10-Day Private Tour – North & West of Ireland

Your exclusive tour of the stunning North Causeway and Wild Atlantic West Coast.

This morning we head to the mystical Boyne Valley to soak up the tales and the folklore. This will include a tour of the prehistoric monument of Newgrange in County Meath with a dedicated tour guide specialist.

Built circa 3100 B.C it is older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids.It is an exceptionally grand passage tomb built during the neolithic period and is a World Heritage Site comprising a number of Henges, burial mounds and other standing stones.

Next we visit Belfast, the Capital city of Northern Ireland. Its a city with a unique, fascinating and at times turbulent history.

Belfast itself has a resurgent buzz to it as evident in its many lively city restaurants, shops and traditional pubs.

• Newgrange
• Hillsborough Castle
• Belfast Black Taxi Tour
• St. George’s Market, Belfast

Today we arrive at Titanic Belfast for your unforgettable Titanic Experience.

On this Discovery Tour you will see how the world’s most famous ship was built and hear about the tragic personal stories forever liked to its history. In its interactive visitor centre you’ll learn about the shipbuilders and designers who built the Titanic and what happened in her last dramatic hours.

• Belfast Bike Tours
• The Gobbins
• Belfast Black Taxi Tour
• St. George’s Market, Belfast
• Titanic Distillery
• Titanic Quarter

We take the scenic route up the North East coast stopping at Carrickfergus Castle and then on to the pretty seaside town of Carnlough and the seven Glens of Antrim.

Carrickfergus Castle on the northern shore of Belfast Lough is a Norman Castle from 1177 and one of the best-preserved medieval structures in Northern Ireland.North Coast Drive – we then drive along a coastline that has some of the most stunning and breathtaking scenery in the country with the looming mountains of neighbouring Scotland only 12 miles off the coast.

We then stop at either the splendid fishing harbour of Ballintoy (a Game of Throne filming Location) or weather permitting we can brave a thrilling crossing on the nearby Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge which connects the mainland to a island towering above the Atlantic below.

We travel up to Ireland’s fantastic world-famous North Causeway Coast stopping at the mythical Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has been named as one of the greatest natural wonders in the United Kingdom. It is an area of approximately 40.000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic fissure eruption. Due to the manner in which this basalt rock cooled, it has formed these amazing hexagonal patterned rocks.

Exploring sights such as the Titanic Experience, Black Taxi Tour, north eastern coastal drive, Carnlough whiskey experience or Bushmills Tour.

• Bushmills Tour
• Carnlough Whiskey Tour
• Dunluce Castle

Ballycastle is a vibrant seaside town in County Antrim n the North-eastern tip of Ireland and in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Visit to Grianan of Aileach – a majestic, ancient stone ring fort sitting on Greenan Mountain in Donegal. This is a historic site known for its extensive views and links to Celtic mythology. Its a National Monument with terraces, passages and stone walls offering panoramic views of nearby Lakes.

We’ll then meander down to Barnesmore Gap – a dramatic mountain pass in the Bluestack Mountains. It’s a deep glaciated valley created during the last ice age approximately 13,000 years ago.

We’ll have Lunch at Biddy’s O’Barnes Gastro Pub for a hearty Irish lunch. This is an authentic Traditional Irish pub with open fires, cozy seating areas and the finest Guinness in Donegal. Delicious hearty meals and a great pub experience.

• Walking Tour of Derry City Walls
• Guild Hall in Derry
• Chocolate Making Tour in Castlerock
• Glenveigh National Park

After a delicious breakfast we go to Slieve League and its spectacular sea cliffs, some of the highest in Europe at almost 2,000 ft high. Here we will embark on a boat excursion to have great craic on board and enjoy the great views, and wildlife spotting from the base of the cliffs. If anyone doesn’t wish to partake on the boat trip we can also drive to the clifftops instead. Afterwards we go in for coffees or some tasty food at the Rusty Mackerel in Teelin and sit around a turf fire.

Glenesh Pass, also known as the Glen of the spells, with its stunning views features next on the itinerary. Then its on to the beautiful tow of Ardara a town often described as the festival capital of Donegal. Here we will have lunch in Nancy’s Pub on the main Street.

We return to Donegal for an evening at your leisure to take in the atmosphere of this special town.

• Glenveigh National Park
• Teelin Pier Sauna
• Kilclooney Dolmen
• Donegal Tweed Visitor Centre
• Ardara Distillery
• Maghera Caves and Waterfall

After waking up refreshed after our exhilarating trip around Donegal, we grab our bags and head south to the magical Gleniff Horseshoe pass in County Sligo. It’s a 10km single lane route packed with breathtaking scenery as the Dartry Mountains tower above you. We are also rewarded with stunning coastal views looking back on Donegal Bay which we just passed through.

