NOTE: You should fly into and out of Dublin International Airport. You need to arrive no later than 11 am on October 13th in order to take part in the activities planned for the day. You may depart from Dublin at any time on October 23rd.

Day 1 - Ovenight Dublin, Harrington Hall or similar, D

Welcome to Ireland!  After your overnight flight to Dublin you will be met at the airport and transferred to our centrally located hotel where your Two Dog Travel tour director will be waiting to greet you. If you arrive early in the day, your room may not be ready but the hotel will be happy to store your luggage. Your tour leader will be available to make suggestions on things to do and help get you acquainted with the area. Our tour will officially kick off with a walking tour of the city where we'll visit some of the main sites and learn about the history of the city. We'll end our tour at a local restaurant where we'll enjoy a welcome dinner and toast to our adventures ahead.

Day 2 - Ovenight Dublin, Harrington Hall or similar, B, L

Today we'll begin with a tour of Trinity College where we'll meet with a student, tour the grounds and learn of its unique history (did you know that some notable alums include Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker and Mary Robinson - the first female President of Ireland?)  Next we'll visit the Book of Kells exhibit on our own and see the beautiful Old Library.  We'll then enjoy a pub lunch as a group before having the rest of the afternoon and evening to explore Dublin on your own.  You may choose to visit the Teeling or Jameson Distilleries for a tour and tasting, tour the Guiness Factory, or shop on Grafton Street. There are many things to do in Dublin and we are happy to help you with the arragements. 

Day 3 - Overnight Belfast, The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, B

 This morning after checking out, we explore the beautiful Boyne Valley, one of Ireland’s richest historic landscapes. Our journey begins at the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland, where mythology and history come together amid sweeping countryside views. In the afternoon, we'll arrive in the charming medieval town of Carlingford, set between the mountains and the shores of Carlingford Lough (some say is the prettiest village in Ireland’s Ancient East). Here we will enjoy a lively walking tour with local character, Clodagh, whose humour and knowledge bring the town’s history to life. Later we will meet a local storyteller and enjoy some of the folklore of the region. Tonight we arrive in Belfast, a vibrant city where history, culture, and modern energy come together, giving us time to experience the unique character of Northern Ireland’s capital.

Day 4 - Overnight Belfast, The Harrison Chambers of Distinction, B, L

Today we'll absorb the scenery as we drive through the Glens of Antrim and explore abandoned villages tucked away within the glens. We'll take in the views over the sea of Moyle while hearing the story of the Children of Lir and discovering the deep cultural and genetic link between Ireland and Scotland. Our journey brings us to the world-famous Giant’s Causeway, where thousands of geologically unique basalt columns and ancient legend combine to create one of Ireland’s most unforgettable landscapes. After exploring the paths of the Causeway and lunch as a group, we'll continue to the striking ruins of Dunluce Castle, perched dramatically on the Atlantic coast and steeped in history and folklore. After returning to Belfast, we will meet former prisoners of war whose lives were deeply affected by the period of violence in the North of Ireland, known as "The Troubles." The tour will be led by a Republican, a loyalist and a former British soldier. It will be an interesting combination of stories and views of this sad period in Irish history. 

Day 5 - Overnight Ardara, Nesbitt Arms Hotel or similar, B, L

Today we’ll head west as we make our way to Derry. We’ll start with a one-hour walking tour of Derry Bogside. We’ll learn about the tragic events of Bloody Sunday from those who were directly affected by it. Our guide, Paul, is the son of Patrick Doherty, one of the innocent victims. He offers his first hand knowledge and insight into the story from a uniquely direct perspective. This comprehensive tour will give an educational insight to the Civil Rights era, Bloody Sunday and the conflict that ensued. After our tour, you’ll have a bit of free time before we continue to make our way to our next stop. We’ll walk in the footsteps of Irish migrants as they escaped the horrors of the Great Hunger. We’ll enjoy an easy 6k hike up the Carntogher Mountain and end at Friel’s restaurant/pub. Here you’ll see where the soup kitchen was set up during the famine, taste nettle famine soup and see the original famine pot. We’ll learn about the famine and hear local folklore about poet and adventurer Mick McAtammey. After the tour we’ll enjy a 2-course lunch before making our way to Ardara to check into the hotel.

