Northern Supreme
Tour
Day 1 - Thu: Ashford Castle & "The Quiet Man"
Walk
Land at Shannon Airport and transfer to Cong to the famous
Ashford Castle Hotel. Settle in and enjoy the lakeside location and amenities of
this wonderful hotel. At 3:00 pm take a short walking tour around the village of Cong, famous for the making of the 1952
movie of "The Quiet Man" with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. See many of the
places featured in the movie, including Cong Abbey and the Quiet Man Cottage.
Enjoy a welcome drink before dining in Ashford's lovely restaurant and
afterwards listen to music in the Dungeon Bar. (D)
Day 2 - Fri: Museum of
Country Life & Belleek
China
Outside Castlebar visit the Museum of Country
Life to view exhibits of domestic goods and a movie
showing how country people lived during the 19th and early
20th centuries. Travel north through the stark landscape of
County Mayo into County Sligo, associated with the Nobel
prize-winning poet, W. B. Yeats. View his grave, situated near the distinctive
outline of Ben
Bulben Mountain. Continue to Belleek for a tour
of the Belleek Pottery Factory, founded in the mid-19th century to
create employment. See how delicate china is formed and decorated by skilled
craftspeople. Harvey's Point Hotel is set in glorious scenery
a few miles outside Donegal town and is noted for its outstanding cuisine and
views. (B, D)
Day 3 - Sat: Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal
County
Donegal is renowned
for its majestic and wild countryside as well as its woollen goods. Drive to the
fishing port of Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea
cliffs, the highest in Europe reaching 1,972
feet. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves creating
marvellous views. Enjoy coffee or tea with home-baked scones before driving
through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara. Visit Triona Design to see
demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting. Spend some time in Donegal
town before returning to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 4 - Sun: Derry Walk & Giant's
Causeway
Travel
to Derry for a walking tour with
a local guide to see the medieval walls, which completely encircle the city
centre. Learn about the history of this settlement up until recent times as you
pass the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Drive along the north coast and
pause for photos at the ruins of Dunluce Castle before visiting the Giant's
Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity
over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and
bays as you travel along the "Nine Glens of Antrim" and through the towns of
Ballycastle and Glenarm. Continue south to your hotel in the coastal resort of
Newcastle at the foot of the Mourne Mountains. (B, D)
Day
5 - Mon: Mount Stewart &
Belfast
Visit Down Cathedral to
learn about Saint Patrick,
Ireland's patron
saint, and see his reputed burial place, marked with a huge boulder. Cross
Strangford Lough by ferry to explore Mount Stewart House and Gardens. The house
tour includes world-famous paintings and furnishings and the gardens, developed
in the 1920's, have been nominated a World Heritage Site. See the highlights of Belfast with a local
guide, including Victorian buildings, the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the
Titanic was built and areas around the Shankill and Falls Road. Enjoy a pub
lunch at the ornate Victorian bar, Crown Liquor Saloon, before returning direct
to your hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 6 - Tue:
Battle of the
Boyne & Abbey Tavern
Drive south past the
lovely slopes of the Mourne
Mountains to Drogheda to visit the
Battle of the
Boyne Centre. Learn about the 1690 conflict between King William III and his
father-in-law, King James II, for dominance over the British throne and
religious power in Ireland. Then travel into Dublin and check in to
your hotel, located in the heart of the Georgian area and with many places of
interest within easy reach. Enjoy a farewell dinner at the Abbey Tavern's Loft
Restaurant in Howth before heading downstairs for a lively show of traditional
Irish songs and a display of step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 7 - Wed: Dublin Tour & Guinness Visit
The entire day is at leisure so you may schedule sightseeing as you wish.
Use your open-top bus tour voucher to explore Dublin city centre - you may get on and off at any of the
23 stops along the route, which take in Dublin's most popular sights. Take a tour
around either the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Jameson Distillery to see stout
or whiskey production techniques and enjoy a drink of the finished product.
(B)
Day 8 - Thu: Depart Dublin for Home
Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport in good time to complete airline
formalities. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free shops
before boarding your aircraft for the journey home.
(B)
Breakfast (B) Dinner ( D)