Next we swing round the mighty Benbulbin – a tabletop plateau landmark that dominates the local countryside.

We pass through Sligo town and continue into Yeats Country which are parts of County Sligo and Galway that profoundly inspired the Nobel Prize-winning poet W.B. Yeats. Places associated with W.B. Yeats include his burial site in Drumcliffe Churchyard, Lissadell House and Thor Ballylee (Yeat’s Tower – where the Poet once lived)

We leave county Sligo and cross into County Mayo where we call into the charming village of Cong and the imposing Ashford Castle.

This region was the primary filming location for “The Quiet Man”, the 1952 comedy drama movie starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara depicting rural life in Ireland.

We arrive in Galway, the “City of the Tribes”, in the afternoon with plenty of time to relax and enjoy this bohemian and vibrant city at your leisure.

• National Museum of Ireland at Turlough Park
• Killary Fjord
• Leenane
• Connemara National Park
• Killary Harbour
• Quiet Man Bridge

Day trip by ferry to the Aran Islands (Inis Mor)

We will explore the largest of the 3 Aran Islands, Inís Mór, which is located in Galway Bay off Ireland’s west coast. This is an Irish speaking region though English is widely spoken.

Its a truly magical place that seems frozen in time and shows traditional Irish life and its culture. Famous for its Aran sweaters and its rugged limestone landscapes and ancient stone forts like Dún Aengus.

Cars are not allowed to be brought onto the island unless you are a local so its remarkably quiet and peaceful. There are however several car free ways to explore the island such as traditional pony drawn cart or minibus. There are many scenic trails and loops to explore on foot at a relaxed pace.

Here is the place to purchase your gifts and souvenirs like Aran Sweater, tweed caps, wicker work and Man of Aran fudge.

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Touring the Burren and Galway city.

After the Burren we then spend time exploring Galway’s medieval streets and taking in the sights, sounds and smells. This city lives and breathes history and is known as the “City of the Tribes”. It is the cultural heart of Ireland’s west coast and is a where the river Corrib flows into Galway Bay.

We will then embark on a walking tour of the city to witness the vibrancy of this bustling and artistic bohemian hub famous for its traditional music and festivals (popular venues for these include Tig Cóilí, The Crane Bar and Taaffes Bar). We will see such sights as the Spanish Arch, Salthill Promenade (for walks along Galway Bay) and the Latin Quarter & Quay Street – famous for its brightly coloured pubs, restaurants, cobbled streets and buskers.

• Bike Hire
• Dún Aengus
• Horse and Carriage Ride
• Burren Perfumery
• Ailwee Caves
• Falconry

Connemara scenic drive – We begin our way back to Dublin through the heart of Ireland making our first stop at the monastic site of Clonmacnoice – a spectacular monastery on the banks of the River Shannon. Its ruins include two round towers, three high crosses, a Cathedral, 9 nine churches and several hundred early Christian grave-slabs.

We’ll the meander up to Seans Bar in Athlone (Irelands oldest pub) where you can opt to pull your own Guinness at its “pull your pint experience”. The vibrant town of Athlone is perched on the banks of the River Shannon in County Westmeath and is known for its charming pubs, boat rides on the river and its winding ancient streets.

Things to do include Athlone Castle, shopping, nature trails and live music in the likes of Seans Bar.

Returning to Dublin we’ll be passing through the Phoenix Park which is one of the largest enclosed city park in Europe and is home to Dublin Zoo, the residence of the Irish President and large herds of Fallow deer.

• Athlone Castle
• Kilbeggan Whiskey Distillery
• Athlone Shopping

Today we wake up to sights and sounds of Dublin’s fair city. We will treat you to a complimentary Walking Tour of Dublin. This tour will allow you to enjoy the city at your own pace and leisure. Dublin is hard city to drive around, so walking is a much more immersive way to experience the true city. There is a wealth of shopping destinations, museums and galleries to explore in this capital city – most within easy walking distance of each other.

Dublin offers endless possibilities to explore like the Book of Kells which has been described as the world’s most beautiful book, Trinity College, Christchurch Cathedral the famous Guinness Storehouse Experiencer as well as the Jameson Whiskey Distillery.

Theres also Templebar, Molly Malone’s Statue, Ha’penny Bridge over the river Liffey and the GPO where the Easter Rising took place.

Kilmainham Gaol and gardens are also well worth a visit but please bear in mind you should book in advance in the peak season.

• Jameson Distillery
• Book of Kells / Trinity College
• Guinness Storehouse Experience
• Guided Walking Tour of Dublin