Hill Walking & English Packages 17th to 21st June and 18th to 25th Aug
The area in and around Donegal offers the perfect platform for exploring the North West of Ireland, as it is on the border of counties Sligo, Leitrim and Fermanagh. Easy access to all of these counties offers a hill walker’s delight. Our experienced guides will take you through deserted villages, megalithic tombs, holy wells, spectacular valleys, sweat houses (old saunas) and show you magnificent views as well as an insight into the wildlife, flora and fauna that the North West of Ireland has to offer.
We have walks to suit all levels including challenging peaks, wild and remote uplands, rocky mountain terrain and marvellous sea cliffs.
Donegal Language School offers a one week combined English and Hill walking activity programme which gives a wonderful opportunity to improve your English while exploring the beautiful scenery that Ireland has to offer.
Accommodation.
Students can choose to stay in our residential accommodation or with one of our select host families. We also work with a range of Bed and Breakfasts and Hotels.
Our residential centre is situated less than one minutes walk from the Atlantic coast and 10 minutes walk from the town centre. Each house has 4 spacious rooms, 3 – 4 bathrooms, a spacious kitchen and sitting room. Each house accommodates 4 to 6 students. A private room and continental breakfast is included. The houses also have a lovely pedestrian walk way along the sea front leading into the town centre.
We also work closely with a small network of host families to ensure that each student has a home from home experience. A private room and half board is offered in host families.
English Classes
Based in our beautiful Georgian building with spectacular views of the Atlantic coast and Donegal Bay. The English classes run every morning/afternoon depending on the level of the students. Reading, writing, oral and listening are covered each day in the classes by fully qualified teachers. This is an ‘all-round’ course, specially designed and conducted to encourage you to join in, grow in confidence and develop your knowledge and oral skills in good, practical English. Students are tested regularly to make sure they are at the right level. The classes are taught in a fun and interactive manner. Classes sizes on average are 8 students with a maximum of 10 students..
Level
Elementary to advanced. We recommend One to One English for all students with a beginner level.
The English & Hill Walking course includes:
- 15 hours (20 lessons) English Tuition
- Host Family /Residential Accommodation
- Daily Walking Activity Programme suited to your level and interests
- Social Activity Programme including traditional Irish music sessions and mini excursions
- A full day excursion
- End of course certificate and post teachers report
- Maximum of 12 students per group
- All course materials. No registration fees.
- A private room and board depending on accommodation choice
- An information pack on arrival
- Local transfers to school and activities. No bus or train tickets needed
- Free bike rental on a first come first served basis
- Free WIFI
- Free transfers from Ballyshannon
At Donegal Language School we endorse a “Leave No Trace” – policy, so we will help you enjoy a range of walks without disturbing nature and wildlife.
English and Hill Walking, Residential Accommodation Programme
The price for one week is €670
English and Hill Walking, Host Family Accommodation Programme
At Donegal Language School we endorse a “Leave No Trace” – policy, so we will help you enjoy a range of walks without disturbing nature and wildlife.
English and Hill Walking, Residential Accommodation Programme
The price for one week is €670
English and Hill Walking, Host Family Accommodation Programme
The price for one week is €710
One to One English and Hill Walking, Host Family Accommodation Programme
The price for one week is €890 (includes 10 hours of one to one tuition)
The 2013 English and Hill Walking Programme will run on the following dates
June 16th – 23rd
August 18th – 25th
September 01st – 08th
Guided Hill Walks
Below are some walks ranging from easy to difficult which give you an idea of the landscape and places of interest to visit. There are a wide range of walks available within a 30km radius of Donegal Language School
1/ SLIEVE LEAGUE (Mountain of the Flagstones 601 Meters 1972ft)
The sea cliffs of Slieve League brood over the South Donegal Coast and are dramatic sight.
The walk starts at Bunglass proceeds over “Eagles Nest” and on over “One Man’s Pass”(so named because of the narrow path to the summit).We return via the remains of St Hugh MacBricks Church along the pilgrims path pass the holy well and back to base. Distance 10Km time 4 – 6hours.
2/BENBULBEN PLATEAU (counties Sligo)
Ben Bulben, the fearsome and famous landmark of Sligo immortalised by Ireland’s foremost poet William Butler Yates, with the lines “Under bare Ben Bulben’s head”.
The mountain presents a formidable prospect from the nearby lowlands with its stern vertically furrowed cliffs above steeply sloping grass. Surprisingly it is quite a moderate walk once the crest is reached and it offers fantastic views of the coastline and Innis Murray Island.
Length of Walk 6/km. Time 3- 4 hours. Degree of difficulty moderate.
Walk 6/km. Time 3- 4 hours. Degree of difficulty moderate.
3/ THE SUMMIT OF TRUSKMORE AND TIEVEBAUN (Counties Sligo and Leitrim
These 2 peaks are the highest points in Counties Sligo and Leitrim and are quite close to each other.
The summit of Truskmore (647meters) is reached by a road that services a radio mast, the mast was erected by a Norwegian company in 1962 and is over 100 meters high. Tievebaun is reached by following the boundary wall that divides Sligo and Leitrim. A slight diversion to the west reveals the wreck of a B17 World War 2 Bomber that crashed here in December 1943. Descent from the summit of Tievebaun is by way of an old mule track that was once used for bringing turf from the mountains to the valley below.
Length of walk 9Km, Time 4 – 5 hours, Degree of difficulty moderate.
4/ The Breesy Mountain Circuit (County Donegal)
A fairly easy walk encompassing lakes, woodlands, and hills, also visiting a Megolithic Tomb and a
The walk begins at the Traveler’s Friend a well known Public House. About 2 Kms on we pass a megalithic tomb dating back to over 4000 years. Several lakes are passed until Bressy Mountain is reached, though only 258 Meters in height some fantastic views are offered from the summit. The Blue Stack mountains in the North, cliffs of Magho and Lough Erne in the east, Ben Bulben and Knocknarea in the south and the vast expanse of Donegal Bay in West. Further on there is a Mass Rock where the locals said Mass in Penal Times, the walk then meanders through the Knader woodlands pass the Hydro Electric dam at Cloghore to terminate at the historical town of Ballyshannon.
Length of walk 10 Km, Time 4 – 5 hours Degree of difficulty Easy
5/The Blue Cliifs of Arroo
The peak of Arroo commonly known to the locals as the blue mountain, because of it’s blue sheen on the cliffs sides.
The summit is approached from the Gleniff valley a steady climb across peat hags will bring you to the Trig point which marks the summit(523 Meters), once reached the mountain offers fabulous views of Lough Melvin and further afield the hills of Donegal.
The descent is via Arroo Lough and down a mule track that was used for the transporting of turf .
Length of walk 8Km, Time 4 – 5 hours, Degree of difficulty moderate.
6/QUEEN MEABHS GRAVE(220 Metres)
Famous for its massive passage grave, the largest in Europe and reputed to be the grave of Queen Meabh (Meave) of Connaught. This climb is steeped in history and Irish folklore.Distance 5km. time 2hours.
For further information on the Adult Social Activity Programme click here. For further information on accommodation click here . If you would like to book or require further information please contact us.
We look forward to meeting you and showing you around the hill walking delights of Donegal, Sligo, Leitrim and Fermanagh.
Notes
- Residential accommodation is self catering and includes continental breakfast only.
- Host family accommodation is half board and includes breakfast and dinner.
- A high season accommodation placement fee of €30 per week applies for July and August only on all English and Activity Programmes.
- If the number of students in English classes falls below 3 students a 2 hour semi intensive class will be offered instead.
