Day 1 -Travel via short sea crossing to Ireland for an overnight stop in the Dublin area.
Day 2 - Dublin / Belfast
This morning we have arranged a trip to
the Guinness Storehouse, the fermentation plant at St. James's Gate Brewery
which has now been totally transformed into a place where you can experience
one of the world's best known brands in a totally unexpected way. From here
you make your way north to the Clarion Hotel, Carrickfergus. A journey that
takes you through Dundalk & Newry
before making a stop in Belfast, a bustling city with so much to offer.
Day 3 -
Rowallane & Mount Stewart Gardens
Following breakfast it’s time
to make your way to the first of today's garden visits, Rowallane, A unique and
natural landscape garden of trees and shrubs, containing many exotic species
from around the world and the walled garden with its mixed borders. Then on to
Mount Stewart House & Gardens where the gardens were planted in the 1920's
by Edith, Lady Londonderry and consist of a series of magnificent 'outdoor rooms'
in the Italian garden, Spanish garden and sunken garden together with the informal
Lake area. There is a guided tour of the house that includes world-famous paintings
and stories about the prominent political figures to whom the Londonderry family
played host.
Day 4 - Ulster Folk & Transport Museum Today we have arranged for a visit to the Ulster Folk & Transport Museum, originally established in 1958 the museum was set up to illustrate the way of life and the traditions of the people of the north of Ireland. The Cultra site, formerly the estate of Sir Robert Kennedy, was acquired in 1961 and soon became firmly established as a Museum of international importance, we have therefore allowed a full day for you to explore this attraction.
Day 5 - Giant’s Causeway
A full day
is planned for today, starting with the famous Giant’s Causeway, here
you see a short audio visual show which explains the origins of the extraordinary
causeway before making your way down to see for yourself. With a tea room,
hotel and pub all nearby there is a good choice of somewhere to stop and have
lunch before continuing on to the Old Bushmills Distillery, the worlds’ oldest
licensed whiskey distillery for a guided tour of the brewery finishing with
a tasting session. From here you can make the short journey on to the picturesque
village of Portrush before returning to the hotel.
Day 6 - Dublin
Depart Carrickfergus
and make the return journey to Dublin in time for some free time and an overnight
stop.
Day 7 - Return journey home.