Things to do in

Boyne Valley

Take this tour to explore the Neolithic tombs at Loughcrew, the Iron Age hill at Tara, the 7th-century Christian monastery at Fore Abbey, and the Anglo-Norman castle at Trim. The historically significant Boyne Valley in Meath County, long home to ancient high monarchs, is a stop on this Celtic trip through Ireland's ancestral territories. Next, visit to the Hill of Tara, a holy location and the former home of the high monarchs of ancient Ireland. Discover centuries of history with breathtaking views of the landscape, including the well-known Coronation Stone and An Forradh monument. Experience this 5,000-year-old Boyne Valley gem firsthand. After that, take a tour of Trim fortress, the biggest Anglo-Norman fortress in Ireland with an intriguing past that dates back to the thirteenth century. Discover Trim's vast gardens and three-story massive keep for a tour that will never be forgotten. Take amazing pictures and take in the medieval ambiance of Trim. Following that, we go to Loughcrew, the location of Neolithic passage tombs with complete rock art covering the inside walls that date back more than 5,000 years. After our visit, we will have lunch at a nearby restaurant, where the tastes enhance the area's rich history and add even more value to our experience. Visit Fore Abbey, the site of Saint Fechin's founding of a Christian monastery in the seventh century, lastly. Before it was destroyed twelve times, the settlement was home to 300 monks at its height. Explore the ruins, which include Saint Fechin's Church, which dates back to approximately 900 AD.

The Boyne Valley and the Boyne River extend through the counties of Meath and Louth in the east of Ireland to the sea at Drogheda. Explore this historically important and wonderfully scenic area on a guided tour from Dublin. This tour includes your entrance fee and skip the queue at Newgrange Monument and Bru Na Boinne. Discover the sites and monuments in this area that date back over 5,000 years.  NOTE: Between Nov 1st – March 1st – Knowth is not accessible so the tour at Bru Na Boinne is slightly shorter. Learn about the story of Ireland and the Irish people that can be traced back in this valley to the first Neolithic settlers and their megalithic tombs and to the Celts and their pagan beliefs. Continue to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre for about 1.5 hours. The Battle of the Boyne in 1690 was the deciding battle not just for the ruling class in Ireland but also in Britain and Europe. It explains the troubles of Northern Ireland and why it is celebrated each year on July 12th by the Loyalist community. Uncover the story of the battle that would eventually lead to the displacement of Irish Celts and their culture throughout the Island of Ireland. It was also a battle for the Throne of England between the catholic King James II and the Protestant King of Holland (William of Orange). Finally, reach Monasterboice for a half-hour stop. Head to the “monastery of Buithe,” a 5th-century monastic site founded by St Buithe which includes two churches built in the 14th century and a Round Tower from the 10th century, but it is most famous for its Celtic High Crosses. Admire the round tower which is about 28 meters tall, and is in very good condition. It was likely built shortly after 968 and damaged in a fire in 1098. The three high crosses date from the 10th century and form part of the scriptural group (showing biblical scenes). Take in the 5.5-metre Muiredach's High Cross which is regarded as the finest high cross in the whole of Ireland. It features Biblical Carvings from the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. It is named after an abbot, Muiredach mac Domhnaill, who died in 923. Relax on the drive back to Dublin arriving around 5:00 PM.

Departure points: 7:00 AM at The Starbucks Cafe, 1 College Green, Dublin 2 7:05 AM at Dublin Bus Office, 59 O’Connell Street, Dublin 1 Travel through the Boyne Valley on a full-day scenic tour from Dublin. Upon arrival in Belfast you have the option to take a political sightseeing tour in an iconic black cab (taxi) or visit the Titanic Experience. For the black cab tour you will see sites that have played a key role in the city’s political history, such as the Falls and Shankill neighbourhoods. Learn about the industrial roots of Belfast, and the 4 decades of civil unrest in the late 20th century. Sign the peace line, the towering wall that divides the communities, and read the political murals. A guide will relate their own family experiences to give your tour a more personal touch. Alternatively, go to the world’s largest state-of-the-art Titanic experience in Belfast’s new Titanic Quarter, located in the former shipyards of Harland and Wolf. Relive the liner’s tragic voyage, sinking, and eventful discovery on the seabed, via exhibits that explain her construction, launch and history in 9 different galleries. Typically the tour would visit the Carrick A Rede Rope Bridge. However, it is currently closed for tour operators and it is not yet clear as to when it will reopen. As an alternative attraction, visit the very popular Dunluce Castle. Enjoy this historic castle that dates back over 500 years and which is dramatically positioned on the edge of a cliff over the Atlantic. Discover this castle which has been used to film things like Game of Thrones. Visit and peruse the castle and grounds for 30 minutes. Arrive at the UNESCO World Heritage Giant’s Causeway, formed over 60 million years ago by volcanic eruptions. Admire its distinctive rock formations that span nearly 18 miles of coastline. Hike to the formations known as “The Wishing Chair”, “Giant's Boot”, and “Giant's Organ.” Learn the legend of the Irish giant Finn McCool, said to be the Causeway's creator. This is where you have the option to have lunch in a number of venues located at the Causeway. With 2.5-hours there is ample time to lunch and walk this fabulous coastal landscape. Continue along the Antrim Coastal, driving past spectacular scenery of stony shores, wooded glens and sheltered harbors. See the remains of Dunseverick Castle, and admire views of the Mull of Kintyre. On a clear day, see Scotland in the distance. The route back to Dublin is different than the route taken to the Causeway earlier in the day, giving you different scenery to enjoy. Arrive back in Dublin City Center at roughly 8:15 PM and enjoy the rest of your evening. The tour guide will be on hand to help you with any directions or information you need.

