6 DAY NORTHERN ISLAND TOUR
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IMPORTANT: Please note that this itinerary is a framework for the tour. This means that: 1. The overnights are pretty much set in stone and then we base each tour on the items in the list below. 2. Your guide will discuss the options with you throughout the tour and plan from there. This gives us flexibility to adapt each tour to suit you and fit in with the weather conditions. 3. This of course means that some things may not be included in your tour, but if there is something that you particularly want to do or see on your tour, mention it to your guide and he or she will see if it can be included.
'...EVERYTHING WAS SO WELL-PLANNED, THE ACCOMMODATIONS WERE FABULOUS, THE ENTIRE ADVENTURE WAS SO MUCH MORE THAN I EXPECTED. WE WERE, INDEED, OFF THE BEATEN PATH AND WERE ABLE TO REALLY SEE THE COUNTRY...'
WHAT'S INCLUDED
MOST DAILY ACTIVITIES AND VISITS
6 FULL DAYS ON TOUR
5 NIGHTS ACCOMMODATION
OFF THE BEATEN TRACK EXPERIENCE
5 FULL IRISH BREAKFASTS
SMALL GROUP SIZE
LOTS OF LAUGHS
GUARANTEED DEPARTURE
A FULLY TRAINED TOUR GUIDE
€1509
PRICE & EXTRAS
OPTIONAL EXTRAS:
Titanic Experience 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES GB £18.50 - £14.50 seniors
TOUR COST:
MEGAN@vAGABOND.IE
dunluce castle 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES GB £4
CLICK THE PICTURE
€210
BLACK CAB TOUR OF BELFAST 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES GB £10
WWW.VAGABONDTOURSOFIRELAND.COM
Carrick a Rede Rope Bridge 1 HOUR 30 MINUTES GB £8
Lunch and dinner not included
IIRE : +353 156 34 358 USA : 8332300288
PER PERSON SHARING 2018. For 2019 prices click here - 2019 Prices
Bushmills Whiskey distillery 1 HOUR GB £8
SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
BOOKING INFORMATION
NORTH & NORTHWEST Heading across to the north-west, imagine a country of wild moorland, rugged mountain ranges, dark and mysterious lakes, spectacular beaches, hidden villages, rebel castles and prehistoric forts. Donegal got on the Cool List by National Geographic this year so we have decided to spend some more time here to uncover more. Vagabond will take you to places that coach tours of Ireland simply cannot reach, and the small group sizes on the tours give us greater flexibility to tailor-make the vacation to suit each group.
With love from Ireland...
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A LITTLE ABOUT THE TOUR
It is a region with a huge amount to offer a visitor, and all in a relatively small area. You will have the chance to go for walks, ride a bike or a horse, surf an Atlantic wave, try your hand at fishing or hit a golf ball. The range of activities available is huge and qualified and experienced instructors supervise all. You'll also have the chance not to do the activities and just take it easy while we show you around. Our small groups also allow us to stay in small out-of-the-way hotels, offering a warm friendly welcome and first class accommodation.
INTRODUCTION Northern and north-western Ireland has so much to offer as one of the most diverse, intriguing and beautiful areas of Western Europe. On this Northern Ireland tour you will go on a journey through thousands of years of fascinating history, dramatic scenery and legendary places. This is one of Europe’s most off-the-beaten-path regions.
Accommodation
DAY 1
Markree Castle is an historic Irish Castle venue located in the North West of Ireland on the route of the Wild Atlantic Way
We’re off and we’re going west for an exciting first day of tour. Explore a stately home with walled gardens spanning 6 acres, visit a tradition woolen mills and spend the night in a castle.
Meet at reception of the Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin 4 at 08.10am. Enjoy a visit to Corlea Trackway, an Iron Age Trackway from 148 BC. Visit the historic Strokestown Park House with The National Irish Famine Museum. The Georgian palladian mansion will take you back in time as you walk among the 6 acre walled gardens Lunch on the banks for the River Shannon in Carrick on Shannon, we will also have a photo stop along the stunning Shannon waterway. Drive North East to arrive at your hotel where you can spend the night living like a Lord or Lady in the stunning surroundings of the Markee Castle Hotel
DUBLIN - SLIGO
Markree Castle, Co Sligo
AVERAGE DRIVE TIME: 4 HOURS 30 MINUTES
Visit Drumcliffe Cemetery and the grave of WB Yeats the world renowned Irish poet Head into Donegal town to visit Donegal Castle (entrance fee included in tour price) Stop at the breathtaking 2000ft Slieve League sea cliffs with your guide. Or take a boat trip around the base of the cliffs (€20 per person, summer only) Drive through the scenic Granny Pass Go for a walk and explore the caves on the amazingly remote Mahares Beach Visit a traditional weaver to see how handmade Donegal tweed is still made
AVERAGE DRIVE TIME: 3 HOURS 30 MINS
Leave the castle hotel after your first night on tour and head towards Sligo towards Donegal. Today we take in some of Ireland's most dramatic coastline. Drive among the wild west and visit some key sites in our history.
