OVERVIEW From the Giant s Causeway to Belfast City s four diverse quarters, you will be won over by all that Northern Ireland has to offer. Explore the north of Ireland in this 6 Day (5 nights) self-drive tour. Starting and ending your journey in Belfast City, a thriving city packed with fantastic sites, this tour will ensure that you get to see as much of Northern Ireland as possible during your short stay. You ll walk along the columns of the extraordinary Giant s Causeway; visit Northern Ireland s great Cities; and even discover the scenic beauty of the Inishowen Peninsula. Stopping off in picturesque villages along your route and taking a break to see the natural splendours of this region, you ll meet friendly locals with strong traditional links. Tour Highlights Itinerary in Brief Day 1: Arrival in Belfast and Belfast City Day 2: The Giant s Causeway Day 3: Derry and the Inishowen Peninsula Day 4: The Donegal Coast Day 5: Belfast via Tyrone Belfast City The Giant s Causeway Derry City The Inishowen Peninsula Glencolmcille The Ulster American Folk Park Day 6: Departure from Belfast Overnights for this Tour Belfast for 1 night Derry for 1 night Donegal for 2 nights Belfast for 1 night What s included in this Tour 5 nights accommodation based on your chosen package Full Irish breakfast each morning Car rental (automatic compact car, insurance and all taxes)
ITINERARY Day 1: Arrival in Belfast and Belfast City Today begins your journey around Northern Ireland home to a number of entrancing cities, stunning natural wonders and a people who truly embody the passion and welcoming spirit of Ireland. And what better place to start than Belfast city. After touching down at Belfast International airport and collecting your rental car, you ll be heading right into the thick of things in a sprawling city that just begs to be explored.this thriving city is divided into four quarters: the Gaeltacht Quarter, the Cathedral Quarter, the Queen s Quarter and the Titanic Quarter. Each quarter has its own defining characteristics, but the one that unifies them is the people and their charismatic nature and welcoming charm. With so much to do in each, it s hard to know where to begin your exploration of this wonderful city. Within the Queen s Quarter you ll find some stunning architectural gems, including Queen s University, the Botanic Gardens and the Palm House (all from the 19th Century). This part of Belfast is brim-full of cultural hotspots with several contemporary art galleries, a diverse fusion of restaurants and some fantastic pubs offering anything from traditional Irish music to Jazz sessions. Taking its name from St. Anne s Cathedral, the Cathedral Quarter was deemed a Conservation Area in 1990 as a means to preserve its identity as the historical heart of Belfast. Walking through its narrow cobbled streets you will find many intriguing buildings that really add to its intimate charm. More recently this area has started to play a key role in the arts and crafts scene in Belfast with many visual and performing artists making it their home. Belfast s origins lie with an ancient fort which once held control of the ford across the River Lagan. It is in this area that the Irish language has flourished the most, giving rise to the Gaeltacht Quarter. Visitors can join in on one of the area s many organised tours, which take in its various political sites as well as two famous cemeteries. Finally the Titanic Quarter is where you ll discover Belfast s strong links with this most famous of ships. It all began in the Harland and Wolfe shipyard in Belfast, long before Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet brought to life the story of the Titanic on the big screen. Today you ll get the chance to explore the riveting tale of one of the most tragic and deadly peacetime maritime disasters in history. With Belfast s Titanic Tours you can walk in the footsteps of the Titanic s builders and explore the key sites of Titanic s construction or jump on board one of the Lagan Boat Company s boat tours, taking you on a unique trip to see the birth place of the famous liner. Marking the Titanic s one hundred year anniversary, the Titanic Signature Building (now known as Titanic Belfast and due to open in April 2012) is a must see for any visitor to Belfast. Covering 14,000 sq m (150,700 sq ft) the venue is home to nine galleries of interactive exhibition space, a dark ride, underwater exploration theatre, recreations of the ship s decks and cabins and a luxurious conference and banqueting suite. This landmark structure is truly a sight to behold, with a unique architectural design influenced by numerous maritime themes, including the unforgettable forward bow of the Titanic itself. If you re looking to do another spot of shopping you can't go wrong with the Victoria Centre in Belfast. This recently constructed complex boasts four floors of shopping paradise with a spectacular urban design.
