Arrive at Dublin airport (time TBD) to be greeted by our Tour Coordinator, Driver/Guide and to meet up with the rest of the group. We board our air-conditioned coach and begin our adventure by leaving the Dublin airport behind and head up to Northern Ireland through County Meath & County Louth. As we drive our Driver/Guide will share history and folklore about the tranquil Irish countryside. 

The countryside gives-way as we approach the Belfast city area, the only city in Ireland to fully experience the Industrial Revolution. Linen, rope making, tobacco and ship building including the building of the Titanic on the Harland & Wolff shipyard were the main industries. 

We will enjoy a half-day coach tour of the city taking in sights such as City Hall, Grand Opera House, St. George’s Market, St. Anne’s Cathedral and much more. Our Driver/Guide will explain the history of the area and the current state of affairs as we soak in what this exciting city has to offer. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past fifteen years of peace have returned much prosperity while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.

We visit the Titanic Belfast Experience which is the world’s largest Titanic themed visitor attraction located right where she was built- in the heart of Belfast. Then we are off to check into our hotel and have a group dinner at a local pub ( walking distance from the hotel).

     Overnight - Europa Hotel Belfast, County Antrim (Dinner Included)

After a delicious Irish breakfast at our hotel (be sure to try the blood sausage), we board our coach to explore – forests, castles and more! We drive out of the metro area into the countryside that is 'the North' and stop at Trollymore Forest. 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains with panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle. It’s quite rustic with a mystical aura - you could almost imagine life back when clans fought for the rights of these lands, but you don’t have to. Scenes from the ‘Game of Thrones’ have been filmed here and our local guide will tell us all about it as well as actual history on our 2-mile walk.

Next, we head to Strangford, in county Downs and pay a visit to Castle Ward. A unique 18th-century mansion, famed for its mixture of architectural styles and beautiful grounds, Thronies, hold on to your hats! If you thought visiting Trollymore was cool, Castle Ward’s historic farmyard is the location of Winterfell, the backdrop for the series pilot and much of season one. It’s also where you will find the Whispering Wood and key scenes including Robb Stark’s Camp, the Baelor battle and when Brienne confronts the Stark men. 

At the end of our visit, we will gather our Thronies, if we can tear them away, and head back to our hotel in Belfast. We have the rest of the afternoon free and dinner on our own. Check out the nightlife in Belfast, do a little shopping or just wander a bit.

     Overnight - Europa Hotel Belfast, County Antrim (Breakfast Included)

Enjoy your Irish breakfast before we board our bus and depart for Portrush, County Antrim. We drive one of the most spectacular coastlines in the world – the Antrim Coastal Route. This route offers amazing sea views and passes through the nine Glens of Antrim and picture perfect villages of Ballygalley, Carnlough, Cushendall and Cushendun to Ballycastle. 

We stop at the Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland's only UNESCO World Heritage site, an area of 40,000 basalt columns, formed into a regular interlocking pattern by an ancient volcanic lava flow. However, given the scale, the geometric regularity, and the sheer natural beauty of this feature, it is easy to understand why the ancients believed its origins to be more mystical than geologists would now have us believe.

According to Gaelic mythology, the causeway was built by the giant Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn MacCool) so that he could reach Scotland and fight with his Scottish rival, Benandonner. As with all great rivalries, the outcome varies depending on whose version is being recounted. 

Since we are in the area - a stop at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is a must-see!. Hang on as you sway a bit the wind wile you cross this hand tied rope bridge. If you habe your eyes open, you can take in the stunning views of the Causeway Coastal Route. You’ll be 30 meters (98.4 ft) above the ocean for the entire 20-meter (65 ft) across, but it feels way higher and much longer during your crossing! Will you cross the bridge? NOTE: Each stop today has walking/hiking on unpaved paths to reach the site.

Onto our beautiful hotel in Portrush – the Magherabuoy House Hotel where we will check-in and have a Group Dinner. If we are not too wiped out, lets go find a pub to listen to some Irish music!

