Northern Ireland in depth! Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Rope Bridge & TITANIC exhibition - simply essential! Prepare to be fascinated with a local expert-guide on a fun & informative tour. ALL accommodation, entries & breakfasts included.
The North of Ireland is now a must-see for any traveler arriving in Ireland.
This tour enables you to focus on Northern Ireland, the little corner of our motherland so present in world headlines since 1969 but now experiencing a new dawn after an end to the 30 years of political-violence.
We even INCLUDE the Titanic Experience Visitor Center, save £12!
*note: Our 2 day tours combine 2 of our 1 day adventures with an overnight stay, and are ideal for those short on time. They also offer a big range of departure dates as they are combined with our 1 day groups. If you are looking for a famous Paddywagon group tour please check out our 3 day tours!*
We introduce you to local guides and the fun-loving characters and customs of both the Ulster-Irish and Ulster-British communities.
Our overnight stay will be some of the great memories of your travels. Downtown Belfast is amazing, and the glorious glens of Antrim are an absolute Irish paradise with Scotland in full view 12 miles away.
We include a visit to the set of the hugely popular TV series Game of Thrones where we visit the Dark Hedges and see Ballintoy harbour.
We hike to the famous Rope Bridge (consider crossing at your own risk for a small optional charitable donation to the National Trust, the registered UK charity that maintains the Bridge) and see the eighth wonder of the world, the Giant's Causeway, before viewing the formidable Dunluce Castle.
With breathtaking scenery, genuine and warm locals, unspoiled landscapes and a living history, Northern Ireland (or 'Norn Iron' in the beautiful broad local accent) is a real travelers' paradise.
Depart Dublin with your fantastic Irish Tour Guide and a host of other international travelers of all ages. We depart at 8.15 am from Paddys Palace (Dublin Central Hostel on Lower Gardiner Street)/ 8.20am from O'Connell Street (in front of Savoy cinema)/ 8.30am from Dublin Tourist Office on Suffolk street (the former church on the south side of town).
A wonderful tour lies ahead, with a short 2 hour drive to Belfast on the brand new 'Peace Highway'. The drive up will be broken up by some interesting and lovely little stops.
Our first stop are the haunting ruins of Monasterboice. See a real 10th century round tower and learn how our ancestors took refuge from the Vikings. Touch the most beautiful Celtic crosses in Ireland, hand-carved by monks in the 9th century.
Arrive in lovely Belfast where we visit Belfast's number 1 attraction - the Titanic Experience (entry included)! We take you on a fascinating journey back in time during which we get to experience Titanic's story. From her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. With plenty of free time in Belfast city, we recommend the optional (£8.50) Black Taxi Tour which will take you on a political and historical journey of the city. You will visit the Falls and Shankill Roads, murals and the peace wall, learn the city's troubled history and how Belfast overcame the troubles. This tour comes highly recommended by Lonely Planet.
Use the free time to enjoy lunch and shopping in Belfast bustling downtown area. Excellent shopping opportunities as the prices are much lower than Dublin! We also recommend a visit to the Crown Liquor Saloon, Grand Opera House, Botanical Gardens, City Hall, Queen's University, and Belfast's own leaning tower - Albert Clock.
We will overnight in Belfast's historic city location, the University quarter with a vast array of bars, music venues and fantastic eateries to suit all budgets.
We depart Belfast 9.30am, as your loyal Paddywagon coach comes up from Dublin to collect you at your accommodation and take you on another fantastic touring day!
We drive through the beautiful County Antrim that takes us to the North Coast of Ulster. Our first stop shall be the Dark Hedges, and the enchanting town of Ballintoy, which is home to the famed Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge and also known as the set of the popular TV series Game of Thrones. Enjoy the mesmerizing views of Scotland and take the exhilarating rope bridge to Carrick-a-Rede island and enjoy a truly clifftop experience (optional/£5.60).This 30-meter deep and 20-meter wide chasm is traversed by a rope bridge, build by salmon fishermen. You can even spot Rathlin Island (four miles off the coast), a huge bird-colony between ourselves and Scotland.
Since the 18th century The Giant's Causeway has often been described as 'The Eighth Wonder Of The World' and once you have visited the site you will quickly see why. The area consists of an estimated 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns, which were formed during a volcano eruption 60 million years ago. This is one of the great natural attractions of the world and many believe the Causeway was built by a giant Finn McCool. A brand new ultra-modern visitor center has opened and we include the entrance (worth £8). Visit to the center offers you their unique audio guides with earphones which tells the story of the rock formations as you stand on them.
After a magical site like the Giant's Causeway it is hard to believe you can see something as exciting, however we will prove you wrong. Our final stop is Dunluce Castle which to this day still arouses curiosity. The ancestral home of the MacDonnell Clan is rumored to be haunted by spirits of the residents that died under mysterious circumstances. Enjoy the breathtaking views and the mere beauty of this spot before we head back to Dublin. On our way back we take a short refreshment stop. With a wealth of songs, stories, and memories we arrive back in Dublin approx 8:30 pm after the best 2 days you will ever experience touring!