Experience Irish culture, people, history, scenery and of course Irish music and the ‘craic’. Two nights in Northern Ireland, one in Donegal, one on the Wild Atlantic Way and two in the beautiful and lively town of Westport. We’ll escort you through some of the most stunning locations in Ireland, that others can only dream about.
Depart Dublin early, and we bring you to a litle know neolithic tomb with ancient megalithic rock art (included in tour price). We’ll then head for Belfast, where you’ll have the option of a historical tour of the city* or experiencing the building of the Titanic*. Afterwards, it’s a short journey to our overnight at the restful Oranmore House or Ballygally Castle Hotel
Aiming for the very north east of the island of Ireland, our first stop at the Dark Hedges – which featured as the Kings Road in Game of Thrones. We take a quick photo stop of Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and views across to Scotland. We may drop in to the quaint harbour of Ballintoy.
Once lunch has restored us, it’s time to take humongous steps and embrace one of just three UNESCO World Heritage sites on the island of Ireland, at the Giants Causeway (included in tour price). From their we go to neighbouring Dunluce Castle – picturesquely perched on the cliff-top (included in tour price)
We may visit thr oldest licensed distillery in the World – Bushmills (included in tour price). Alternatively, we visit Ardara Distillery on Day 4. Our overnight tonight will be the Shipquay Hotel in the heart of Derry/Londonderry (don’t worry we’ll explain all about the name..), ideally placed to set us on the road for Day three.
Derry/Londonderry is one of the finest examples in all of Europe of a walled city, dating from the early 17th century. You’ll stroll along these walls as a local guide regales you with history and tales – both modern and medieval (included in tour price).
After a comfort break, we head back across the border into Donegal. Stopping for panoramic 360 views at an ancient Celtic stronghold, and in the afternoon we enter the magnificent and remote Glenveagh National Park. We have three options to make our way to up the castle and gardens – via shuttle bus (included in tour price), cycling* or, the simple old-fashioned way. Whatever the method the journey is simply beautiful along a glacial lake with potential sightings of wild deer and golden eagles. *optional activity from €15
Accommodation tonight will be the Waterfront, Dungloe.
Today we have the possibility of our distillery tour (if not already done) – and one of our absolute favourite scenic drives to Sliabh Liag Cliffs. Three times higher than their more famous cousins further down the coast, the Cliffs of Moher (which can be experienced on our Sojourn of the South West), they form part of the Appalachian Trail! We’ll then have a tasty pub lunch nearby before continuing our journey down the west coast for a guided tour of medieval Donegal Castle (included in tour price).
Our next stop is to pay homage to one of Ireland’s Nobel Laureates – W.B. Yeats, where we cast a cold eye on his life, on death, in the shadow of the might Ben Bulben.
You can round of the day with a seaweed bath*, a stroll along the beach or an ocean dip (free!) before relaxing for the evening and watching the sun slip behind the Atlantic from our aptly named WaterfrontHouse boutique accommodation in Co. Sligo
*optional activity from €25
Yippee – time to break the pack/unpack/pack cycle for bit. Don’t be surprised to see French tricolours flying along our route today, as we also see why the Wild Atlantic Way is so called. After some scenic photo stops we visit the site of a Celtic bronze-age settlement. We travel a bit further west for lunch and a gentle stroll in Ballycroy National Park.
Sit back and relax as we wind our day down towards Westport, getting in early enough to allow you soak in all the town has to offer (which is lots!). We’re staying smack bang in the centre of everything at either the Wyatt or Clew Bay Hotel.
Today is all options for you. You can chill out for part, or all of the day. We’ll be heading out on one of our personal favourite drives through the ‘savage beauty’ of Connemara. During the course of the morning we’ll visit a working sheep farm (included in tour price) before a relaxed early lunch in the village of Louisburgh. As we loop back towards Westport we’ll pay homage at our National Famine Memorial located at the foot of Ireland’s Holy Mountain – Croagh Patrick, where the man himself is said to have spent 40 days and nights.
In the afternoon, you can relax around the town or chose to come cycling* or walking along the nearby Great Western Greenway. Feel the Atlantic breezes in your hair as you work up an appetite for the evening’s revelry. And, better still, we’ll even let you finish at a fine pub along the route, grab a quick recovery pint before being dropped back to town. *optional activity from €25
It may be our final day, but we ain’t going home just yet. On our way back to Dublin today we get an historic insight into rural life in Ireland up to the first half of the 20th century. In the afternoon we’ll go digging and find a 5,000 year old oak road – a case of letting the museum come to us. Or, we’ll visit the National Famine Museum at Strokestown House.
We arrive back in Dublin around 6pm to say sad but fond farewells to new-found friends and newly made memories of Ireland.