     Overnight - Magherabuoy House Hotel, Portrush, County Antrim (Breakfast & Dinner Included)

Our exotic Ireland adventures continues from Portrush to Londonderry to Donegal. We will stop in the city of Derry for a 1 ½ hour walking tour. Many sites to see  in this region and we will cover many during our tour, such as Derry’s Walls, The Bogside, The Peoples Gallery (Murals) The Bloody Sunday Story, The History of the Apprentice Boys,  and The Marching Season Traditions. 

Doire, Derry, Londonderry has 1,500 years of history and culture enclosed within Ireland’s only completely walled city. From the sixth-century monastic settlement to the vibrant European city of the twenty-first century.

Onto visit the Donegal Castle. Built by the O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century, beside the River Eske, the Castle has extensive 17th century additions by Sir Basil Brooke. Donegal Castle was once the principle residence of the O'Donnells one of the leading Gaelic Clans who trace their ancestry back to Niall of the Nine Hostages of the 5th Century. The Castle is furnished throughout and includes Persian rugs and French tapestries. Information panels chronicle the history of the Castle owners from the O'Donnell chieftains to the Brooke family. 

Donegal Town is an attractive market town that is centered around the Diamond area. This town is also the home of Donegal tweed industry in Ireland and the Magee family. From modest beginnings in 1866, when the company was established by John Magee, the Magee brand name has become world-renowned and famous for Donegal Tweed and Men's Tailoring. The Magee Department store offering a large selection of finely tailored clothing is located on the Diamond in the heart of Donegal Town.

In the center of the Diamond is a tall obelisk dedicated to the memory of the Four Masters. This was the name given to the four friars, who in the 17th century, complied the Annals of the Four Masters, one of the earliest historical texts recording the early history of Ireland.

We check into our hotel and have the rest of the day and dinner on our own.

     Overnight - Mill Park Hotel, County Donegal (Breakfast Included)

We will spend our day on the south west coast of County Donegal and today is the true definition of ‘Far from the Norm’ of Ireland. We visit the Cliffs of Slieve Leige (Sliabh Liag Cliffs). 

Most tourists tend to flock to the Cliffs of Moher, but did you know that the cliffs at Sliabh Liag are twice as high with a sheer drop of 2000 feet. They are said to be one of the highest and finest marine cliffs in Europe. 

You can hike up to the cliffs or hop on a shuttle bus (minimal cost), it’s your choice. Take in awe-inspiring views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Sligo Mountains and Donegal Bay as you walk towards the amazingly high top of Sliabh Liag, where the cliff face of Bunglas rises over 600m above the raging ocean. And while the cliffs are fenced off you can hike (carefully) up as far up as the self-explanatory ‘one man’s pass’ to the summit… 

After our exciting day on the coast, we head back to our hotel – rest of the day and dinner on our own.

     Overnight - Mill Park Hotel, County Donegal (Breakfast Included)

After our excursion to Slieve Liege yesterday, we take it a bit easier today.  Enjoy the delicious breakfast at our hotel before we head out to soak in the beautiful scenery and listen to Irish Folklore stories from our Driver/Guide on our way to our first stop - the Beleek Pottery factory. 

At the Beleek Pottery visitors center we will see how Beleek pottery is made, learn its history and even have a chance to shop for pieces not available anywhere but in Ireland. 

On our way to Westport, we will make a stop in Sligo - completely surrounded by beauty. It's nestled between majestic Benbulben mountain to the north, ancient Knocknarea mountain and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, beautiful Lough Gill to the east, and the rugged Ox Mountains to the south, Sligo is one of the most picturesque places in all of Ireland. It's rugged landscapes rival those of tourist destinations like Killarney and Wicklow, but have gone largely un-noticed and therefore, provide the beauty without the crowds! 

While in the area, we will learn about Yeats and visit his grave site. We arrive in Westport and check into our hotel fabulous four-star hotel. 

The Westport Plaza has many amenities including an award-winning spa. Maybe treat yourself to some pampering this evening. We are on our own for the rest of the afternoon and dinner.

     Overnight - Westport Plaza Hotel, County Mayo (Breakfast Included)

Today we explore the rugged yet serene Connemara area which John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara made famous in the classic, “A Quiet Man”. Along the way see broad back mountains, pearl like lakes, quaint towns with local crafts on our way to the Kylemore Abbey.

