North of Ireland Escape
Escape to the beauty and history of the “Emerald Isle” on your guided tour of Ireland. Enjoy your getaway into the green valleys and sweeping seashores without the large crowds or costs of the “busy” travel season. You’ll begin in the fair city of Dublin. Admire statue-lined O’Connell Street, Dublin’s main thoroughfare, and elegant Georgian squares with their red-brick townhouses and colorful doors behind the wrought-iron fences. You’ll also see Trinity College and St. Patrick’s Cathedral along the way. Leave the bustle of Dublin for the green landscapes of Ireland’s countryside, and visit Rathbaun Farm. You’ll learn about Ireland’s sheep-farming practices, and try your hand at scone baking in the farmhouse kitchen. You’ll travel on to western Ireland’s colorful harbor city of Galway, with its vibrant shops, cafés, and traditional pubs. On your way to Northern Ireland, pass through Westport, Donegal, and Letterkenny. Then, enjoy a guided walk on Derry’s Old Town walls, and visit the amazing natural formation of the Giant’s Causeway—massive interlocking basalt columns that dramatically extend across the seashore. Spend two nights in Belfast, with plenty to see in Northern Ireland’s capital city, including the fascinating Titanic Experience. On your way back to Dublin, stop in Carlingford. This Cooley Peninsula town is famous for its oyster farms, medieval buildings, and 12th-century King John’s Castle overlooking the city. Spend the last night of your escorted tour of Ireland where you began, in Dublin. You’ll see why this escape through Ireland’s beauty and history is made even better without the crowds of the high season on your affordable, guided Ireland vacation.
Tour Itinerary
Céad mile fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes! At 3pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for an afternoon orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D) TOUR HIGHLIGHT CITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and legendary library of Trinity College.
Shannon's Shores & Farmer's Chores The first stop today is in the historic town of Athlone, located right in the center of Ireland and on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to Rathbaun Farm [LOCAL FAVORITE], try your hand at scone baking and learn about sheep herding from the farmer before enjoying coffee and your own home-made scones. Overnight in the vibrant coastal city of Galway. (B) 130 mi / 210 km LOCAL FAVORITE LOCAL TASTES Someone’s in the kitchen in Rathbaun Farm, just outside of Galway. You can don an apron and whip up your own delicious home-made scones, served with fresh preserves and whipped cream. Learn about the long-time tradition of sheep farming in this beautiful Irish landscape.
West Is Best Follow the Wild Atlantic Way along Ireland’s west coast to the elegant holiday resort of Westport. Enjoy some free time in this lively town before traveling through some of Ireland’s most dramatic scenery to Donegal, located at the mouth of the River Eske. Letterkenny is your overnight destination. (B,D) 181 mi / 292 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT PICTURE PERFECT The long Wild Atlantic Way of Ireland stretching to Donegal's Inishowen peninsula encapsulates some of the most dramatic landscapes and charming towns such as Westport, with its Georgian town center and tree-lined promenade, and “The Cathedral Town” of Donegal.
Ancient Walls & Giant Steps Head into Northern Ireland today and enjoy a walking tour with a local guide along the city walls of Derry’s Old Town. Follow in the legendary footsteps of Finn McCool as you admire the Giant’s Causeway, composed of 40,000 basalt columns formed millions of years ago. Your accommodation is in Belfast tonight, Northern Ireland’s seat of government. (B) 124 mi / 200 km TOUR HIGHLIGHT LEGENDS & LORE Follow in the legendary footsteps of giants at the foot of the cliffs along the coast of Northern Ireland, where 40,000 massive black basalt columns jut out of the sea. Hear the legendary myth of two battling giants that caused the magnificent geological wonder of Giant’s Causeway, which actually evolved through volcanic activity 50–60 million years ago.
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