Keegan Bus Tours: Ireland, Spring 2022

Land at Dublin Airport, complete customs and immigration formalities before meeting your CIE Tours driver/guide, who will welcome you to Ireland. Have breakfast at a local venue with your group before traveling to Kingscourt. Check in to your hotel and settle in your room. Later in the day, join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the hotel restaurant.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CABRA CASTLE HOTEL, KINGSCOURT

Today, travel into County Meath to visit the Boyne Valley Visitor Centre. Learn about the nearby passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth constructed over 5,000 years ago. Also, visit the actual tomb of Newgrange, which is aligned to the mid-winter sunrise so that the beam of the rising sun falls directly into the chamber. Next, travel to Downpatrick and visit Down Cathedral, where you will see the reputed grave site of Saint Patrick, after which you will drive to Belfast, check in to your hotel and settle in. In the evening, join your fellow travellers for a satisfying dinner.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: EUROPA HOTEL, BELFAST

Drive north along the Glens of Antrim, one of Ireland’s popular scenic routes to discover lovely views of mountains, valleys, and coastline. This area is where many scenes from “Game of Thrones” were filmed. Visit Sheans Horse Riding & Heritage Centre for tea with scones and a turf-cutting demonstration. Visit The Causeway Coast Discovery Centre for tea with scones and a turf-cutting demonstration. Visit the natural wonder that is Giant’s Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Continue to Derry where you’ll join a local guide for a short walk around Derry’s medieval city walls that completely encircle the old city center. Learn about the development of the settlement throughout the centuries. Take a walk across the Peace Bridge and complete your tour at the Walled City Brewery Restaurant for dinner with a flight of beers and a bottle of CIE Tours’ signature beer to take away.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: MALDRON HOTEL, DERRY

This morning, drive to the Inishowen Peninsula and travel the 100-mile route, which mainly follows the coastline. Stop in Buncrana, the peninsula’s largest town. Drive to the rugged promontory of Malin Head, Ireland’s most northerly point. This spectacular headland offers distant views of the Scottish islands of Islay and Jura on a clear day. Stop at The Seaview Tavern to enjoy tea and scones before heading to Derry. Upon arrival, set off on a guided walking tour to see Guildhall, St. Columb’s Cathedral, the Diamond and the 16th century walls. Tonight, enjoy dinner at Walled City Brewery, which will be accompanied by a flight of beer.

OVERNIGHT: MALDRON HOTEL, DERRY

This morning, enjoy some free time in Donegal, where you can sightsee, shop and take pictures. Next, visit the Belleek Pottery Factory to see how skilled craftspeople form and decorate clay to produce delicate porcelain masterpieces. Continue on to visit a local farm, where you will get the opportunity to meet an Irish farmer and to see some sheepdogs work in their natural environment. Then, travel through the scenic roads and set off on a walking tour of Westport, one of the few planned towns in Ireland created by James Wyatt in 1780. Among the most picturesque features of the town is the promenade (the Mall) and the little stone bridges along the River Carrow Beg. Check in to your nearby hotel and enjoy dinner with your group.

DINNER & OVERNIGHT: CLEW BAY HOTEL, WESTPORT

Today, set off around Clew Bay, through Newport and along Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island, joined to the mainland by a bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful and wild scenic views of steeply sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Stop to enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or pub. Return to Westport and visit Westport House, an 18th century mansion, set in superb parkland with magnificent views overlooking Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. See stunning rooms with priceless furnishings, paintings, books, and silver. After your visit, you are free for individual pursuits and dining.

OVERNIGHT: CLEW BAY HOTEL, WESTPORT

Before driving back to Dublin, embark on a tour of the beautiful Ballintubber Abbey. Journey to Dublin and check in to your hotel. You will have some time to relax before tonight’s festivities.

This evening, enjoy dinner at the Merry Ploughboy Pub followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs, dancing and music.

OVERNIGHT: RADISSON BLU ST. HELENS HOTEL, DUBLIN

Transfer to Dublin Airport in good time to check in for your flight. You may do some last minute shopping at the duty free stores before boarding your aircraft and flying across the Atlantic Ocean back to your hometown.

Hotels

Cabra Castle Hotel, Kingscourt 1 night
Europa Hotel, Belfast 1 night
Maldron Hotel, Derry 2 nights
Clew Bay Hotel, Westport 2 nights
Radisson Blu St. Helens Hotel, Dublin 1 night