Tour Itinerary: Day by Day

Tour Itinerary:

Six days of remarkable locations and unforgettable experiences await on the Discover Northern Ireland Tour. Click on the days below to find out what adventures you can look forward to on each day of your tour.

Day 1
Day 1 Itinerary
Welcome - On arrival in Dublin Airport, reclaim your baggage and enter the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will meet your Irish tour guide (who is also your driver). There will be three group transfers this morning between 0700 and 1200 noon. To ensure a smooth start to your tour, it is advisable to aim for an arrival time in Dublin Airport before 11:00 am, as clearing immigration and reclaiming baggage typically takes around 1 hour.
Board your luxury air-conditioned coach and make the short transfer to your hotel where you can relax and unwind after your flight.
15:00 Check-in time. Hotel reception will store your luggage prior to Check-in.
At 18:30 this evening all participants will gather for dinner in the hotel restaurant where you can become acquainted with your fellow travellers.
Dine & Overnight at the Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge.
Included Today
- Welcome Dinner
- Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge
Time Arrival Transfer details
Between 07:00 and 12 (noon) Dublin Airport
There are 3 group airport transfers this morning, between 7am and 12 noon, from Dublin Airport to Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge.
Day 2
Day 2 Itinerary
After some much-needed sleep and a hearty full Irish breakfast, we will depart for Northern Ireland. The province of Northern Ireland was created with the partition of the island of Ireland in 1921.
Your destination today will be Belfast City, the only city in Ireland to fully experience the Industrial Revolution. Linen, rope making, tobacco and most famously shipbuilding including the building of the Titanic Belfast on the Harland & Wolff shipyard, were the main industries. The Troubles took their toll on the economic life of Belfast, but the past fifteen years of peace have returned much prosperity, while the genuine friendliness of the city never left.
Travelling north, your route today will take you through County Meath & County Louth. On arrival in Belfast, visit the Titanic Belfast. The world’s largest Titanic-themed visitor attraction, located on the very slipways where she was built in the heart of Belfast. In the afternoon, enjoy a tour of Belfast City with a specialised step on local Belfast City Guide to see and hear all about the history of this once troubled city — including the Belfast Murals of the Loyalist Shankill Road and Nationalist Falls Road.
Tonight you will overnight & dine at the Clayton Hotel Belfast in Belfast City.
Included Today
- Irish Breakfast
- Evening Dinner
- Titanic Belfast
- Belfast City Tour
- Clayton Hotel Belfast
Day 3
Day 3 Itinerary
This morning after breakfast, you will depart for Derry/Londonderry City.
Our route today will take you via the spectacular Antrim Coastal Route through the nine Glens of Antrim and picturesque villages of Ballygalley, Carnlough, Cushendall and Cushendun to Ballycastle. Continue onto Bushmills.
Here you will visit the Bushmills Distillery. Known around the world as the oldest licensed distillery. We will stop here for a whiskey tasting. Its grant to distil whiskey was given in 1608, but it is believed that the spirit was probably made here 200 years before that!
Further north, on the coast, you will visit Giant's Causeway. This prehistoric geological phenomenon is the subject of many myths and legends. There are an estimated 37,000 basalt columns extending from cliffs down into the sea.
This afternoon you will continue west to Derry/Londonderry City for an overnight stay at the Maldron Hotel Derry. Dine at the hotel tonight.
Included Today
- Irish Breakfast
- Evening Dinner
- Bushmills Distillery
- Giant's Causeway
- Maldron Hotel Derry
Day 4
Day 4 Itinerary
This morning, after breakfast, you will be joined by a specialised local guide for a walking tour of Derry/Londonderry City. The city fortifications are amongst the best preserved in Europe and were completed in 1618 to defend the city from Gaelic chieftains in Donegal.
We will depart for the beautiful town of Enniskillen in County Fermanagh, which occupies an island between Upper and Lower Lough Erne.
Your route will take you via Strabane and Omagh in County Tyrone, to the Ulster American Folk Park. An open-air museum located on the restored boyhood home of Judge Thomas Mellon, founder of the Pittsburgh banking dynasty. The Park's permanent exhibition, called 'Emigrants', examines why two million people left Ulster for America during the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries.
Dinner and overnight will be in the Westville Hotel located in the heart of Enniskillen's waterside historic quarter.
Included Today
- Irish Breakfast
- Evening Dinner
- Derry Walking Tour
- Ulster American Folk Park
- Westville Hotel
Day 5
Day 5 Itinerary
After breakfast this morning, enjoy a Lough Erne Cruise. Boasting a rich combination of natural and historic sights, a haven for many species of water birds.
You will visit Devenish Island, where St. Molaise founded a monastery in the Sixth Century. The most spectacular sight on this tiny, windswept island is a perfectly preserved Twelfth Century round tower that stands 82ft high.
Your journey through Northern Ireland ends today when you cross the border into County Cavan and travel through the rounded hills called Drumlins that are typical of the border region between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
The route will take you through Meath, known as the Royal County due to its history as the seat of the High King of Ireland. Your last stop today will be at Trim Castle. The largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter built it over a 30-year period and finished it in 1206. Trim Castle was also a film location for the movie "Braveheart".
For your overnight stay, continue onto Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane — overlooking Dublin city Docklands. Tonight you will dine in the Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane Restaurant.
Included Today
- Irish Breakfast
- Evening Dinner
- Lough Erne Cruise
- Trim Castle
- Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane
Day 6
Day 6: Departure
Today marks the end of the Discover Northern Ireland Tour.
After the final Irish breakfast this morning transfer by taxi (not included) to Dublin Airport for your return flight home. Turas sàbhailte dhuibh (safe journey).

