2024 SCYTHIAN'S GRAND IRISH CASTLE TOUR ITINERARY
Daily Itinerary
Day 1, October 30-Wednesday: USA - Ireland
Depart USA for overnight flight to Ireland (Flight Not Included).
Day 2, November 1-Thursday: Dublin
Morning arrival at Dublin Airport where you are greeted by your Driver/Guide.
The group will depart the airport at 10:00AM. We travel into Dublin Town
where we enjoy a panoramic tour of this 1000-year-old city. We will then enjoy a
tour of the Guinness Brewery. We will then be dropped off on Nassau Street for
some free browsing time. Check into our hotel LATE AFTERNOON. Dinner is on
your own, suggestions will be provided. Overnight at the Camden Court Hotel
Beautiful Belfast
Day 3, November 2-Friday: Dublin-Belfast
Leaving Dublin, we begin our adventures by driving north to the bustling
town of Drogheda; nearby are the slaughter fields of the Battle of the
Boyne (1690), hear how the Irish Jacobite was crushed and William of
Orange became the inspiration for Northern Irelands ‘Marching Season’.
Cross the border at Newry, viewing the British Military Fortifications in the
Celtic Mythology steeped mountains of south Armagh. Then it’s on to
intriguing and beautiful Belfast, birthplace of the Titanic and once the
second richest city in the British Empire. We enjoy a panoramic tour.
After checking into your hotel, you are free to explore on your own.
Overnight Europa Hotel Belfast
Day 4, November 3-Saturday: Belfast- Giants Causeway
Morning departure from Belfast we travel north through the
majestic Glens of Antrim. We travel along the spectacular
coastline and on to the Giants Causeway. The phenomenal
wonder of hexagonal columns expanding out to the North
Atlantic is said to have been built by legendary Irish Folk Hero,
Finn MacCool as “a pathway to Scotland” to see his beloved.
We will also stop (view only) the Carrick-a-Rede bridge, one of
Northern Ireland’s most loved attractions. Connected to the
cliffs by a rope bridge across the Atlantic Ocean, Carrick-a-
Rede Island (home to a single building - a fisherman's
cottage). Suspended almost 100ft (30m) above sea level, the
rope bridge was first erected by salmon fishermen 350 years
ago Crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Overnight at
the Europa Hotel.
Overnight in 5-Star Lough Eske Castle!
Day 5, November 4- Sunday: Belfast- Derry- Lough Eske
Castle
After breakfast, we depart Belfast and make our way to Derry.
To really experience Derry’s history, we stroll along the
parapet walkways as we do the “Walled in City Tour”. The
history of this area and the fact that Derry is one of the last
fully intact walled in cities left in all of Europe makes this a
must for every visitor. We then make our way to the Lough
Eske Castle for overnight. A five-star castle located on a
secluded estate just outside Donegal Town, Lough Eske
Castle has a rich history dating back to the 1400’s. Dinner &
Overnight Lough Eske Castle.
Day 6, November 4 –Monday: Donegal.
This morning after breakfast we travel to Glenveagh National
Park, with a stop at Glenveagh Castle. This castle was
modelled on Scotland's Balmoral Castle. Henry McIlhenny
made it a characterful home with liberal reminders of his
passion for deerstalking. In fact, a few rooms lack a
representation – or the taxidermied remains – of a stag. The
most eye-catching of the flamboyantly decorated rooms are in
the round tower, including the tartan-and-antler-
encrusted music room and the pink candy-striped room
demanded by Greta Garbo whenever she stayed here. The
exotic gardens are similarly spectacular, boasting terraces, an
Italian garden, a walled kitchen garden and the Belgian Walk,
built by Belgian soldiers who stayed here during WWI. Their
cultured charm is in marked contrast to the wildly beautiful
landscape that enfolds the area. Overnight at Lough Eske
Castle Hotel.