Donald & Eda's Irish Adventure
Donald & Eda
Friday 9th August – Saturday 24th August 2024
Overview
Picturesque coastal towns and villages, green pastoral fields, soaring cliffs, wild barren landscapes, the crash of the ocean, the laugh of a local. Ireland is romantic, authentic, a home away from home where both old and modern seem to cohabit seamlessly on a small island in the middle of the sea. Packed with history and tradition your days are spent exploring the island of Ireland’s famous and of the beaten track sites of natural, cultural and political interest. A world renowned food scene means your evenings are spent dining in style and with the promise of a pub just around the corner, music and laughter are never far away. Your trip to Ireland will surprise and delight you but the people of Ireland will stay with you, long after your journey has taken you home.
Day by Day
Day 1 - Friday 9th August - Welcome to Dublin
Arriving in Ireland today, a private transfer will pick you up from the airport and whisk you city to your 4 star hotel in the city centre. Check-in is at 3pm however feel free to leave your bags, freshen up, or have a bite to eat. Head out in the afternoon to enjoy a walking tour with a local private guide through this vibrant capital city, with its mix of 1,000 years of architecture from the mediaeval to Georgian to modern. See the Georgian style Merrion Square, lush St. Stephen’s Green and Fitzwilliam Square, as well as O’Connell Street, the site of the ‘1916 Uprising’ that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. Your guide is also a historian who will bring the city to life with colourful tales of life in the city in times gone by.
Overnight: Dublin | The Alex
Room Type: x1 classic king
Meals Included: None
Day 2 - Saturday 10th August - To Belfast - Black Cab Tour
Pick up your rental car this morning and from Dublin, head into the heart of Northern Ireland, Belfast. Stroll through the lively streets adorned with colourful murals that tell tales of the city’s resilience and transformation. This evening, you will be introduced to Belfast culture with a unique twist, joining a local Black Cab tour to visit some of the city’s historical and political sites. Belfast was at the heart of The Troubles for over thirty years and you’ll see firsthand how this shaped the city and its residents.
Overnight: Belfast | Titanic Hotel
Room Type: x1 classic room
Day 3 - Sunday 11th August - Belfast & The Titanic
This morning, you are free to explore Belfast as you wish – wander through the bustling streets of the city centre, where historic landmarks such as City Hall and St. Anne’s Cathedral stand alongside chic boutiques, cosy cafes, and vibrant street art. Later on you’ll visit the iconic Titanic Belfast, where the story of the ill-fated ship comes to life. Built in Belfast’s Harland and Wolff shipyards, the ill fasted titanic and Belfasts history are linked forever. Your Private tour around the Titanic Experience takes you through the 10 galleries talking you through the story of the ship and her final hours. You will also step onto the decks of the last remaining White Star Line vessel – SS Nomadic.
Overnight: Belfast | Titanic Belfast
Room Type: x1 classic room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 4 - Monday 12th August - The Causeway Coastal Route
Today you will follow the stunning causeway coastal route out of Belfast along the northernmost coast to Portrush, Co Antrim. The Causeway Coastal Route is possibly one of the world’s greatest road trips, featuring castles, temples, cliff top walks, caves, Game of Thrones filming sites, remote islands and its most famous attraction, The Giant’s Causeway. En route you will visit the Gobbins Cliff Path, which is a spectacular cliff walk that offers breathtaking views of the Irish Sea. As you embark on the cliff walk, you would be able to witness the sheer natural beauty of the area, including stunning waterfalls, diverse birdlife, and rugged cliffs. The grande finale is at the spectacular Giant’s Causeway – octagonal columns of rocks created by feuding giants or volcanic activity – myth or science, you decide! Your guesthouse tonight offers breathtaking views as it overlooks the stunning Atlantic Ocean.
Overnight: Portrush | Blackrock House B&B
Room Type: x1 seaview king
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 5 - Tuesday 13th August - Traditional Sheep Farm
You’ll have some free time this morning to relax – enjoy a walk around the town or kick back with a book overlooking the sea. This afternoon you’ll make your way to a traditional working sheep farm in one of the most idyllic areas of the North Coast. Meet a local family who have been living in the area and farming sheep and cattle for over 70 years. Step into the farming world, learning about a sheepdog’s relationship with the shepherd and sheep and admire the speed, agility and intelligence involved with gathering the flock. Enjoy a relaxed dinner this evening back in town.
