Waking up in Donegal at the Mill Park Hotel
We began Day 5 of our Ireland itinerary at the beautiful Mill Park Hotel in Donegal, enjoying a slightly later start than usual. I wish I could say I slept well, but the reality of our still-missing luggage had my brain running a marathon all night. And since it was Sunday, the chances of our bags magically appearing were close to zero.
The idea of another day calling the airline, wondering what the hell was going on, and having to update our location again had me ready for a new approach. So I did what any travel advisor running on determination would do - I woke up early, got on my phone, and started troubleshooting.
Every option was on the table:
- renting a car
- hiring a private driver
- taking the train
- taking the local Irish bus services
By the time Jason woke up and we were sitting down for our proper Irish breakfast, I had a plan.
The Dublin Airport Luggage Rescue Plan
I suggested that Jason take the bus from Donegal to Dublin Airport to retrieve our bags himself. I would stay with our group for the day's scheduled tour and we'd meet back at the hotel that evening.
To my relief (and love for him), Jason agreed without hesitation. I showed him the route, the bus stop, his return plan. He grabbed his jacket and headed out for what would be a 3.5 hour journey each way.
And with that - bags or no bags - Day 5 was officially underway.
Slieve League Cliffs: A Must-See on Any Ireland Itinerary
I was incredibly excited for this part of our trip. I thought about it daily from the moment our booking confirmation showed up in my inbox. The Slieve League Cliffs are one of the most spectacular natural wonders in all of Ireland. If you haven't heard of them, they're located on the northwest coast and are nearly 3 times taller than the Cliffs of Moher.
The Scenic Journey to Slieve League
On our way to Slieve League, we enjoyed one of the most beautiful drives of our entire Ireland itinerary. Leaving Mill Park Hotel, Brian, our expert and very talented guide and driver, guided the coach along narrow Irish roads lined with stone bridges, wee villages, and emerald fields that seemed to roll on forever. Sheep dotted the hillside in every direction, creating that picture-perfect "only in Ireland" moment around every bend.
We made a quick stop in the fishing village of Killybegs, where the salty air and colorful boats set the scene perfectly. Brian also pulled over at a few scenic viewpoints along the Wild Atlantic Way, giving us some time to soak in the rugged coastline before our climb up toward the cliffs. It was one of those drives that I will never forget. It really was everything I thought it would be.
We started at the Slieve League Visitor Centre, where we transferred to a smaller coach because the narrow roads and tight hairpin turns are not suitable for a large motorcoach. The drive alone was its very own adventure.
At the top, we were greeted by dramatic views, rolling mist and clouds, and winds that felt like they wanted to take us for a ride. Despite the rain and gusts, the scenery at Slieve League is absolutely indescribable - rugged, wild, ancient, bucket-list worthy.
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| No captions necessary. Just in total awe! |
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| Wild. Rugged. Breathtaking. |
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| When the views are as wild as the wind and my crazy hair! |
A touch of Irish Magic: Music on the Cliffs
We were joined by a local guide, Eunan McIntyre, who sang an Irish song he wrote himself while we stood on the viewpoint overlooking the cliffs. Between the cliffs, the music, and the weather - the moment felt straight out of a movie.
After braving the elements, we headed back to the visitor centre for fresh-baked scones, hot tea, and a few more songs from Eunan. It was pure Donegal magic.
Exploring Adara: Triona Tweed and Classic Irish Hospitality
Our next stop brought us to the charming town of Ardara, where we visited Triona Tweed, a family-run business that still weaves tweed on a 150-year-old loom. The owers greeted us with warm Irish coffees (bless them), demonstrated their weaving process, and welcomed us into their beautiful shop.
After a bit of browsing and soaking in the craftsmanship, we headed down to Nancy's Bar. This cozy, local gem has been in the McHugh family for over 7 generations. Our group thoroughly enjoyed a pint, conversation, and delicious dinner. It was the perfect blend of culture, food, and authenticity.
Meanwhile...Jason vs The Dublin Airport Baggage Desk
While were all touring County Donegal, Jason was on his own adventure. A scenic bus ride through charming villages and countryside en route to Dublin Airport.
He reported the bus ride was actually quite nice (all things considered) and the bus service goes directly to the airport which was a huge help.
Once there, he had to summon every ounce of patience while he waited for help at the very unconcerned baggage desk. But eventually, someone finally assisted him and he walked out of the terminal with our luggage. Hallelujah!!
With just minutes to spare, he made it onto the same returning bus with the same driver and was headed back to Donegal.
A Nighttime Reunion: The Best Walk into Donegal
Back to Donegal, two friends we had made on the tour, Jay and Amy, offered to walk with me to meet Jason in the town centre and help carry the luggage back. Because if you have ever dragged suitcases over cobblestone sidewalks, you know its a workout.
On our journey downtown, we made a quick stop at the petrol station, taking a few minutes to have a peek at the outdoor laundry machines and egg boxes we kept seeing throughout Ireland. We all had so much curiousity about these laundry facilities and, truthfully, maybe a little FOMO. Ha! Many of us just wanted to give them a try! These charming quirks felt so unique compared to home. For sure next trip we will have to stop in and give them a go!
And a note to Canada and the USA: These egg boxes supporting local farm fresh eggs are brilliant and should readily available in our communities!
As we rounded the corner, Jason stepped off the bus with our bags in hand!!! It was the happiest moment. We cheered. We hugged. He was the hero of the entire group!!
The guys drug our luggage back up the cobblestone while we chatted the whole way on a cool, autumn, Donegal night.
Jay and Amy - if you are reading this - thank you again, Truly!!
Ending Day on the Highest Note
Back at the hotel, with fresh pajamas, toiletries, and all the comforts we'd been desperately missing, we finally relaxed. And I swear, we had the best sleep since arriving in Ireland.
Did you miss out on adventures from our previous days in Ireland? Explore the rest of our Ireland Itinerary here:
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