Explorer-X Journeys Northern Coast

Day 1 - Arrival in Dublin

Fáilte go hÉireann, welcome to Ireland

On arrival in Ireland, a private airport transfer will be waiting at Dublin Airport to take you the short distance to your city hotel.
Check in will not be available till later today unless you have opted to book a pre night however, fell free to store your luggage, freshen up, grab a bite to eat, and head out into Dublin’s vibrant streets to start exploring.

For an easy introduction to Dublin life, we recommend making your way through leafy St Stephens green to Trinity Collage and the Book of Kells. Tour the collage campus grounds with the onsite tour guide ( public) before making your way to the long Library for a self guided immersive Book of Kells Experience.

We have some great restaurants to recommend to you for this evening with everything from fine dining to pub grub catered for.

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Alex Hotel
Meals Included: None

Day 2 - Dublin's Fair City

Today you 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.

We simply cannot neglect to recommend you visit The Guinness Storehouse today for a tour and a pint in their sky lounge with commanding views over the capital below. Is it touristy, yes, is it iconic and a must do, yes! It’s one of the reason’s Ireland is so famous.

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Alex Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast

Day 3 - Irish Dancing in Co. Down

Meet your guide this morning and after some short introductions you’re off on your first adventure! The 1700s and 1800s saw the introduction of Dance Masters who travelled throughout Ireland to teach the centuries-old Irish dancing steps to the masses. Throughout rural communities, locals loved to socialise by dancing at the crossroads after a long day of gathering potatoes or saving hay. Today you’ll head to Downpatrick, the burial place of St. Patrick, and learn the origin and evolution of Irish dance, the shoes and costumes before trying it out for yourself! You’ll have a go at everything from the steps from traditional Sean Nós (old style Irish dance) to the iconic steps of Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. Afterwards, head to the crossroads at the historic Down Cathedral which overlooks the Mourne Mountains, spotting some historic attractions along the way before we make our way to Belfast this evening in time for check in and dinner.

Overnight: Belfast | The Merchant Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 4 - Black Cab Experience

Today you start your introduction to northern Ireland with a private Black Cab Experience.
Belfast has had a turbulent history and today you will  find out all about it – 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. Many stories of this time are now depicted through the murals dotted throughout the city, which are now recognised as political art.
Visit the peace walls snd other site of historical importance with your guide included the childhood home of C S Lewis.

Overnight: Belfast | The Merchant Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 5 - 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
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 6 - Traditional Sheep Farm

This morning you’ll visit Dunluce Castle, one of the most picturesque and romantic of Irish Castles. With evidence of settlement from the first millennium, the present castle ruins date mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries. It was inhabited by both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans. 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. The lambing season runs from mid-March until mid-April, so you may get lucky enough to meet a brand new baby lamb! Enjoy a relaxed dinner this evening back in town.

Overnight: Portrush | Blackrock House
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7 - Explore Derry

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. Join your private local tour guide for a tour of these famous walls and some of the stories they hold of Derry’s History form their 17th centry creation up to modern times and Derry’s history with the troubles.  Be sure to visit the Guildhall and Peace Bridge before leaving historic Derry.

Afterwards, make your way to your accommodation , 5 star LoughEske Castle in Donegal

Overnight: Donegal | Lough Eske Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 8 - Explore South Donegal

Spend some time today exploring south Donegal with your guide. A morning visit at the highest sea cliffs in Europe, these cliffs are Donegal’s hidden gems and three time higher than the Cliffs of Moher. You can opt for a gentle walk or a more strenuous hike with rewards of views from the top over the Atlantic and beyond. Now that you have worked up an appetite, head for some traditional fish and chips, al fresco, straight off the boat in a little harbour town. You can also avail of the shuttle to take you to the viewing point at the cliffs for that perfect picture moment.

Before rounding out the day meet a local weaver who learned his craft at the age of 16 and who’s traditional hand loom methods date back centuries before returning to your castle stay.

Overnight: Donegal | Lough Eske Castle
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 9 - Foraging the North West Shores

From Donegal, head south into Sligo, last resting place of W.B Yeats. Sligo is blessed with some stunning coastline and this morning you will explore Streedagh, with it’s miles long sandy beaches on the north Sligo coast. At low tide it’s the perfect opportunity to explore the rock pools and coves that flank the beach and you will be joined by local foraging expert and author Prannie Rhatigan who knows these shores inside and out.

Prannie is a world renowned expert on seaweed and her insight into the natural heritage of the Irish coast is unparalleled.  Keep an eye out from sand-feeding seabirds that flock along this stretch of coastline. This part of Ireland is dominated by the mighty Benbulben Mountain and an afternoon walk in its mighty shadows is a must before returning to Dublin where your journey began for your final night in Ireland.

Overnight: Dublin 2 | The Alex Hotel
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 10 - Depart

This morning, a private transfer will pick you up from the lobby of your hotel and drop you back to Dublin airport. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and look forward to welcoming you to our shores once again.

Meals Included: Breakfast