Donegal Tour Guide: Meet Henry Doohan
Where in Donegal are you from and has Donegal been your home since birth?
Yes, I was born and bred in Donegal and I couldn’t be more delighted by that. I grew up in The Gaeltacht in a town called Falcarragh.
I was very lucky to live right beside the sea with views of my second home Tory Island.
That small island 9 miles off the coast, is my father’s birthplace and I still have family living there today.
Currently, I live in Donegal’s second-largest town, Buncrana, Inishowen, with my wonderful wife and 3 young children.
How did the idea of becoming a Donegal tour guide and private chauffeur come about?
Becoming a Donegal tour guide and private chauffeur wasn’t something I’d always planned, but looking back, it feels like it was the perfect blend of everything I’d been drawn to over the years.
I’d worked a variety of jobs, but nothing ever quite fulfilled me. Even in roles that weren’t tourism related, I found myself sharing recommendations, whether it was telling customers about the best places to visit, local spots to eat, or hidden gems in the area. I loved talking to people, getting to know them and offering a little slice of local knowledge. I also worked in community radio, so my flair for presenting was always in the background.
The turning point came when I went for a tour guide job at Glenveagh National Park. The experience was incredibly rewarding; the satisfaction of sharing one of Donegal’s biggest attractions with visitors made me realize I’d found my calling.
From there, I decided to pursue the necessary qualifications, including my Fáilte Ireland Tour Guiding Badge.
That’s when it all clicked. I knew I wanted to help people experience the real Donegal through personalized tours, showcasing everything this stunning county has to offer. It was the perfect combination of my love for history, storytelling, entertaining and our beautiful Donegal.
What kinds of services do you offer as a tour guide in Donegal?
As a local and national tour guide, I offer a range of bespoke, private tours to explore the unique landscape, history and culture of County Donegal as well as the rest of Ireland.
My private day tours are in a luxury Mercedes V-Class minivan or Mercedes E Class saloon car, providing a comfortable and intimate experience for private groups. I tailor each tour to my guests’ specific interests, ensuring a memorable experience.
What countries do your customers generally come from?
Almost all of my customers are from North America. Some of these have ancestral roots in County Donegal and some have no connection to Ireland whatsoever.
If they have visited other parts of Ireland before, they find Donegal to be a refreshing change. They describe it as undiscovered, peaceful, and the “real Ireland” that they’ve been dreaming of. For many, Donegal offers a sense of authenticity and tranquility that’s hard to find in the more tourist heavy areas further south.
Could you describe a typical day tour suitable for a small group of people and what is included in that package?
A typical day tour of Donegal begins with a morning pickup from your accommodation. We travel in the comfort of a luxury Mercedes Benz, taking the scenic roads that larger coaches often can’t access so you see parts of Donegal that most visitors miss.
What sets my tours apart is that I don’t simply point out landmarks. I engage with my guests and create a personal connection. As we drive, I get to know their interests and often tailor the tour on the fly based on their preferences. This makes every experience unique.
During the tour, you see beautiful coastlines and rolling hills. We stop at local restaurants, shops and attractions, where you have the chance to meet some of Donegal’s interesting locals.
Whether it’s an Inishowen tour, or visiting the Sliabh Liag sea cliffs, every tour includes a scenic portion of the Wild Atlantic Way, Ireland’s famous coastal route.
At the end of the day, you return to your accommodation with not just pictures, but lasting memories of a truly personal and authentic experience in County Donegal.
Do you usually set the itinerary or do your customers have attractions in mind that you then take them to?
Usually, my customers will choose an area they want to visit from the descriptions of the sample itineraries on my website, while others will let me decide which of these tours is their best option due to where they are staying in the county.
But often I receive requests for totally bespoke day trips such as genealogy tours.
These can be the most fun as they are more like a treasure hunt as the guests try to locate their Irish ancestral roots or distant relatives.
I pride myself on the few occasions I had beginning these types of tours with vague clues in the morning and having my guests drinking tea with long-lost cousins by early evening!
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Are there certain attractions in Donegal that are more popular than others?
The Sliabh Liag Cliffs remain one of Donegal’s top attractions, known for being the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe. The views are absolutely breathtaking and are a highlight for anyone visiting the region.
Further north, the Inishowen Peninsula is a must see. Highlights include the Grianán of Aileach, an ancient stone fort that offers panoramic views across Donegal and beyond. It’s a fantastic spot for those interested in history and archaeology, with a rich heritage dating back to the Iron Age.
Glenveagh National Park in the heart of the county also stands out with its serene landscapes, tranquil lakes and the majestic Glenveagh Castle. I have such fond memories of my time as a tour guide there.
Discover Vacation Rentals in County Donegal
Many visitors from abroad (especially Americans who are used to driving on the right) are hesitant to rent a car. Do you offer them a viable alternative?
Absolutely. Roads in Ireland can be a bit intimidating for those coming from cities or countries that drive on the opposite side to us here.
I have driven in other countries myself and it can take more concentration to obey road rules and that’s not what you want when on vacation.
I’ve had a few past guests tell me they hired a car here before but it wasn’t worth the stress and worry of crashing or losing a security deposit over a scratched fender.
On occasion, passengers have told me that they are driving a rental car around Ireland themselves and that “Bob” has been the designated driver.
More often than not, poor Bob looks exhausted and I have to wonder how much fun he’s having on their trip.
With my private day tours, all of my guests can gaze out the windows, relax, and let me take care of the driving.
When it comes to your chauffeur services, are your customers primarily tourists or do you cater to other types of clients as well?
In the peak summer season, my customers are mostly tourists to the county but at other times I provide chauffeur services such as golf trips, corporate transport for multinational organizations, or airports, and special event transfers.
Being a native, I’m sure you love every part of your home county. But do you have a favorite place that you love to show to visitors?
As a native of Donegal, it’s hard to choose just one favorite spot. There are two places I always love showing to visitors, Mamore Gap and Bloody Foreland (Cnoc Fola).
Mamore Gap, in the Inishowen Peninsula, is a stunning mountain pass that never fails to impress.
The steep climb into the Urris Hills can be a bit daunting for some, but the view from the summit is absolutely worth it. You’re rewarded with a breathtaking view over the Urris Valley, stretching out towards the Atlantic Ocean and Dunaff Head.
It’s one of those spots where you can truly feel the power and beauty of Donegal’s wild landscape.
On the other hand, Bloody Foreland (or Cnoc Fola) has a special place in my heart from our family’s Sunday drives as a child. Known for its reddish hue, especially at sunset, it’s a dramatic coastal spot that offers incredible views out to Tory Island in the distance. Maybe it’s the sheer isolation of the place that makes it a favorite of mine.
Since budget is a concern for followers of Ireland on a Budget, is it fair to say that you offer a budget-friendly option for most travelers who are looking for services like yours?
The idea of chauffeur-driven private tours has this notion of being solely for the elite, but it’s not. My guests come from all walks of life so it’s not just for the Rockefellers.
With a private driver-guided tour from a local, you are getting to visit places that may not be on guidebooks or accessible by tour bus companies.
Because I can take up to 7 passengers, if you are a group of two or three couples, the cost can work out more affordable than hiring a minivan plus the diesel costs of double backing from wrong turns and detours.
Let us know how you can be reached and where readers can find more information.
You can follow me on social media on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Instagram by searching DonegalTourGuide and you can read more about me and my tours on my website DonegalTourGuide.ie.
Henry is a member of the Ireland on a Budget Licensed Private Driver Network.
