After many requests for a tour to the north coast of Ireland, we have put together this two centre tour which enjoys four-star accommodation in Belfast and Donegal. In the capital of Northern Ireland we take a city tour to explore the best of the sights, and from the market town of Donegal we travel into the Glenveagh National Park, deep into the heart of Daniel O’Donnell Country. Joining our two centres is a scenic drive along the stunning Antrim Coast with, of course, a chance to see the Giant’s Causeway.

ITINERARY

Day 1 After enjoying our door to door service, you join the coach and we make our way northwards to the area of Carlisle for our overnight stop.

Day 2 Departing after breakfast we travel across the border into Scotland and through Dumfries and Galloway. Our ferry departs early afternoon from Stranraer and we arrive in Belfast at around 5pm. From here we travel the short distance to the Stormont Hotel for a two-night stay.

Day 3 This morning we have an included half-day guided city tour by open top bus. We explore all four quarters of the city including Queen’s University, City Hall, the political murals in the west and the Titanic Shipyards in the east. We will be dropped in the centre for free time for lunch and your own exploration of this popular waterfront city. Visit the excellent Botanic Garden, one of the superb museums or art galleries, or take advantage of the shopping opportunities around the central Donegall Square.

Day 4 We say goodbye to Belfast and travel up to the Antrim Coast Road for a truly remarkable ocean drive, with unspoilt views of the Irish Sea and the Glens of Antrim. This area is renowned for its dramatic cliffs, wide sandy beaches, pretty villages and clifftop castles. We visit the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its unique volcanic stone pillars. We then drop away from the coast and into County Donegal, to the Mill Park Hotel for a three-night stay. During our time here, there will be one night of entertainment at the hotel.

Day 5 Today is free to enjoy Donegal Town – the ‘Fort of the Foreigners’, with its castle, abbey ruins and many local craft shops. Donegal Castle is on the banks of the River Eske in the centre, and the town is attractively set at the head of the glorious Donegal Bay. There may be a possibility of a boat trip in the afternoon (not included).

Day 6 Today we have a full day guided excursion into County Donegal, starting with the wide sweep of Donegal Bay. We then enter the Glenveagh National Park, a lake-filled valley overlooked by the Derryveagh Mountains. We pass the lakeside castle of Glenveagh, built in 1870 and designed as Balmoral in miniature. We continue up to the north-west coast, an official Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) region with proud cultural traditions, and the birthplace of the Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell.

Day 7 Leaving Donegal after breakfast we make our way through the beautiful Fermanagh Lakelands along the shores of Lower Lough Erne to Enniskillen, where we have a short stop at the castle. From here we travel down to Dublin and our overnight hotel.

Day 8 An early start is needed to take our morning ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, and breakfast will be taken on board. Once we arrive in England, we travel via the motorways to the local area, making suitable comfort stops along the way, and arriving in the evening to meet our taxis.