.
The public rooms are a delight, ornate doorways, ceilings, marble fireplaces and period furniture exuding a peaceful Irish country house charm. And, then there is the food. Guests return year after year because of the excellent dining. Dinner is served in an elegant room with a tented ceiling studded with twinkling lights.
Itinerary
Day 1 London to Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to Rathmullan in County Donegal where we check in to Rathmullan House for our five night stay. Enjoy the remainder of the afternoon at leisure before meeting for drinks and a welcome dinner.
Day 2 Cluain na dTor & Glenveagh.
After a leisurely breakfast, drive across the county to the sub-tropical garden of Cluain na dTor. Over 20 years in the making, this inspirational and boldly experimental garden is a great example of how tropical and precious plants can adapt to such northerly climes. Surrounded by wildflower meadows, the garden also specialises in plants tolerant of seaside conditions. Later, drive to nearby Glenveagh Castle Gardens, surely the greatest garden of the county. After lunch we will explore the magical woodland gardens set in the starkly dramatic shadows of the Kinnaveagh, Dooish and Staghall Mountains. The original Victorian garden was first laid out in 1885 and then extensively developed in the 50s, 60s and 70s. The walled garden is a stunning affair as is the Tuscan garden, Italian terrace and the famous67 steps. Before leaving we will enjoy a guided tour of the castle, idyllically positioned above the peaty waters of Loch Veagh and enjoy some tea in this sublime setting. Return to Rathmullan House in the late afternoon.
Day 3 Salthill & Lough Eske.
This morning we drive south heading for Mount Charles and the charming Salthill Gardens. Located some 200 yards from the sea, this old walled garden has been gradually transformed by Elizabeth Temple into something very special. Independent of trends this delightful half hectare enclosure offers a feeling of privacy and mystery that is particular to old walled gardens. A short drive takes us to the shores of lovely Lough Eske where we visit Lough Eske Castle, an imposing Georgian House which is now a hotel, for lunch and time to explore the surrounding grounds and gardens. For those who would like to walk off lunch, there is a two kilometre Ard na Mona Woods walk which skirts the lough, taking in the Fairy Glen, giant redwoods and Castle O’Donnell, a Medieval tower house from where the ‘Flight of the Earls’ began in 1607 signalling the end of Gaelic rule in Ireland. Later in the afternoon, tea will be served in Lough Eske Castle followed by a performance by London Festival Opera. Return to Rathmullan House for dinner.
Day 4 St Columbs.
Today will be taken at a slower pace allowing for a morning at leisure at Rathmullan. Perhaps walk through the woods to the beach and later join the head gardener of Rathmullan House for a guided tour of the gardens. After a light lunch we will head for St Columbs House and garden. The Regency House and grounds were planted by the late Derek Hill and are a haven of artistic beauty. Here the house and garden merge, one being as important as the other. The extensive gardens with a collection of unusual trees and shrubs lead down to beautiful Lough Gartan and centre stage is the house. Echoes of Derek Hill abound, as the house is much as he left it. William Morris textiles, Islamic, Italian and Japanese art as well as more than 300 works by leading 20th century artists. Return to Rathmullan House for an early evening drinks party and a performance in the hotel by London Festival Opera.
Day 5 Carrablagh & Greenfort.
Today features two lovely gardens and some of Donegal’s most dramatic coastal scenery. Carrablagh is an outstanding example of a well-established mid-19th century country garden and is nestled in the eastern cliffs of the Fanad Peninsula where Lough Swilly meets the Atlantic. This is the most intimate, classic Irish Robinsonian garden and has a magical atmosphere, sheltering its botanical treasures in a series of pockets through the woods. After lunch we continue to explore the Fanad Peninsula calling into Greenfort, a historic garden with attractive walks and outstanding views over Lough Swilly and Inishowen. The day will also include some of Ireland’s most scenic coastal scenery and the dramatically sited Fanad Lighthouse. This evening we will enjoy a farewell dinner at Rathmullan House with some traditional Donegal music.
Day 6 Belfast to London.
Check out after breakfast and return to Belfast Airport for your return scheduled flight.
Dates and Prices
Prices per person based on double occupancy14 to 19 June 2020 | ||
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Category | Price | |
Standard Double/Twin - Main House | £2095 | |
Superior Double/Twin - Main House | £2295 | |
Superior Double/Twin - Regency House | £2295 | |
Single - Main House | £2095 | |
Standard Sole Use - Main House | £2495 |
Tour Reference Code: LADONEGAL
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Five nights hotel accommodation at Rathmullan House on a breakfast and dinner basis • Wine with dinner • Excursions as described including entrance fees • Lunch on days 2 to 5 • Afternoon tea on days 2 & 3 • Tour Leader • Guest Speaker.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Rathmullan House
Rathmullan House captures the spirit of Donegal. Built as a grand Georgian holiday home it became a hotel in 1962 and is now run by Mark and Mary, the second generation of the Wheeler family. Sitting on the shore of Lough Swilly it has the best of both worlds, lovely gardens and a long sandy beach, perfect for an after-dinner stroll. For the duration of our tour we have taken all of the hotel’s 30 rooms. You have the choice of staying in the main house or the Regency style wing. All offer great style and comfort, each having a unique feel that only a privately owned and run hotel can successfully manage.
