Day 2: Dublin
Panoramic discovery of the Irish capital during which you will visit the national museum that houses treasures dating back to 7000 AE. Lunch at a local restaurant and stroll in the district of Temple Bar, located in the center of Dublin, one of the oldest and most charismatic districts of the capital. This area is full of typical Irish restaurants and pubs, its narrow, cobbled streets still retain all the essence and authenticity of the city and are Dublin's largest cultural and leisure center. Free time to individually perfect your discovery of Dublin. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]
Day 3: Dublin, Hill of Tara, Dundalk [40 miles]
Drive north to visit Hill of Tara, high place of Irish mythology, Tara was the political and spiritual center of Celtic Ireland. Located in County Meath on a hill, it was occupied by the highest leaders of Ireland. Seat of kings, it was until the eleventh century the Irish Celtic capital that defined the functioning of the rest of the island, and according to legend, it was the place where Saint Patrick presented to the Kings the concept of the Trinity. Explore the significance of this sacred site of great importance to the Celts. Continue to Tailtin, home of the original Tailtean Games which were steeped in rituals and symbolism. The Tailteann Games is a former sports and cultural festival once held in Ireland in honor of Queen Tailtiu. According to legend, they were founded in 1829 AE but, historically, they were annually organized only from 554 AE until the Norman invasion of 1167-11691. The date of 1829 was perhaps chosen (among all those possible of the nineteenth century AE) to make a round count: 3,000 years would have elapsed until the putting in power of the youngest son of Henri II of England, John, in 1171. These Games were held in County Meath, perhaps in the city of Telltown. Lunch on the way to Dundalk and free time. Dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]
Day 4: Dundalk, Armagh, Belfast [95 miles]
Continue to Louth County known as the “Land of Legends”. The town was supposedly the place of 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 for lunch and. In the afternoon, visit Navan Fort where you will learn of its history and mythology. Navan Fort (also called Emain Macha) is an archaeological site, which looks like a big grassy hill ... But do not be fooled by appearances: this hill is nothing but a construction, which was once considered the capital of the kings of Ulster! Built by Queen Macha around 300 AE, It is a cairn on where once stood the great kings of 'Ulster. True capital of the time, its influence stopped in favor of the hill of Tara after a fire destroyed the place. Continue to Belfast for dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]
Note: Since Northern Ireland is part of the United Kingdom their money is the British Pound and not the Euro like in southern Ireland. Also, be aware the Northern Ireland issues their own notes and coins that are not valid in Great Britain.
Day 5: Belfast
The city center does not suffer so much from Catholic / Protestant separation, unlike other neighborhoods. Everything is in the English style, from the red telephone booth to the English flags. Today we’ll visit City Hall, Grand Opera House, Crown Liquor Saloon, Queen's University, Victoria Square Mall, St George's Market, St. Anne's Cathedral and Albert Memorial Clock. On the "walls of peace" and the walls of houses, one can observe "murals" (tags) carrying messages of peace, tolerance and respect. This street art with flashy colors contrasts with the atmosphere that reigns in these places. These historical and political frescoes tell the story of Belfast and Northern Ireland. And, yes, it's the Titanic! This huge ship was built in Northern Ireland! Remember its history ... This transatlantic liner, the most luxurious and the largest ever built at the time, with its hull with 16 watertight compartments, nicknamed the "unsinkable", was to connect Cherbourg and Cobh in New York. Unfortunately, it hits an iceberg in the night of April 14, 1912 at 23:40. You know the rest! Lunch at a local restaurant and visit of the Bushmills Distillery that has been in business since their grant to distil was signed in 1608 by King James 1st. The distillation on this site usies the unique water from their own stream and Irish barley. Bushmills is the only distillery in Ireland to make triple-distilled single malt whiskey. During your tour you will see the copper pot stills used to distil this special spirit. The triple-distillation is at the heart of all Bushmills whiskies and creates a unique combination of smoothness and richness that you will appreciate during the tasting. Some free time for you to continue discovering the city. In the evening we’ll go to a local brewery for dinner and discovery of the local brands. Return to the hotel for overnight. [B/L/D]
Day 6: Belfast, Donegal [125 miles]
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. Imagine the ruins of a castle towering majestically on the steep edge of a gigantic cliff. Add a breathtaking view of the ocean, and you'll know what to expect when visiting Dunluce Castle. Admittedly, the picture is dreaming, and it doesn’t take more to create a world of legends around such a construction. Who knows, ghosts may be at the rendezvous! Here you will discover the tale of the Banshee of Dulunce. Continue to Donegal for dinner and overnight. [B/L/D]
Day 7: Donegal, Sligo [40 miless]
Today explore the ancient kingdom of the mystical Tuatha de Danann (also called the Celtic Gods, or the Children of Danu) that form a race of extremely powerful superhuman beings who were once venerated by the Celtic peoples who lived on the west of the European continent. Visit the site of their ancient seat at the Grianan of Aileache Fort. The stone fort is believed to have been built in the 1st century and the outline of the mostly-eroded ramparts, or earthen banks, can be seen below the fort. The hillfort is one of only 5 Irish sites marked on Ptolemy of Alexandria’s 2nd century map of the world. Lunch on the way 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, a stone tower house, built c. 1600, where you`ll learn about the Mermaid who once reigned as Queen. Dinner and overnight in Sligo. [B/L/D]
Day 8: Sligo, Roscommon, Dublin [150 miles]
Travel to Roscommon to visit the Cruachan ai Visitor Center and learn of the mysticism surrounding the many monuments here. Irish mythology is also present, with the archaeological site of Crúachan, home to the rulers of Connaught, such as King Ailill Mac Máta and his wife Medb. Lunch at a local restaurant. 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. Carrowkeel Cairns is a collection of 14 Neolithic corridor tombs located in the wild Irish moor and one of Ireland's four largest prehistoric cemeteries. A site to see without hesitation! The corner is really magical, and located out of time. A very nice visit, to do alone or with family! After lunch at a local restaurant continue to Dublin. Time to freshen-up before joining one of Dublin’s traditional dinner parties offering traditional cooking, music and storytelling. Overnight at the hotel. [B/L/D]
Day 9: Dublin
After breakfast at your hotel you may have some time to relax or last-minute shopping. At the appointed time you’ll be driven to Dublin’s airport to board your flight back to the USA. [B]
[B] = Breakfast | [D] = Dinner | [B/L/D] = Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
