This is a nine day/eight-night tour of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s unexplored north, northeast, and northwest regions.  You will see and experience not only exciting and sophisticated cities and charming wee villages but also the unspoiled lush, green mountains and valleys Ireland is famous for. Here sheep, winding stone walls and small stone cottages abound. When we leave Dublin, we will be travelling on the stunning coast road on the Irish Sea and then later on the rugged and gorgeous coast road of the Atlantic Ocean. (The Wild Atlantic Way). We will stop often and enjoy pubs, jaw-dropping views, and real Irish characters we meet along the way. Although our tour is well planned we are always are open to spontaneity!

Dublin: Dublin is a modern, bustling city….the capital of Ireland. Our Dublin City tour includes gorgeous Victorian architecture, the Ha’ Penney Bridge, Grafton Street, Trinity College, Molly Malone statue, the Temple Bar area, Phoenix Park, St.Stephen’s Green , the River Liffey and much more!

Hotel in Dublin: Buswells Hotel. A smashing boutique hotel created from three Victorian Townhouses.  Service is excellent.  Location is perfect….close to everything!  

Belfast:  Despite its reputation of strife over the last 50 years, Belfast is a beautiful, modern city with many amenities sited on Belfast Harbour.  We will take a swing through the city and its outlying areas and you will be pleasantly surprised at its beauty. Many travelers often remark that Belfast feels more English than Irish. After all, Northern Ireland is a part of the United Kingdom and is not part of the Republic of Ireland. Here, as well as Derry, we will use the British pound as opposed to the Euro.

Hotel in Belfast: The Europa Hotel. One of the most famous hotels in Europe. The location is perfect for you to walk about town at night and explore. Our first venture out in Belfast will be to meet at the absolutely stunning Victorian pub, The Crown, across the street and down a wee bit!  

Derry:  Also known as Londonderry, this city located on the River Foyle. It is surrounded by a 17th c. high wall complete with original gates. The history of Derry is haunting and fascinating. This city is also well—known for fantastic pubs and eateries. And yes, it is the home of the popular “Derry Girls” you may have seen on line.           Hotel in Derry: The City Hotel. Located on the river Foyle. Excellent location for exploring, pub crawls and sightseeing. Boasts the only rooftop bar in Derry!  

Donegal:  County Donegal is a largely Irish-speaking region bordering the Atlantic Ocean in the northwest section of Ireland.  Donegal is known for its castles, rugged coastline, dense forests, lakes and boglands and mountains such as the beautiful Mount Errigal. Much of this region is untouched by development. You will see Ireland and its great beauty in its original untouched state…lush and green original state.

Hotel in Donegal is the Abbey Hotel. This hotel is renowned for its unique setting in the center of the Historic Town of Donegal…..perfectly located to enjoy the extraordinary beauty of stunning coastal drives, gorgeous beaches and the most beautiful seacliffs in Ireland. From here we join the famous Wild Atlantic Way with its breathtaking rugged coasts line.

Sligo:  Sligo is a lovely coastal seaport and the largest town in this region. From here we can visit Benbulben and Yeats Grave just for starters. Here, like Donegal, you will find that this area is lush, green and not as the Irish say, “spoilt” yet. We will enjoy seascapes you will not soon forget.

Hotel for Sligo is the Glasshouse. When we go to Sligo everyone says, “Stay at the Glasshouse. It has the best location.” The pubs here are very old and authentic and we are having one of our events in one of the oldest pubs we have ever been in. (Details to follow) 

Inclusions:

*Pick up & Drop off at Dublin Airport per Itinerary. If you arrive early/depart late….on own

*Eight Nights in some of Ireland’s and Northern Ireland’s greatest hotels

*Professional Irish Driver Guide

*Late Model Mercedes Sprinter

*Eight Full Irish Breakfasts

*Five Private City Tours via van

*Welcome Irish Coffee & Scone at the beautiful Slieve Donard        slievedonardhotel.com

*Hop On and Hop Off bus tour ticket in Dublin

*Two Musical Pub Crawls

*Whiskey Tasting

*Special Pub Events: p.e. The Crown and Shoot the Crows

*Two pub meals

*Grand Review:  The Merry Ploughboys. Award Winning Review of Irish Music:  Professional *Dancers, Musicians and Singers…..Plus a delicious dinner!

*AND MORE!  As of August 5, 2022 we are still negotiating a few venues!

*Check out:  The Crown in Belfast and Shoot the Crows in Sligo!

If you are interested please fill out registration and send in down payment asap. I have only room for 12 and there is great interest in this wonderful program!!!

NOT Included:  airfare, food and drinks not outlined in itinerary. Also and very important…If your driver does a good job please consider giving them a tip of 10 Euros per day per person as recommended by the Irish Drivers Association. You will marvel at how talented, knowledgeable and entertaining some of these drivers are. They are worth this and more!

Itinerary

September 6 - Leave your home state and fly overnight to Dublin Airport. Book an early morning arrival time. We will pick you up per itinerary.

September 7 – Meet in lobby at noon for a tour of the city via the fantastic Hop On Hop Off excursion bus. (2 and ½ to 3 hours).  After the tour we will enjoy a celebratory drink and a meet and greet event in our hotel or a nearby pub.. Now, its time to enjoy Dublin on your own…….. Hotel:  Buswells Hotel

September 8 & 9 – We start the day with a Full Irish Breakfast. Then its on to Belfast which is about a 2 hour drive if we don’t stop. However, we will make our first stop at the beautiful Slieve Denard in Newcastle located just steps from the Irish Sea for an Irish coffee and a scone. We will continue on with a tour of Belfast City including the historic wall murals , the Peace Wall, City Hall and the beautiful Belfast Harbour. We will spend a few hours at the awesome Titantic Exhibition…..and prowl through Belfasts sidewalk cafes, authentic Old World Pubs and highly rated restaurants.

Hotel is the Europa Hotel.

September 10 – Full Irish Breakfast.  We are going to see some of the most gorgeous scenery today as we drive north on the Antrim Coast.  Our day will include:  the Giants Causeway, the Dark Hedges, stunning wee seaport villages, Dunluce Castle and a great deal more along the way. The drive from Belfast to Derry is reputed to be one of the most beautiful road trips in the world. Hotel is the City Hotel in Derry.

September 11 & 12 -  Full Irish Breakfast. For the next two days we are going to be treated to spectacular scenery that most tourists do not get the chance to enjoy including:  Rosses Point, Gleniff Horseshoe Valley, Glencar Waterfall,  Carrowkeel, , Inishowen Peninsula and Knocknarea and much more.  Hotel is the Abbey Hotel in Donegal.

September 13 - Full Irish Breakfast. One of the most awesome sights we will see today is Yeats’ grave in the Drumcliffe graveyard in the shadow of Benbulben. We will makes stops at Sligo Abbey, Mullaghmore, Carrowmoor Abbey, Cliffoney, Knocknarea and follow the gorgeous shoreline of Lough Gill. Hotel is The Glass House. 

September 14 – Full Irish Breakfast. Today we leave for Dublin. When we reach Dublin you will have a full day to explore, have lunch, visit Trinity College or shop. We will meet at 5:30 in the lobby for transport to our Dinner Musical Review at The Merry Ploughboys. This will take all night. Buswells

September 15 – Early morning shuttle to Dublin Airport. IF would like fly into Dublin early or leave later than the 15th call or email me Thanks.