Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and continue onwards to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

We start the morning with a city tour of Dublin. This pint-sized city is crammed full of character and personality, and we discover layers of history within the streets; a patchwork of medieval castles and cathedrals. Highlights of our tour include St Stephen’s Green, Trinity College and many iconic landmarks in between. Cameras at the ready for the Molly Malone statue, before we enjoy some time at leisure – while humming cockles and mussels, alive, alive, oh – as we explore the city at our own pace.

This afternoon we leave Dublin and make our way to the Ramada by Wyndham Hotel in Belfast city centre, our base for the next three nights.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

This morning provides the chance to explore the lively city of Belfast during a tour led by a local guide, who really brings its history to life in a way that only natives can. Northern Ireland’s best-known city has undergone a striking transformation, and we learn all about its fascinating heritage as an industrial dynamo, from tobacco to linen and, of course, ship building, as well as its hidden secrets.
A day out in Belfast would not be complete without a visit to Titanic Belfast, this state-of-the-art multimedia exhibition is easily the city’s most visited attraction. Located at the original Harland & Wolff shipyard, we walk in the footsteps of the men who built RMS Titanic; the world’s most famous ship. With nine interactive galleries housed in an iconic building designed to resemble the ship’s hull, there is plenty to uncover here.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Today we head to the incredible Giant’s Causeway; the grand rock formation on everyone’s must-see list. Like a huge game of Jenga that got out of hand, these hexagonal volcanic columns are guarded by the foaming ocean and dramatic cliffs.

From here we head to catch the Coleraine to Derry~Londonderry train, described by Michael Palin as ‘one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world’. We sit back, relax and soak up the stunning views of lush green countryside, golden sands, rolling waves and striking cliffs before we disembark in Derry~Londonderry. With some free time to explore the compact streets within the only completely walled city on the island of Ireland, the striking Peace Bridge arching over the River Foyle is well worth a photo-stop.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where you may wish to join an optional excursion to the Guinness Storehouse Brewery. Every great afternoon in Dublin starts with a pint of the ‘black stuff’ and today is no different as you explore seven fascinating floors all dedicated to the tale of Ireland’s most iconic beer. Journey through the series of audio-visual experiences exploring the history, brewing process and advertising successes of the beverage before enjoying a picture-perfect pint in the rooftop Gravity Bar.

Alternatively, spend some free time at leisure soaking up the sights and atmosphere of the city. Temple Bar, the cobbled district where merriment meets live music, is a must-see before we head off to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Irish Craic & Culture – Dublin & Belfast

We check out of our hotel very early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.

Walk the basalt shore to the Giant’s Causeway, where thousands of interlocking basalt columns stride into the surf. Feel sea spray and wind against dramatic cliffs as the Atlantic coast sets a wild, elemental scene.

Learn how ancient lava flows forged this UNESCO World Heritage Site and hear legends of Finn McCool that color the landscape with folklore. This is a moment to pause for photos and reflection as geology and myth meet at Ireland’s rugged edge.

Ride a scenic train journey skirting estuaries, dunes, and the Atlantic shoreline between Coleraine and Derry~Londonderry. Big skies, rolling waves, and cliff-backed beaches glide by your window for effortless, seat-back sightseeing.

Roll past Castlerock and the headland crowned by Mussenden Temple, a romantic 18th-century folly perched above the surf. Celebrated by Michael Palin as one of the most beautiful rail journeys in the world, this route distills the North Coast’s drama into a single, spellbinding stretch.

Explore the island’s only completely fortified town, circling the Walled City on broad 17th-century ramparts with views to the River Foyle. Cannon bastions, gatehouses, and story-rich streets unfold in a compact historic core.

Stroll to the sinuous Peace Bridge for sweeping river vistas and admire the red-sandstone Guildhall. The city’s layered narrative—from Plantation-era foundations to vibrant present—reveals itself in architecture, outlooks, and lively public squares.

Experience the Guinness Storehouse, where seven floors chart ingredients, roasting, and the craft of the brewing process through interactive displays and classic advertising. Dublin’s brewing heritage becomes tactile and aromatic at every turn.

Cap the visit with a pint of the black stuff in the skyline Gravity Bar, gazing across the city’s rooftops. This optional experience is at additional cost and is bookable on tour, adding a flavorful, distinctly Dublin chapter to your journey.

Visit Titanic Belfast, a landmark museum on the very ground where the liner was built. Explore state-of-the-art galleries tracing design, construction, maiden voyage, and legacy, with immersive exhibits that bring the story of the RMS Titanic to life.

Step out to the slipways and read the city through its maritime past at the original Harland & Wolff shipyard. The building’s striking, shard-like form evokes ship prows, setting a powerful stage for the engineering ambition and human stories behind Belfast’s most famous vessel.

Discover Northern Ireland’s capital on a guided city tour taking in City Hall, the cobbles and creativity of the Cathedral Quarter, and the Titanic Quarter beneath the towering Harland & Wolff cranes. Drive past the Falls and Shankill to see the Peace Walls and political murals that chart a complex history.

Gain context on Belfast’s rise as an industrial powerhouse and its confident contemporary revival. Hear local stories of linen, shipbuilding, and resilience as Victorian grandeur meets modern energy in one compelling urban portrait.

Explore Dublin with a local expert and join a guided panoramic tour that showcases Trinity College, the leafy elegance of St Stephen’s Green, O’Connell Street, and views of the Ha’penny Bridge. Cameras ready for a photo with the Molly Malone statue as the city’s wit and warmth unfold at every corner.

Uncover Dublin’s layers, from Viking crossroads to Georgian refinement and a celebrated literary tradition. Hear how colorful doors, medieval spires, and lively pubs shape the capital’s personality, creating a compact cityscape rich in stories and atmosphere.