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BritishIrish Touring Pricing & Information |
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Southern & Ulster
You could also most throw a pebble across from Scotland's lower west coast
to Ireland's northern one. So their proximity has not only led to a lot
of shared history and inter country immigration, but also to our ability
to design this super 4-day tour where you can explore both regions. And
when combined with the following Borders tour really does offer an unbeatable
seven-day experience.
History covering thousands of years, prehistoric sites, castles, churches
and chapels, film locations, walled cities, museums, quaint villages, combine
with nature at her best in amazing coastline, rolling countryside and stunning
mountains.
Itinerary:
Day 1 (Sat) Glasgow - Omagh
You board our tour at 08.00 in central Glasgow.
Our road takes us south through the pretty lowland countryside and
Killmarmock to the seaside town of Troon where we board our ferry
to Northern Ireland. The crossing is a short and scenic one to Larne.
(Ferry P&O Express 1hr 50mins Troon to Larne departs 10.05) We by pass Belfast today in favour of a drive alongside Lough Neagh to the religious capital of Ireland, Armagh. Tradition has it that St Patrick chose Armagh as the centre of his mission in Ireland. It is certainly regarded as the spiritual capital of Ireland and with a range of interesting secular and religious sites. Our visit options include two cathedrals, the nearby Dan Winter's Cottage (the longest thatched cottage in Ireland!), the Genealogical Centre, Armagh county museum, the museum of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Our next stop of the day being at Dungannon, the location for the seat of government of the famous O'Neill clan. The homestead of Ulysses Simpson Grant, 18th U.S. President, is located in the town. Finally, we drive through gentle, rolling country to our splendid overnight base near Omagh. Day 2 (Sun) Omagh
We'll begin our day driving through the gorgeous
Sperrin Mountains, following back-road tracks through tiny settlements
north to the historic walled city of Londonderry/Derry. A walking
tour around the city walls brings alive over 700 years history.
For our next stop we'll cross the border to Donegal and visit a superb Famine Museum in a recreated village environment. The road then takes us through Strabane, where the National Trust Georgian property of Gray's printing shop harks back to Strabane's past as a printing huband Sion Mills. This unique village is a heritage area. The features of its linen industry are perfectly preserved, with the mill encircled by tiny cottages used by the mill workers. A quick diversion down a backroads to Castleberg rewards us with megalithic tombs, Todd's Cairn and the Druid's Altar. The Druid's Altar tomb includes stone panels with Ogham carvings. Incidentally, Alamo heros Davy Crockett and Sam Houston were sons of Castleberg. Next, to the award-winning Ulster American Folk park just minutes from our overnight accommodation. And it's not just intended for Americans! Here you'll relive the experience of emigration with re-enactors present to inform and entertain. Day 3 (Mon) Omagh
Just a short drive north brings us to the coast. They are all short
drives in Northern Ireland which makes it such a great place to
tour! Our first ports of call will be at the seaside resorts of
Portstewart and Portrush. Then, to the Giant's Causeway - one of
the World's most amazing geological wonders and a site all travellers
need to add to their 'seen and experienced' list.
This northern coastline has much more to delight, not least a visit to the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery, where they've been producing the water of life since 1608! There's also the Georgian Carrick-a-rede rope bridge and Ballycastle. Following the coast roads we come to the lovely Glens of Antrim which funnel down to the sea from the Antrim Mountains. You are in for some really stunning scenery and we cross mountain passes and descend the glens following coursing streams and gushing waterfalls. We'll return to our base in Omagh in time for one of their sumptuous farmhouse dinners and then finish off our evening in Omagh itself, finding local Irish music for an evening's entertainment. Day 4 (Tue) Omagh - Glasgow
We depart Omagh, by 08.30, taking the short
drive to Northern Ireland's capital. Belfast is a city with much
to recommend it, including fine, restored Victorian architecture,
impressive civic buildings, a newly restored 'docklands' and some
good shopping! A highlight of our panoramic tour will be the drive
up the two roads that defined Ulster's sectarian 'troubles' of nearly
40 years. The political graffiti that adorns the side of houses and
shops along the Falls and Shankill roads is one of the most amazing
sights you'll see.
We board our lunchtime ferry (P&O Larne to Cairnryan 13.30 / arrive 14.30), enjoying lunch aboard. Just an hour later we dock at Stranraer in Southern Ayreshire. What a treat we have in store for this final afternoon drive! We follow the Robbie Burns trail north, stopping at Burns own cottage, Brigadoon and the city of Dumfries. The splendid scenery of the Galloway Forest Park adds to our enjoyment. We'll arrive back in Glasgow by 18.30. Your accommodation tonight is not included in your tour price.
Tour Include:
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