Overnight: Portrush | Blackrock House B&B
Room Type: x1 seaview king
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 6 - Wednesday 14th August - Derry & Donegal
Derry City is the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland and one of the finest examples of Walled Cities in Europe. Built in the 17th century, the walls, approximately 1.5km in circumference, form a walkway around the inner city and provide a unique promenade with which to view the layout of the original town. Your private guide will incorporate the tragic events of Jan 30th 1972 when a peaceful protest turned violent leading to the killing of 14 unarmed men and boys along with the injury of many other in an event knows as Bloody Sunday into your guided experience today. Afterwards, make your way back across the border and into south Donegal.
Overnight: Donegal | Mill Park Hotel
Room Type: x1 exectutive double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 7 - Thursday 15th August - Slieve League Cliffs
Spend some time today exploring south Donegal at your leisure. We recommend a morning visit to the highest sea cliffs in Europe, three time higher than the Cliffs of Moher! A trip to the Slieve League Cliffs is the perfect way to work up an appetite for some traditional fish and chips, al fresco, straight off the boat in a little harbour town. We’ll send you plenty of recommendations for other sights to see in the area. In the evening, why not head into bustling Donegal town where fabulous local pubs await.
Overnight: Donegal | Millpark Hotel
Room Type: x1 executive double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 8 - Friday 16th August - Explore Yeats Country
From Donegal, we head south into Sligo, last resting place of W.B Yeats. Sligo is blessed with some stunning coastline and we’ll provide you with plenty of recommendations for the drive, such as a walk at the foot of iconic Ben Bulben Mountain, a visit to the childhood home of a famous Irish revolutionary and suffragette or make your way to the final resting place of one of Ireland’s most celebrated poets. His grave stands beneath the shadow of the majestic Benbulben. Great local seafood and secret sand beaches are icing on the cake.
Overnight: Sligo | The Address Sligo
Room Type: x1 classic double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 9 - Saturday 17th August - Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery
This morning, journey through time during an awe-inspiring encounter with Ireland’s ancient past. Your guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and you will make your way to the oldest and densest concentration of Neolithic tombs in Ireland – Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery. Walking through the rolling green hills, you’ll encounter an array of prehistoric monuments, including 35 passage tombs which date back over 5,000 years. Afterwards, you will enjoy a visit to Sligo Abbey, which offers a glimpse into the town’s mediaeval past. Finish the day with a walk nestled amidst lush woodlands and shimmering lakes – W.B. Yeats drew inspiration from this very landscape.
Overnight: Sligo | The Address
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 10 - Sunday 18th August - Sligo to Westport
Leave the hub of Sligo behind, you’ll take the scenic route into the wilds of Mayo. We’ll recommend amazing experiences such as an authentic seaweed bath – complete with original cast iron tubs. The vibrant market town of Westport lies at the edge of the Wild Nephin wilderness and on the shores of Clew Bay, known for the hundreds of tiny islands created by glaciers millennia ago. A bustling regional hub and host to some of Ireland’s most musical pubs, you might like to arrive in town early to explore the colourful streets and visit some fantastic shops and artisans. Surrounded by lush landscapes, including the iconic Croagh Patrick looming in the distance, this will be your home for the next two nights.
Overnight: Westport | The Wyatt
Room Type: x1 classic room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 11 - Monday 19th August - Achill Island
This morning, an expert local guide will meet you in the lobby of your hotel and together you will leave the world behind as you head off to Achill Island for a day of exploration. Achill is the largest island in the country and encompasses dramatic land and seascapes which have provided inspiration for artists and writers for many years. There are many looped walks on the island and you can chat with your guide which one suits you best. Hike to the soothing melody of crashing waves before grabbing lunch at a local, cosy pub.
