Destination Expert
for County Donegal, Dublin
You are correct that you would need a car to visit Glenveagh National Park and other sights in Donegal. Public transport in rural Donegal is extremely limited.
Travelling from Dublin to Donegal, there are a few places of interest on the route - depending on the exact route you take. Many people travel on the M1 northward from Dublin for about 40 miles and then take the N33 to Ardee and then northwards on the N2 towards Letterkenny and Derry. On this route, the following are worth visiting
1. Newgrange - 5000 year old tombs - a UNESCO listed World Heritage site which is located a short distance off the M1 near Drogheda, about 30 miles north of Dublin. See www.newgrange.com for details.
2. Ulster American Folk Park. Located just north of Omagh on the A5 in Northern Ireland, this park illustrates the history of emigration from Ireland to the US. See www.nmni.com/uafp .
If you were thinking of visiting the towns on the route such as Carrickmacross, or Monaghan, note that the main road by-passes these towns, and you will have to divert off the signposted route to see these places.
You are correct that there are no border or passport checks of any kind on the border between the Republic and Northern Ireland. In fact there is nothing obvious to indicate that you have crossed an international boundary except that the speed limit signs are in km/hr in the ROI and in mph in NI. Also road signs etc are in English only in NI, as opposed to English and Irish in ROI.
However, do check that your rental agreement for your car covers you for driving in NI - not all rental companies cover this in their basic core rental agreement.
Also note that you will need sterling (UK Pounds) to spend in NI, as opposed to Euro in ROI, if you stop at a location such as the Folk Park.
