9 Day Northern
Gems Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Shannon Arrival & Knappogue Castle
Your tour starts at Shannon Airport with a
transfer to Bunratty between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives
later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:30 pm
depart for the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the
Atlantic Ocean. Return to Bunratty for a welcome drink to discuss your itinerary
with your tour director. Drive a few miles to Knappogue Castle to take part in
one of their famous banquets with a great meal, wine and music in the evocative
atmosphere of the 15th century castle. (D)
Day 2 : Burren Display Centre & Galway Bay
In Kilfenora visit the Burren Display Centre to
learn about the Burren, an area of rounded limestone hills, which contain a
wealth of prehistoric monuments and where rare flowers thrive in the sheltered
crevices. View the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a Neolithic monument dating to 4,000 BC.
Stop in the village of Ballyvaughan and drive around Galway Bay. Enjoy free time
in Galway before driving to your hotel overlooking Galway Bay. (B, D)
Day 3 : “Quiet Man” Walking Tour & Catamaran Cruise
Take a walking tour around the village of Cong
where “The Quiet Man” movie was made in 1952. Drive through Connemara for
sweeping views of misty mountains and shimmering lakes. Embark on a short cruise
of Killary Harbour, and enjoy an Irish coffee as you view hills where traces of
pre-Famine “lazy beds” of potato ridges can still be seen. Make a brief stop at
Kylemore Abbey Visitor Centre before heading to Clifden, a delightful market
town set between the Twelve Bens and sandy bays. Return to Galway. (B, D)
Day 4 : Belleek China and Donegal
Castle
Drive north into County Mayo to visit
the pilgrimage town of Knock and continue to Sligo to view W. B. Yeats' Grave,
situated near the distinctive outline of Ben Bulben Mountain. Tour the Belleek
Pottery Factory to see skilled craftspeople create elegant and decorative pieces
in fine china. Drive to Donegal town for a tour of Donegal Castle, built by the
O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century. The castle was expanded in the 17th
century and today is furnished throughout. Check in to your nearby hotel. (B, D)
Day 5 : Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal
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
marvelous 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. Return to Donegal town for
free time and return to your nearby hotel. (B, D)
Day 6 : Derry Walk & Giant's Causeway
Travel to Derry for a walking tour with a local
guide to see the medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral.
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. Continue south to experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys
and bays along the “Nine Glens of Antrim.” Drive to your centrally-located hotel
in Belfast. You may like to take a walk to see the magnificent City Hall in
Donegall Square. (B, D)
Day 7 : Belfast & Cabra Castle Hotel
Tour Take a panoramic city tour around Belfast
followed by a visit to the newly-opened Titanic Belfast to learn about this
famous ill-fated liner through state-of-the-art displays. Drive south past the
gentle slopes of the Mourne Mountains to Kingscourt to Cabra Castle, built in
1760. Arrive mid-afternoon so that you will have time to enjoy the facilities
and ambience of your lovely hotel. You may like to play the 9-hole golf course.
After dinner in the Court Restaurant, enjoy youthful dancers display intricate
Irish step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 8 : Battle of the Boyne & Dublin
Tour
Drive 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 to your hotel, located
in Dun Laoghaire on the south side of the city. The balance of the day is at
leisure so you may use your vouchers for an independent open-top bus tour with a
visit to either Guinness or Jameson and an included drink. (B)
Day 9 : Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Take a group transfer to Dublin Airport to arrive
at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon to check in for your flight home. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner