Great Expeditions
tel: Office: +353 (0) 91 457 898 Out of Office: +353 8737223
Enna Family - Northern Ireland Adventure
Kathleen, Peter & Parker
Tuesday 18th June – Monday 24th June 2024
Tuesday 18th June – Monday 24th June 2024
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. Travel along Ireland’s Causeway Coast, rated the top region to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet. Take in some of our famous historic sites and highlights while at the same time exploring more off-the-beaten-path locations and stunning landscapes. 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.
Arriving into Dublin airport today you will be met at arrivals and transferred to your hotel for the night. Dublin is yours to explore today. Take a stroll around lush St. Stephen’s Green, visit the GPO located on O’Connell Street and the site of the ‘1916 Uprising’ that led to Ireland’s independence in 1922. Explore the National Museum of Ireland, where archaeology awaits and you can discover Ireland’s archaeological treasures. Dublin is known for its rich history, literary heritage and friendly atmosphere and we have plenty of suggestions for some must see places.
Booking ref: 109084
Overnight: Dublin | Drury Court Hotel
Room Type: Triple
Meals Included: None
Travel Date: June 17, 2024 Departure Airport: Denver | Departure Time: 20:00
Arrival Airport: Dublin | Arrival Time: 11:45
Supplier: Dublin Chauffeurs
Pick Up Location: Arrivals Hall, Dublin Airport | Pick Up Time: 12:00 | Approx Duration: 0.5 hrs
Phone: +353 (0)87 233 8396
Justin or one of his drivers will meet you in the arrivals hall, he will have an iPad with your name on it. Please do not be alarmed if you are late, he will monitor your flight.
EPIC Museum You won’t find leprechauns or pots of gold here, but you will discover that what it means to be Irish expands far beyond the borders of Ireland through the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world.
Kilmainham Gaol For over 100 years Kilmainham Gaol held thousands of men, women and children for crimes that ranged from minor offences to being involved in some of the most momentous events in Irish history.
Dublin Castle Constructed in the early thirteenth century on the site of a Viking settlement, Dublin Castle served for centuries as the headquarters of English, and later British, administration in Ireland.
National Gallery of Ireland At the corner of Merrion Square West and Clare Street, the recently renovated National Gallery is a treasure trove of permanent and temporary art exhibitions. Highlights include Ireland’s National Portrait Collection, the Yeats Archive and stained glass by Harry Clarke.
St. Patrick’s Cathedral As the largest cathedral and one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Ireland, Saint Patrick’s has been at the heart of Dublin and Ireland’s history and culture for over 800 years.
Dublinia See Dublin from a new perspective as you travel back to the heart of the old city at Christchurch. Walk where Vikings walked, find out about Dublin’s rich past and even climb an original Medieval tower.
14 Henrietta Street When you enter 14 Henrietta Street you’ll experience over 300 years of city life in the walls of one address. By connecting to the personal stories of those who called 14 Henrietta Street home, the building’s hidden histories are revealed. See the house, hear its stories and discover the layers of Dublin history within its walls.
The GPO The GPO Museum is an immersive, interactive and engaging experience telling the story of the 1916 Easter Rising and Modern Irish History.
The Jeanie Johnston One million Irish people fled Ireland during the famine. 2,500 took a gruelling voyage on the Jeanie Johnston. Take a journey back in time, get an insight into life on board a Famine ship and hear the stories of the people who made the arduous voyage.
Marsh’s Library Marsh’s Library is a beautifully preserved library of the early Enlightenment. It was built with money provided by Archbishop Narcissus Marsh, an academic and book lover with a strong belief in the public utility of education and learning.
We recommend Matt The Thresher, The Winding Stair, or Sole Seafood & Grill. We are happy to make reservations for you in advance.
