Episode 134 - Ireland’s Best-Kept Secret: Why Donegal Should Be on Your Travel List

Learn more about tours at IrelandByBike.com Donegal Coast 1 Day Self-guided Electric Bike Tour When travelers dream of Ireland, names like Dublin, Galway, and the Ring of Kerry often come to mind. But on Ireland’s wild northwest edge lies a county that quietly outshines them all: Donegal. Rugged and soulful, this region is home to towering cliffs, glacial valleys, and a living Gaelic culture where fiddle music and friendly welcomes are part of everyday life. If you’ve ever wanted to explore Ireland beyond the usual highlights, this episode is your invitation. Donegal offers something rare: a landscape as dramatic as its culture is warm. Whether you cycle with Seamus, hike along the cliffs, or sip a pint at a music session, you’ll find an Ireland that still feels wild, authentic, and deeply welcoming. In this episode of the Sunshine Travelers Podcast, we slow down to savor Donegal’s unique spirit with local guest Seamus Gallagher, who runs Ireland by Bike with his wife, Nora, in the village of Carrick. Their self-guided cycling tours connect travelers to Donegal’s stunning landscapes and small villages—but Seamus’ stories go far beyond the bike. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: Why Donegal remains one of Ireland’s least-visited—and most authentic—counties The secret behind Donegal’s distinct fiddle music and Gaelic dialect What it’s like to cycle to Sliabh Liag Cliffs, which rival the Cliffs of Moher The difference between e-bikes in Ireland and the U.S.—and why pedal-assist makes exploring easier Hidden gems like Granny Valley and Glencolmcille Tips for catching a traditional pub session Gaelic phrases like Céad Míle Fáilte (“100,000 welcomes”) and Sláinte (“cheers”) Why staying in family-run B&Bs creates the most meaningful connections How slowing down—walking, cycling, and lingering—leads to the richest travel experiences Learn more about tours at IrelandByBike.com Other Episodes You’ll Love: Episode 132 - Northern Ireland Travel Guide: Belfast, Dark Hedges, Causeway Coastal Route & Giant’s Causeway Episode 18: Dublin & Southern Ireland Road TripEpisode 113 - Our Experience Walking Through Umbria Italy with MACS Adventure Resources & Links Want curated travel deals every week? Subscribe to Travel Deal Insiders — the best travel deals sent straight to your inbox. Get Our Ultimate Packing Guide for Traveling Smart and Packing Light + Access to Exclusive Weekly Content here. Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear! Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan. Follow Sunshine Travelers Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on X @sunshinetrvlrs Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast Connect with us on Threads See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay