The North of Ireland Tour with Ned McGinley
April 1- 10, 2014
10 days, 8 nights
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 – DEPART U.S. FOR DUBLIN
Depart JFK International Airport aboard Aer Lingus, the Irish Airline, on a non-stop overnight flight
across the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy in-flight entertainment and meal service as you travel to begin your
vacation.
Wednesday, April 2 – DUBLIN ARRIVAL & BELFAST
Following your morning arrival at the Dublin airport, complete customs and
immigration formalities. As you emerge into the Terminal 2 Arrivals Hall after
claiming your luggage, turn right to find a small cafeteria. Dave Yeates will meet you
there and escort you to your luxury motor coach. Depart the 21st century air terminal
and begin your journey back in time with a visit to Monasterboice, whose historic
ruins date back to the late 5th century. See the 10th century Muiredach’s High Cross,
the finest in all Ireland, standing nearly 20 feet tall. Drive through Carlingford, a
charming coastal town with medieval roots. Cross over the border into Northern
Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, and stop in Belfast, the business & industrial hub of the
North. Check into your hotel to rest and refresh yourself. Later, join your group for dinner in your hotel.
DINNER, OVERNIGHT, FOLLOWED BY BREAKFAST – EUROPA HOTEL, BELFAST
Thursday, April 3 – TITANIC EXPERIENCE & BELFAST CITY TOUR
Travel back in time to 1912 with a visit into the spectacular, state-ofthe-art “Titanic Belfast” visitor center to celebrate the sights, sounds
and stories of the ill-fated Titanic, designed and built here 102 years
ago by 15,000 Irishmen. Then welcome a local guide who will present
informative commentary as you drive to see the sites of this capital city
of Northern Ireland. The afternoon is at leisure to explore Belfast’s
shops and restaurants from your centrally located hotel.
OVERNIGHT & BREAKFAST – EUROPA HOTEL, BELFAST
Friday, April 4 – ANTRIM COASTAL DRIVE, CARRICK-A-REDE ROPE BRIDGE & GIANT’S CAUSEWAY
Travel through Northern Ireland by way of the beautiful coastal landscapes known as the Nine Glens of
County Antrim. Stop at the famous Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge, 66 feet long and suspended 98 feet
above the rocks. Next, visit the Giant’s Causeway, an astonishing geological formation of more than
40,000 naturally formed hexaganol basalt columns on the coast. Continue on to your hotel inside
Derry’s city walls to enjoy dinner with your group.
DINNER, OVERNIGHT & BREAKFAST – TOWER HOTEL, DERRY
Saturday, April 5- DERRY CITY WALLS & INISHOWEN PENINSULA
Derry is known as the “Walled City” and today explore its rich past starting with a guided walking tour of
the ancient city walls, which kept Derry safe during the turbulent 16th & 17th centuries. View the famous
murals and structures including the striking Guildhall. Learn about the pivotal role this oldest city has
played throughout history and gain an understanding of the “Troubles” from the 1970’s to today’s
historic peace. Then sit back and relax as you travel through the picturesque Inishowen Peninsula,
offering breathtaking views all around. Be prepared for a “Dave Detour” or
two as you enjoy your day. Return to Derry where you are at leisure for
dinner this evening.
OVERNIGHT & BREAKFAST – TOWER HOTEL, DERRY
Sunday, April 6 –MYSTERY TOUR DAY WITH DAVE’S DETOURS
Today enjoy a very special “mystery tour day” with your guide as you travel
some of the most rugged landscapes of northwestern Europe. The day
offers delightful stops and visits, especially designed for your group leader,
Ned. You’ll meet some special friends along the way on a day you’ll never forget. Arrive in friendly
Donegal town where you are free to choose your dinner location. Five minutes walk from your hotel is
the Reel Inn Pub, whose evenings are generally filled with Traditional Irish music by local musicians.
OVERNIGHT & BREAKFAST – MILLPARK HOTEL, DONEGAL
Monday, April 7 – SLIEVE LEAGUE SEA CLIFFS & DONEGAL CASTLE
Drive through the wild hills of County Donegal to Triona Design, where you will see a hand-weaving
demonstration by one of the few remaining authentic Donegal Tweed weavers and be served
complimentary tea & scones. Next, view the unspoiled Slieve League
Sea Cliffs which are the highest in all of Europe, at 2100 feet. Return to
Donegal town for a guided tour through Donegal Castle, originally built
in 1474. Recently renovated, it is one of the finest Gaelic castles in
Ireland today. Following your visit, enjoy some free time in this
bustling small town before joining your group in your hotel for dinner.
