Day 1: Discover Dublin on the day you arrive. See a play at one of Dublin's popular theatres, the Abbey, Gate or Gaiety with shows nightly featuring some of the best theatre in the world. You could also take a visit to one of the many lively pubs and restuarants.
Day 2: Leave Dublin, drive north to Co Meath and stop at Newgrange, which is an ancient passage grave built in 3200 BC. It is the oldest solar observatory in the world and on the day of the winter solstice, December 21st, rays of the sun enter the tomb and light up the central burial tomb. The interpretive centre nearby will explain the history of the site. Also visit the Hill of Tara, Slane Castle and Kells, home to the Book of Kells before going on to the 6th century monastery of monasterboice.
Day 3 & 4: Travel onwards and arrive at the seaside town of Newcastle in Co Down. This is an ideal location to explore the beautiful Mourne Mountains. Newcastle is also the location of the Royal Co Down Golf Club which is consistently rated amoug the top 10 courses in the world, so if you are a golfer this may be an opportunity not to be missed. The drive along the coast of Co Down along the A2 is the most memorable in Co Down. You can stop at Annalong, Kilkeel, Warrenpoint or Rostrevor and form these villages you can detour into the Mourne Mountains themselves. You can take a drive and visit the other villages along the coast or take on of the many walks along the many trails in the Mourne Mountains. You travel onto Belfast this evening for 2 nights. The city offers a great selection of attractions, restaurants and pubs.
Day 5: Travel north to Carrigfergus and on through Larne and up to Ballycastle. This drive takes you through the Glens of Antrim, a wonderfully scenic journey. From Ballycastle you can discover Dunluce and Dunseverick Castles and the strange phenomenon that is the Giants Causeway. Bushmills is nearby and boasts the oldest whiskey distillery in the world. Continue to the seaside towns of Portrush and Portstewart. Continue to Derry City through Coleraine for your next nights stay.
Day 6 & 7: From Derry you can travel around Donegal, one of the most scenic parts of Ireland. From here you could travel thorugh Donegal town to see the Slieve League Cliffs, visit one of Ireland's finest beaches at Rossnowlagh, the fishing town of Killybegs. Visit Glenveagh National Park and stay in Donegal Town where you can enjoy some great traditional music sessions in the local pubs at night.
Day 8: From Donegal travel on through Sligo County and ontowards Mayo for your next night's stay. Mayo has some of the most dramatic scenery and beautiful sandy beaches. There are many attractions to see in Mayo such as Croagh Patrick, the pilgrimage mountain as well as the beautiful view of Clew Bay and its many islands. Also take a trip to the beautiful town of Westport. Nearby is Westport House, home to the decendants of Grace O'Malley, 16th century Queen of Connacht. Spend the night in Belleek Castle in Ballina, Co Mayo.
Day 9 & 10: Leave Mayo and drive to Connemara for your next 2 nights stay. Attractions in and around Connemara include Clifden, Oughterards, leenane, Maams Cross. Connemara is best enjoyed by taking a leisurely aimless drive through it's lonely countryside where peace comes easy. Excellent hillwalking routes are also found in Connemara. Also worth visiting is Galway city bursting with life and activity. Galway is famous for its traditional music and great pubs among other things. The Druid Theatre is Galway's premier theater company and one of Ireland's best also. Near here on Quay St. is where most of the best restaurants in Galway are located.
Day 11: Leave Galway and travel south to The Burren, the extraordinary limestone landscape that is home to some of Ireland's most exotic flora. This is the ideal place for a walk and you will find many way-marked paths. Continue on to the Cliffs of Moher to see one of Ireland's most popular attractions. Also worth visiting are the villages of Doolin, Lahinch and the Alliwee Caves.
Day 12: Regrettably, your trip ends today. Depart Shannon Airport for home with happy memories of your visit to Ireland.
Lodging:
Mont Clare Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
Cabra Castle, Cavan (1 night)
Europa Hotel, Antrim (2 nights)
Tower Hotel, Derry City (1 night)
Mill Park Hotel, Donegal (2 nights)
Belleek Castle, Mayo (1 night)
Ross Lake Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
Old Ground Hotel, Clare (1 night)
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