Tour Map:

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Printer-friendly Itinerary

Tour Highlights

Titanic Exhibition, Belfast, Northern Ireland

Titanic Belfast

Acting as a memorial of the ill-fated ship and a symbol of Belfast's past.

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Belfast City Tour

See how Belfast grew from its past political & religious divisions.

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Derry City & Walls

Enjoy a tour of this historic city alongside a specialist guide.

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Bushmills Distillery

Enjoy a little taste of history in Ireland's oldest licensed distillery.

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The Giant's Causeway

40,000 basalt columns make up this UNESCO World Heritage site.

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Lough Erne

Cruise the serene waters of Lough Erne to the holy Devenish Island.

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See our 2024 tours

Useful Links:

Discover Northern Ireland 6-Days from €995

Iconic Scenes of Ireland 6-Days from €990

8-Day Iconic Scenes of Ireland Tour Cover Photo

Iconic Scenes of Ireland 8-Days from €1590

Ancient Ireland & Scotland 13-Days €5390

Prices, Availability & Payment

Reviews • What's included • Other tours

Prices & Dates Payment Terms

See 2024 Tour

Arrival	Departure	Price Per Person	Availability
Wed 03 May 2023	Mon 08 May 2023	-	fully booked
Wed 17 May 2023	Mon 22 May 2023	-	fully booked
Wed 14 Jun 2023	Mon 19 Jun 2023	-	fully booked
Wed 05 Jul 2023	Mon 10 Jul 2023	-	fully booked
Wed 19 Jul 2023	Mon 24 Jul 2023	-	fully booked
Wed 06 Sep 2023	Mon 11 Sep 2023	-	fully booked
Wed 20 Sep 2023	Mon 25 Sep 2023	-	fully booked

Flexible Cancellations

We have added extra flexibility to our cancellation timeline.

Meaning you can now make unlimited changes to your chosen tour up to 60 days before your arrival.

Our cancellation timeline is as follows;

Up to 60 days before the start of tour:

The Deposit is non-refundable. However, before 60 days you can make unlimited changes for free, including changing your tour dates (including transferring to a tour in 2024), changing your tour and changing tour participants.

59 to 40 days before start of tour:

25% of total price

39 to 14 days before start of tour:

50% of total price

Less than 14 days before start of tour:

100% of total price

For more details, see our terms and conditions.

2024 Tour Version

If you would like to join this tour next year, take a look at our Discover Northern Ireland Tour 2024.

Deposit

The Deposit for the Discover Northern Ireland Tour 2023 is €250 per person.

