Northern Ireland

4th - 9th June 2009

For a printable pdf version of the itinerary please click here

Day 2 - Saturday 5th June
Depart after breakfast to take a  scenic drive along the Antrim coast  passing through Glenarm and Cushendell , viewing Torr Head, and visiting Carrickfergus Castle en route. Built by John de Courcy in 1177, it has been besieged constantly for the 800 years it has been garrisoned. Conclude the morning with a walk on the Word Heritage Site, the Giant’s Causway to see the breathtaking scenery with its’ amazing array of basalt columns, walk the stones, find the remains of earlier occupations and the sites of many shipwrecks. Continue to Ballycastle for lunch. In the afternoon take a ferry ride to Rathlin Island, a refuge for Robert the Bruce in 1306, to explore the RSPB Seabird Centre which is home to puffins guillemots, razorbills and kittiwakes. See as well the seal colony at Mill Bay and the Boat House museum. Return afterwards to Belfast. The evening is free to allow for individual inclination.

Overnight: BELFAST (BL)

Day 3- Sunday 6th June
Depart this morning for the first visit of the day, Antrim Castle Gardens to see the impressive 17th century water gardens one of the earliest remaining in the British Isles.   The next visit is Antrim Round Tower, built circa 10th century, this is the remainder of Antrims ancient monastic settlement. Afterwards continue to the Sperrin Mountains area of outstanding natural beauty for a spectacular scenic drive and to take a walk.   Lunch will be taken en route, and stops to see the many scenic and historic sites to be found here. Continue to Enniskillen to visit Castle Coole. Completed in 1798, the house is noted for its’ richly-decorated state rooms and the state bedroom designed for the visit of George IV in 1821. Check in at the hotel in the late afternoon.  The evening is free to allow for individual inclination.

Overnight: ENNISKILLEN  (BL)

Day 4 – Monday 7th June
After breakfast depart for a morning drive along the side of Lough Erne to the tiny village of Belleek to visit the Pottery Museum and Tearoom. The pottery is housed in an imposing building on the banks of the River Earne and is famous for its’ fine Parian China. After a break for lunch in the Tearoom return to Enniskillen via Boa Island to see the famous two-faced Janus Figure. There will then be an afternoon lake cruise to Devenish Island to see the 12th Century Round tower, one of the finest examples of monastic architecture in Northern Ireland. Return afterwards to the hotel

Dinner and overnight: ENNISKILLEN (BD)

Day 5 – Tuesday 8th June
The morning will be free to explore Enniskillen. After time to purchase lunch depart for  Dungannon Castle, the ancient stronghold of the O'Neills. Continue to Sandy Bay Marina on the shores of Lough Neagh  for an afternoon cruise to Rams Island. On the island are the 19th century remains of the O’Neill family’s summer house and round tower. The dense woods harbour a great variety of flora and fauna. On return to the shore continue to Belfast to arrive at the hotel in the late afternoon. Tonight there will be time to meet in the bar before dinner to say farewell to your tour manager.

Dinner and overnight: BELFAST (BD)

Day 6 – Wednesday 9th June
Today there will either be free time in Belfast until it is time to transfer to the airport for return flights or for those departing later there will be an optional visit to Strangford Lough and Mount Stewart Gardens before going to the airport.

End of tour

Cost Includes

• Flights: Scheduled flights to Belfast
•  Coach transportation for the duration of the tour
• Ferries to Rathline Island, Devenish Island and Rams Island
• 5 nights’ hotel accommodation in Belfast and Enniskillen
• 5 breakfasts, 3 dinners and 2 lunches
• Entrance fees to visits as per itinerary
• Qualified guide to accompany the group throughout.