Northern Territories 10 Nights

While Belfast in a fascinating city, as you travel in that direction from Dublin, you will be passing through some of the most history laden areas of Ireland. Amongst the sightseeing opportunities today will be the megalithic tombs at Newgrange, the Hill of Tara and Trim Castle. One of the great wonders of the ancient world, Newgrange is older than Stonehenge, Mycenae or even the Pyramids of Egypt. Newgrange is a 5,200 year old passage tomb located in the Boyne Valley in Ireland's Ancient East. Not far from here is Trim Castle. The castle, on the shores of the Boyne, has an area of 30,000 m². It is the remains of the largest Norman castle in Europe, and Ireland's largest castle. Just north of here lies The Hill of Tara. Located near the River Boyne, this ancient contains a number of ancient monuments, and, according to tradition, was the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. On to Belfast. The world's largest dry dock is here, testament to the building of the Titanic here. Take one of the cities famed Black Cab Tours and let your experienced, impartial and friendly driver acquaint you with the history & culture of Belfast. Tours include The Titanic and Cathedral Quarter and other areas of the city including visiting some of the famous murals that represent both sides of the political divide.

Continue your sightseeing of Belfast today taking in visits to those major attractions that you did not have the time for the previous day including the Titanic Quarter where you can take one of the excellent local tours or the Black cab Tours. Other major areas of interest in Belfast include St Anne's Cathedral, City Hall, The Belfast Wheel and of course in the evening, pay a visit to the Crowne Liquor Saloon. It's amazing how many visitors from abroad don't realise that the Titanic was actually built in Belfast! Because she bore the name of the port of Liverpool on her stern people assume that this was where she was built. In fact Liverpool was simply the home port of the White Star Line fleet of which Titanic was the ultimate flagship. Titanic was conceived, designed, built and launched in Belfast and... as the locals fondly say "She was alright when she left here!!!"

From Belfast, head north to the beautiful Glens of Antrim dotted with quaint villages. Take your time travelling through this area, a drive that Lonely Planet listed as one of the top 10 scenic drives in the world. From here, make sure to walk the stunning Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge spans a gaping chasm between the coast and a small island used by fishermen. The terrifying eighty-foot drop can be crossed via the swinging bridge - not for the faint hearted! From here travel to the Giant’s Causeway. At one time considered to be one of the wonders of the world, the fact that the Causeway was formed 70,000,000 years ago by massive volcanic activity is contradicted only by local legend. Clearly this was giants' work and, more particularly, the work of the giant Finn McCool, the Ulster warrior and commander of the King of Ireland's armies.

Today, travel to the nearby Dunluce Castle. This spectacular castle was shaped when the sea cut deep into the land, exploiting cracks in either side of the rock. The early Christians and the Vikings were drawn to this romantic place and an early Irish fort once stood here. Heading south from the Giant’s Causeway, make sure to take a stop at the Old Bushmills Distillery, which is the world's oldest licensed Whiskey Distillery. King James I granted the original licence to distil 'Aqua Vitae' in April 1608, and since then Bushmills has been making the finest Irish Malt Whiskey for almost four hundred years.

While the direct route will take just over an hour although you may wish to take a side trip to the Ulster-American Folk Park in Omagh, County Tyrone, an open-air. The museum tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries. In arrival to Derry / Londonderry a guided walking tour with one of the well-informed and good-humoured tour guides is a must - the city's history is so complex and its present is so dynamic that it takes a local expert to explain it all entertainingly. The Walls of Derry are among the best preserved city fortifications in the Western World. They rise to a height of 26ft (8m) and in places are 30ft (9m) wide. Completed in 1618 to defend the Plantation City, the walls have never been breached in three major sieges - even during the 105 day siege of 1689 when 7,000 of the 30,000 population died of starvation.

There are a number of possible day trips starting from Derry, chief among these being a trip to Ireland’s northernmost point, Malin Head on the Inishowen Peninsula. The ancient territory of the Inishowen Peninsula is the most northerly part of Ireland. Monuments of an earlier age seem to grow from the landscape as castles, towers and ancient churches shimmer in the sunshine. Your tour begins at Grianan an Aileach, the ancient Temple of the Sun that was Christianized by St. Patrick. Founded by the Druids, this ring fort dates back to some 2,000 years B.C. The panoramic view from the walls of this ancient palace is truly magnificent; seven counties can be seen on a clear day. Onwards north to Buncrana and the Tullyarvan Mill - a tastefully restored corn mill dating from the 19th century, today developed as a local craft centre and tourist amenity.

