Northern Highlights Full-Day Guided Tour in Northern Ireland
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Bottled water
Itinerary
Pass by: (Optional for Belfast Pick Up - Unavailable for Derry/Other Pick Up) Take a quick tour of the highlights of Belfast including its majestic City Hall, the grandeur of the Stormont Estate, the University Quarter and the wonderful maritime history of the Titanic Quarter.
NOT OFFERED ON MONDAY. One of the oldest and largest intact Norman Castles in Ireland, it has sat on the shores of Belfast Lough since 1177. Stop to take photos of this majestic building. Not available on bookings departing Derry/Londonderry.
Get up close with one of the few remaining Irish castles still lived in by the same family for hundreds of years. Sadly, as it is a private home, we cannot visit, but our tour will uniquely take you to an amazing vantage point (depending on vehicle) above Glenarm to view this Gothic masterpiece in all its glory and a stop at its amazing grand entrance, The Barbican (which features in Dungeons & Dragons 2023 Movie).
A stopover in Carnlough - and not its library - will reward you with views of its beautiful limestone harbour, its railway bridges, the hotel once owned by the Churchill family and of course your first Game of Thrones location of the tour. You can also grab a coffee or a snack in the nearby shop.
DEPENDING ON WEATHER CONDITIONS AND SEASON. Travel through the Queen of the Nine Glens of Antrim - an inspiration for Narnia in the CS Lewis novels - and home to the tumbling waterfalls and ancient woodlands of Glenariff Forest Park.
Pass by: Before we pass through lovely Cushendall we take a stop at Agnew's Field and marvel at the sheer scale of Glenariff Glen and the ruins of the ancient Redbay Castle. The village itself has at its heart the 'Curfew Tower' and the magnificent murals celebrating the Irish game of Hurling. Comfort break available here.
Pass by: OPTIONAL. This pretty seaside village is a conservation area in the ownership of the National Trust. Admire its half-slated homes in the Scottish style and the sculpture of Johann the goat and the story of his tragic end.
THIS TRIP DEPENDS ON WEATHER, ROAD CONDITION, VEHICLE SIZE. The Torr Head Scenic Route curves its way across the high cliffs of the Antrim Coast, with amazing sea views and the Scottish coast just 12 miles distant (weather permitting). Admire deep green inlets and otherworldly rock formations before reaching the astonishing Murlough Bay with its curious link to 20th century Irish history.
(Depends on Season & Weather) This amazing bay is accessed by a narrow road that winds its way from the limestone cliffs that feature as the Stormlands in Game of Thrones, to the rocky shoreline with its limestone and basalt rock features, battered year-round by North Atlantic Ocean.
We will stop at this celebrated seaside resort for lunch or dinner(depending on season) at one of the award-winning local restaurants with their famous seafood dishes and its world renowned chowder - Ballycastle being the first place to send and receive wireless radio signals by Marconi's team - then head along the coast to Kinbane. Winter Options Differ.
(TIme and Weather Permitting) The ruins of Kinbane Castle sit on a long, narrow limestone headland projecting into the sea, overlooking the churning waters of the Straits of Moyle, Rathlin Island and the Scottish Islands. Marvel at the tumbling waterfall and the sea caves far below the coastal path.
This trip does not include a crossing of the Rope Bridge (c. 3 hours). Instead we will view the Rope Bridge from above from Portaneevy Lookout Point and enjoy a panoramic view of the coastline and views across to Scotland (weather permitting).
Visitors are advised that this site is extremely busy with congestion at peak times. We will endeavour to reach the site at quieter times to enhance your enjoyment. Please also advise us in advance if you have mobility issues. The Giant's Causeway is the most visited natural attraction in Ireland and is the only UNESCO World Heritage Site in Northern Ireland. With its astonishing collection of over 40,000 basalt columns, it is one of the must-see natural wonders on this spectacular coastline - if not the world - but let us know your thoughts.
TIME AND WEATHER DEPENDENT. Nearly 250 years in construction, the clifftop location of Dunluce Castle has attracted artists and photographers for years. One of the most impressive castle ruins in Ireland, this stop will appeal to your inner artist. Allow at least 10 minutes to enjoy this amazing testament to the enterprise of the Irish, 600 years after building began. ENTRANCE TO CASTLE NOT INCLUDED ON THIS STOP.
Meeting point
Start Location
City Hall, Belfast, UK
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Stroller Accessible
- Service Animals Allowed
- Easy Public Transport
- Infant Seats Available
Good to know
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- A maximum of 3 people per booking
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately
Traveler reviews
Wonderful personalized tour of beautiful Northern Ireland!
Our guide Fergal took us on a wonderful personalized tour of Northern Ireland. He took us to all the highlights and added additional locations based on our preferences. He is highly knowledgeable and gave us a lot of background on the places we visited. We would highly recommend him and this tour
Great trip with my wife.
What a great trip! The driver did a great job showing the country side and stopping at multiple castles and tailored our trip to what we wanted to experience.
N. Ireland Coastal Highlights - did not disappoint…
Fergel was knowledgeable, fun, and accommodating. We had the best time. He was able to show us everything we were looking for. Great conversation and just a blast all the way around. 100% recommend and will definitely hire him again when we come back. He made the trip very memorable.
Five star all the way around
Incredible scenery, and our host Fergal was an expert in his field and enjoyable to be with. We weren’t expecting a private tour in a gorgeous jaguar sedan so that was a bonus and Fergal had that car hugging every turn on the narrow and windy backroads. He also made great use of the shorter daylight time. This trip was beyond our expectations and couldn’t have been any better. The host/guide/driver is outstanding, the scenery is one beautiful scene after another, and the route was well planned and full of history. I especially liked that Fergal spoke just the right amount of the time and was very perceptive in knowing when and what to say. He reads his audience well.
Northern Ireland at its Best!
My full-day Northern highlights guided tour with host Fergal was truly an experience I will never forget. I so enjoyed the sights, the beauty of Northern Ireland, the small towns, the wonderful stories that Fergal told, the coastal areas and seas, the castles, waterfalls, history of this great place and more. Fergal is a wonderful guide, full of knowledge of his beloved home country. It was a pleasure to spend the day with him, learning about Northern Ireland in a peaceful manner, visiting places that many large buses cannot go. I highly recommend Fergal's tour. It is well worth it! Thank you, Fergal, for a great day!