PADDYWAGON 3 Day Northern Tour
Dublin,
Ireland
From Paddywagon Tours |
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 River Boyne. Guns & Roses, Springsteen, REM and Robbie Williams have all played here. The private castle is regarded as U2's spiritual home and they are playing here this summer. We stop at the slaughter fields 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. Leaving Dundalk we stop off at Monasterboice to look at Celtic crosses. 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 nine 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 Giant's 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 tree, crystal clear water - happy days, happy nights!!!!
Day 3
Ballintoy - Dunluce Castle - Historic Derry - Omagh - Monaghan - Royal Tara - Dublin
Today we sadly have to leave Ballintoy! But immediately we come upon Dunluce Castle, perched on its lonely clifftop edge, ancestoral home of the Irish MacDonnell's. Through Portrush and Europe's finest golf courses , to the historic walled town of Derry, built by St. Columba in 546 AD.
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. Referred to as Londonderry by Northern Ireland's Unionist community, this will be a truly memorable stop. Murals, Celtic Christian history and winding hilltop streets, Derry was the scene of Bloody Sunday in 1972.
We travel through Tyrone to the border town of Omagh. We visit Monaghan Cathedral amd then onto Royal Tara. Tara is the ancient capital of Ireland. Once four great Celtic Oak highways converged here. The site is believed by the Irish to be a source of energy and once witnessed great chariot and hurling matches by the epitome of young Irish manhood. Re-energised we take the short drive down to another great source of energy - Dublin!
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