Travel from Buncrana to Dunree Head and Fort Dunree, constructed in 1798 by the English as a defensive measure against Napoleonic invasion.

There are a number of excellent scenic and historical driving routes from Derry on the way to Donegal. First travel just 3 miles (5km) west from Letterkenny to Newmills Corn and Flax Mills. The oldest surviving building here is said to be 400 years old. Indeed, the whole complex is an interesting reminder of a stage in the industrial development of this country which has now given way to a more sophisticated, but usually less fascinating technology. If you are in the mood for some fine art and tea, continue north and just a short while later you will see signs for Glebe House and Gallery, a gorgeous Regency building set in gardens on the northwest shore of Lough Gartan. From here, travel  to Glenveagh National Park, deep in the heart of County Donegal. This 14,000-hectare park is the Glenveagh Estate, originally the home of the notorious landlord John George Adair, much despised for his eviction of Irish tenant farmers in the 1860s. He built the castle in the 1870s. From 1937 to 1983, the estate prospered under the stewardship of Henry McIlhenny, a distinguished Philadelphia art historian who restored the baronial castle.

Donegal Town is an attractive market town, located on a quiet inlet of Donegal Bay. It is in fact the heart of the traditional Irish Tweed Industry and Donegal Tweed is known throughout the world. It has many historic buildings, principal of which is the renovated Donegal Castle. Built by the O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century, beside the River Eske, the Castle has extensive 17th century additions by Sir Basil Brooke. The Castle is furnished throughout and includes Persian rugs and French tapestries. Information panels chronicle the history of the Castle owners from the O'Donnell chieftains to the Brooke family. The Railway Heritage Centre is a museum with photo display, artifacts, models, videos, documents and a bookshop also features a working model railway. The coast road to the west of Donegal Town will provide you with one of the most dramatic drives to be found in Ireland. Heading west from Donegal Town, on the edge of the Atlantic is Ireland’s premier fishing port of Killybegs. From Killybegs follow signs to the magnificent Slieve League Cliffs. At over 1,000 ft (300 metres) the cliffs are the highest marine cliffs in Europe. Next stop along this route is the Gaelic speaking village of Glencolumbcille where you can take the opportunity to relive local rural life as experienced in 18th, 19th and 20th century Ireland.

Today you will be travelling back to Dublin. With an early start to the day, you may wish to visit one of Ireland’s most visited ancient sites, the Megalithic Tombs at Newgrange, just north of Dublin if you have not already visited already on your tour.  The quandary that you will be faced with when you reach Dublin is, not what you should see but that you should leave out. Knee-deep in history and with its own unique sense of humour and wit, Dublin is an invigorating city. Take the opportunity to visit some of Ireland’s most history laden locations, including Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Dublin Castle, Kilmainham Gaol, The National History Museum and not forgetting The Guinness Brewery, Jameson or Teeling Whiskey Distillery, St. Patrick’s Cathedral & why not finish up the day in Dublin’s Temple Bar section and enjoy the wonderful pubs and music it is famous for.

Continue your sightseeing in Dublin today visiting the many historical and modern attractions that this cosmopolitan city has to offer. Other attractions include Christchurch Cathedral which was founded in the year 1030 by Sitric, King of the Dublin Norsemen, the James Joyce Centre & the Dublin Writers Museum. Of course, you may wish to take time out to shop in Grafton Street or any one of a number of narrow and quaint streets that the café strewn city centre has to offer. The Dublin Hop On Hop Off Bus is an excellent way of visiting many of Dublin’s most historic locations. This evening, why not spend some time in the Temple Bar area. This small area boasts a dazzling choice of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops to suit all tastes and pockets, all within easy walking distance of Temple Bar's many cultural centres and galleries. Its narrow, cobbled streets are pedestrianised and are ideally suited to a leisurely stroll through the quarter. Also worth a visit is EPIC, the Irish emigration museum and the GPO (General Post Office) which houses the ‘GPO Witness History’ visitor attraction. This exhibition tells the story of the 1916 rising and the aftermath of this historic rebellion.