From Dublin to Belfast, we go today. You’ll make your way to Crumlin Road Gaol, which dates back to 1845 and closed its doors as a working prison in 1996. You’ll take a self-guided tour to learn the history of the site from when women and children were held within its walls through to the political segregation of Republican and loyalist prisoners and learn about why the decision was taken to close the prison. This evening, check into your boutique, centrally located accommodation before ending the evening with a hearty meal.
Booking ref: 049936
Overnight: Belfast | The Malone
Room Type: Triple
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drury Court Hotel to The Malone via Crumlin Road Gaol: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WzZsEHHGVauNe7bo8
Activity: Crumlin Road Gaol
Start Location: 53-55 Crumlin Road | Start Time: 15:00 | Approx Duration: 2 hrs
Phone: 028 9074 1500 | Website: https://www.crumlinroadgaol.com/
Your tickets are attached below.
We recommend The Pantry at Dolly’s, located nearby Bru Na Boinne. Driving route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WMMWi9wRJJ5JTgf88
Paddy Campbell’s Black Cab Tour Explore the political aspect history of Belfast throughout The Troubles in the 1960s until the present day and the conflict between the two communities, featuring prominent sites along the Falls and Shankill roads, the Peaceline- or Belfast’s own “Berlin Wall”.
Crumlin Road Gaol Discover over 150 years of history and follow in the footsteps of over 25,000 prisoners as you make the journey through Northern Ireland’s only remaining Victorian Era prison.
We recommend The Ginger Bistro, The Muddler’s Club or Deane’s at the Queens.
A region that once inspired CS Lewis’ Narnia series, the Mourne Mountains are rightly called a mystical place. Meet a local hiking guide to explore the wild region’s peaks and valleys, including the strange Mourne Wall, a 22 mile long wall crossing over a dozen hills and mountains and enclosing vast tracts of remote land. In the evening, perhaps get a taste of Belfast’s well-deserved reputation as a foodie destination!
Overnight: Belfast | The Malone
Room Type: Triple
Meals Included: Breakfast
Driving Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/FP6y7iqARpksfh446
Activity: Guided Hiking in the Mournes
Guide: Jerome
Start Location: Donard car Park in Newcastle -5 Donard Park, Newcastle BT33 0HL, United Kingdom | Start Time: 10:00 | Approx Duration: 5 hrs
Phone: +44 7592 208716
Please take a packed lunch with you. Cafe Melrose is located right by your hotel. Please wear appropriate walking attire and a waterproof jacket if needed.
Your hotel has a restaurant onsite that you can dine at this evening. Alternatively, try Home Belfast or Mourne Seafood Bar.
Today, tackle one of the most dramatic hikes in Europe, the Gobbins Path. Originally opened in 1902, it was later abandoned in the 1960s until it’s rebirth in 2015. The Gobbins Path experience takes you along a narrow path hugging the dramatic cliff face, across spectacular bridges amid the swirling waves of the North Channel. Traverse hidden tunnels under the Irish Sea, climb rugged staircases carved into the cliff face and duck into caves once home to smugglers and privateers. Afterwards, follow a stunning coastal route – the “secret” way to visit the Giant’s Causeway! Admire castle ruins, dramatic cliffs, stunning beaches and picturesque harbours and even visit a few places that inspired and appeared on HBO’s Game of Thrones. The grand finale is at the spectacular Giant’s Causeway – octagonal columns of rocks created by feuding giants or volcanic activity – myth or science, you decide!
Booking ref: 47084
Overnight: Bushmills | The Causeway Hotel
Room Type: Triple
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activity: Gobbins Cliff Path
Start Location: The Gobbins Visitor Centre, Middle Road, Islandmagee BT40 3SL | Start Time: 10:40 | Approx Duration: 3 hrs
Booking Reference: 443298351
Phone: +44 (0)28 9337 2318
Tickets attached. Please wear appropriate walking attire and a waterproof jacket if needed. You can hire footwear on-site if needed. We recommend grabbing lunch at the visitor centre. Afterwards, stop at The Rinkha – a local, family-owned shop, ice cream parlour and toy store that is celebrating more than 70 years of providing the community with all their grocery, hardware, ice cream and toy needs.
