With 10% off displayed price for October, this 7 day Ireland odyssey gives real insight into the island of Ireland. Experience Irish culture, people, history, scenery and of course Irish music and the 'craic'. Two nights in Northern Ireland, one in Donegal, one on the Wild Atlantic Way and two in the beautiful and lively town of Westport. We'll escort you through some of the most stunning locations in Ireland, that others can only dream about.
The day by day itinerary below is a framework for the trip. Some adjustments may be made to enhance your Ireland experience.
7 full days on tour
High standard accommodation
Six nourishing Irish breakfasts
Entrance fees to Giant's Causeway
Entrance fees to Dunluce and Donegal Castle
Working sheep farm with sheep herding demonstration
Guided Irish whiskey distillery tour with sampling
Fab scenery, new friendships, insights into Irish history, culture, music, language and sport
Other than outlined
Example- Belfast Political tour, Titanic Experience
Transport to and from airport
Pre or post tour accommodation
Travel insurance is strongly recommended
This 7 day odyssey is an Ireland tour that gives you real insight into the island of Ireland. Experience Irish culture, people, history, scenery and of course Irish music and the 'craic'. We spend two nights in Northern Ireland, one in Donegal, one on the Wild Atlantic Way and two in the beautiful and lively town of Westport. Along the way we'll guide you through some of the most stunning locations in Ireland, that others can only dream about.
Depart Dublin early, and we bring you to a litle know neolithic tomb with ancient megalithic rock art or Monasterboice High Crosses (included in tour price). We'll then head for Belfast, where you'll have the option of a historical tour of the city* or experiencing the building of the Titanic*. Afterwards, it's a short journey to our overnight at the restful Oranmore House or Ballygally Castle Hotel
Aiming for the very north east of the island of Ireland, our first stop at the Dark Hedges (if staying in Oranmore House) - which featured as the Kings Road in Game of Thrones. We take a quick photo stop of Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and views across to Scotland.
Then, it's time to take humongous steps and embrace one of just three UNESCO World Heritage sites on the island of Ireland, at the Giants Causeway (included in tour price). From their we go to neighbouring Dunluce Castle - picturesquely perched on the cliff-top (included in tour price)
Our overnight tonight will be the Shipquay Hotel in the heart of Derry/Londonderry (don't worry we'll explain all about the name..), ideally placed to set us on the road for Day three.
Derry/Londonderry is one of the finest examples in all of Europe of a walled city, dating from the early 17th century. You'll stroll along these walls as a local guide regales you with history and tales - both modern and medieval (included in tour price).
After a comfort break, we head back across the border into Donegal. Stopping for panoramic 360 views at an ancient Celtic stronghold, and in the afternoon we enter the magnificent and remote Glenveagh National Park. We have two options to make our way to up the castle and gardens - via shuttle bus (included in tour price) or, the simple old-fashioned way. Whatever the method the journey is simply beautiful along a glacial lake with potential sightings of wild deer and golden eagles.
Then what better way to round off our day than with a tour and tasting at Crolly Distillery, in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht (Irish speaking area).
Accommodation tonight will be the Waterfront, Dungloe.
Today we have one of our absolute favourite scenic drives to Sliabh Liag Cliffs. Three times higher than their more famous cousins further down the coast, the Cliffs of Moher (which can be experienced on our Sojourn of the South West), they form part of the Appalachian Trail! A quick lunch nearby before continuing our journey down the west coast for one of our tour highlights - a visit to Atlantic Sheep Dogs
Our next stop is to pay homage to one of Ireland's Nobel Laureates - W.B. Yeats, where we cast a cold eye on his life, on death, in the shadow of the might Ben Bulben.
You can round off the day with a seaweed bath*, a stroll along the beach or an ocean dip (free!) before relaxing for the evening and watching the sun slip behind the Atlantic from our aptly named Waterfront House boutique accommodation in Co. Sligo
*optional activity from €25
Yippee - time to break the pack/unpack/pack cycle for bit. Don't be surprised to see French tricolours flying along our route today, as we also see why the Wild Atlantic Way is so called. Why not take an early morning strollon the beach and then stunning Downpatrick Head awaits and in the afternoon we wind our day down towards Westport, getting in early enough to allow you soak in all the town has to offer (which is lots!). We're staying smack bang in the centre of everything at either the Wyatt or Clew Bay Hotel.
Today is all options for you. You can chill out for part, or all of the day. We'll be heading out on one of our personal favourite drives through the 'savage beauty' of Connemara to Kylemore Abbey.. Along the way we'll pay homage at our National Famine Memorial located at the foot of Ireland's Holy Mountain - Croagh Patrick,.
In the afternoon, you can relax around the town or chose to come cycling* or walking along the nearby Great Western Greenway. Feel the Atlantic breezes in your hair as you work up an appetite for the evening's revelry. And, better still, we'll even let you finish at a fine pub along the route, grab a quick recovery pint before being dropped back to town. *optional activity from €25
It may be our final day, but we ain't going home just yet. On our way back to Dublin today we get an historic insight into rural life in Ireland up to the first half of the 20th century. In the afternoon we'll go digging and find a 5,000 year old oak road - a case of letting the museum come to us. Or, we'll visit the National Famine Museum at Strokestown House.
We arrive back in Dublin around 6pm to say sad but fond farewells to new-found friends and newly made memories of Ireland.