On this 2-day tour from Dublin, you’ll travel to Northern Ireland, which has been experiencing a new dawn after the end of 30 years of political violence. Explore downtown Belfast as well as the glorious glens of Antrim. With its breathtaking scenery, welcoming local residents, unspoiled landscapes, and living history, Northern Ireland is sure to please. Day 1: Dublin to Belfast ADepart Dublin, heading north for the 2-hour drive to Belfast on the new Peace Highway. Your first stop will be St. Peters Cathedral in Drogheda, where you’ll find the fully preserved head of St. Oliver Plunkett. He was beheaded by the English in 1681 and his head now sits staring out from a glass box by the altar. Take a drive off the highway to visit the haunting ruins of Monasterboice. See the 10th-century round tower and learn how residents of the time took refuge from the Vikings. Admire some of the most beautiful Celtic crosses in Ireland, carved by hand by monks in the 9th century. When you arrive in Belfast you’ll have 2 hours of free time. You might consider an optional and highly recommended Black Taxi Tour of the Falls and Shankill Roads. Alternatively, use your free time for lunch and shopping in the city’s bustling downtown area. Depart the city center for a drive to the docks to visit Belfast's number 1 attraction: The Titanic Experience. Spend 2 hours on a tour of the all-new Titanic Belfast. Follow the story from the ship’s conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. Overnight in Belfast's historic downtown university quarter. Day 2: Belfast – Giant's Causeway – Dublin The tour departs Belfast on a drive through the rolling farmland of County Antrim to the north coast of Ulster. Your first stop will be a photo stop at the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, with views of Rathlin Island, before continuing along the coast. Next, visit the famous Giant's Causeway. Explore the site which features an estimated 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns that were formed during a volcanic eruption 60 million years ago. After at least 2 hours exploring the Giant’s Causeway, you’ll continue on to see the cliff-top ruins of Dunluce Castle, the ancestral home of the MacDonnell Clan. Benefit from paid entrance here and time for a comprehensive exploration. We'll also have time for a photo stop at amazing Dark Hedges - a tree-lined road that is said to be haunted and made world-famous by Game of Thrones. On the return to Dublin, you’ll have a short rest and relaxation stop with time for some refreshments. Arrive back in Dublin with a wealth of songs, stories, and memories of Belfast and the Giant’s Causeway.

Discover the highlights of Ireland’s 4 corners, including all the sights of Northern Ireland. Enjoy a night at a traditional Irish pub, plenty of opportunities to dance the night away, hikes through bogs and castle ruins, and much more.  Day 1: Dublin - Belfast Visit Belfast and discover Titanic Belfast and the historic downtown quarter. Spend the night in Belfast. Day 2: Belfast - Derry Explore the Antrim Coast with visits to Dunluce Castle and Giants Causeway and photo opportunities at the Dark Hedges and Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Enjoy a historic walking tour in Derry. Spend the night in Derry. Day 3: Derry - Galway Depart Northern Ireland and road trip along the Wild Atlantic Way to Galway. Stop in surfing hotspot Strandhill for lunch and enjoy a walk on the beach. Enjoy a free walking tour in Galway. Spend the night in Galway. Day 4: Galway - Dingle Head to Annascaul via the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. Spend the night in Annascaul on the Dingle peninsula. Day 5: Dingle - Killarney Enjoy a full day of touring on the Dingle Peninsula, one of Europe’s most spectacular road trips. Spend the night in Killarney. Day 6: Killarney - Dublin Depart Killarney for Dublin. Enjoy a tour of the Killarney National Park and a visit to Blarney Castle in Cork. The tour ends in Dublin by the early evening.