Driving Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/CfLZtc14DvZ6P1oF9
Note: This route contains some scenic stops, remove as necessary.
We recommend dining at your accommodation after a long day of driving.
Today, time to don the waterproofs as you’ll explore the magical Causeway Coast on a kayaking expedition. Brilliant for the whole family, your adventure will be tailored to suit everyone depending on ability, weather and tides. Experience the beauty, heritage and history of Northern Ireland from a totally unique perspective, while learning about the wonderful myths and legends that the beautiful coastline holds.
Overnight: Bushmills | The Causeway Hotel
Room Type: Triple
Meals Included: Breakfast
Activity: Guided Kayaking Tour
Guide: Chris & Barry
Start Location: Ballintoy Harbour Ballintoy, Co Antrim | Start Time: 11:00 | Approx Duration: 2 hrs
Booking Reference: #208735663
Phone: +44 (0)78 954 44237
Please wear appropriate clothing and bring a spare pair of clothes.
Driving Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/KgGXsaPXFCqeJnbs7
Dunluce Castle Once inhabited by both the feuding McQuillan and MacDonnell clans, the present castle ruins date mainly from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge The famous rope bridge was erected by a salmon fisherman in 1755.
Old Bushmills Distillery See what it takes to produce a whiskey that has stood the test of time to create some of the finest Irish whiskies in the world.
Driving Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/w7xFJttRgpDXx4qY7
We recommend Tartine’s.
Belfast is intrinsically linked to the story of the Titanic as her birthplace and this afternoon you will tour the Titanic Museum, the Harland and Wolff Slipway and the SS Nomadic, the last remaining White Star Line vessel in the world. Immerse yourself in Titanic history and her ill fated maiden voyage. We recommend exploring Belfast this afternoon, the political murals of the Falls and the Shankill areas of Belfast tell their own graphic story of what has been called “The Troubles” in Ireland’s recent history. See the infamous Peace Wall, built to keep Nationalists and Loyalists apart and in the process divided the two communities.
Booking ref: 049937
Overnight: Belfast | The Malone
Room Type: Triple
Meals Included: Breakfast
Driving Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/WJfVH8SffAjeRS968
Activity: Titanic Belfast
Start Location: 1 Olympic Way Queen's Road Titanic Quarter | Start Time: 11:00
Booking Reference: 060ML827P440
Phone: +44 (0)28 9076 6399 | Website: https://www.titanicbelfast.com/
Please find your tickets attached.
Driving Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HbyyUveqKxuzQ4GF8
Try TradeMarket or Ryan’s Bar.
Ulster Museum & Botanic Gardens With something for everyone, from art lovers to Game of Thrones fans, the Ulster Museum houses collections from across Ireland and the globe – and it’s free! Belfast’s Botanic Gardens is a 28-acre public park on the grounds of the Ulster Museum. It includes the Victorian-era Palm House, containing many varieties of trees and palms.
Game of Thrones Studio Tour Located 30 minutes from Belfast city, journey behind the cameras and discover the secrets that made HBO’s Game of Thrones the world’s most successful TV series.
HMS Caroline Based in Belfast’s famous Titanic Quarter, HMS Caroline is a remarkable First World War ship now restored as a must-see floating museum with an amazing story to tell!
The Dome at Victoria Square Rising high above the city’s skyline, the Dome at Victoria Square boasts 360 degree views across Belfast.
We recommend Stix & Stones or The Great Room Restaurant.
This morning, drop your rental car to Belfast City Airport and prepare for your journey home. We hope your time in Ireland has been memorable and we welcome the chance to have you come stay with us once more.
Meals Included: Breakfast
Driving Route: https://maps.app.goo.gl/1m6VUjgscSWQqU476
Tuesday 18th June – Monday 24th June 2024