The grey-stone Kylemore Abbey is a striking sight against the rugged hills of the west of Ireland. Set in a dramatic landscape, Kylemore is an ideal destination. From it’s beginnings as a romantic gift in the 1860s to becoming home to the Benedictine Nuns in 1920, Kylemore is dripping in history and tales of religion, tragedy, romance! Experience the Victorian atmosphere in the restored rooms of the abbey and gothic church. Explore the magical Victorian Walled Garden, nature trails and woodland walks.

After Kylemore Abbey, off the beaten path we go again, for a Killary Fjord Cruise. Located in the heart of Connemara, it is one of the three glacial fjords in all of Ireland! Sit back and relax as you cruise down the fjord taking in scenery from the surrounding landscapes while enjoying a brief meal. 

The location of the fjord creates a natural border between Mayo and Galway, and also provides a safe haven for a variety bird species such as barnacle goose, ringed plover, tufted duck, mallard duck, mute swan, whooper swan, and even otters and dolphins. 

If you get lucky, you might have a chance to see dolphins emerge towards the mouth of the fjord! The depth of 45 meters and the mountains in the north and south, create a perfect habitat to farm mussels and catch salmon. This fjord is teeming with wildlife and fresh ingredients for local farmers to sell around the area. These 16 kilometers is simply a sanctuary for wildlife and you will be in awe of the dramatic scenery.

After the cruise, we head back to our hotel in Westport. We are on our own for dinner – be sure you are taking in some of the amazing local seafood dishes – can’t really get any fresher!

     Overnight - Westport Plaza Hotel, County Mayo (Breakfast Included)

After breakfast we board our coach for a scenic drive through the Boyne Valley - Ireland scenery at its finest! Our Driver/Guide will provide us with stories of the area, Irish music and fun facts throughout our ride.

Then we head ‘Far from the Norm’ one more time to one of the most ancient social and spiritual sites in Ireland. Brú na Bóinne, which means the ‘palace’ or the ‘mansion’ of the Boyne, refers to the area within the bend of the River Boyne which contains one of the world’s most important prehistoric landscapes. The largest of these tombs are Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. Built about 3200 BC during the Neolithic period, which makes it older than Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids. Newgrange is a large circular mound with a stone passageway and chambers inside. The mound is ringed by 'kerbstones' engraved with artwork. 

The history of the area is incredibly interesting, and nature actually protected these sites, so they are still available to us today. The visitor’s centers and the overlooks tell the amazing story of the treasures we are seeing. If we’re lucky, we may even get to go in one of the burial chambers.

We climb aboard our trusty coach and head towards where we will be staying in Kingscort. With this being the final night, we will top off our fabulous tour with a stay at Cabra Castle and  enjoy a Royal Banquet! 

Castles, with their nooks and crannies, are made for exploring and you'll chance upon amazing secrets at gorgeous Cabra Castle. Wander through the magnificent reception rooms, find a quiet corner or fireside to relax with a book, or just enjoy the atmosphere in one of the best-known Castle hotels in Ireland. Period features and furnishings create an authentic, old-world charm. Plus a long tradition of warm and friendly service make Cabra Castle the perfect retreat from the pace of modern living.

Set on 100 acres of parkland and gardens, with the magnificent backdrop of Dun a Ri Forest Park, there is much to explore, both indoors and out. Due to its idyllic location and superb range of accommodation, Cabra Castle is one of the leading luxury hotels in Ireland, It has been the venue of choice for many society and celebrity weddings. 

Our courtyard rooms are individually designed and many contain such original features as beams and stone walls. All the rooms in this area have access to our walled garden located in the restoration of the original outhouses and working areas of the castle, which now offers luxurious accommodation in keeping with these traditional buildings. 

This evening, we will all feel like Kings, Queens, Princes & Princesses at our Royal Banquet. A great time to reflect on our Irish adventure, share stories, exchange photos and celebrate friendships old & new! 

     Overnight – Cabra Castle, Kingscort, County Cavan (Breakfast & Dinner Included)