The Boyne Valley is famous for its ancient wonders. From portal tombs, hill forts, castles to battles of religion from the 17th century. This tour of Ireland's Ancient East will take you on a historical and archeological adventure to discover Ireland's pre-celtic origins. From Dublin to Newgrange, Tara and Trim Castle, this tour will take you from the megalithic era to medeival era. You will be guided by a history postgraduate with a passion for the ancient wonders of Ireland. We also stop off at a traditional Irish pub for lunch. Customised tour available. Any questions are welcomed. Entry fees for Newgrange are to be purchased by the customer separately. Its best for the customer to book their additional tickets one month in advance online

Start your day by exploring one of the most important and special places in the psyche and imagination of the Irish people - Hill of Tara. Listen to many fascinating stories about the lives of Ireland's ancient kings, prehistoric and Celtic traditions. Take your time to explore the well-preserved ruins of once magnificent medieval monastery and learn some colourful episodes of its history. With its maze of passageways with dead ends and interrupted staircases Bective Abbey was chosen to be a location of a few scenes in the iconic Mel Gibson’s movie Braveheart. It is also a perfect place for a picnic and we'll have teas/coffees and treats there! Visit the largest and most dramatic Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, admire it from its generous surrounding space and have a fascinating tour inside the castle. Learn some interesting facts about the Norman conquest of Ireland, way of life and traditions from Middle Ages and about the castle’s powerful owners We’ll have a walk around the town of Trim, which is listed as one of the top tourist attractions, has the oldest bridge in Ireland and important medieval buildings. We’ll stop by for lunch in one of its lovely cafes (optional).

Start your day by being picked up at your hotel in Dublin and driven through scenic Irish countryside to these hidden gems that will give you a taste of real Ireland! Go back in time and immerse yourself in more than 6000 years of Irish history by being guided around Loughcrew Cairns - passage tombs that are older than pyramids in Egypt and Newgrange. Continue your day by visiting legendary Fore Abbey and exploring its grounds and artefacts. Relax over lunch in a local distillery. Meet the local owner who will take you on a tour of the distillery where you'll learn the secrets and fascinating and poignant stories of Irish whiskey creation. Explore the iconic town of Kells closely associated with the legendary book of Kells and St Columcille's first monastery. Look closely at the fine round tower and the cross. Or as an option enjoy a guided tour of a largest and best preserved Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland in Trim, also a setting for the famous Mel Gibson's Braveheart movie. Get back to Dublin in comfort of your private vehicle just in time for dinner.

Depart Dublin and journey back to the 11th century with a visit to Ireland’s second Cistercian Abbey. Now in ruins, Bective Abbey is a maze of dead-end passageways and staircases to nowhere. Let your imagination take you back to when this abbey was built and imagine what daily life might have been like. Next, it’s off to Trim. Sitting snuggly along River Boyne, the town is home to Trim Castle, the largest Norman castle in Ireland. Feel free to explore the castle as well as the town at this stop before heading to Cavan for lunch. Continue across the border into Northern Ireland to the island town of Enniskillen, where you can spend time exploring the cozy pubs and the castle, or simply stroll the charming streets at your own pace. Finally, travel back across the border and enjoy the beautiful scenery of County Donegal as you drive to Donegal Town, your base for the next two nights. After a night's rest, your first stop on day two is Slieve League Cliffs along the Wild Atlantic Way. These dramatic sea cliffs are the second highest in Ireland and three times the height of the Cliffs of Moher. Keep your cameras ready for the drive with its breathtaking coastal views. Journey through the stunning and windy Glengesh Pass, passing by mountains and steep valleys that will make you feel small, in the best way possible. After a quick photo stop here, it’s time to head to Leo’s Tavern for lunch. This pub is a popular local watering hole and many famous artists have performed here, including Clannad, Moya Brennan, and Enya. The day's final stop is a trip to the Glenveagh National Park Visitor Center. This national park lies in the heart of County Donegal and is home to protected wildlife in several pristine habitats. Explore the center before returning to your accommodation. Your first stop on the final day is Mullaghmore Beach, walk along the beach and capture photos of the sandy shores. Carry on to the coastal seaport of Sligo for lunch and a little exploration. This town is full of history, from its literary heritage that can be seen at the Sligo County Museum, to the medieval ruin of Sligo Abbey. After lunch, enjoy a relaxing drive through the heart of Ireland as you make your way to Belvedere House and Gardens. This hunting lodge was built in 1740 and you will have time to soak up the dramatic architecture, the Victorian walled garden, and the surrounding forest. After an eventful and informative few days head back to Dublin with cherished memories and plenty of pictures to look back on.