A Touch Of The North

Day 1 – Dublin	Arrive at Dublin airport. Transfer by awaiting coach to the city centre to discover something of the sights and sounds of this atmospheric city. Visit Trinity College to view the famous Book of Kells and St. Patrick's Cathedral which dates back to 1190 A.D. where Jonathon Swift, the author of Gullivers Travels, was once Dean. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.
Day 2 – Dublin / Monaghan	Morning excursion in the historic Boyne Valley, the ancient seat of Ireland’s High Kings. You will visit the Bru na Boinne Visitor's centre and the neolithic tombs of either Newgrange or Knowth. Next stop are the remains of the 6th century monastic settlement of Monasterboice. Continue via Ardee and Carrickmacross to Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. Visit Navan Fort, one of Europe's most important Celtic sites. Dinner and overnight in Monaghan.
Day 3 – Monaghan / Carrickfergus	Morning visit to Downpatrick Cathedral. Continue along the shores of Strangford Lough to Mount Stewart with a visit to the 18th century house with its magnificent gardens. On our way to Belfast we will pause at the Heritage Museum, one of its exhibitions focuses on the first World War. Later in Belfast we will enjoy a sightseeing tour of this old city. Highlights include the famous shipyards of Harland and Wolff where the ‘Titanic’ was built, Stormont Castle and the City Hall. Continue to Carrickfergus for dinner and overnight.
Day 4 – Carrickfergus / Derry	Visit of the historic town of Carrickfergus. Continue via Ballymena through the beautiful green Glens of Antrim to Cushendall where we will follow the coastal route to Ballycastle. We will see the famous Rope Bridge of Carrick-A-Rede before arriving at the Giant's Causway, one of the world's outstanding geological curiosities. Later, visit Olde Bushmills Distillery, the oldest ‘licensed’ distillery in the world. Continue along the coastal route to Derry, Ulster's second largest city for dinner and overnight in Derry.
Day 5 - Derry / Donegal	Derry is fondly known as the Maiden City as its walls have never been breached. Enjoy a walk along the famous walls and visit St. Columb's Cathedral and the red sandstone Guildhall. In the afternoon partake in a scenic tour of the adjoning Inis Eoghain peninsula in County Donegal, at whose tip is Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point. This area is well known for its traditional music and there will be a possibility to stop in a pub on the way back to have a listen in and have a drink. Dinner and overnight in Donegal.
Day 6 – Donegal Tour	We will travel through the dramatic Poisoned Glen to Bunbeg. Then, following the coastal route we will travel to Glencolumcille which lies in the heart of the Irish speaking area of South Donegal. It is named after St. Columcille who had his retreat house here and many relics remain from that time. The area is rich in monuments dating back to pre-Christian times. There are portal dolmens, souterrains and cairns from the Bronze Age. We will return to the hotel via the pretty village of Killybegs which is one of the most important deep sea fishing ports in Ireland. Dinner and overnight in Donegal.
Day 7 – Donegal / Dublin	On our way back to Dublin we will stop at Omagh to visit the Ulster American Folk Park, an outdoor museum which tells the story of emigration from Ulster to North America. Visitors can experience the dreadful living conditions on board a typical 19th century emigrant sailing ship. Continue your journey to Dublin where you shall have views of uninterrupted countryside enroute. Dinner and overnight in Dublin.
Day 8 – Departure	Onto Dublin airport for departure.