Day 6 - Overnight Ardara, Nesbitt Arms Hotel or similar, B, D

Today we explore the wild beauty and rich traditions of County Donegal, a landscape shaped by rugged coastline, mountain scenery, and deep-rooted Gaelic culture. We begin with a visit to the spectacular Sliabh Liag cliffs, among the highest sea cliffs in Europe, where dramatic Atlantic views create one of the most breathtaking sights in Ireland. From here we continue to the remote and beautiful village of Glencolmcille, an area renowned for its strong traditions, history, and connection to Irish culture and where you'll have the opportunity to use the Gaeilge that you’ve learned so far! Later we make our way back to Ardara where we will enjoy an evening of storytelling with a local seanchaí, sharing the folklore and traditions that have been passed down through generations. We'll end the day with dinner as a group at a local restaurant.

Day 7 - Overnight Ardara, Nesbitt Arms Hotel or similar, B

Today we’ll head to Glenveagh National Park, a beautiful landscape where you will enjoy a long yet relaxing walk through the glen and learn how the flora and fauna is intertwined with Irish folklore. Our walk will end at Glenveagh Castle, constructed between 1867 and 1873 by wealthy Anglo-Irish land speculator named Captain John George Adair. Deeply inspired by the British Royal Family’s Scottish retreat, Balmoral Castle, Adair’s ambition was to rival and surpass Balmoral in its grand design and beautiful aesthetics. After time to grab lunch on your own, we'll meet with Lucy O'Hagan. Particularly interested in rekindling the mystical knowledge and skills we once knew so intimately, Lucy hopes to re-connect us with the ancient wisdoms and the land. 

Day 8 - Overnight in Westport - Clew Bay Hotel or similar - B, D

After checking out, we’ll start the day with a visit to Donegal Castle. Build by Chietai Red Hugh O’Donnell in 1474, it was the primary seat of the O’Donnell Clan and described by visitors in 1566 as one of the finest and strongest Gaelic fortresses in all of Ireland. Next we continue to the spectacular Gleniff Horseshoe, where the dramatic landscape provides the perfect setting for tales from the Fenian Cycle, including the legendary story of Diarmuid and Gráinne - Grainne one of the most famous Fenian lays (poems or ballads). Travelling through County Sligo, a region renowned for its connections to myth, poetry, and archaeology, we explore the remarkable prehistoric landscapes of Carrowkeel and Carrowmore, among the most important Neolithic sites in Ireland. We also visit Tobar an Aillt, a sacred holy well where ancient customs and devotional traditions endure.

Our day continues beneath the watchful presence of Knocknarea, forever associated with the legendary Queen Maeve. Here we delve into the stories of Ireland’s formidable warrior queen and the enduring influence of myth upon the landscape. We end our day in Westport, beautifully situated on the shores of Clew Bay, where we conclude a day rich in stories, history, and some of Ireland’s most evocative scenery. We'll enjoy dinner as a group at a local restaurant. 

Day 9 - Overnight in Westport - Clew Bay Hotel or similar - B

Today we’ll enjoy a Farm experience where we’ll spend the morning with a heritage farmer learning about traditional farming methods. We’ll get to meet the sheepdogs, watch a demonstration and learn how they are such a huge part of an Irish farm. Next we’ll head back to the farmhouse for tea, home baked bread and stories by the turf fire. We’ll end the day exploring the ancient site of Rathcroghan. From the top of a prehistoric burial mound to the depths of a cave known as Ireland’s “Gate to Hell,” this ancient capital of Connacht is home to some of the island’s richest myths and legends. In the evening we return to Westport, where the colourful streets, pubs, traditional music, and welcoming atmosphere provide the perfect setting to reflect on another day of unforgettable stories and landscapes.

Day 10 - Ovenight Dublin, Harrington Hall or similar, B, D

Today we leave the west behind and begin our journey east through the heart of Ireland, travelling across the gentle landscapes of the Midlands, where history, tradition and craftsmanship remain deeply woven into everyday life. A highlight of the day is our visit to a traditional blacksmith’s forge, where we can hammer out our own art inspired by Ireland's mythology. The stories will ebb and flow to the rhythm of the blacksmith's hammer. We’ll spend our last night in Dublin where we’ll enjoy our farewell dinner and reflect on the landscapes, stories, and traditions encountered throughout our journey; from ancient monuments and sacred places, to legendary figures and the people who keep these traditions alive today. We'll toast to the stories we heard and the new friends we made. Sláinte! 

Day 11 - B

Unfortunately, it's time to say goodby. After breakfast you'll be transferred to the Dublin airport according to your departure time.