Ireland tour Vol 3

 

Day 1

Dublin
Arrival at the airport and transfer to hotel.

 

Day 2

Dublin
Start the day tour from Dublin’s main street, O’Connell Street, and many Dublin icons such as the General Post Office, Henry Street shopping district, the early 18th century St Mary’s Church, the Italian Quarter, the River Liffey, the Ha’penny Bridge, Temple Bar,  St Patrick's Cathedral, Rathfarnham Castle and Kilakee House, City Hall, Dublin Castle and the 18th century former Houses of Parliament before going inside Trinity College campus. 

 

Day 3

Dublin – Hill of Tara (44km/50min) – Meath (17km/25min)
Drive north to visit Hill of Tara – it contains a number of ancient monuments, and, according to tradition, was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. Explore the significance of this sacred site and also visit Teltown with its famous Ring Fort - fort of great importance to the Celts. Continue to Hill of Tailte, home of the original Tailteann Games which were steeped in rituals and symbolism. Overnight in Meath.

 

Day 4

Meath – Louth (50km/45min) – Belfast (99km/1h20min)
Continue to Louth known as the “Land of Legends”. The town was supposedly the  place of the birth and death of the legendary hero Cuchulainn. In  Irish mythology he was the champion warrior of Ulster. Afterwards travel to the city of Armagh, an ancient seat of the High Kings of the Kingdom of Ulaid. Stop to visit Navan Fort where you will learn of its history and mythology. Continue to Belfast for an overnight.

 

Day 5

Belfast 
The day is free to explore the magical city of Belfast. The residents of Belfast are renowned as being  the most hospitable in the world. See the City Hall, Crumlin Road Jail,  Saint Anne's Cathedral. You can also have a tour to Belfast Castle which dates from 1870 and was restored in 1988. It is situated on Cave Hill and has good views of the city and coast. Overnight.

 

Day 6

Belfast – Donegal (186km/3h20min)
Today head north and have a scenic drive along the North Antrim coast and through the mystical Glens of Antrim, home of many fairytales. Visit the Giant`s Causeways - an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption and learn the legend of Finn McCool. It says that the Irish warrior Finn McCool built the causeway to walk to Scotland. The Giant Causeways are the most popular tourist destination in Northern Ireland. Visit the Dunluce Castle that dominates the landscape and tells a tragic tale of love, death and fairies. Here you will discover the tale of the Banshee of Dulunce. Overnight in Donegal. 

 

Day 7

Donegal – Sligo (65km/1h20min)
Today explore the ancient kingdom of the mystical Tuatha de Danann and visit the site of their ancient seat at the Crianan of Aileache Fort. Continue to Sligo – “The land of Hearts desire”. Here see the beautiful Ben Bulden and learn about the legend of Diarmuid and Grainne. In the afternoon visit Lough Gill and hear the myth of how it really got its name. Continue to Enniscrone to see O`Dowd`s Castle where you`ll learn about the Mermaid who once reigned as Queen. Overnight in Sligo.

 

Day 8

Sligo – Roscommon (84km/1h20min) – Dublin (154km/3h)
Travel to Roscommon to visit the Cruachan ai Visitor Center and learn of the mysticism surrounding the many monuments here. In the afternoon visit Carrowkeel Megalithic Cemetery, one of the oldest burial chambers in the world and the site of the mythical Battle of Moytura. Here have a guided tour to find out the history and mythology of this stunning place. Return to Dublin. Overnight. 

 

Day 9

Dublin
Transfer to the airport for a final departure.