Overview

A super new tour touring in beautiful Northern Ireland with an engaging itinerary including visits to Hillsborough Castle – the King’s official residence here, the Armagh Cider Company – incorporating the ‘blossom to bottle’ tour, the ancient and historic town of Downpatrick and much more.

Your Accommodation:

The Carrickdale Hotel & Spa is one of the most renowned, family-friendly hotels in the North East of Ireland. Surrounded by the spectacular Cooley Mountains & Slieve Gullion and set in beautifully landscaped gardens, it is the ideal base for our holiday. Each of the ensuite, smartly furnished bedrooms are equipped with WiFi, TV, telephone, an iron and a hairdryer, whilst general facilities at the hotel include an indoor heated pool, sauna, jacuzzi, the Carrick Restaurant and the charming Dales Lounge and bar. All floors are served by a lift.

Your Itinerary:

Departing from your home area to join the Club Class coach before heading North to Scotland and on to Stranraer for dinner and an overnight stay at the North West Castle Hotel.

Departing after breakfast, we join our ferry for the crossing to Belfast. On arrival in Northern Ireland, we continue on to Dundalk to arrive at the Carrickdale Hotel & Spa with time to settle in and relax before dinner.

A leisurely breakfast before we journey to the town of Armagh with free time to explore. The landmarks are the towns’ St Patricks Church and St Patrick’s Roman Cathedral. Moving on, our next visit is to Ballinteggart Farm, home of the Armagh Cider Company. Here we enjoy a guided tour of the facility and learn the process of Cider making ‘from blossom to bottle’. Of course, there will be a tasting after all the thirsty work!

Today we head North to visit the King’s official residence of Northern Ireland – Hillsborough Castle & Gardens. We enjoy a guided tour of the Castle and its historical rooms before exploring the beautiful gardens. After a good stay we continue on to vibrant and buzzing Belfast where we spend time at leisure in this fascinating city.

Our first visit today is to Newcastle, a charming seaside town in County Down with one of the best sandy beaches in Northern Ireland. It is naturally popular as a summer seaside resort for families with plenty of amusements and activities. Murlough Beach is backed by dunes and offers superb bay views backed by the Mourne Mountains. This afternoon we continue on to Downpatrick, whose Cathedral is said to be the burial place of St Patrick himself. We spend time at the visitor centre to learn more about the patron saint.

Departing after breakfast we travel back to Belfast to join our return sailing to Cairnryan. We then head into scenic Cumbria to reach the Crown Hotel, Wetheral for dinner and our overnight stay.

A final breakfast before we head back to our home area with fond memories of our time in Northern Ireland.

* Insurance Premiums are renewed from 1st January 2024.