In this amazing road trip itinerary, we will be starting in Belfast and ending in Dublin and discovering some of Ireland’s best attractions along the way!
Day One: Antrim
Carrickfergus Castle
An hour and a half’s drive takes you to the impressive Carrickfergus Castle on the northern shore of Belfast Lough. The castle has stood for over 800 years, surviving attacks from Scotland, England and France.
Giants Causeway
Our adventure begins at the very top of Ireland in Co Antrim at one of the country’s most breathtaking landmarks, the Giant’s Causeway. Visitors decided for themselves whether the formation has its origin in Irish legends or as the result of a volcanic eruption. The unique rock formations are visited by 500,000 people every year.
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Test your bravery just 20 minutes away from the Causeway with a visit to the 20-metre-long wire rope bridge. The bridge stretches from the sea cliffs to the small Carrick-a-Rede Island.
Day Two: Belfast (an exploration of the city sights)
Titanic Belfast
A one hour tour takes you back in time to the era when the ill-fated White Star Liner was built, with nine interactive galleries on the historic shipyard and the ship’s voyage.
Belfast City Hall
10 minutes away is the impressive city hall, which opened in 1906. Located in the city centre, you can take a free tour and discover its history. The building looks beautiful when lit up at night.
Ulster Museum
The final stop on our tour of Belfast is the Ulster Museum, a place where visitors can get up close to dinosaur skeletons, a wealth of beautiful paintings and even an Ancient Egyptian mummy.
Day Three (Mourne Mountains, Co Down and Carlingford, Co Louth)
Mourne Mountains
The third day of our road-trip takes us into the striking Mourne Mountains. The tallest peak at 850 metres is Slieve Donard. The Mourne Wall still stands, having been completed in 1922 and connects 15 of the 28 peaks. Finish off with a cup of tea in the Slieve Donard Hotel.
Carlingford
45 minutes away is Carlingford, Co Louth. It is said that when the Vikings invaded in the 9th century, that they settled in this area, near Carlingford Lough. The area is rich in Celtic history, with the legend of Cuchulainn, a mighty warrior of the Fianna originating here. Explore the picturesque Cooley Peninsula by taking one of the many walking trails.
Day Four: Louth and Meath (Drogheda to the Hill of Tara)
St Peter’s Roman Catholic Church
This architectural beauty is situated in Drogheda, Co Louth. It was built in the impressive Gothic Style and was completed in 1884. On the inside, visitors will be in awe of the 40 stained glass windows, carefully crafted. The church also houses the shrine and head of St Oliver Plunkett! If you’re hungry, restaurants such as D’vine and Stockwell Artisan Foods Café offer a huge variety of dishes.
Newgrange Passage Tomb, Meath
A fifteen-minute car drive away is the ancient burial tomb of Newgrange. Older than the Egyptian pyramids, this passage tomb plays a huge part in the celebrations of the Winter Solstice on the 21st of December. However, visitors will love discovering the intricate work that went into the building of this 5,000-year-old tomb.
Hill of Tara
Forty minutes later will see you at the Hill of Tara, the place where the High King of Ireland sat on his throne. An audio-visual show at the visitor’s centre will fill you in on Ireland’s rich Celtic History and legend of St Patrick and his connection to the place. It is a simply stunning location!
Day Five: Dublin (from the city centre to the Guinness Storehouse)
Museum of Natural History
Located in Merrion Square, visitors get free admission into all four sites of the museum. Exhibitions include Mammals of the world and Irish fauna. The collection is impressive and it is a fantastic experience that won’t cost you a cent.
Phoenix Park
Moving further away from the city centre we find Áras an Uachtaráin, the home of the Irish president, within the Phoenix Park. The park is a huge 707 hectares and contains an exciting variety of plants and wildlife such as Fallow deer. Children will especially love the grounds of Phoenix Park as it is also the location of Dublin Zoo.
Guinness Storehouse
Finish your road-trip with a relaxing pint in the Guinness Storehouse. Inside, visitors are told the story of Arthur McGuinness from 200 years ago and the making of the world famous stout. At the Guinness Academy, you get the chance to pull your very own pint. Finally, soak in the views of Dublin from the Gravity Bar, which boasts a 360-degree view of the city! A perfect way to complete your road-trip!
