Discover Northern Ireland and the Northern Wild Atlantic Way on this wonderful trip to cities and stunning coastlines. Explore the political legacy of the Troubles in Belfast and Derry with local tours. Visit the Giant’s Causeway, UNESCO world heritage site set against the stunning chalk cliffs featured in Game of Thrones.
Immerse yourself in Northern Ireland’s craft breweries and distilleries. Starting and ending in Dublin, this guided tour spans Co. Donegal, Sligo and Mayo along the Northern Wild Atlantic Way, boasting remote scenery and breathtaking cliffs and coastal views. Embark on a journey to experience Ireland’s Northern Delights.
Pick up at 8:45am for 9am departure. So long Dublin, we travel North to Slane to see the historical ruins on the Hill of Slane. Coffee stop at a French bakery.
Our beer adventures get up and flowing in Brehon Brewery, a farmhouse brewery. Tour the brewery and taste the impressive range of beers in the old cottage on the family farm which also supplies nearby Bailey’s with lovely creamy milk.
Lunch at Era which is part of Hinch Distillery, this is where we enter Northern Ireland and euros change to GBP, you can take pounds from the ATM if you wish or pay for lunch by card.
Some Like It Hot tour at Hinch Distillery. Hear the story behind two Irish favourites – the immortal cure-all Hot Whiskey and the Irish Coffee, which often substitutes as a dessert with a kick. This is a hands-on interactive drink-making workshop where you will learn the best way to make your own at home to impress friends.
Drive to Newcastle, a beautiful beach town for the overnight stay. The evening is yours to enjoy – check out Villa Vinci, Quinns Bar or Harbour House for food and drink.
Overnight in Newcastle.
9am – Depart for Belfast, those taking the Black Taxi Tour will be met by Eamonn who will take you on a tour of the areas of West Belfast which experienced most of the Troubles. See the murals which tell the story of Belfast’s political and religious history. This is not included in the tour and costs £20 in cash to your driver Eamonn.
Those not taking the Black Taxi Tour have the option to visit the Titanic Experience where it all started in 1912 – the Titanic was built and set sail from here. It needs to be pre-booked for 10am, you will have 2 hours for the visit. Or you can explore Belfast on foot.
Onto the Northern causeway coast to visit the Giant’s Causeway, UNESCO World Heritage Site. See 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of volcanic lava flow 50-60 million years ago. Walks and photo opportunities galore at the Giant’s Causeway.
Coastal drive via Dunluce castle to Portrush. Visit Sam at Lacada Brewery who take great pride in their sense of place with the beauty and wildness of the North Atlantic beaches on their doorstep. Taste a super range of beers in this co-operative brewery.
Overnight in Portrush which has 2 fabulous swimming beaches.
We make our way to the city of Derry/Londonderry. A city with a fascinating and often turbulent history. It is the only completely walled city in Ireland. While in Derry, join the award-winning Martin McCrossan walking tour of Derry to hear all about its history and explore its walls. Cost £6 in cash to your guide – 1.5 hours.
Depart Derry and visit the historic Grianán of Aileach fort. A circular stone fort thought to have been built in 7th century. The panoramic views of Donegal from on top of Grianán of Aileach fort are spectacular. A short drive to Letterkenny for lunch and a visit to Kinnegar Brewery. Founder Rick has always been passionate about his beers and has grown his farmhouse brewery to a much bigger operation. Donegal is the home of tweed and no-one does weaving better than Eddie Doherty on the loom. He has been making beautiful tweed caps, clothing and throws for over 50 years using Donegal wool. He will invite us into his workshop and give us a demo on the hand loom in Ardara.
Overnight in Donegal.
We start the day off with a visit to the Sliabh Liag Cliffs, the highest sea cliffs in Europe. These cliffs offer spectacular views across Donegal Bay. 10 am booked for the boat trippers to see the Cliffs from the water, it’s a really fun way to experience them. You can often spot dolphins on the way (€25 pp to Paddy the boatman cash or card). The rest of us can take a walk up the cliff edge.
Lunch in Donegal town, the Castle bar serves wonderful local seafood dishes. As we travel South, we will visit Martin at Wild Atlantic sheepdogs to learn about sheep farming in the West of Ireland and see a sheepdog demo. Always a highlight with Martin and his loyal team of dogs.
Follow Ben Bulben mountain past Sligo to visit Lough Gill brewery. James has great plans for this West of Ireland brewery. Overnight in the lovely town of Sligo, in Irish ‘Sligeach’ which means “abounding in shells” is the pride of Ireland’s western seaboard with its rich medieval history. Lots of great eateries and pubs – Hooked or Hargadon Bros. Explore Sligo town at leisure.
Overnight in Sligo.
Travel South to Clew Bay to visit the National Famine Memorial at the foot of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain!
Visit Mescan brewery and meet ex-veterinarian Cillian who converted a farm shed into a brewery and make incredible Belgium style beers. It’s a really fun visit with banter galore and a delicious charcuterie pairing with beer tastings.
Enjoy some free time in Westport to check out the shops, pubs, restaurants and live music in the lively town of Westport. Home of Matt Molloy’s pub, one of The Chieftains always has trad music. Plenty of excellent seafood restaurants, best to book these ones:- An Port Mór Restaurant, Sage, Arno’s Bistro. Lots of pub grub too – Hoban’s is good, JJ O’Malley’s too.
Overnight in Westport.
Visit the Museum of Country Life to learn about old Irish traditions from 1850 -1950. Drive time…lunch at Skelly’s bar before the last brewery stop is at Wide Street Brewing in Ballymahon, this is a new addition for sour beer lovers. Meet Seán to enjoy his story over beer tastings direct from the barrels.
Travel back to Dublin for approx. 5:30pm. Drop off in the city centre.
Our tour starts in Dublin and takes in the Royal county en route to Northern Ireland for 2 overnights in coastal villages whilst visiting Hinch Distillery, Belfast, the Giants Causeway and Lacada Brewery. Day 3 sees us make our way to Derry City for a walking tour and onto Donegal for our overnight stay visiting Kinnegar brewery. Day 4 bring us to Sliabh Liag Cliffs, the highest sea cliffs in Europe. We travel to Donegal Town and then on to Sligo to visit a sheep farm.. A highlight is our visit to Mescan brewery at the foot of Croagh Patrick and the overnight stay in beautiful Westport, County Mayo.
Do not miss this experience!! Lifetime memories and new friends. No better way to enjoy the hidden places in the Wild Atlantic cities of Ireland. Get on bus, relax, learn all about Ireland and enjoy the five day tour. New city each day and the craft breweries are a once in a lifetime trip.
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Make sure to bring a sense of adventure as we’ll leave no stone unturned. Expect some unscheduled stops along the way to catch a rainbow, visit a local festival or see treasured cultural sites on our route. There are always welcome surprises.
