Tours

NORTHERN IRELAND (REF: MKIRE 4)

Day 1 - Sunday
DUBLIN'S FAIR CITY
Welcome to Dublin, Ireland. In the afternoon you'll enjoy a panoramic of this 1000 year old city. This evening enjoy a welcome Irish Coffee Reception and dinner. Stay at Brooks Hotel in the heart of Dublin.

Day 2 - Monday
MONASTERBOICE & DOWNPATRICK
Tour north from Dublin stopping at Monasterboice with its ancient High Crosses. Cross into Northern Ireland and tour along Carlingford Lough and see the majestic Mountains of Mourne. Stop in Downpatrick and visit the grave of St. Patrick - the patron saint of Ireland. Stay tonight in Newcastle at the magnificent Slieve Donard Hotel. Dinner in the dining room.

Day 4 - Tuesday
ARDS PENINSULA & BELFAST
Tour along beautiful Strangford Lough and visit Mount Stewart House and Gardens. On to Belfast for an afternoon panoramic sightseeing tour of the city. The architecture is borrowed from London: the City Hall, Linenhall Library and the Law Courts. Stop at the Crown Liquor Saloon! Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland. You'll be staying near Stormont, the seat of government for Northern ireland. Stay the the Stormont Hotel. Dinner in the dining room this evening.

Day 5 - Wednesday
CARRICKFERGUS & THE GLENS OF ANTRIM
Tour north from Belfast and visit Carrickfergus, where King William of Orange landed in 1690 to fight the forces of King James II. Visit this historic castle and then north along St. George¹s Channel visiting the towns of Carnlough, Cushendun and Cushendall. Marvel at the scenic Glens and visit the warrior-poet¹s grave, Ossian, son of Finn McCool the legendary giant. Return to Belfast via Glenariff. Stay at the Stormont Hotel. Dinner in the dining room.

Day 6 - Thursday
BUSHMILLS & THE GIANTS CAUSEWAY
Tour to Ballycastle, with views of Rathlin Island and Kyle of Lochcalsh, Scotland. Try your skills at crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge before heading on to the Giant¹s Causeway. The legend has it that Finn McCool, the mythical giant, built this bridge to Scotland to reach his beloved. The hexagonal shaped stone pilings and pillar are a geological marvel. On to visit the oldest distillery in Ireland or Britian, Bushmills, which received its charter in 1608. You¹ll tour the distillery. On to visit Dunluce Castle, a McDonnell Castle, sitting precariously on a cliff edge. On to Derry City, founded by St. Columcille in the 5th century. You'll stay at the Beech Hill House Hotel this evening. Enjoy dinner in the dining room.

Day 7 - Friday
DERRY CITY
You'll enjoy a tour of the walled city and walk the 17th century walls and view the Guild Hall, the Bogside and St. Colum's Cathedral. See the Guild Hall where the City Council sits. The Doherty Castle and the Derry City Museum, which takes you back through time from St. Columcille in the 5th century to the 'Troubles' of the late 20th century. Enjoy a free afternoon exploring and shopping in this vibrant city. Be sure to stop at the Heritage Center on Bishop Street. This building is dedicated to Conn O'Scannlain's mother, Moira Hegarty O'Scannlain. Stay at the Beech Hill House Hotel and enjoy dinner in the dining room.

Day 8 - Saturday -
ULSTER AMERICAN FOLK PARK & ARMAGH
Tour south from Derry City to the Ulster Americak Folk Park which is both an indoor and outdoor museum. It takes you from the Plantation Period through the emigration from Ulster to the New World. Tour to Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. You¹ll visit both St. Patick¹s Cathedrals! Nearby visit the Navan Fort and hear the tales of Chuhullan and Emain Macha from Celtic mythology. Continue to Dublin Airport where you stay at the beautiful Crowne Plaza Hotel. This evening enjoy Irish Ballads and dinner at the Abbey Tavern in Howth.

Day 9 - Sunday
DEPART FOR HOME
Transfer to Dublin Airport Departures terminal. Depart for home.

Slan Leat!

TOUR INCLUDES:
• Arrival and Departure Transfers
• Sightseeing by Private luxury motorcoach.
• Elegant Hotels & Manor Houses with private bathroom for 7 nights
• Professional driver/guide throughout the tour - from day 1 to day 7
• Full Irish breakfast daily
• Irish Coffee Reception on first evening
•Table d'hote dinner each evening
• Bushmills Distillery tour
• Walking Tour of Derry City
• Irish Ballads and Dinner at the Abbey Tavern in Howth
• Visits and admissions to Monasterboice, Downpatrick Cathedral, Mount Stewart House & Gardens, Carrickfergus Castle, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, Giant¹s Causeway, Bushmills Distillery, Dunluce Castle, Derry City Museum, Ulster American Folk Park, Navan Fort, Armagh Cathedrals.
• Hotel service charges, tips for baggage handling and local taxes.
• Maximum 12 Tour Members
• All tours personally driven and escorted by experienced driver-guide.

HOTELS:
You will be staying at the following Small Elegant Hotels & Manor Houses:
Dublin: Brooks Hotel - 1 night
Newcastle: Slieve Donard Hotel - 1 night
Belfast: Stormont Hotel - 2 nights
Derry: Beech Hill House Hotel - 2 nights
Dublin Airport: Crowne Plaza - 1 night

Copyright© Moloney Kelly Travel 2008