Single Occupancy Supplement

For guests who are travelling alone and are therefore not sharing a room, the single occupancy supplement for the Discover Northern Ireland Tour 2023 is €250.

Balance Payments:

The full balance is due 60 days before your tour.

Currency:

All payments are in Euros.

Credit Cards & Fees:

We do not charge any fees for paying by credit card. We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express.

Children's Rate:

Children ages 8 yrs - 17 yrs inclusive receive a 10% discount on the prices. Children must share a room with a least 1 adult. Our tours do not cater for children 7 yrs or younger. You must be 18 or over to travel on our adults-only tours.

Participant Cancellation:

Once a partial or full payment has been made, cancellations will only be accepted in writing (either by email or standard mail) to My Ireland Tour. Cancellation terms will be applied based on the date that the written cancellation is received and based on the following dates prior to tour commencement. Cancellation fees apply as indicated below. All cancellation fees include the initial deposit.

Cancellation Date	Cancellation Fee
Up to 60 days before the start of tour:	Deposit is non-refundable. However, before 60 days you can make unlimited changes for free, including changing your tour dates (including transferring to a tour in 2024), changing your tour and changing tour participants.
59 to 40 days before start of tour:	25% of Tour Cost
39 to 14 days before start of tour:	50% of Tour Cost
Less than 14 days before start of tour:	100% of Tour Cost

Reviews of this tour

Alan Leathem

September 2023 • Discover Northern Ireland

This is my second tour with this company. I did the Northern Ireland tour in September and Colm was the guide driver of the bus. He brought Irish history alive. The additional guides we had in Belfast and Derry were fabulous sharing their knowledge of these two cities and 'The Troubles'. Great hotels and meals also included in the tour. I would recommend this company and this tour.

Philip Mcmahon

July 2023 • Discover Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland tour was great!

Steve Warfield

July 2023 • Discover Northern Ireland

We took the Northern Ireland tour in early July 2023, and it was a fantastic experience. Setting aside the fantastic price, our tour bus was spacious, clean, and, comfortable, as were all our hotel accomodations. The breakfasts and dinners were consistently excellently tasting, and there were numerous choices for both. Our driver/tour guide, George, was definitely one of the best we have experienced in our travels, as he was personable, highly knowledgeable, and a very skilled driver. The excursions were included in the tour price (as was the lodging and morning/evening meal) and there was more than enough time at each location to do some exploring after the day had come to an end.

Jennifer MacLeod

October 2022 • Discover Northern Ireland

My husband and I travelled to Northern Ireland with My Ireland Tours in September 2022. Our driver/tour guide, Garey, provided very concise instructions as well as informative commentary every step of the way. We had two interesting activities every day. While I booked the tour primarily for the Giants Causeway, every part of the trip provided us with fabulous scenery. The drive along the Antrim coast was spectacular. The Step-on Guides in Belfast and Derry were very informative, as they helped us to understand the turmoil in their cities. The travel between each stop was reasonable and we always arrived at our final destination in good time. Having our breakfast and evening meal included in our tour simplified everything. Lunch stops included the Titanic Experience, the Giants Causeway and the Ulster American Folk Park. We cannot praise Garey enough for the way he took charge of our group and his amazing talent for maneuvering the full-size coach. It would have been a far more stressful journey if we had attempted to do it on our own. The ease with which our booking was managed was also great. Kevin kept us posted on the payment deadline and ensured that our arrival and departure information was complete. Although we arrived two days early, he arranged for us to remain in the same room when we joined the tour group. If you haven't been to Ireland before I would highly recommend using My Ireland Tours. Your vacation will be trouble free.

Barbara Od

July 2022 • Discover Northern Ireland

In the past five years I have used My Ireland Tour twice, and they do not disappoint. First you can design your own itinerary, if you desire, if you do they will help you with suggestions, that will enhance your trip. They will book you into hotels that have great reputations, sometimes even 5 star at a reasonable trip cost. Last, they provide well respected tour guide drivers in great coaches. A great tour guide/driver makes all the difference in a tour. The most recent tour of Northern Ireland with driver guide Raymond Wilson was truly a great experience. The support and communication with the office staff was always helpful and professional. I would never consider a trip to Ireland without using My Ireland Tours.

