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6 Day Northern Delights Adventure Tour

A Northern Adventure

Rugged Outdoors, Political Intrigue and Immersive Experiences

For many years, Northern Ireland was under the shadow of ‘the troubles’ with few brave enough to visit. Since the Peace Treaty of 1998, Belfast and the Causeway Coast has transformed itself and was listed as the top region to visit in 2018 by Lonely Planet.

Whilst there, we aim to discover the political legacy of the Troubles in Belfast and Derry city by taking locally run tours.

We enjoy the unique UNESCO site, the Giant’s causeway located on the stunning chalk white cliffs, now also famous as the filming locations for many Game of Thrones scenes.

We get an immersive experience at the best of Northern Ireland’s craft breweries and of course a tour and tasting at Bushmills – the oldest licensed distillery in the World.

Starting and finishing in Dublin on this fully guided tour, you’ll also visit Co. Donegal, Sligo and Mayo in the Northern section of the Wild Atlantic Way – the 1,600 mile long route that takes in Ireland’s stunning Atlantic coastline. The North West of Ireland is home to our most remote national parks, rugged scenery and stunning coastal views.

Come experience Ireland’s Northern Delights.

June 16th – 21st, 2024

€1,595

Tour Description

Epic Adventures Up North

Day 1

Dublin City to Belfast, Co Down.

Hill-of-Tara

Depart Dublin and travel to one of Ireland’s most hidden gems. It’s 5,000 years old, contains really impressive neolithic art and has amazing  views over the Royal county. That’s all the clues for now, we pick up the keys to this secret place en route and will most likely have it all to ourselves.

Our first brewery visit is to Brehon Brewhouse which is housed on the farm, so it’s quite possible Seamus will have some farm jobs rounded up for us whilst touring the brewery. We will avoid ‘milking time’ but if anyone wants to taste the milk that goes to the local Bailey’s factory to make Bailey’s Irish Creme, we can include that in our tastings. Step back in time for tastings in the quaint old ancestral cottage on the farm.

Our Northern Ireland adventures get up and going on Day 1. Arrive to Titanic quarter in Belfast there the Titanic was built and set off on her maiden voyage from, what was the world’s biggest shipyard in 1912.

Pick up by our local black taxi driver to take you on a tour of the areas of West Belfast which experienced most of ‘The Troubles’. See the wall murals which tell the story of Belfast’s turbulent political history.

Visit Boundary Brewing in Belfast city – a co-operative brewery owned and run by its members. The Boundary team are always experimenting with different styles of beers which promise some unique tasting beers.

Overnight in Belfast with time to check out the city and its many top class pubs and restaurants.

 

Brehon Brewhouse Brewery Logo

Brehon Brewhouse

Producers of: Killanney Red, Stony Grey IPA, Brehon Blonde

BOUNDARY Brewery Logo

Boundary Brewery, Belfast

Producers of: Berliner Vice, D’etre, Imbongo

Day 2

Belfast to Portrush, Co. Antrim

Titanic Belfast

A short hop up to the Causeway coast, this is an impressive 120 miles of white chalk cliff-carving coastal beauty.

The Giant’s Causeway is a World Heritage Site area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of volcanic lava flow 50-60 million years ago. This has become one of the most iconic sites in Ireland. Arrive early to enjoy this area of natural beauty before the crowds. After a walk and plenty of photo opportunities at the Giant’s Causeway, we will stop at the small village of Bushmills.

It’s time to take a tour of Ireland’s oldest licensed distillery and sample the infamous Bushmills Whiskey. Situated on the banks of the River Bush, whiskey has been distilled here since 1608 when King James I granted a license. During the tour, you’ll learn all about their finest ‘water of life’ – directly translated from the Irish word for whiskey uisce beatha.

More stunning sites at Dunluce castle on the Causeway Coast en route to Portrush. We’ll visit Lacada Brewery, a community-owned brewery who takes great pride in their sense of place with the beauty and wildness of the North Atlantic beaches on their doorstep. Overnight in the seaside village of Portrush.

 

Bushmills Irish Whiskey

Bushmills Distillery

Producers of: Bushmills Original, Black Bush, 10/16/21 year old Single Malt Whiskey

Lacada Brewery Logo

Lacada Brewery

Producers of: Giants Organ IPA, Sorley Boys Stash Golden Ale, Stranded Bunny Porter

Day 3

Portrush, Co. Antrim to Ardara

The Giants Causeway

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We make our way along the Antrim Coastline to the city of Derry/ Londonderry. A city with a fascinating and often turbulent history. In fact, it is the only completely walled city in Ireland. While in Derry, you’ll learn all about its history and explore its walls on the award-winning walking tour of Derry.

Interesting fact about Derry – Londonderry: In 1613, the city was granted a Royal Charter by King James and gained the “London” prefix to reflect the funding of its construction by the London guilds. To reflect the divide that is still present to this day, Nationalists call the city Derry, while Unionists call it Londonderry.

Visit the historic Grianán of Aileach fort, a circular stone fort thought to have been built in the sixth or seventh century with a 244m vantage point over the inlets. The panoramic views of Donegal from the fort are second to none.