ITINERARY Touch of Northern Ireland That night, a visit to Hatfield House is a must. This favourite Belfast traditional pub was recently restored to its former glory with original bar fixtures, ornate ceilings and expert craftsmanship, carried out by the same craftsmen who worked on the HMS Titanic. If you re looking for a bite to eat Belfast s range of restaurants ensure every taste is catered for whether you re looking for some local produce served up at an affordable price or some continental delights with a local chef s twist. If you re really looking to live it up, you can t go wrong with The Great room Restaurant at the Merchant Hotel. Fine dining will take on a whole new meaning as you enjoy an exquisite menu matched only by the décor. Seated in plush gold and red furnishings beneath Ireland s largest chandelier is certainly an experience. Curling up for the night it s time to dream of the epic Giant s Causeway, which awaits you the next day. Titanic Dock and Pumphouse The Ulster Folk and Transport Museum The Belfast Gaeltacht Experience Stormount Castle Day 2: The Giant s Causeway Breathe in the fresh morning air and take one last stroll through the streets of Belfast City before you set out on the road again. Taking the scenic route from Belfast toward the Giant s Causeway is a must as you will pass through a variety of picturesque coastal villages. Ballycastle (town of the castle) contains the remains of Bonamargie Friary, which was built by Rory MacQuillan (13th Century) as well as a graveyard on the original site where St. Patrick founded a ministry in the 5th Century. Also along this route you ll find Cushendall beside the river Dall, and overshadowed by the summits of Lurigethan and Tievebulliagh. The scenery in these beautiful villages will fascinate you as you edge ever closer to the causeway. Your next stop will be Carrick-a-Rede Bridge Rope. This area is a veritable treasure trove of geology, flora and fauna, but is probably most famous for the rope bridge experience. The rope bridge was originally constructed by fisherman over a 23m (75 ft) deep and 20 m (66 ft) wide chasm as a means to check their salmon nets on Carrick-a-Rede Island. Nowadays visitors flock to this attraction to take this exhilarating challenge and cross the gap. But the adventure doesn t end there. Once you reach the other side you ll be rewarded with a diverse range of birdlife and incredible views across to Rathlin Island and Scotland what better way to prepare yourself for the Giant s Causeway. Legend has it that the championed Irish warrior Finn McCool built the causeway as a means to face off against the Scottish giant Benandonner. Upon seeing the giant he fled back to his wife, who helped him devise a plan, disguising him as a baby. When the towering Scottish giant saw this oversized baby he fled for fear that its father was a monstrous being and so he destroyed the causeway on his way back to Scotland ensuring he could not be pursued. This is a truly magical place. Unlike anything you ve ever seen before, you will be overwhelmed by the sheer beauty of the causeway.
ITINERARY Touch of Northern Ireland Set against a dynamic coastal landscape with views of crushing Atlantic waves and rugged cliffs, the causeway forms a jagged formation, which juts out in Scotland s direction. Walk along the columns, feel the fresh open breeze and listen for the lingering whispers of those characters from old folklore tales. Once you ve experienced the causeway to its fullest, you can also travel along the coast by steam train, which will bring you to the historic town of Bushmills - home of the famous Bushmills Distillery. As you take a sip of Bushmills Whiskey, reflect for a moment and appreciate the 400 years of dedication, which has gone into this world renowned brand. Since 1608, Bushmills have been distilling the finest of whiskeys despite having their share of hiccups along the way - in 1885 the distillery was burned to the ground. Take in the tour at Ireland s oldest working distillery and you ll be brought through the entire process fermentation, distillation, maturation, blending and bottling as well as discovering the full story behind Bushmills. Your next overnight will be Derry. Settle in for a well deserved sleep or keep the night alive and check out the finest Derry cuisine and pub life in this dynamic city. Joey Dunlop Memorial Museum Glenarm Castle Estate and Walled Gardens Day 3: Derry and the Inishowen Peninsula The City of Derry/Londonderry (also called the Walled City or the Maiden City ) is known for its culture, creativity and the strong heritage that encompasses the city and its legendary walls, reaching back as far at the 17th Century. The second largest city in Northern Ireland festivals of all themes and for all season are held in the city. Its charm is intrinsically linked with the people who live there. Their friendly nature will win you over in a heartbeat making your trip to this inspirational city a true highlight of your trip. Taking the city s heritage trail you ll discover the origins of one of the longest inhabited places in Ireland as well as its magnificent walls. There are over 100 sites of historical interest along the trail from cathedrals and churches to parks, villages, murals and monuments. You ll find a new story on every side street as the echoes of the city s history call out to you. You can check out the Tower Museum or Guildhall with its impressive collection of beautifully designed stained glass window. There is so much to do here and once you re finished sightseeing there s a fantastic selection of shops, restaurants, pubs and theatres just waiting to be discovered. Now to sample the scenic delight of the Inishowen Peninsulas as you travel from Derry to Donegal. This beautiful coastal drive is lined with activities and stunning natural sights Slieve Snaght (the highest point in Inishowen), the Knockamany Bends (stand atop the cliff and admire the views of the Five Fingers Strand) and Fort Dunree (originally a military fort and now a military museum).