Michael Hughes

May 2022 • Discover Northern Ireland

Delayed by the pandemic, we've finally been able to take our THIRD tour with My Ireland Tour. This time we went to Northern Ireland and the experience was as wonderful, if not more so, than our previous two tours. As has been the case in all of our previous tours with My Ireland Tours, the superb service came into play even before our trip began. The staff provided all of the assistance we needed to arrange our journey and guided us skillfully through all of the new processes and procedures for travel. The tour itself was absolutely delightful! Our driver / guide, Garey, was knowledgeable and entertaining. He demonstrated great skill driving the coach on the sometimes narrow roads of the countryside and through the congestion and tight quarters on the cities. The schedule provided ample time to enjoy each of the sites that we visited and the walking tour of Derry was a highlight of the tour. We continue to prefer My Ireland Tour because of the value for money, excellent customer service, well crafted tours, smaller group sizes and superb driver / guides. When it comes time for our fourth visit, we won't look to any other tour company for our travel needs!

rasne b

May 2022 • Discover Northern Ireland

My very first trip with my ireland tours..booked a northern Ireland tour with them..was a little apprehensive as being a single elderly lady traveling on my own was not sure how it would be..I can't tell you it was one of the best tours I have taken..from the very start..the prompt interaction with eric via email was very reasureing as all my questions were answered promptly..it was good to be met by our guide/driver Garry at dublin airport..after that it was smooth sailing all the way to Northern Ireland! He took good care of us and gave us a full insight into the Irish way of life with stories and historical details of the places we visited..we were kept at very good comfortable hotels each night..all in all..a great memorable trip..will definitely book with them again..many thanks

Geoff May

October 2019 • Discover Northern Ireland

Tour of Northern Ireland. Brilliantly organised, right amount of time in each place. Led by Kieran who was extremely knowledgeable and personable. Very safe and professional driving. Good attention to detail throughout. Hotels of good standard. May well choose your company for another trip. Thank you.

Bob and Verna Wiebe

August 2019 • Discover Northern Ireland

Our experience with our My Ireland tour of Northern Ireland was very good. We appreciated the well planned itinerary, which included interesting stops as well as some down time each day. The accommodations and food exceeded expectations. Our specialty guides were very informative and personable. Our bus driver/guide was outstanding, one of a kind – do you get me? We will take a piece of Northern Ireland home with us in our hearts.

Julie Heiple

March 2019 • Discover Northern Ireland

Brenda Holden

October 2018 • Discover Northern Ireland

On our 24 day trek through the UK, Chuck and I picked up the Northern Ireland Tour through My Ireland Tours at the Belfast Titanic and continued on with the group of 26. Our driver /guide Nigel was entertaining and knowledgable about the history of the area we travelled through and answered questions for us. The countryside was spectacular, the people of Ireland warm and welcoming and the bus family entertaining. This was our first group trip in our 64 years and we both enjoyed leaving the thinking to a well organized company to do that for us for part of our trip. Cead Mile Failte is just one Gaelic saying we learned, but to all of you Go Raibh Maith Agat.

Alice Williams

September 2018 • Discover Northern Ireland

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our tour of Northern Ireland with My Ireland Tours. Accomodations were excellent and the driver was very knowledgeable and entertaining.

Rick H

July 2018 • Discover Northern Ireland

What a great tour. We were fortunate enough to meet our daughter and son-in-law for the Northern Ireland tour. The weather was great, the food was good, and the scenery was fantastic. Our driver guide was David Breen. His knowledge and driving skills were brilliant. He was patient, informative, and funny. Not mentioned on the website is an included train ride along the coast from Coleraine to Derry-beautiful. We met some very nice people on our tour, as well as in the places we visited.

Teresa Donohue

30 October 2019 • Discover Northern Ireland

We took a tour of Northern Ireland, and it was wonderful! Harry (the hat) our tour guide and bus driver was very good. He was knowledgeable, had a great sense of humor, and was totally unflappable. The tour guide we had in Derry (Ronan) was also very good during our walking tour. The hotels were great - very nice rooms and meals. Although, the menu offerings at each hotel were either the same or very similar so we were definitely ready for something else by the end of the tour. We will definitely utilize this tour company again!

