Ireland Adventure

8 Days

Experience the diverse and mysterious landscape of Northern Ireland and the west coast of the Republic. Ireland is a land steeped in a brew of rugged beauty, ancient traditions and modern culture. Your adventure begins in Belfast, once the largest city in Ireland due to its industrial boom in the late 19th century. Walk through the volcanic rock formations of the nearby Giant’s Causeway. Travel north to Derry to see the ancient city walls and hear the tale of tragic “Bloody Sunday”. Continue to Donegal where you will stay overnight in a 15th century castle.

Head south down the coastline to Galway, stopping in Yeats’ country and Knock, a historic place of religious pilgrimage. From the City of Tribes, you will venture into Connemara, where chances are you will hear some Irish spoken by the locals. Stop in at Kylemore Abbey, home of a Community of Benedictine nuns since 1920. Shop for Irish hand knits and other regional specialties in a quaint market town.

Highlights

Panoramic Tour of Belfast City, the birthplace of the Titanic
See the unforgettable Giant's Causeway
Castle stay near Donegal
See the famous Connemara region where a John Wayne movie was filmed

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 3

2 Nights

Belfast

Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland, is a city rich in history and vibrant with modern culture. Its transformation from an industrial powerhouse to a dynamic cultural hub makes it an intriguing destination for travelers. A must-see is the Titanic Belfast, an award-winning museum located on the site where the RMS Titanic was built. The museum features nine interactive galleries that bring the story of the ill-fated ship to life, offering insights into its construction, launch, and tragic sinking. Exploring the city’s history further, visitors can delve into Belfast’s political heritage with a tour of the Murals of Shankill Road and Falls Road. These powerful murals depict Northern Ireland's tumultuous past and are a striking testament to the city's complex history. The Belfast City Hall, an iconic Edwardian building, is a sight to behold with its impressive architecture and informative exhibitions. Nearby, the Crumlin Road Gaol offers a fascinating tour of this historic prison, which has housed political prisoners and convicts over the years. The Botanic Gardens and Queen’s University area showcase the city’s green spaces and beautiful architecture, while the Ulster Museum offers a diverse collection of artifacts from Northern Ireland’s natural and cultural history. In the heart of Belfast’s rejuvenated Titanic Quarter, the SS Nomadic, the Titanic’s tender ship, provides an additional historical experience. For a taste of modern Belfast, the St. George’s Market offers local crafts, fresh produce, and a lively atmosphere. From historical sites to cultural landmarks, Belfast offers a rich blend of experiences for travelers to explore and enjoy.

Included activities

DAY 1: Arrive in Belfast

Arrive in Belfast Airport where your Irish Driver-Guide will meet your group and escort it to the hotel by private coach. On your way to the hotel enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of Belfast City, the birthplace of the Titanic. Rich in history and culture, today's Belfast is as famous for its stylish shops, gourmet restaurants and nightlife as it is for its troubled past. Some of the notable sights you will see are Belfast City Hall, Linen Hall Library, Stormont House, Grand Opera House, St. Anne's Cathedral, the Ulster Museum and the Botanic Gardens. At the end of your tour you may wish to visit one of the city's fine art galleries or museums. Tonight, gather with your fellow travelers for a welcome dinner in your hotel.

DAY 2:

After breakfast board your coach, driving north along the magnificent coastal road through Larne, Carnlough and Cushendall. Travel through the nine green Glens of Antrim on the way to the Giant's Causeway, often described as the "Eighth Wonder of the World". Stop in at the Visitors Center and enjoy a short audio-visual presentation before beginning the circular walk around the spectacular rock formations, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. Then it's on to the small town of Bushmills, where you will visit the world's oldest whisky distillery. Return to Belfast where you are free for the balance of the day.

Day 3 - 5

2 Nights

Derry

Included activities

DAY 3: Arrive in Derry

This morning after breakfast, travel to Derry. Along the way you will stop to visit the Ulster American Folk Park, an open-air museum that tells the story of emigrants who left for a different life in America. Continue past the standing stones in Strabane and arrive to Derry in the afternoon where you will be free for the rest of the day. Dinner will be at the hotel tonight.