Overnight: Westport | The Wyatt
Room Type: x1 classic double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 12 - Tuesday 20th August - Connemara Shellfish Farm
Leaving Westport behind this morning its time to make your way into the wild and rugged landscape of Connemara. The hills and mountains of Connemara are defined by the ocean surrounding, and this is particularly evident at the beautiful Killary Fjord. This morning you will visit a family run shellfish farm where you can head out onto the fjord, lift a string of mussels for hauling and harvesting and understand the lifecycle of these delicious shellfish. Your accommodation this evening, Ballynahinch Castle is one of Ireland’s finest luxury castle hotels, set in a private 700 acre estate of woodland, rivers and walks in the heart of Connemara, Co. Galway. This authentic and unpretentious Castle Hotel stands proudly overlooking its famous salmon fishery, with a backdrop of the beautiful Twelve Bens Mountain range.
Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Castle
Room Type: x1 luxury room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 13 - Wednesday 21st August - Exploring Inishbofin with an Archaelogist
Explore the ancient mysteries of Connemara with a local archeologist who will bring the landscape, traditions and mythology of the region alive. Our route takes us to a hauntingly beautiful island where you’ll hear tales of pirates and invasions. Be sure to taste some of the spectacular local seafood in an idyllic island pub. This evening you’ll be back on the mainland and we recommend the short drive into Clifden to catch a live music session.
Overnight: Connemara | Ballynahinch Catle
Room Type: x1 luxury room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 14 - Thursday 22nd August - Galway City History Tour
Galway is the capital of Ireland’s west. Known as the ‘town of the tribes’ the small centre of cobblestone streets and colourful store fronts is vibrant, fun and cosmopolitan. A local military historian will meet you at the city’s main square this morning to guide you through the bustling alleys sharing Galway City’s important roles in the clash of the French, Spanish, Russian and British Empires from 1700 to 1922, including in Ireland’s revolution for independence. After your tour and time for a bit of shopping, leave the urban streets behind for the remote paradise of The Burren in County Clare and your 18th century manor house hotel.
Overnight: The Burren | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x1 classic double
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 15 - Friday 23rd August - The Burren National Park
The Burren’s rocky alien landscape is said to be the inspiration for Middle Earth in JRR Tolkien’s world-famous Lord of the Rings trilogy – and on your guided walk through this other-worldly region, it’s easy to see why! Home to a plethora of unique wildflowers and archaeological monuments, you will learn about the human history of the area dating back thousands of years and view the large expanses of limestone pavement the cover the region. Your guide will take you to a local tearoom for lunch followed by a visit to the adjoining Burren Perfumery where only natural and organic ingredients are used in production. It’s the oldest working perfumery in Ireland!
Overnight: The Burren | Gregans Castle
Room Type: x1 classic room
Meals Included: Breakfast
Day 16 - Saturday 24th August - Depart
This morning, check out of your hotel and make your way to Dublin airport. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we look forward to welcome you to our shores once again.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Trip Details
- Inclusions
-
- All accommodation from Day 1 to Day 16
- Breakfast each morning
- Car rental from Day 2 to Day 16 – intermediate automatic SUV (toll tag & navigation system included)
- Historical walking tour of Dublin
- Black Cab tour of Belfast
- Entry to the Titanic Museum
- Entry to Gobbins Cliff Path
- Traditional Sheep Farm Experience
- Historical walking tour of Derry
- Guided day in Sligo
- Guided day in Westport
- Oyster farm tour experience
- Guided tour with an Archaeologist on Inishbofin
- Ferry tickets to Inishbofin
- History tour of Galway City
- Guided walk in The Burrren National Park
- Personalised trip design and delivery
- 24 hour in-country support from the Wilderness Team
- Exclusions
-
- Flights
- Travel insurance
- Meals not mentioned in the inclusions
- Activities and entrance fees not mentioned in the inclusions
- Gratuities for guides and activity providers
- Notes
-
- All suggested accommodations and services are subject to availability at the time of booking
- A 25% deposit is required before any accommodation and services will be confirmed
- This quote is valid for 14 days from the date quoted, after this time pricing may be subject to revision
- Pricing
-
The cost of this trip is €9250 per person
- Terms & Conditions
-
Please see our booking terms here.
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