ATLANTIC COASTAL CRUISES is a new venture, locally owned and a family-run business set up in 2019.
The beautiful coastal town of Killybegs has been predominantly a commercial fishing town but with the rise in popularity of the Wild Atlantic Way, the influx of passing tourists has been noticed and this led to an offering of this maritime experience. Our boat, the Sliabh Liag Allure, is a strong Norwegian built vessel which can accommodate 97 passengers with three professionally trained crew.
Our vessel is constructed to the highest standard in order to meet the Irish Maritime law standards. Captain and crew are trained to the highest level and, in conjunction with the latest in communication, navigation and safety equipment, ensure the well-being of our passengers is to the forefront of our ethos. The vessel will perform informative and visual tours of Killybegs harbour, Ireland’s largest fishing port with some of the world’s most modern and high tech Pelagic fishing vessels.
Also, on occasion luxury cruise liners visit the port and this will enable the public to get an up close experience of these truly magnificent vessels. On leaving the harbour, we are met with Rotten Island lighthouse which was constructed in 1838. It is still functional and extremely important to all vessels entering and departing the port.
We can also see in the distance St. John’s Point Lighthouse, located at the end of the long peninsula, constructed in 1831 and also still functional and now used as guest accommodation which is very popular. We will then travel west along the rugged Donegal coast which shows its beauty from centuries of Atlantic storms showing their strength, firstly passing Drimanoo Head.
On route to the cliffs, we will view Fintra beach with its Blue Flag credentials, that then leads us on to Muckros Head.
After Muckros Head we pass by Teelin Bay and onto Carrigan Head. Rounding Carrigan Head with Napoleonic tower overhead looking down on us, the majestic Sliabh Liag cliffs start to come into view.
As we travelaround we can see “The Giant’s Desk and Chair” and this is leads us to the highest point of the cliffs which stand at 1,972ft/601 mtrs, making them the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe.
As a comparison, the more famous Cliffs of Moher, although beautiful and majestic, stand at their highest point at 702ft/214 mtrs, which leaves Sliabh Liag almost three times as high. While cruising close to the cliffs, you get a great chance to see the many caves and waterfalls. On the return journey, you can see the vast openness of Donegal Bay, seeing the southern Donegal towns of Ballyshannon and Bundoran, the table shaped mountain of Benbulben in Sligo and the Mayo coast.
Along with the Sliabh Liag tours, harbours tours will be offered which will take in the harbour, lighthouse and a full operating live Salmon Fish Farm where jumping fish are clearly visible.