Depending on where you are coming from, Philadelphia, Newark and JFK are the primary East Coast airports for direct flights to Dublin, Ireland. You can expect your flight to depart at night and arrive in Dublin bright and early! See below for additional reminders and tips for travel!
TRAVEL ACCESSORIES
- Click HERE for a list of travel favorites! This includes the Irish adapter for your electronics!
- Passport questions, renewal, or application? Click HERE!
Getting to Donegal from Dublin Airport
If you fly into Dublin Airport, there are a number of ways that you can make your way towards Donegal, where the wedding fun is happening! The drive is about 2 1/2 - 3 hours, but depending on how you want to organize your trip there are lots of creative ways to break it up, or just push through and do it one trip!
CAR RENTAL
If you decide to rent a car, make sure you specifically ask for an automatic or they will assume you can/want to drive a manual (stick shift) car. An automatic will also be more expensive. Most importantly, make sure you remember to drive on the left side of the road too! To check out the car rental companies, click here!
TRAIN
Another option to get through Ireland is via train. From Dublin Airport, you can get a taxi or bus to Connolly station. From there you can take a train throughout Ireland. To get to Donegal, one option could include taking the train from Dublin to Sligo. From there you can explore the beautiful Sligo, and also get a bus/taxi/ride share to Donegal (approx. 35 minutes). For more information check out the Irish Rail network!
BUS
Another easy, dependable, and organized mode of transportation through Ireland is their bus system. From Dublin Airport you can get a direct bus to Donegal town. You can also use this bus system as a way to explore other parts of Ireland on your way to Donegal! For more information check out Bus Éireann/Expressway website.
For your convenience, we have a number of options depending on what your stay in Donegal looks like. All hotels and Air BnB's are within 5-10 minutes of the wedding fun!
LOUGH ESKE CASTLE -
If you would like to stay in the castle the night of the wedding or days surrounding it, rooms can be booked through their website. Please mention the Travers/Mahon wedding for a 10% discount on the room rate. Additionally, there are special offers and opportunities to explore their extensive spa services, tours, etc. if you are looking to make it a special weekend at the castle.
THE ABBEY HOTEL -
In the heart of Donegal town, and walking distance from the pub from Thursday night (the night before) is The Abbey Hotel. The Abbey Hotel is just a 5/7 minute taxi/drive from the church and Lough Eske Castle. There is a limited block of rooms reserved here for the Friday and Saturday night (8/2 and 8/3) of the wedding weekend. The rates are €199 per double room per night, and a single room for €130 per night. To book call the hotel at +353 (0) 749721014 OR email reservations@abbeyhoteldonegal.com - include Aisling & Mark in your booking to ensure the discounted rate!
OTHER LOCAL HOTELS
There are a number of other local hotels in Donegal town that are walking distance to the town center, and a short drive to the wedding festivities. The Abbey Hotel is where we have the discounted rooms, but check out the hotels below if interested in other options.
GATEWAY LODGE -
Located in Donegal Town, this lodge is incredibly walkable, central to all the fun, and a quick 5 minute taxi/car ride to the wedding venue. Book through their website.
AIRBNB
A number of Airbnb's are available through the website. The key factors to keep in mind when searching are the distance to Donegal Town. Keep that as the center point, and you should be good to go.
B&B HOUSES
The following B&B houses are local and central to Lough Eske. This would be ideal for anyone who plans to stay in the Donegal area for a longer period of time and would rather be out by the castle/lake rather than walking distance in the town.
- Farmleigh Guest House, Donegal Town
The following salons are located right in Donegal Town, walking distance from the Abbey Hotel and Gateway Lodge. They are just a short (5-10) minute drive from most other Air BnB's as well as Lough Eske Castle. To book appointments, consider calling OR use Facebook/Instagram to book!
Fiona's Hair and Beauty Studio
+353 74 972 3858
www.fionashairstudio.ie / book through Instagram
Mango Hair Donegal Town
(074) 9725545
Mango-Hair-Studio (facebook)
Aine's Inspirations
+353 74 972 2862
Julie's Beauty Salon
+353 74 972 1966
Julies-Beauty-Salon (facebook)
Studio 5 Hair Salon
+353 74 972 5833
studiofive.ie
Click HERE to explore a collection of places, ideas, and more to ensure a great trip to Ireland!
Additional ideas and places to explore as we find them...
- Distillery in Donegal - www.ardaradistillery.com/
- Discover Ireland - LOTS of great information for first time adventures in Ireland!