North by North West, Seven Day Tour

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A terrific small group 4×4 land rover tour tour that covers the northern half of the island of Ireland, including Northern Ireland, the north west counties of Donegal, Leitrim and Sligo and then the westerly Counties of Mayo, Galway and Clare. On the way the route includes other highlights such as Connemara, The Burren, the Cliffs of Moher and also travels home through Limerick. This a well balanced trip including all the scenery, activity, information and service that you would expect from a Vagabond tour.

Conquer your fear of heights on the Carrick-a-Rede Rope bridge

• Clamber over the cliff-top ruins of Dunluice Castle
• Take a Black cab tour of fascinating Belfast city
• Hill-walking amongst some of the most remote and stunning scenery in Ireland
• Try Surfing in the North and north-west
• Horse-riding on breath-taking endless beaches
• A walking tour of Londonderry/Derry city
• Explore the nine Glens of Antrim
• Walk in the Mourne Mountains
• Climb Knocknaree Mountain to Queen Maeve’s tomb
• Galway Bay’s Atlantic coastline
• Overnight in six picturesque locations in first class B&B and Hotel accommodation
• Walk in Connemara’s mountains
• Optional trip to the Aran Islands
• Have a barbeque, bonfire and game of Gaelic football on the beach
• Loads of activity options like surfing, horse-riding and walking
• Take a relaxing steam and sea-weed bath
• Great pubs and live music
• Stunning castles and legendary places
• Drive through hidden valleys with dark, mysterious lakes.
• Discover the Irish archeological, geological and biological heritage of County Clare’s Burren Region
• Have lunch in Galway city
• The Cliffs of Moher

 Departure Dates:

Prices: 1,189 Euro per person (based on two sharing)
Single supplement 180

Sample Itinerary

Please note that this itinerary is a framework for the tour. The overnights are pretty much set in stone and
then we base each tour on the items in the list below. Your guide will discuss the options with you throughout the tour and make a plan from there. This gives us flexibility to adapt each tour to suit you and fit in with the weather conditions. This of course means that some things may not be included in your tour, but if there is something that you particularly want to do or see on your tour, mention it to your guide and they will make sure it is included. Please also note that this tour runs in both directions.

Day One

• Meet at Dublin Tourism Centre, Suffolk St. Dublin 2 at 8.30am
• Head north out of Dublin and toward Belfast
• Cross over border and walk to summit of Slieve Gullian Mountain for great views over South Armagh
• Drive into Belfast, the capital city of Northern Ireland for lunch and optional Black Cab tour of the city. This tour is very highly recommended as it gives visitors an incredibly close hand experience of the city and its turbulent past.
• Depart Belfast late after noon and head along the coast into the scenic Glens of Antrim
• Overnight in the costal area of the Glens of Antrim

Day Two

• Continue North around the coastline including the rugged Torr Head area
• Test you head for heights at the Carrick a Rede rope bridge (summer only)
• Visit the ancient McDonald Stronghold of Dunluice Castle
• Experience the natural phenomenon of the Giants causeway
• Walk a section of the Famous Antrim Coastline
• Optional surfing stop in Port Stewart
• Optional visit to Bushmills Whiskey distillery. The oldest whiskey distillery in the World
• Overnight in a traditional B&B on the North Antrim Coastline

Day Three

• Drive/walk down stunning Downhill Strand beach.
• Take a Vagabond shortcut off-road to find great views down over the Foyle River and across to the Inishowen Peninsula
• Head into Derry city for optional walking tour of the city including the Bogside area synonymous with the Bloody Sunday massacre (highly recommended)
• Stop at the ancient stone fort of Grianan of Aileach
• Cross border back into Donegal and the Republic of Ireland.
• Scenic drive through the Glenveigh National park area.
• Overnight in the award winning Nesbit Arms Hotel in the cultural village of Adara.

Day Four

• Visit a traditional weaver to see how hand made Donegal tweed is still made
• Visit the waterfalls on the way to a walk on the amazingly remote Mahares Beach.
• Drive through the scenic Granny pass to west Donegal
• Walk to the 2000ft Slieve League sea cliffs. (Also optional fishing trip in summer)
• Head into Donegal town for a pint.
• Visit the grave of WB Yeats in Drumcliffe.
• Walk to Queen Maeve¡¦s tomb atop Knocknaree with amazing views of the Sligo coastline
• Another surfing option in Enniscrone
  Or
• Take a fantastically relaxing hot seaweed bath, with mysterious healing properties
• Overnight in scenic seaside village of Enniscrone in Sligo, staying in the Waterfront House Guesthouse

Day Five

• Travel through North Mayo ¡V one of Europe¡¦s least populated areas
• Shopping stop in the bustling and bright town of Westport, Co Mayo
• Croagh Patrick ¡V St Patricks Reek ¡V from where the snakes were banished Take a stroll up this epic pilgrimage mountain. Lose a sin with every step. Picnic on the slopes and look down upon the panorama of Clew Bay
• Heading south into the Connemara region, famous for its wild and rugged landscape and stunning scenery.
• Leenane – quick pints in The Field Pub, named after the movie which was filmed here, at the head of Killary Harbour
• Killary Harbour – Ireland’s only fjord
• Kylemore Abbey – One of Irelands most beautiful buildings
• Overnight in Connemara, Co Galway

Day Six

• Optional trip to the Aran Islands
• Mamturk Mountains ¡V Go for a walk in the mountains and follow the footsteps of St. Patrick
• Arrive Galway city for lunch.
• Kinvarra village with:Dunguaire Castle – ancient seat of the High Kings of Munster
• Hookers – Traditional Sailing boats
• Corcomroe Abbey
• Poulnabrone Dolmen ¡V Megalithic tomb
• Lisdoonvarna – Matchmaking Festival
• Overnight in the Falls Hotel Ennystimon and maybe treat yourself to a treatment in the luxurious spa or just relax by the pool

Day Seven

• Depart Ennystimon
• Lahinch – Ireland’s surfing capital, try to catch a wave!
• Cliffs of Moher – 700 ft sea cliffs
• Lunch in Bunratty, Limerick or Tralee
• Arrive Dublin 17.30pm(please note that on certain departures the journey between Dublin and Tralee, which is not
  particularly interesting, has been replaced with a train journey which is quicker and more
  comfortable. This is included in the price and organised for you and allows the groups to spend
  more time in the really scenic parts of Ireland. If you would like further details please do not
  hesitate to contact us).