ITINERARY Why not park the car for a while and take one of the hills walks so you can take your time to experience the views at your own pace. Discover ancient stone forts, the Bocan Stone Circle, one of the numerous castle remains or Malin well on Malin Head the most northerly point in Ireland. Just when you think you ve seen all the Inishowen Peninsula has to offer, you can visit one of the local pubs and enjoy the proud locals displaying their dedication to their roots. Big Night at Dan s will get your Irish spirit revving with music, dance, songs, recitations and poetry. Or if you want to get hands on, Inishowen céilí nights will provide you with a platform to let your hair down and put your dancing skills to the test. Winding down for the night, off to your accommodation in Donegal to rest your head and relive your Irish adventures so far as you nod off. McGory s Traditional Session and Backroom Day 4: The Donegal Coast As you greet the morning on another beautiful day in Northern Ireland you can look forward to exploring your scenic surroundings in Donegal. Once again, you will be spoiled with natural beauty and vast landscapes along the way. Glenveagh National Park (Ireland s largest National Park) is a great location to enjoy the country air and bask Donegal s serene beauty.. Covering over 16,000 hectares in the heart of the Derryveagh mountains, visitors are invited to embark on an array of walking trails with guides, which deal with different themes within the park, such as sites of historical significance. Travelling down to the south-west of Donegal, nestled in the rugged landscape, you ll find Gleann Cholm Cille (or Glencolmcille). Within this area, the small community has championed innovation and tradition and successfully maintained their cultural vitality. The history of the area can be traced back 5,000 years with evidence of Stone Age farmers working the land. Traces of these earliest of settlers are in the form of Court Cairns at Malinmore, Cloghanmore and Farranmacbride. In total there are over 80 sites of archaeological significance and visitors have the option to blaze their own trail or take one of the many suggested walking trails. Venture back to the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries through the portal of Glencolmcille Folk Village Museum. Six replica thatched cottages on a hillside make up this folk park, filled with authentic furnishings covering the three centuries of life in the area. The entire village is designed, built and maintained by the locals, giving a true example to the pride of this community. With so much unspoiled scenery to take in and some of the friendliest people in Ireland, your time in Glencolmcille will be over all too soon, so make sure to capture all those fond memories on camera. Killybegs village will be you re final stop off before you return to your accommodation for the night. The village is a hive of activity from surfing to horse riding so you re sure be kept entertained.
ITINERARY Topped off with a relaxing walk along the golden beaches of this fishing town you will be lulled into a relaxed bliss with immense views stretching out into the horizon for miles. Killybegs Maritime Museum Day 5: Belfast via Tyrone With the dawn of a new day comes the prospect of yet another action packed journey. It s time to head south again and make your way back to Dublin. This drive will see you surrounded by expansive and beautifully scenery, but why not break up the drive with a trip to Omagh and the Ulster American Folk Park. If ever there was a doubt of the intense spiritual connection between Ireland and the US, the museum puts it to rest. This open air museum in Castletown (just outside Omagh) explores the historical link between Ulster and America, dealing mainly with those particular immigrants who sailed from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th Centuries. The folk park is one of the three national museums of Northern Ireland and features displays on the lifestyles and experience of those people who took that leap of faith and ventured to the Newfoundland. There are around thirty buildings in the park - some of these are recreations but others are originals, which have been restored with the utmost of care. The whole park is unified perfectly with a theme and you ll notice volunteers dressed in period costume as they demonstrate techniques used in day-to-day tasks of the time and skills such as bread making, cooking, arts and crafts. Agricultural displays and animals on site help to make this a truly immersive experience, and you ll even get to sample various local food such as smoked salmon and bread, which have been freshly cooked in the cottages that line the routes of the park tours. On the site of the folk park you ll also find Mellon House (birthplace of Thomas Mellon, who was an Irish American banker and lawyer). All these unique ties with America are further strengthened with a wealthy calendar of events such as a Bluegrass Festival, so make sure you check ahead before you visit to see if there s anything on when you re travelling. Next you ll also be passing through Armagh. Here you ll find plenty of stop offs to keep you entertained on the last stretch of the journey to Belfast. The Navan Centre and Fort is surrounded by a veil of folklore and legend. This most important of archaeological sites was once a seat to the High Kings of Ulster and the centre brings the area to life with interactive exhibitions and activities. The Planetarium in Armagh is Ireland s leading centre for astronomy education. Within the main theatre the night sky is brought to life with a stunning 360 degree projection that will transport you into the heavens and beyond. From Armagh you ll continue on your way towards Belfast City. En route a stop off at Carrickfergus Castle is always a treat. The fascinating building is one of the best preserved medieval structures in Ireland.
ITINERARY Touch of Northern Ireland The fully restored banquet hall will leave you wide-eyed in amazement and visitors can also enjoy a variety of exhibits showing what like was like in medieval times. That night you ll be resting up in Belfast. Before you hit the hay on your last night in Northern Ireland have a look around the local pubs. You may even stumble in on an impromptu session, the perfect way to mark, the closing chapters of your fantastic journey so far. Anaginny Park Farm Castlewellan Forest Park Armagh County Museum Day 6: Departure from Shannon You ve explored the north of Ireland, tasted its rich culture, allowed its vast pastures to envelope you and conquered the Giant s Causeway. This is a trip that will stay with you for a long time to come, bringing a smile to your face as you cast a thought back to your Ireland adventure.