Activities Explained – Authentic local experiences while on your private tour

Referring to a traditional horse and carriage ride. It's a practice dating back over 200 years and are led by local driver guides called Jarvey’s. This offers a nostalgic way to explore the likes of Killarney or the Aran Islands on your Northpoint Irish Tour.

It's an ancient Irish outdoor team sport and is often described as one of the fastest moving field sport in the world. It is recognised by UNESCO as an element of tangible cultural heritage. Hurling is an amateur sport so players or not paid as such but its played more for county pride and community spirit (nonetheless it is a game that is taken very passionately and in all seriousness).

The most successful county is Kilkenny with 36 titles to date and is known as the home of hurling. When you book a hurling experience with Northpoint Irish Tours you will get a chance to learn the many skills involved in the game such as blocking and hooking, solo runs and the long puc. (poc fada)

This offers a unique hands on opportunity to interact with real birds of prey such as Hawks, Owls, Eagles and other raptors.

Falconry is a 2000 year old ancient sport of Kings and Princes, starting as far back as Mesopotamia but in Norman times no self respecting King would ever be seen without a hawk or a falcon on his wrist outside his castle.

These are bespoke private charter tours giving you a chance to explore the Irish coastline like never before.

Sea Safaris typically offer high speed semi-rigid inflatable boats whereas kayaks offer a more tranquil and near silent experience to be more at one with nature with the marine environment. If you are very lucky you may be accompanied by dolphins, porpoises, seals or even basking sharks.

This Northpoint Irish Tour activity is sure to leave you with long lasting memories of Ireland and its stunning marine environment.

One of the oldest human discoveries, pottery helps us to reconnect with your creative self. This Northpoint Irish Tour experience allows you to have a go at the techniques of hand building, wheel throwing and moulding.

This pottery session will leave you with your own creation unique to you.

After being picked up from Belfast city centre, a local guide will bring you through Belfast’s narrow streets in an iconic black taxi cab to relive the stories behind the political murals and peace walls of the Shankhill and Falls road areas of the city.

These guides, many of whom have personal memories of the troubles, recollect first hand what life was like in a dark period of Northern Irelands often turbulent history.

Ireland has numerous caves to explore such as the Marble arch caves in County Fermanagh - a UNESCO geopark site with subterranean river, walkways and formations. It features a boat trip through the caves.

Ailwee cave is located in the Burren in County Clare. It features a frozen waterfall, bear bone remains from 10,000 years ago and it too has unique geological formations.

Sheepdogs are a working dog to help move and gather livestock (mainly sheep but sometimes cattle). Farmers use verbal and whistle cues to command their dog - for example, come by, stand or lie down.

A typical breed would the border collie due to its highly intelligent nature and fast speed. A dog from a good bloodline can be worth €20-30,000!

With this Northpoint Irish Tour experience you can observe these herding techniques and be truly amazed at this wonderful close relationship between shepherd and dog.

Music is deeply engrained within Irish culture and is found throughout the island. Traditional music or “Trad” as its known is to be heard certain Irish pubs.

Instruments used are mainly the fiddle (variation of the violin) the tin whistle (a simple 6-holed flute) uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes except you don’t blow into a bag using your mouth but rather it is is arm compressed), the bódhran (handheld goatskin drum) and/or a harp.

Irish music is primarily dance based rhythms like reels,jigs or hornpipes. Iconic acts would be The Chieftains, the Dubliners or the Clancy brothers and the most popular songs would be The Felds of Athernry, Grace, Whisky in the Jar, The Parting Glass, Danny Boy and The Wild Rover.

During your Northpoint Irish Tour you are very likely to hear some of these songs.

Showing visitors the meticulous process involving wool fibre dying, blending, carding, spinning, warping and weaving to ensure vibrant colours and unique patterns.

Hands on workshops where you will learn the diverse range of cheese experiences from hands on skills where you can make your own wheels to immersive farm tours and tutored tastings with master cheesemakers.

Some pubs such as Sean’s bar in Athlone have sessions where you can watch and then have a go at pulling (Pouring a measure of stout or beer etc) a pint the proper way to ensure it has a good head. (the correct amount of froth / foam)

Hands on experiences to learn truffle-making, moulding chocolates and making some classic favourites.

Irish whiskey or Uisce Beatha - meaning the water of life is well known for being triple distilled in copper pot still which gives a smoother and more refined spirit. Irish whiskey must be matured for at least 3 years in wooden casks.

Popular brands and distilleries:
Jamesons - the worlds best selling Irish whiskey.
Bushmills - known for its long history and very popular single malts.
Middletons - known for its high end whiskeys such as Middletons very rare.
Teelings - known for is small batches, such as its 24 year old single malt.

Distillery tours will offer you up close and personal experiences of the actual working process’s involved in making the amber gold and the option of a tasting of several different bottles at its climax.