Tour from Dublin
Tours are priced individually according to the route, group size, distances & hours required, date(s) in question, start & end locations, overnight locations (where applicable) and remaining supply at time of booking.
Option A:
Day 1 - Dublin - Newgrange - Trim Castle - Hill of Tara - Sleep Belfast
Day 2 - Dark Hedges - Dunluce Castle - Giant's Causeway - Carrick-a-Rede - Sleep Belfast
Day 3 - Belfast - Black Taxi (option) - Titanic Belfast - Monasterboice - Dublin
Option B:
Day 1 - Dublin - Newgrange - Trim Castle - Hill of Tara - Sleep Newcastle
Day 2 - Dark Hedges - Dunluce Castle - Giant's Causeway - Carrick-a-Rede - Sleep Newcastle
Day 3 - Belfast - Black Taxi (option) - Titanic Belfast - Monasterboice - Dublin
Option C:
Day 1 - Dublin - Newgrange - Trim Castle - Hill of Tara - Sleep Newcastle
Day 2 - Dark Hedges - Dunluce Castle - Giant's Causeway - Carrick-a-Rede - Sleep Belfast
Day 3 - Belfast - Black Taxi (option) - Titanic Belfast - Monasterboice - Dublin
"Everything was excellent. Slieve Donard was amazing with the incredible weather and Darren could not have done a better job - it's a big thumbs up from us!" - AC, Mougins, Provence-Alpes-Côtes d'Azur, France
Your driver will collect you from the address of your choice this morning and together you'll navigate through the downtown rush hour traffic to rolling countryside of the Royal County of Meath.
One hour from Dublin in Ireland's Ancient East you'll find one of Europe's most fascinating prehistoric ruins at Brú na Bóinne (Newgrange). Enjoy three hours of discovery here accompanied by expert government archaeologists and guides.
Afterwards your journey continues north and you'll enjoy visits to Trim Castle (arguably the most important castle ruins in Ireland) and also to the Hill of Tara (the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland).
A little further along and you'll notice the road signs change colour from blue to green, from kilometres to miles, from bilingual to English only. You are now in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Arrive in Belfast or Slieve Donard Resort (Newcastle, Co. Down) by late afternoon / early evening. Check- in to your accommodation, perhaps enjoy a shower or some rest or head out to explore at leisure.
The beautiful Victorian pub Crown Liquor Saloon on Great Victoria Street is hugely popular with our guests. Perhaps toast your Northern Irish visit with a glass of Bushmills Whiskey or a pint of Guinness!
Meanwhile those who choose to overnight at Slieve Donard Resort might wish to enjoy a stroll in the grounds (with views of the Mountains of Mourne coming down to the sea) followed by an aperitif by the log fire in the bar.
Kennedy & Carr recommend (Belfast):
Sleep at The Fitzwilliam (5*), The Merchant (5*), The Grand Central (4*), Titanic Hotel (4*)
Dine at Ox (Michelin Star), Eipic (Michelin Star), The Muddler's Club (Michelin Star), Deane's at Queen's (Michelin Bib Gourmand), Home (Michelin Bib Gourmand)
Enjoy a Guinness at Crown Liquor Saloon, Kelly's Cellars, The Duke of York
Kennedy & Carr recommend (Newcastle, Co. Down):
Sleep at Slieve Donard Resort (4*)
Dine at Oak Restaurant, The Percy French Inn or The Lighthouse Lounge
Enjoy a Guinness at Chaplin's Bar
Today your journey through Northern Ireland continues along part of the Causeway Coastal Route, one of Europe's most scenic road trips.
Look forward to stopping at Dark Hedges, an amazing tree lined avenue planted in the 1700s to frame the approach to a country estate. Game of Thrones fans will instantly recognise it as King's Road! Apparently, the hedges are haunted, so we'll just stay long enough for some photos and fresh air.
Further up the road we'll stop at a most romantic spot overlooking the north Atlantic Ocean at Dunluce Castle. This idyllic ruin stands perched atop the sheer cliff face and features as Game of Thrones House of Greyjoy. Day trippers only have time to take some brief photos but you've got plenty of time today, so discuss the exact route with your driver first thing this morning and perhaps allocate an hour or more to exploring the grounds and battlements.
For many, today's highlight is Giant's Causeway. Enjoy an hour or two here depending on the weather and your lunch plans. Spectacular scenery and unique geology have made this a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Not too far away, just outside the village of Ballintoy, you'll find the wonderful Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge connecting the mainland with Carrick-a-Rede island. This vantage point provides spectacular views of Rathlin Island and even the nearby Scottish coast on sunny days. Once upon a time the bridge was used by salmon fishermen to check nets far below. Until recently a major tourist attraction, the site is now being conserved for future generations by the UK National Trust.
NB: Please see Guest Advice section re important information relating to Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.
Your driver will drop you back to Belfast or Newcastle late this afternoon. Look forward to an evening of Northern Irish hospitality with excellent local bars and restaurants to choose from.
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning and perhaps linger over a second pot of coffee or Irish breakfast tea. Look forward to exploring downtown Belfast, Northern Ireland's capital today.
Titanic Belfast is one of Europe's most popular museums, depicting the sinking of this most famous ship through virtual reality displays and historical artifacts. The museum is located at the sprawling Belfast dockyard where Titanic was built - once the British Empire's most important shipyard. Much of the Royal Navy's fleet was built here when the United Kingdom was at the zenith of its power in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
As you may know, Northern Ireland endured decades of civil war from 1968 to 1997. Thankfully since the Peace Agreement of 1998, Belfast is safer than most European and American cities and has become prosperous. Those who are interested in learning more about the dark days of conflict will hear incredible stories of brutality, tragedy, heroism and compassion with the (optional) local Black Taxi tours, many of which are driven by locals who experienced the region at its worst. You'll be amazed to see the Berlin Wall style security fences which separate Irish Nationalist and British Loyalist suburbs to this day - with territory marked out by the Union Jack and Irish Tricolour.
NB: please see Guest Advice section below for important information re touring local neighbourhoods.
Those who prefer not to take a Black Taxi tour may prefer to enjoy time at leisure to go shopping downtown or enjoy extended time at their hotel to catch up on beauty sleep or enjoy the facilities.
Departing Belfast by mid or late afternoon, you'll enjoy a final stop for fresh air and photos en- route to Dublin. The ruins at Monasterboice are just off the M1 motorway in patchwork green countryside. Here, you'll find ancient Christian monastery ruins featuring a stone round tower and ornately carved Celtic crosses.
Your three day private tour of Northern Ireland ends with your chauffeur delivering you to the Dublin address of your choice. Drop off at the airport or downtown to extend your Irish vacation. As this itinerary typically ends by late afternoon / early evening, you'll have plenty of time to freshen up and sample the dining scene of our capital.
Kennedy & Carr recommend:
Sleep at The Merrion (5*), The Westbury (5*), Brooks (4*), The Wilder Townhouse (4*)
Dine at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse (Dawson Street) or enjoy room service or Uber Eats for an early night
Enjoy a Guinness at O'Donoghoe's (Merrion Row), The Stag's Head (Dame Lane), Peter's Pub (Lower Stephen Street)
Enjoy an Old Fashioned made with Redbreast 12 Year Old at 37 Dawson Street or The Sidecar
You will receive your ticket (featuring your booking number) via email immediately at time of booking. There is no need to print the ticket. If you wish, you can simply show it on your phone or tablet.