Northern Ireland Adventure - 5 day tour

Belfast - Giant's Causeway - Portrush. Departing Belfast, we head north along the Causeway Coastal Route towards Carrickfergus, boasting one of Northern Ireland's best preserved Norman castles. Admire craggy cliffs, majestic ruined castles and beautiful scenery en-route. We’ll pause here briefly to capture some stunning photos of this impressive fortress before continuing our adventure to the breath-taking Glenariff Forest Park. This region of Northern Ireland is so breathtakingly beautiful that it has been designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The winding roads that lead here certainly add to its charm, making it feel like a hidden gem off the beaten path.

The next stop is Forest Park, with chance to indulge in some tea or coffee, or take a trip to the near-by waterfall. We continue our adventure north, navigating the exhilarating path to Torr Head. Along the way, make sure to keep an eye out for the magnificent view across the sea to Scotland, where the rugged Mull of Kintyre emerges on the horizon. The vista here is truly unforgettable. Once we reach the top of Northern Ireland, we visit Ballycastle for lunch and some free time.

We continue onwards towards Portrush. The highlight of this coastal drive is the magnificent Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO-listed geological formation where history, myth, and the sheer power of geology converge in a spectacular display. Marvel at this highlight of Northern Ireland before we continue to Bushmills Distillery for an optional tasting of their famous whiskey. We also make a quick photo stop at Dunluce Castle.

We arrive in the charming town of Portrush in the late afternoon. The rest of today is at leisure.

Please note: Pick up point for this tour is at 8:45 on day 1 (tour departs at 09:00) - Belfast Pick-Up, Donegall Square West, Belfast, BT1 6JH

Accommodation: Mandalay B&B, Aranmore Lodge or similar
Overnight: Portrush

Portrush - Derry - Dunree - Donegal. Departing Portrush, we head to Derry (Londonderry). The city teems with history, from its remarkably well-preserved historic walls to the poignant murals that commemorate its troubled past. With some free time on our hands, we have the option to independently explore Derry or join a guided walking tour.

After that, we re-join the coastline, stopping at the picturesque Dunree Head. The journey there involves a winding, clifftop road that offers breath-taking views. Upon reaching Dunree Head, we can overlook Dunree Beach and Lough Swilly, extending the gaze to the Fanad Peninsula. History enthusiasts will also find the Dunree Fort military museum fascinating to explore.

From this point, we'll journey through Mamore Gap, renowned as one of Ireland’s most picturesque routes. We pause for a moment to capture the stunning views from this famous vantage point. Our expedition then leads us to Donegal Town, where we will stay for the next two nights. Along the way, we’ll take additional breaks to explore, based on the weather and the group's preferences, before settling in for a well-earned rest.

Accommodation: Eske Villa, Railway Lodge or similar.
Overnight: Donegal  |  Breakfast

Donegal - Bungbeg - Donegal. Today, we venture along the Wild Atlantic Way, a remarkable 1,600-mile coastal trail that ranks as one of the longest in the world, running the entire span of Ireland’s west coast. As we travel to Bunbeg, we'll make several stops to explore, with our itinerary adaptable to the weather and your specific interests, ensuring a memorable journey through this breath-taking landscape. We make our lunch stop in Gaeltacht town, where the Irish language is predominent.

Next, we continue along the Wild Atlantic Way, stopping at various points that offer stunning vistas of the rugged coastline and nearby islands. The journey then takes us through the awe-inspiring Glenveagh National Park. Here, we’ll disembark to allow time to fully experience the park’s splendour, including the craggy Derryveagh Mountains, the majestic Glenveagh Castle, and the stunning Glenveagh Valley. There's many walking routes here, or we can explore the castle accessed by a shuttle bus. We then head back to Donegal for the night.

Accommodation: Eske Villa, Railway Lodge or similar
Overnight: Donegal  |  Breakfast

Donegal - Enniskillen. Today we explore more of the Wild Atlantic Way coastal route. We start with a visit to the Slieve League Cliffs, which tower 600 metres above the ocean (some of the highest in Europe).

Passing through the Gaelic-speaking communities of rural Ireland, we drive through the striking mountain pass at Glengesh to Ardara, a scenic village where we stop for lunch.

Heading back to the coast, we make our way to Eniskillen to spend the night. We plan to arrive in the late afternoon, allowing some time to explore this vibrant, charming town. Situated on a small island in Lough Erne, Enniskillen boasts a picturesque setting, making it a perfect and idyllic stopover.

Accommodation: Westville Hotel or similar.
Overnight: Enniskillen  |  Breakfast