Paddywagon Tours

PADDYWAGON 6 Day Northern Tour Dublin
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Tour Itinerary

Day 1

Dublin – Slane – Monasterboice – Battle of the Boyne site - South Armagh Border crossing – Belfast

Leaving Dublin we begin our adventures by driving North to Slane Castle, Irelands idyllic and premier concert venue on the Banks of the Boyne. Guns & Roses, Springsteen and Robbie Williams have all played here. The private Castle is regarded as U2’s spiritual home. We stop at the slaughterfields of the Battle of the Boyne (1690), hear how the Irish Jacobite cause was crushed and William of Orange became the inspiration for Northern Ireland’s ‘marching season’.

We view the decapitated head of St. Oliver Plunkett (1681) in Drogheda Cathedral, an appetiser before lunch in Dundalk. Celtic crosses in Monasterboice. Cross the border at Newry, viewing the British military fortifications in the Celtic mythology steeped mountains of South Armagh. Then it’s on to intriguing and beautiful Belfast, birthplace of the Titanic and once the second richest city in the British Empire. A local guide will meet us on arrival and conduct a fascinating walking tour.

Day 2

Belfast – Glens of Antrim – Ballycastle – Carrick a rede Rope Bridge (seasonal) – Giants Causeway - Ballintoy

One of the greatest touring Days in the world!! You can begin the day with a world famous Black Taxi Tour (optional) through the tragically divided streets of West Belfast, view the ‘Peace Wall’ and the political/cultural wall murals. We then present you with a contrast extraordinaire. One hour from the division of Belfast lie the 9 Great, glorious Glens of Antrim – ‘Switzerland in Miniature’, Ballycastle for some Dulce and Yellow Man! (Ask your driver!), the Carrick a rede Rope bridge (summer only) and the 8th wonder of the world … the Giants Causeway.

We stay tonight in the culturally mixed fishing village of Ballintoy, almost as Scottish as it is Irish. Luxurious hostel, sit around the turf fire with locals singing and playing fiddles, Golden sandy beaches, Palm Trees, crystal clear water – Happy Days, Happy Nights!!

Day 3

Ballintoy – Dunluce Castle – Historic Derry – Grianan Aileach – Hills of Donegal – Donegal Town

Today we sadly have to leave Ballintoy! But immediately we come upon Dunluce Castle, perched on its lonely cliff top edge, ancestral home of the Irish MacDonnells. Through Portrush and Europe’s finest Golf courses, to the Historic Walled Town of Derry. We take a guided tour of Derry and walk the only complete city walls (1613-1617) in Ireland or the UK. Politics & History buffs are sure to have their thirst for knowledge quenched here.

Then we cross the border to An Grianan Aileach, the finest stone fort in Ireland. Coronation site of the O’Neills, the most illustrious clan in Ulster. View the entire North from here. Then through the lush green hills of Donegal. We stay tonight in Donegal Town, with its Famous O’Donnell Castle.

Day 4:

Donegal Town – Sliabh League Cliffs - Bundoran – Creevykeel Court Cairn – WB Yeat’s Grave – Sligo – Westport

As the mist rolls in from Donegal Bay, we set off for Sliabh League, highest sea cliffs (1500ft) in the Western World. After some spine chilling views and walks, we drive south again for Bundoran. The town will host the World surfing championships in 2004 and is a holiday mecca for Northern Irish families.

We immerse ourselves in ancient history at the pagan burial tomb of Creevykeel Court Cairn. Your guide will wax lyrical at the grave of our National poet, WB Yeats, in the foot of Ben Bulben Mountain. We take in Ballyshannon, Sligo (home of Westlife!), and beautiful Mayo as we head for the lively, enchanting town of Westport. We stay tonight in this heartland of Irish music and dancing.

Day 5

Westport – Croagh Patrick – Doolough FamineWalk – Leenan – Killary Harbour – Connemara National Park – Kylemore Abbey scenic stop – Galway

Today we follow in the footsteps of St. Patrick. Some of us will climb the 2,500 ft high mountain – Croagh Patrick, one of the worlds 7 holy mountains. The reward is a truly spiritual experience, with unrivalled views over the West of Ireland and the site where the Great Patrick banished snakes from our beautiful Island forever in the 5th century.

We make a poignant stop at the Black Lake/Doolough, where many perished during our great famine of 1845-49. Leenan is where the oscar winning ‘The Field’ was filmed with Tom Berenger at the bottom of Killary Harbour, Irelands only fjiord. Connemara National Park is Europe’s last real wilderness, the silence is awesome.

We may see eagles or Irish wolfhounds, the world’s largest dog on our way to Kylemore Abbey for a scenic stop. Tonight we stay in always, the city of the tribes. Gaelic Galway - Irelands most hip, most historic medieval Party City.

Day 6

Galway – Athenry - Colloney Castle – Ferbane – Bog of Allen –Phoenix Park – Dublin

You should arise early and view the Spanish arch and the 12th century walls before we journey on the road to Dublin. Visit Athenry, Ireland’s best preserved Norman walled town. Full guided tour and weather permitting we try our skills at Irish archery. Moving on we stop at the German built 16th Century Colloney Castle.

Cross the Shannon by bridge this time into the province of Leinster and County Offaly. The Hiney Family feed and water us in Ferbane in anticipation of the Great Bogs of Allen. We finish our adventures together in the largest urban park in the world, Dublin’s Phoenix Park. Our Uachtaran (President) lives here, the Pope did a gig here in 1979 to 1 million young Irish and the herd of Irish Red Deer running free provide much entertainment. Arrive back in Dublin’s Fair City.

Please note This itinerary is the typical Paddywagon tour and is subject to possible change at our discretion and/or in the interests of your enjoyment, as laid out in the ‘Paddywagon terms & conditions’, which can be found on your ‘Paddywagon Travel Pass’ or can be emailed to you on request. We endeavour to keep the itinerary as stated, we want you to love our Motherland as much as we do.

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