DINNER, OVERNIGHT & BREAKFAST – MILL PARK HOTEL, DONEGAL
Tuesday, April 8 – W.B. YEATS TERRITORY & STROKESTOWN HOUSE
Depart Donegal and head south through County Sligo. Stop at Drumcliffe to view the grave of famous
Nobel prize-winning poet, W.B.Yeats, who took his inspiration from the local landscapes. Visit the
Strokestown Park House, a Georgian mansion preserved with its original furnishings and fabrics. A tour
of The Big House gives an intimate insight into life in the 1800’s, while the adjoining National Famine
Museum tells a different story about a tragic period in Irish history which caused so many to flee to
America. Then travel across the boggy Midlands to arrive in Dublin. Following dinner in your hotel, you
may wish to wander over to nearby Ryan’s Pub for a pint and some old world Irish ambiance.
DINNER, OVERNIGHT & BREAKFAST-ASHLING HOTEL, DUBLIN
Wednesday, April 9 – DUBLIN CITY TOUR, KILMAINHAM GAOL, TRINITY COLLEGE BOOK OF KELLS
Following breakfast, join a local guide for a panoramic tour of Dublin. With roots that
begin long before the Viking times, learn about this modern, vibrant European city.
Visit Kilmainham Gaol, an institution steeped with history of the struggle for Irish
independence. The majority of the Irish leaders in various Irish rebellions were
imprisoned here. The site is now a popular filming location for Hollywood movies.
Then visit prestigious Trinity College to view the Book of Kells, a priceless early
Christian hand-illustrated manuscript of the four Biblical Gospels created 800 A.D.
Next door to your hotel is Collin’s Barracks National Museum, which has fascinating
historical exhibits on the Irish War for Independence and the Irish Civil War, including Michael Collins
memorabilia. The afternoon is at your leisure and your guide will be delighted to facilitate your
independent sightseeing options. You may choose to wander along the River Liffey, stroll through
famous Temple Bar area to Christchurch Cathedral, or visit popular Guinness Storehouse, whose 7 floors
chronicle the history and culture that surrounds this world-beloved stout. A few blocks from your hotel
is the Brazen Head, Ireland oldest pub, established 1198, where this evening you will be served a
delicious dinner while being entertained with Irish storytelling and folklore.
DINNER & ENTERTAINMENT – BRAZEN HEAD PUB
OVERNIGHT & BREAKFAST – ASHLING HOTEL, DUBLIN
Thursday, April 10 – HOMEWARD BOUND
Sadly, your Irish vacation has come to an end. Transfer this
morning to the Dublin Airport in plenty of time to check it for your
flight, clear security, and claim your VAT refund. You may wish to
do some last minute shopping at the many duty free shops. Then
clear U.S. Immigration before boarding your aircraft, and fly west
across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States.
Price includes: ______ per person, double occupancy. Single Supplement: $376 per person
Accommodations for eight (8) nights as indicated above
Full breakfasts daily, except day of arrival
Four (4) hotel dinners, and dinner with entertainment at the Brazen Head Pub
Visits & Admissions to: Monasterboice, Titanic Experience, Belfast City Hall, Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge,
Giant’s Causeway with shuttle, W.B. Yeats gravesite at Drumcliffe, Donegal Castle, Slieve League Sea
Cliffs, Strokestown House, Kilmainham Gaol, Trinity College (Book of Kells), Collins Barracks National
Museum, hand-weaving demonstration (with tea & scones) at Triona Design, Inishowen Peninsula
sightseeing, and all Dave’s detours
Guided tours by local guides of Belfast, Derry, and Dublin
All transportation and sightseeing via deluxe touring motor coach with the services of a Nationally
Certified Irish professional driver / guide (Dave Yeates) throughout.
Tips and taxes on items included. NOTE: Tip to driver/guide is not included and is at the discretion of
the passenger (customary amount is $10 per day per person).
Porterage of one suitcase per person.
Portfolio of travel documents
Optional Travel Insurance is available and highly recommended.
Approximate cost is $155 per
person and must be purchased at time of booking.
CONTACT NED MCGINLEY FOR FULL DETAILS phone (570) 905-5715 or email [email protected]
DAVE YEATES IRELAND TOURS has created this itinerary especially for Ned McGinley.
For more information about DAVE YEATES, please visit www.daveyeates.com
The Tour Operator for this tour is CELTIC TOURS WORLD VACATIONS, Albany NY
Thank you for choosing Dave Yeates Ireland Tours to show you the heart and soul of Ireland!