This small group experience (maximum 16 participants) gets you off the beaten track so you get a real feel for the country. Our guides are hand-picked for their pride and passion for their country. Transportation is in modern Mercedes Benz mini-coaches and accommodation is in 3 star country hotels.
Depart from Dublin heading north to the city of Belfast. Have a tour of the city which includes the Albert Memorial Clock Tower (compared to the Tower of Pisa), the Opera house, Queen’s University and the Botanical Gardens. Later enjoy the newly opened Titanic Experience where a recreated story of the World’s most famous ship is exhibited complete with interactive exhibition. Continue north into Antrim through its beautiful glens arriving at the coast at Ballycastle. From here, arrive at the fascinating spectacular Giants Causeway which is reputed to be 60 million years old. Legend has it that it was built by a fictitious Irish Giant under the sea all the way to Scotland to the east. Then travel to Portrush for overnight.
Depart the next morning for Londonderry and have a walking tour of this old walled city before heading west to Donegal stopping at the Sliabh Llag Peninsula, a picturesque mountain region with great views of the Atlantic Ocean. Arrive in Donegal for overnight accommodation.
The following day, travel through County Sligo associated with W. B. Yeats. Visit Carrowmore Cemetery with its 60 stone circles and passage tombs which are around 5000 years old and date back to the Stone Age. Also visit Ben Bulben, a rocky mountain formation. Later arrive at Achill Island in County Mayo, the largest island off the coast of the country with a long history and archaeological findings. Arrive at the town of Westport for a 2 night stay.
The next morning, explore Connemara, the land of mountains, rivers, lakes and small villages where the Gaelic language is still widely spoken. This area is the wildest and most remote part of the country. Travel through the wild mountainous Connemara National Park with its diverse flora and fauna. Visit attractive ancient Clifden, the largest town in Connemara and the Twelve Bens, a series of steep sided mountain peaks. The day will end with an 11 kilometre/7 mile drive on the Sky Road which takes in wonderful coastal scenery. Return to Westport.
Your next day brings a further exploration into Connemara including the village of Cong situated on an island. Stop at Cong Abbey with its interesting early Irish architecture dating back to the 12th Century. You will then visit the unusual Quiet Man Museum which depicts aspects of the 1951 movie of the name filmed here starring John Wayne. Continue to Galway City, a bustling town with a lively nightlife, charming pedestrian streets and numerous pubs and cafes. Then it is time to complete your journey heading back to Dublin.