The public rooms are a delight, ornate doorways, ceilings, marble fireplaces and period furniture exuding a peaceful Irish country house charm. And, then there is the food. Guests return year after year because of the excellent dining. Dinner is served in an elegant room with a tented ceiling studded with twinkling lights.
Travelling with You
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Gareth Austin
Gareth is a passionate plantsman and lecturer based in Donegal. He is a graduate of the SRUC and the University of Glasgow where he studied Horticulture and Organic Agriculture. Gareth can be heard weekly on BBC Northern Ireland where he has been a resident ‘Voice of Gardening’ for nearly 10 years. Gareth spends most of his time lecturing in Horticulture in regional colleges and is an expert on Ulster Scots walled gardens and grounds. Originally from Edinburgh, Gareth has a particular interest in the gardens of William & Robert Adams and has travelled extensively throughout Ireland and Scotland visiting countless gardens and parks. In addition to all the above, Gareth runs an Organic Bio-intensive Market Garden and is the largest grower in the area off MicroGreens.
Gareth Austin will be on the following tour dates: 14 to 19 June 2020 -
Chantal Cookson
Chantal was born in Suffolk very near the sea and now lives in Northumberland where her husband farms and when possible, they go to their cottage in Suffolk. Chantal has been associated with Noble Caledonia since the company was founded in 1991 and was part of the Expedition Team for many years on the MS Caledonian Star and has led tours, be it cruising or land, all over the world, including the Antarctic in 1999, aboard the Caledonian Star on her first voyage there and in 2017 was aboard the MS Island Sky on her first voyage to the Antarctic. Chantal’s initial experience of cruising was in British waters in 1991 when Noble Caledonia did the first cruise around the British Isles, which was a ground breaking voyage and led to a very successful and popular concept. Though her main job for over 25 years was working for Sotheby’s, she is now a Travel and Fine Art Consultant intertwining in her busy life still working periodically as part of the Noble Caledonia Expedition Team and also as a Tour Leader on Land Tours. From the Arctic to the Antarctica, South America to Australia, Africa, India, The Seychelles, Indonesian Islands and many other destinations including many times the West Coast of Scotland, she has been able to pursue her love of the oceans, zodiacing and photography. Chantal is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.
Chantal Cookson will be on the following tour dates: 14 to 19 June 2020 -
London Festival Opera
We are delighted to be joined by London Festival Opera on many of our tours and cruises. We have long been associated with London Festival Opera and each year our music themed cruises grow in popularity. London Festival Opera have achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera in palaces, castles, country houses, theatres, concert halls, embassies and private homes and gardens. Recent engagements have been throughout the UK, Europe and as far afield as Barbados, Marrakech and Moscow.
Particular attention is given to the design and quality of our costumes which are as authentic as possible. Whether it is a period evening dress, such as Regency or Victorian to enhance a gala performance or a full production, the costumes will be of the highest quality and style.
Bringing together artists from the major British opera companies including the Royal Opera, English National Opera and Glyndebourne Festival Opera, the company has a considerable reputation and has appeared in some of the world's leading venues including as a guest company in one of the Italy's greatest opera houses, La Fenice in Venice.
London Festival Opera will be on the following tour dates: 14 to 19 June 2020
London Festival Opera
We are delighted that London Festival Opera will be joining us for our stay and presenting two concerts in superb settings – performing a selection of celebrated arias and ensembles from the operas of Handel, Mozart, Rossini, Bizet and Puccini as well as some lighter pieces from the world of operetta and musicals. We have long been associated with London Festival Opera and each year our music-themed tours grow in popularity. London Festival Opera has achieved a considerable reputation for presenting opera in the UK and overseas and has performed for Presidents, Prime Ministers and senior members of the British and European Royal Families. The company has performed at 10 Downing Street, the British Embassy in Paris, the President’s Palace in Malta and as a guest company in one of Italy’s greatest opera houses, La Fenice in Venice. Bringing together artists from the major British opera companies including the Royal Opera, English National Opera and Glyndebourne the programmes presented include a wide and varied range of repertoire, performed in formal evening dress and authentic period costume for an added visual impact.

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