Causeways, Cliffs & Castles: An Adventure in the North of Ireland
5 day tour

Day 1

• Admire the elemental beauty of the Causeway Coast
• Walk where giants fought and changed the earth at the unique and stunning Giant’s Causeway
• Meet the ‘Queen of the Glens’ and get to know her beauty up close and personal 
• Indulge in a dram or two of whiskey at Bushmills Distillery 

Good morning Belfast! The adventure begins with us leaving behind this vibrant city and heading north along the coast to the historic town of Carrickfergus. As one of the oldest towns in Northern Ireland, it’s no wonder it has a castle – and luckily, it’s one of the best-preserved castles in the country. We pull in here for a quick photo stop of this impressive Norman stronghold before heading to Glenarrif Forest Park. 

Glenarrif is the ‘Queen of the Glens’. But what glens? The nine famous glens (valleys) that make up the Glens of Antrim. This area of Northern Ireland is so striking it's been classified as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and given the windiness of some of the roads, it definitely feels ‘off-the-beaten-track'.  

Once we arrive at the forest park, you might like to treat yourself to a tea or coffee at their lovely Tea Room, or perhaps meander along their easy 1.5km trail to the waterfall. Perhaps both?  

What we love about this area is simple: the views. We continue north via Torr Head (a windy path not for the faint of heart) - and you’ll be pleased to see this special and spectacular part of the world. As we journey along the coast, keep an eye out for a stunning view all the way across into Scotland of the Mull of Kintyre.  

As we reach the top of Northern Ireland, we stop in at the charming seaside town of Ballycastle for a bite to eat and some free time.  

We carry on after lunch and continue along the coastline, following the winding and magnificent Causeway Coastal Route. We’ll make photo stops along the way – as there are many incredible viewpoints to choose from and lots of Northern Ireland history to learn about, so we like to keep things flexible depending on the weather and our group. 

But most will say that the crowning glory of the Causeway Coast is the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway... and you’ll hear no argument from us. Myth, history and science collide at this spectacular location of raw geological power. Many have debated its origins over the years. What’s left is for you to decide: is it science or myth? 

To finish off the day, you stop in at Bushmills Distillery for an optional tasting of their famous whiskey before a quick photo stop to see the dramatic Dunluce Castle. Game of Thrones fans may sense a familiarity with this spot – and you should. CGI was used to enhance the ruinous castle to stand in for Castle Greyjoy in the popular series.  

We arrive in the town of Portrush in the early evening for your overnight stop, where you can enjoy this quaint seaside resort escape.  

Day 2

• Discover the vibrant cultural scene and rich history of Derry 
• Striking views and fascinating history collide at Dunree Head 
• Drive along Mamore Gap, one of the most scenic drives in Ireland 

There’s nothing like waking up somewhere unfamiliar and exciting. And today we depart Portrush to the famous town of Derry/Londonderry.  

From the almost intact historic walls to the murals commemorating the more recent troubled past, this city is steeped in history. And it’s also quickly becoming one of the most important artistic and cultural hubs in Northern Ireland. You’ve got free time for a bite to eat and to explore Derry for yourself or you can join an optional walking tour. 

We then pop up along the coast once more to the striking Dunree Head. The road in is a twisting clifftop route with some pretty spectacular views – and the view from the Head itself gazes over Dunree Beach and Lough Swilly, all the way to Fanad Peninsula. And history buffs will love exploring the military museum of Dunree Fort, too.  

From here you travel along Mamore Gap, one of the most scenic drives in Ireland, where we'll stop for a photo at this iconic viewpoint. Your adventure continues as we make our way to Donegal Town, our overnight stop for the next two nights. We’ll make some extra stops along the way depending on the weather and the interests of your group, before taking a well-deserved break. 

Day 3

• Head along the Wild Atlantic Way, one of the longest defined coastal routes in the world 
• Immerse yourself in the beauty and history of Glenveagh National Park 

Today you wrap yourself in the wilderness as you journey through the Wild Atlantic Way. At 1600 miles long, it’s one of the longest-defined coastal trails in the world and stretches the length of Ireland’s west coast. We’ll make various stops along the way – depending on the weather and your interests – as we make our way to Bunbeg.  

This small town is our lunch stop for the day and is known as a Gaeltacht town – a place where the Irish government recognises that the Irish language is the predominant language used.  

Then, you continue to explore the Wild Atlantic Way and stop at locations graced with magnificent views of the rugged coast and islands, before travelling through the impressive Glenveagh National Park. We'll hop off the bus here and give you plenty of time to immerse yourself in the beauty of this park, including the rugged Derryveagh Mountains, the dramatic Glenveagh Castle, and the striking Glenveagh Valley. 

Perhaps you’ll choose one of the walks and meander along the shores of Lough Veagh or perhaps you’ll jump on the shuttle bus and head out to explore the castle. Whatever you choose to do with your time, you’ll quickly come to understand why we love this area.

Day 4

• Gaze upon the Slieve League Cliffs, some of the highest sea cliffs in Europe 
• Explore the striking landscape of the Wild Atlantic Way 

The Wild Atlantic Way is one of those places where you must immerse yourself in it for as long as possible... because it’s that untamed and beautiful with that much to see. So, first up today are the Slieve League Cliffs that tumble down 600 metres to the unrestrained ocean. These impressive crags are among the highest in Europe and are steeped in legends. 

The landscape continues to get wilder as you travel through the sparsely populated Irish-speaking communities. Taking a break from the coastal delights, the route takes you through a striking mountain pass at Glengesh to the picturesque village of Ardara for lunch. 

The stunning drive continues as we head to Enniskillen, our stop for tonight. We’ll aim to arrive late afternoon to give you a bit of time to explore this bustling little town. Nestled on a small island on Lough Erne, Enniskillen has a beautiful setting, making it an idyllic stopover.  

Day 5

• Explore the gorgeous gardens at Hillsborough Castle, one of the official royal residences 
• Get to know the city of Belfast better on a scenic drive around its more popular spots 

You say farewell to the lovely island town and head to your next stop on the tour, Hillsborough Castle and its stunning gardens. Here, you get to discover ornamental grounds, tranquil woodlands, and charming glens that have been a joy to the Royal Family and thousands of visitors. If you fancy, you can choose to explore the beautiful state rooms of the castle and find out more about its fascinating history (tickets subject to availability) and even grab a bite to eat for lunch. 

From here it’s just a short journey back to Belfast where you can choose between a visit to the Titanic Museum in the Titanic Quarter, or instead stay on the bus and enjoy a scenic drive around the city of Belfast before the tour comes to an end.