DAY 2
SLIGO - ARDARA
The Nesbitt Arms is a charming family run hotel located in the heart of Donegal. The Heritage Town of Ardara is nestled in a valley surrounded by magnificent scenery on Donegal’s Wild Atlantic Way
ACCOMMODATION:
Nesbitt Arms Hotel, Ardara
Leave Sligo after spending the night in one of Ireland's stunning coastal villages. Take a stroll around Glenveagh National Park. Cross the border into Northern Ireland and head towards Derry.
Beech Hill, Derry
AVERAGE DRIVE TIME: 2 HOURS 45 MINUTES
DAY 3
ACCOMMODATION
Beech Hill epitomises Georgian elegance and gracious country living. A hotel where your comfort and pleasure always come first and where you are assured of warm and genuine hospitality
Convene with nature in Glenveagh National Park. Keep an eye out for wild deer or eagles, as we drive along the lakeshore to a glacial valley to reveal the remote castle and gardens. Possible lunch stop in Letterkenny Stop at the ancient stone fort of Grianán of Aileach and enjoy views of the sea and the Inishowen Peninsula Cross the border from Donegal into Northern Ireland and arrive in Derry Optional walking tour of the city including the Bogside area synonymous with the Bloody Sunday massacre (highly recommended - GB£4 per person)
ARDARA- DERRY
DAY 4
Ballygally Castle
AVERAGE DRIVE TIME: 3 HOURS
Ballygally Castle is in the village of Ballygally, County Antrim. The castle overlooks the sea at the head of Ballygally Bay. Now run as a hotel, it is the only 17th century building still used as a residence in Northern Ireland
DERRY - BALLYGALLY
Leave the small village of Ardara and head towards Northern Ireland. Spend time in Derry City where you can enjoy a highly acclaimed walking tour in the city .
Visit the ancient McDonald Stronghold of Dunluce Castle (Entrance fee: GB£3 ) or simply take photos from outside Explore the historic village of Bushmills Optional visit to Bushmills Whiskey distillery The oldest whiskey distillery in the World (entrance fee: GB £7pp) Experience the natural phenomenon of the Giants Causeway Possible Lunch or coffee stop at the tiny Ballintoy harbour – one of the ‘Game of Thrones’ filming locations Test your head for heights at the Carrick a Rede rope bridge (summer only - Entrance fee: GB £8)
Slieve Donard Resort
DAY 5
Nestling at the foot of the Mountains of Mourne, the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa stands in six acres of immaculate private grounds. A golden strand of beach borders one side while the mighty Royal County Down golf links frames the other.
Leave Ballygally and we follow the coast road around the base of the Glens of Antrim and then down into Belfast, a thriving city shaped by its industrial and turbulent past. Visit the grave of St Patrick, our Patron Saint.
Follow the coast road around the base of the Glens of Antrim - you might well see Scotland on a clear day Drive into Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland for lunch and then choose from the following options: Optional Black Cab tour of the city. This tour is very highly recommended as it gives visitors an incredibly close hand experience of the city and its turbulent past. (Cost: GB£10 per person). Take an optional trip to the newly opened £100 million Titanic Experience visitor centre (GB£18.50 pp £14.50 seniors ) Enjoy lunch in the historic city of Belfast Free time to explore this historic city Stop off in The Saint Patrick Visitor Centre an interactive exhibition showcasing the life and story of St Patrick. Take this opportunity to visit the grave of Ireland’s Patron Saint
BALLYGALLY - NEWCASTLE
AVERAGE DRIVE TIME: 2 HOURS
DAY 6
AVERAGE DRIVE TIME: 2 HOURS 30 MINUTES
SKELLIG OPTION
Sadly, it’s the last day of the journey and time to head home to Dublin.
NEWCASTLE - DUBLIN
Take a morning stroll on Murlough National Nature Reserve and keep an eye out for seals! Drive up to Dundrum castle Believed to have been built in or around 1177 Take the scenic route through the magnificent Mournes Mountains, the pride of Northern Ireland Head south back towards Dublin with a stop at the Monasterboice Monastic site with its superb examples of Celtic high crosses
JUNE
MONTHLY PHOTO COMPETITION
20°C
57°F
14°C
WEATHER
68°F
51 °F
65°F
You’ve booked your tour, you’ve sorted your flights, you know where you’re staying. Next on the list: What to Pack? You’ll be moving a lot when on tour, so travelling light is essential.
If you have more questions about your Irish adventure please don't hesitate to contact us.
OCT
50°F
12°C
AUG
We love seeing what you get up to on tour and a great way to share your Irish adventure with the world is to upload your favourite five photos to our facebook page with the hash tag #MYVAGABONDTOUR. Every month we select our favourite 5 snaps and let your fellow vagabond followers choose the photo they think is worthy of the title and handcrafted Irish prize.
We also have a great FAQ section on our website if you want to check it out just click the computer!
18°C
Click on the boots to take a look at what to pack on a Vagabond or Driftwood Tour of Ireland.
SEPT
62°F
JULY
53°F
19°C
66°F
17°C
59°F
MAY
MAR
APR
FAQ's & TRAVEL TIPS
A conversation rarely takes place in Ireland where weather doesn't get brought up! We love the topic and discussing the odds of rain and sunshine. When traveling to Ireland you shouldn't bank on getting particular weather, be prepared for anything. From sun in April to rain in July, you never know what you will get apart from stunning scenery, you can always bank on that in Ireland!
NOV
10°C
15°C
WHAT TO PACK
11°C
