10
Day
Irish Rover
Telephone Booking Reference BAC PW 10DA
One of the world’s greatest experiences! Belfast, Giants Causeway, Historic Derry, Donegal, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Ring of Kerry, Dingle, Blarney Castle and loads more besides. The finest Guides Mother Ireland ever produced! Includes all accommodation, breakfasts and entrance fees.
Day 1: Dublin – Slane (U2) – Monasterboice (Celtic Crosses) – Battle of the Boyne site (1690) - South Armagh Border crossing – Belfast
We begin our adventures together in our bustling, proud capital city of Dublin. The excitement builds as we drive northwards firstly to Slane Castle, Irelands idyllic and premier concert venue on the Banks of the Boyne. The private Castle is regarded as U2’s spiritual home. Pause at the slaughterfields of the Battle of the Boyne (1690), hear how the Irish Jacobite cause was crushed and William of Orange became the inspiration for Northern Ireland’s ‘marching season’. View the decapitated head of St. Oliver Plunkett (1681) in Drogheda Cathedral, an appetiser before lunch! Celtic crosses in Monasterboice. Cross the border at Newry, viewing the British military fortifications in the mystical mountains of South Armagh.. Then it’s on to intriguing and beautiful Belfast, birthplace of the Titanic and once the second richest city in the British Empire. An unrivalled overnight stay in the most fascinating stop on Europe’s Backpacker circuit!
Day 2: Belfast – Glens of Antrim – Ballycastle – Carrick a rede Rope Bridge (seasonal) – Dunluce Castle - Giants Causeway – Walled City of Derry
One of the greatest touring Days in the world!! We then present you with a contrast extraordinaire. One hour from the division of Belfast lie the 9 Great, glorious Glens of Antrim – ‘Switzerland in Miniature’, Ballycastle for some Dulce and Yellow Man? (Ask your driver!), the Carrick a rede Rope bridge (summer only) and the 8th wonder of the world … the Giants Causeway. With Bonnie Scotland visible 12 miles away, Golden sandy beaches, palm trees, crystal clear water, you’ll melt at the beauty of our North Coast! Stop for photos at the haunting clifftop fortress of Dunluce Castle. Then to Irelands most Historic City, lovely Derry (546AD). We stay in a listed Georgian Townhouse (1813). Derry or Londonderry is renowned for the physical beauty, musical talent and friendliness of its citizens! Legendary nightlife. Happy Days, Happy Nights!!
Day 3: Discover Derry and Half Day tour of rugged Donegal
Our day begins with the award-winning ‘Essential Walking Tour of Historic Derry’ around the glorious, fully intact 16th Century walls (1613). Walk the only complete city walls in Ireland, history buffs will be in heaven! Visit the bogside, scene of the Bloody Sunday tragedy (1972) and marvel at the tumultuous history of this picturesque city. After lunch we take a leisurely drive to Malin Head, Irelands most Northerly point. Lots of time off the bus to hike around in the Highlands of Ireland. Look back over the entire Northern Province of Ulster from the lofty heights of Grianan Fort (500 BC), ancient coronation site of the gallant O’Neill Clan. Tonight why not try out the Irish folk songs you’ve learned on the Paddywagon, at a music session in Peadar O’Donnells traditional bar? Our last night in the North, tomorrow the West awaits!
Day 4: Derry – Donegal - Bundoran (surfing) – Creevykeel Court Cairn – WB Yeat’s Grave – Sligo – Westport.
As the mist rolls in from Donegal Bay, we set off for the North West. Enchanting Donegal is the home of World Star Enya and her music reflects the haunting landscape of Irelands most remote county. We visit seaside Bundoran, a holiday mecca (yes world championships!) for Northern Irish families. The town will host the World surfing championships in 2004 (yes world championships!) We immerse ourselves in ancient history at the pagan burial tomb of Creevykeel Court Cairn. Your guide will wax lyrical at the grave of our National poet, WB Yeats, in the foot of Ben Bulben Mountain. We take in Ballyshannon, Sligo (home of Westlife!), and beautiful Mayo as we head for the lively, enchanting town of Westport. You may consider taking a massively popular traditional seaweed Bath (optional) at glorious Strandhill. We stay tonight in the heartland of Irish music and dancing. Be sure to check out Matt Molloy’s world famous pub!
Day 5: Westport – Croagh Patrick – Doolough FamineWalk – Leenan – Killary Harbour – Connemara National Park – Kylemore Abbey scenic stop – Galway.
Today we follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick. Hopefully most of us will climb (weather permitting) the 2,500 ft high mountain – Croagh Patrick, one of the worlds 7 holy mountains. The reward is a truly spiritual experience, with unrivalled views over the West of Ireland and the site where the Great Patrick banished snakes from our beautiful Island forever in the 5th century. We make a poignant stop at the Black Lake/Doolough, where many perished during our great famine of 1845-49. Depending on the agility of our morning mountain-climbers we may choose to visit Leenan, where the oscar winning ‘The Field’ was filmed with Tom Berenger at the bottom of Killary Harbour, Irelands only fjiord. This drive takes us through Connemara National Park, Europe’s last real wilderness, the silence is awesome. We may see Golden eagles or wild Irish wolfhounds, the world’s largest dog on our way to Kylemore Abbey for a scenic photo stop. This evening we stay in Galway, the city of the tribes. Gaelic Galway - Irelands most hip, most historic medieval Party City.
