Northern Embrace

11 days, 10 nights

 

Embrace all that Northern Ireland has to offer: walk in the footsteps of giants at the stunning Giant’s Causeway, drive the Causeway Coastal Route from Antrim, see Game of Thrones locations and marvel at the cliffs at Sliabh League in Donegal.

 

Highlights

• • Experience the Giant’s Causeway and, if you dare, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge.
  • Drive the Antrim Coastal Route and see some Game of Thrones and Disney’s Artemis Fowl locations.
  • Walk the Derry Walls and learn all about the history of this walled city.

 

Overnight Stops

10 nights total

Dublin (2) – Belfast (2) – Derry (1) – Donegal (2) – Westport (1) – Clare (2)
Why not head back to Dublin at the end of your trip and spend one more night in the city?

 

Sample Itinerary

 

Day 1: Arrive in Ireland

Céad míle fáilte, as they say in Ireland, meaning a hundred thousand welcomes! Your driver will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall to transport you to your city center hotel. Relax and enjoy the short trip. Depending on your arrival time, your room might not be ready but don’t worry –there is plenty to do! A short walk away is Temple Bar, Grafton Street and St. Stephen’s Green.

Highlights include: Hop-on/hop-off city sightseeing tour, Guinness Storehouse, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, the Trinity College Book of Kells exhibit

Overnight in Dublin
Tenon Recommends: O’Callaghan Hotels in Dublin City Centre

 

Day 2: Dublin

Rock and stroll today, savoring Dublin’s coastal views and some of its music history. Take the DART train out to Dalkey, known affectionately as Ireland’s Italian Riviera. Some famous musicians reside in the area, including Bono and Enya. On your way back to the city, visit the famous studios that U2 recorded in, experience what it would be like to record and maybe even mix your own session!

Highlights include: Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
Optional highlights: Windmill Lane Recording Studio, Merry Ploughboys Traditional Irish dinner and show, Howth Walking Tour, kayaking in Dalkey

Overnight in Dublin
Tenon Recommends: O’Callaghan Hotels in Dublin City Centre
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 3: Dublin to Belfast

Heading north today, you will make a stop at the Hillsborough Castle. As an official UK government and royal residence, this castle has had a lot of modern history, including peace talks leading to the Anglo-Irish Agreement, a precursor to the Good Friday Agreement that led to peace on the island. Learn both sides of the story in Belfast with a Black Cab Taxi tour. You can even sign the peace wall! A walking food tour of the city will introduce you to some of the area’s delights. Finish with a local gin or whiskey in the Crown Bar. Slåinte!

Highlights include: Hillsborough Castle, Belfast Black Taxi tour, Belfast food tour

Overnight in Belfast
Tenon Recommends: Europa Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 4: Belfast

Walk in the footsteps of giants at the Giant’s Causeway today! Climb the hilltop trail to get a bird’s eye view of the Causeway Coast. At the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, go beyond the bridge with a special tour of the island on the other side of the bridge. It’s an experience that you will never forget! For the whiskey connoisseur in you, leave a little time to stop in Old Bushmills Distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in the world.

Highlights include: Giant’s Causeway boat trip from Ballycastle
Optional highlights: Beyond the Bridge experience

Overnight in Belfast
Tenon Recommends: Europa Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 5: Belfast to Derry

Departing Belfast, you’ll head northwest to Derry, Ireland’s only walled city. On a tour of the walls, you’ll learn the scarred history of this great city and how it has emerged. A visit to the Museum of Free Derry is a must – you will meet descendants of people who were killed in one of the defining events of what was known in Ireland as “The Troubles”. For fans of the television show Derry Girls, you can even stop and have your photo taken at the mural!

Highlights include: Derry City walled tour,
Optional highlights: Museum of Free Derry, Derry Girls Tour, Unlock the Walled City experience

Overnight in Derry
Tenon Recommends: City Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 6: Derry to Donegal

Explore more of the northwest today. Your next stop is Donegal in the Republic of Ireland. Witness the craft and skill that has gone into Donegal tweed for generations. See master weavers working on looms that have been in operation for centuries.

Optional highlights: Donegal Castle, Glenveagh National Park, Triona Irish Design Store

Overnight in Donegal
Tenon Recommends: Mill Park Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 7: Donegal

Soak up the beauty of the lesser-known cliffs at Slieve League today. At 596 meters, Slieve League is taller than the Cliffs of Moher and is a mountain on the Atlantic coast with truly spectacular views. If you feel energetic today, there are many walking routes that you can take to discover this discovery point on the Wild Atlantic Way.

Highlights include: Sliabh Liag Distillers
Optional highlights: Glencolmcille Folk Village

Overnight in Donegal
Tenon Recommends: Mill Park Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 8: Donegal to Westport

Arriving in Westport, take a coast road drive around Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain. As an ancient pilgrimage site, Croagh Patrick attracts 1 million people on regular pilgrimage days. Visit the pride of Westport, the Westport House, and see what life was like living in a “Big House”. Enjoy the tracks and trails and feel the thrill of having a hawk fly down to land on your hand. All that fresh air should whet your appetite for great local food tonight!

Highlights include: Westport House
Optional highlights: Hawk Walk, cycle the Great Western Greenway, Westport Food Tour, Ceide Fields

Overnight in Westport
Tenon Recommends: Castlecourt Hotel
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 9: Westport to Clare

Visit the quaint village of Cong, County Mayo as you drive toward Clare. Cong is famous for a quintessential Irish movie, The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Visit the cottage museum and feel like you’re on the set of the movie. Be enchanted by the spectacle of a medieval banquet – eating with your hands has never been such fun!

Optional highlights: Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet, Bunratty Folk Park

Overnight in Clare
Tenon Recommends: Old Ground Hotel Ennis
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 10: Clare

Discover more of Clare today with the imposing Cliffs of Moher. On a sunny day it’s spectacular; on a rainy day it’s mystical, so it’s a winner all round! Drive out to lovely little seaside towns like Doolin, Spanish Point or Lisdoonvarna, where you can enjoy local Burren Smokehouse smoked Irish salmon.

Optional highlights: Day trip to Inis Mor from Doolin

Overnight in Donegal
Tenon Recommends: Old Ground Hotel Ennis
(Breakfast included)

 

Day 11: Departure

Say Slån to Ireland today. Fly home with memories to last a lifetime and a desire to return and see more of what Ireland has to offer.
(Breakfast included)

 

This itinerary can be booked as a self-drive tour or chauffeur tour.

 

Pricing

From $2,357 per person based on double occupancy*
*Price shown is an example of what to expect for a self-drive vacation. Each itinerary is customized and can change depending on seasonality, availability, etc.

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