DAY 4:

Londonderry, also known as Derry, has a long and fascinating history. A city of many contrasts, ancient and modern sights sit alongside one another: You could be sipping a cappuccino in the middle of a 21st century shopping center, and a few minutes later you might be standing beside a 1595 cannon on ancient ramparts looking over streets and buildings that have survived for centuries. The Gateway to Ireland's northwest, the city is most famous for its historical walls. This morning, enjoy a walking tour. This afternoon you will be free to enjoy all that this city has to offer. Socializing is never a problem in Derry as there is a huge variety of pubs and clubs and an unequalled selection of live music.

Day 5 - 6

1 Night

Donegal

Included activities

DAY 5: Arrive in Donegal

Today after breakfast, a drive through beautiful and rugged country awaits you en route to Donegal. Drive through Letterkenny and north to the coastal town of Dunfanaghy, where Killahoey Beach fringes the Atlantic Ocean. Continue south through the charming towns of Glenties and Ardara, to the fishing village of Killybegs and along Donegal Bay. You will see wild mountains that flow down to the sandy coast and through the patchwork glens, dotted with stone walls and small cottages. It is here that every field, path and ruin has its memories and every last corner has its own story. There will be time to shop for the famous tweeds that are hand-woven in this area. Tonight, stay in a magnificent 15th century castle where you will enjoy 5-star service and dinner with views of the lake.

Day 6 - 8

2 Nights

Galway

From the picturesque Atlantic coastline to Connemara National Park's rocky terrain, County Galway in western Ireland boasts breathtaking landscapes. Visitors can hike the Twelve Bens mountain range, cruise in pristine lakes, and witness picture-postcard farmlands. Discover cliffside castle ruins, fishermen cottages, and the romantic Kylemore Abbey. Irish festivities occur around the year in medieval towns and the symbolic Claddagh ring. Galway city, located on the River Corrib midway along the Wild Atlantic Way, is an ideal base for excursions. Its traditional music, vibrant nightlife, artisanal cafes and quaint pubs keep it lively. Offshore, the Aran Islands offer stunning natural beauty, heritage sites like Dún Aonghasa, and distinct Gaelic culture.

Included activities

DAY 6: Arrive in Galway

This morning, you will leave Donegal and head south to Galway, known as the "City of Tribes" after the fourteen most prominent families that settled this area. Travel through Donegal Bay, through Bundoran and Sligo, passing Drumcliffe Churchyard where William Butler Yeats, one of Ireland's finest poets, is buried. Onwards through the market towns of County Mayo and the village of Knock, Ireland's place of pilgrimage, arriving in Galway in the afternoon. Before checking into our hotel, you can enjoy a tour of the city visiting the new Cathedral and the Old Claddagh area.

DAY 7:

This morning, after a hearty Irish breakfast, you will head out to explore the rugged, yet serene, Connemara area which John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara made famous in the classic, "The Quiet Man." This rocky land of broad-backed mountains and pearl-like lakes is the largest Irish-speaking section of the country and a place where the old traditions and way of life can still be experienced. Drive along the shores of Lough Corrib and then west through Maam Cross to Leenane and Kylemore. Here visit Kylemore Abbey, the only Irish home of the Benedictine Nuns. Built originally as a Castle, it is one of the best examples of Irish neo-gothic architecture. The estate's features include a Victorian Walled Garden, restored Abbey reception rooms, Gothic Church, tranquil walks, craft shop, potter, and restaurant. Return to Galway via the coastal route, stopping at Spiddal, a market town where you can explore Staunton's Shoppe, which offers a wide selection of Irish hand knits and other regional products.

DAY 8:

After breakfast, bid farewell to Galway as you board your coach for your transfer to Shannon Airport for your return flight to the US.

Inclusions

Includes

Walking Tour of Derry and its ancient city walls
Explore the lively city of Galway
Accommodations: Belfast 2 nights, Derry 2 nights, Donegal 1 night, Galway 2 nights
Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner as noted in itinerary
Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
English speaking assistants and guides
Admission tickets as outlined in itinerary