Day 6: Galway Bay – The Burren – Cliffs of Moher – Lahinch – Shannon Ferry - Dingle
Take the morning to view Galways Spanish quarter. We believe you’ll be in love with southern Ireland also by now but the best is still to come. Scenic stops galore including Ballyvaughan to view Dunguaire Castle and the Dark Galway ‘Hookers’ (ask your driver!). Then into musical county Clare, home to the famine walls, the mind-blowing 750ft high Cliffs of Moher (a lifetime highlight for many people) and the mystical 200 million year old Burren area – an archeological, botanical and geological wonderland. Lunch at the surfing town of Lahinch or in quaint Doolin, home of Irish trad music. You’ve now entered the idyllic province of Munster, we hope youll be as privileged to be here as we are to be bringing you! Once across the River Shannon (Europe’s largest Dolphin sanctuary) by ferry, we are in the Kingdom of Kerry, for an amazing 3 nights in Irelands most outstanding area of natural beauty! Overnight in cute and lovable Dingle, you can relax on the pier with the fishermen, take an Oceanside hike, swim with Fungi the Dolphin, or take an optional Horse riding excursion. Our Hostel tonight is old world Ballintaggart House, the haunted one you’ve read about in Guidebooks! Less than 1% of our people had a supernatural experience here, 50% wish they had!! But a super experience will be had by all…. To be sure, to be sure!
Day 7: Dingle – Slea Head – Sleeping Giant Island – Blasket Islands – Fungi the Dolphin – Oceanside Hike – Killarney
The Ring of Kerry and Dingle are two of the worlds most famous coastal drives. We drive out to Slea Head. Walk the beaches featured in Far & Away & Ryan’s Daughter, be astounded at Sleeping Giant Island (see brochure) and speak beautiful lyrical Irish Gaelic with the locals this celtic paradise. After our half day touring this archaeological wonderland we venture into the deep south West. A brilliant two-night stay in Killarney, nestling beneath the often snow-capped Kerry mountains! Killarney has it all, lakes, Castles, National Park, Live music, Irish Dancing, unforgettable memories!!
Day 8: Killarney – Ring of Kerry & Gap of Dunloe – Killarney National Park & Torc Waterfalls – Killarney.
After a traditional horse and carriage ride (optional) through the National Park, sit back and enjoy another relaxing day tour. No packing necessary! Today we concentrate a full day on the most wonderful scenic drive in Western Europe – The Ring of Kerry! Your guide will enchant you with the legends and stories of the Kingdom of Kerry as you cruise through this emerald paradise. Hike up the Gap of Dunloe, storm the peninsula’s pre-historic Celtic stone fortresses, and visit Muckross House Gardens and Torc Waterfalls, this evening return to Killarney for a lively night of social intercourse with the people of Kerry!
Day 9: Killarney –- Cork – Blarney Castle – Rock of Cashel - Dublin
Alas we say Slan (farewell) to Killarney, the jewel in Irelands Tourism crown. Then to Cork, the Republic of Ireland’s charming second city on the banks of the Lee. Visit the world famous Blarney Castle, to kiss the Blarney stone… 7 years of eloquent speech will be your magical reward. Never once taken by an enemy, the castle was built by the MacCarthy Clan in the 12th Century and is well worth exploring. Stroll the castle Park, maybe buy some gifts in Blarney Woolen Mills, souvenir mecca! Next stop Rock Of Cashel, Irelands equivalent of Ayers Rock with a majestic 12th Century Cathedral/Palace on top. After a guided tour and audio visual of the site we take the ancient Munster highway into County Kilkenny.We view the plethora of 12th century Norman castles as we dive through the curragh of Kildare, Mel Gibsons choice for the Braveheart Battle scenes! Tonight we stay in downtown Dublin, going out together in the Temple Bar to celebrate our adventures which sadly end tomorrow.
Day 10: Dublin Tour – Guinness Brewery – Bono’s House - Glendalough – Wicklow Mountains - Dublin
What a wonderful climax to 10 days of non-stop, craic-filled happy days! After breakfast we’ll embark on a tour of Dublin city centre by coach, including the Phoenix Park (worlds largest urban park). See Georgian Dublin, the GPO (Easter rebellion 1916) and Croke Park, our National Gaelic Football and Hurling stadium and much, much more. Out we go to the affluent clifftop suburb of Killiney, home to all the stars of the Celtic Tiger Republic, Bono, Van Morrison, Enya, Formula 1’s Eddie Irvine! Then take the short drive out to Glendalough in the Wicklow mountains to visit the monastic city of St. Kevin, hear of Irelands Golden Age (5th – 9th Century AD) and take memorable group photos at the enchanting upper lake (Braveheart wedding scenes). The shortest driving day with loads of time off the bus to take photos and savour the athmosphere together. Then its back to Dublin to the most revered site of all - the Guinness Brewery, we take a tour of one of the world’s great visitor attractions. Here in this National shrine our adventures end until we have the honour or welcoming you back to our beloved Island once again. Go raibh mile maith agat, a thousand thank yous…… Happy Days!
