Ireland Sightseeing North Tour (7 Day Tour)

DAY 1: MEET AT DUBLIN AIRPORT, TRAVEL TO ANTRIM VIA HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE 

The first part of our journey will take us directly north from Dublin to the coast of County Antrim. We will stop on the way for a visit to Hillsborough the famous and historical village in County Down renowned for its beautiful castle and Georgian houses. We will make our way through the beautiful grounds of Hillsborough Castle and stop for lunch in the cafe.  For our first two nights we will stay at a lovely hotel with great views of the Antrim Coast. The Antrim Coast is an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and you will soon see for yourself how the title was earned. Before dinner there should be time for a short stroll along the Causeway Coast.

Overnight: Bushmills, County Antrim. Meals Included: Dinner.

DAY 2: VISIT THE  ANTRIM COAST AND THE GIANT’S CAUSEWAY

Our visit today will take us along the stunning Antrim coastline, highlighted by the world famous Giants Causeway. The Causeway consists of thousands of hexagonal black basalt columns. Sixty million years ago an undersea explosion resulted in this fascinating geological structure, and it is officially known as one of the great wonders of the Natural World. The views are spectacular and in fine weather, it is possible to see straight across to the coast of Scotland. We break for lunch and a visit to the Bushmills Distillery, the oldest legal distillery in the world. 

Overnight: Bushmills, County Antrim. Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner

DAY 3: A VISIT TO RATHLIN ISLAND

Today we take the ferry out to Rathlin Island: the only inhabited offshore island in Northern Ireland. Rathlin is only 15 miles from the Scottish coast at the Mull of Kintyre. We take a trip out to the West Lighthouse: famed for its bird life and home to tens of thousands of seabirds, including kittiwakes, guillemots, puffins and razorbills. Later can stroll down to Rue Point for a fine walk beside lakes and down to see the seals at the southern shore. We return later to the mainland and our guest house to relax and enjoy an excellent meal, perhaps with some locally caught seafood.

Overnight: Bushmills, County Antrim. Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 4: TRAVEL FROM ANTRIM TO DONEGAL. VISIT ARDS FOREST PARK

Setting out this morning, we visit today Ards Forest Park peninsula. This is one of the northernmost peninsulas of County Donegal. We can stroll to a magnificent beach visiting a variety of habitats, with interesting flora and fauna.  Open vistas will provide much wonderful hill and coastal scenery.  We will then make our way to our lovely accommodation in the coastal  village of Dunfanaghy

Overnight: Dunfanaghy, County Donegal. Meals Included: Breakfast and Dinner.

DAY 5: VISIT GLEBE GALLERY AND  GLENVEAGH NATIONAL PARK 

We start today with a visit to Glebe Gallery, the former home of artist Derek Hill.  Glebe House is in a beautiful setting beside Lough Gartan.  We will then make our way to  Glenveagh National Park with a lovely driving journey through the Derryveagh Mountains culminating with the fabulous landscaped gardens of Glenveagh Castle, beside Lough Beagh. On our way back we can stroll through the pretty seaside village of Dunfanaghy.

Overnight: Dunfanaghy, County Donegal. Meals Included: Breakfast

DAY 6: SHEEP DOG DEMONSTRATION, STROLL AT THE FOOT OF BENBULBEN,  SLIGO.

This morning we visit a sheep farm for a wonderful sheep dog demonstration with a family who have farmed the hills for generations.    We will then stroll at Gortarowey in the foothills of Benbulben.  Our final journey brings us to Strandhill, a few miles outside Sligo Town.

Overnight: Strandhill, County Sligo.  Meals included: Breakfast and Lunch.

DAY 7: RETURN TO DUBLIN VIA BUS FROM SLIGO TOWN

Last breakfast together and then you will be dropped off in Sligo town where you can take a bus direct to Dublin Airport 

Meals Included: Breakfast.