Julie Magee Heiple

29 March 2019 • Discover Northern Ireland

What a marvelous experience! My husband and I were on the 5 day Northern Ireland tour from March 20-25, 2019 and enjoyed every minute of it! Our tour guide, Nigel O'Connor, was so professional and attentive to the group, always conscious of our schedule for the day but also allowing for slight changes as necessary. For example, two guests wanted to attend St. Michael's early mass one morning and that request was accommodated with an alternate pick up location for them. The tour was just the right pace with drives no more than 2 hours at a time with an opportunity to stop and stretch once during the drive. The sites we visited were beyond our expectations... Titanic museum in Belfast, Giants Causeway, Derry/Londonderry wall tour, boat tour on Loche Erne, and Trim Castle were all highlights. Our accommodations and the meals were exceptional every night. Thanks so much for a terrific, memorable vacation!

Rita Donahue

10 October 2018 • Discover Northern Ireland

I usually travel on my own with friends, but this Northern Ireland tour was way beyond my expectations. Nigel was an excellent tour guide and Peter, our guide in Derry, explained everything for me about The Troubles and how the area has moved forward. All the hotels were top notch, and plenty of choices for breakfast and dinner. I especially liked the train ride from Coleraine to Derry. I chatted with a Irish woman on her way home from work. The people on this tour were so friendly and fun to be with on each of the outings and we had wonderful conversations at meal times. I highly recommend this tour and My Ireland Tour.

Joanne Philips

25 August 2018 • Discover Northern Ireland

We were thrilled with our Northern Ireland Tour thanks to our fantastic guide and driver, Barry Loe. He took excellent care of us and provided great information. We highly recommend both the tour and Barry to anyone considering touring Northern Ireland. Also,there were only 12 of us on the tour, making it a great experience.

Margie Boeangiu

09 August 2018 • Discover Northern Ireland

After a lot of research with different tour companies, we decided to book the 6 day Discover Northern Ireland tour with .My Ireland Tour.. It was well worth it. Very well organised from the moment we were picked up from the airport. All local guides that the company used were amazing, as we were also pleased with our driver/guide Roy. The sights were well chosen, and the country is absolutely fascinating. It was a wonderful trip, also because we got to meet other group members from all over the world.

45% of our guest reviews mention their tour guide by name

About your Tour Guide

Perhaps the most vital ingredient of any tour is your tour guide. Acting not only as your guide but also as your driver, their knowledge and experience, their passion and personality form the foundation on which any successful tour is built.

That's why we only work with the very best guides in Ireland. As our past guests know, our tour guides are a big reason why we're Ireland's best-rated tour operator, with 1170 five-star reviews out of a possible 1203.

You can expect your tour guide to be...

100% Irish
Passionate about Ireland
Fully Qualified as an Irish Guide
An experienced professional
An expert on Irish history and culture
Impeccably safe in all driving conditions
Fully committed to your care

Tour Accommodation and Vehicles

Hotels Tour Bus

Tour Accommodation

The hotels on this tour offer amazing quality and value to match. We are very selective in getting just the right accommodation for each specific tour, and we are very proud of the selection of hotels we have put together. Some of these hotels are family-owned, just like ourselves, and we have a long-standing relationship with them all.

The Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, Dublin, Ireland

Clayton Hotel Cardiff Lane in Dublin City

Swimming pool in the Clayton Hotel, Belfast

Outside the Westville Hotel, County Fermanagh

About your Tour Bus

On a tour vacation, the journey can be just as important as the destination. That's why our tour buses are all of the highest standards, both in terms of luxury and reliability.

We deliberately leave some seats empty. In fact, we use 34-seater coaches, but limit the number of participants to 26. That's because we want all of our guests to be able to spread out, relax and enjoy the journey. This smaller group size is a core principle in our tours.

Please note: the bus shown in the gallery below is one of the 34-seater coaches used on our tours for max. 26 guests. For any reason, should one of these become unavailable for your tour, we will endeavour to provide an equally luxurious and comfortable touring bus.