A short drive to Letterkenny, it’s time to visit Kinnegar Brewery. Named after Kinnegar Beach in County Donegal where the brewery was started by Rick and Libby. They are passionate about brewing and will take you through the brewing process starting in the malt loft. This is one of the few breweries in Ireland to have a newly opened taproom where we will taste the range of beers.

Interesting fact about Donegal – Donegal was awarded first place on National Geographic ‘Traveller’s Cool List’. Travel onto Ardara for an overnight stay and a visit to Eddie Doherty, master weaver on the hand loom. Dinner at Nancy’s Bar, this pub has been in the McHugh family for 7 generations and is as traditional as it gets. 

Kinnegar Brewery Logo

Kinnegar Brewery

Producers of: Limeburner Pale Ale, Devil’s Backbone Amber ale, Scraggy Bay IPA, Rustbucket Rye Ale, Yannaroddy porter.

Day 4

Ardara to Sligo

Glenveagh National Park

We start the day off with a scenic drive over to Glengesh pass to visit Ireland’s highest sea cliffs. Hike up the side of the Cliffs for a birds eye view to the ocean below and across Donegal Bay to Ben Bulben.

Lunch in Donegal town in the former stables of the Castle, the Olde Castle Bar serves wonderful local seafood dishes.

Drive along the edge of the Wild Atlantic Way at Mullaghmore, it’s a stunningly beautiful peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way. A trip to Ireland would not be complete without a visit to a working sheep farm. Martin at Atlantic sheepdogs talks about life raising sheep on the mountain and shows his trusted border collies at work. 

Sheep farming is thirsty work which leads us to  Lough Gill Brewery. The guys at Lough Gill love experimenting with new beers, the bacon beer was fermenting on our last visit. Tastings were oink-teresting.

Overnight in the lovely Sligo Town, in Irish ‘Sligeach’ which means “abounding in shells” is the pride of Ireland’s western seaboard with its rich medieval history. Lots of great pubs and live music awaits you in Sligo.

 

Lough Gill Brewing Company

Lough Gill Brewery

Producers of: MacNutty Brown Ale, Sour Wheat Ale, Imperial Oatmeal Coffee Cream Stout.

Day 5

Sligo To Westport

Clew Bay Co Mayo

Follow the beautiful Wild Atlantic Way coast we continue our journey around to Ballina which sits on the River Moy, Ireland’s most famous salmon fishing river. Explore more of this beautiful and rugged landscape of West Mayo by getting off the beaten track to visit Ballycroy National Park, Ireland’s sixth and smallest national park. A vast unspoilt wilderness that is surrounded by the Nephin Beg Mountain range. The park comprises of a unique Atlantic blanket bog and mountainous terrain. While there, we’ll get out and enjoy a walk in what is deemed as Ireland’s last wilderness.

There’s more spectacular Mayo coastal scenery which takes us around Clew Bay to visit the National Famine Memorial at the foot of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s holiest mountain! You can choose to slog it up the pilgrim’s walk to St Patrick’s Church on the peak or visit Mescan Brewery, a much more advisable option! Mescan was St Patrick’s brewer.

Belgian beers are the speciality at Mescan Brewery and they are excellent. We hear all kinds of interesting tales from Cillian before spending the night in the beautiful town of Westport, Co Mayo. Enjoy lots of pubs, restaurants and music in this lively town.

Mescan Brewery Logo

Mescan Brewery

Producers of: Westport White, Westport Blond, Westport Tripel, Westporter Stout

Day 6

Westport To Dublin

Westport Town

Enjoy a little free time for shopping in the charming town of Westport. Saying farewell to the West of Ireland is never easy. We’ll make a stop at the Museum of Country Life to see exhibitions representing traditional ways of life in rural Ireland since 1850.

Our last brewery stop is at Black Donkey brewing where Richard tells us his tales of returning from the US with brewing ideas and how they reached fruition. He is a wonderful storyteller which compliments tastings of his farmhouse saison beers very nicely.

Lunch en route back to Dublin for drop-offs and hugs in the city centre.

Lough Gill Brewing Company

Black Donkey Brewing

Producers of: Sheep Stealer Farmhouse Ale, Happy Out Pale Ale, Buckit Amber Ale, Beyond the Pale Rye Pale Ale

Want More?

Also Included In The Tour:

5

Pick-up & drop off in Dublin City Centre

5

Transport in Mercedes mini-bus

5

Tours and tastings at seven of Ireland’s best craft breweries

5

Visit Bushmill’s Distillery

5

Slieve League Cliffs

5

Atlantic Sheepdogs Demonstration

5

Ballycroy National Park

5

5 nights hotel/B&B accommodation with a full and hearty Irish cooked breakfast each morning

5

Minimum number for this tour is 8, maximum number is 16

What To Bring

Be Ready For Adventure!

Bring A Raincoat

A Rain Jacket

Bring A Raincoat

Walking Shoes

Bring A Raincoat

A Thirst For Good Beer

Bring A Raincoat

Hunger for Great Food

Bring A Raincoat

A Sense Of Adventure!

…and an interest in meeting new people, sharing experiences, fun and stories along the way!

What Are You Waiting For?

Lets Go!

Let’s shake off the isolation, worry and fear to go and explore the wonderful Wild Atlantic Way!