Mourne Mountains, Titanic & Giant’s Causeway

We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and continue onwards to the La Mon Hotel & Country Club in Castlereagh, our base for the next four nights.

Mourne Mountains, Titanic & Giant’s Causeway

Our day begins at the 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 and were produced by volcanic eruptions some sixty million years ago. Interactive displays, exhibitions and audio guides in the state-of-the-art visitor centre unveil the stories and science that surround this natural phenomenon. 

From here, we spend some free time in the seaside resort of Portrush, famous for its golf course which held The Open in 2025. Take a walk along the golden beaches, soak up the lovely sea views at Ramore Head, an Area of Special Scientific Interest, and enjoy lunch at your leisure, perhaps at one of the fresh seafood restaurants. We then take a scenic drive along part of the Causeway Coast route, past the Glens of Antrim, a series of nine waterfall-studded picturesque valleys. Stretching along the Antrim Coast, this is one of the most stunning drives in the country, offering views of rugged cliffs, charming villages and the vast Atlantic Ocean.

Mourne Mountains, Titanic & Giant’s Causeway

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.

Mourne Mountains, Titanic & Giant’s Causeway

We enjoy a drive past the spectacular Mountains of Mourne, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, stopping to explore some of the region’s towns along the way. Hillsborough is a delightful town that is home to a beautiful castle, which you may choose to visit at your leisure, plus scenic wooded parkland and lakes. The popular seaside resort of Newcastle is the picturesque gateway to the Kingdom of Mourne, where Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest mountain, sweeps down to the sea, while Downpatrick’s cathedral is said to be the burial place of St Patrick. Downpatrick is also home to the Down County Museum, housed in a beautifully restored 18th-century building that once served as the county gaol. Should you choose to visit, you’ll find the exhibits range from archaeological finds to artefacts from the Victorian era, and you can also explore the old gaol cells to learn about the lives of prisoners here.

Mourne Mountains, Titanic & Giant’s Causeway

Checking out of our hotel, we head to Dublin for an afternoon at leisure, or alternatively opt to maximise your sightseeing in the city by joining the optional guided city tour. Just some of the sights here include the historic Temple Bar area, known as the entertainment and cultural quarter of Dublin, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland set in 40 acres of cobbled squares, gardens and parks. Later, we spend the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.

Mourne Mountains, Titanic & Giant’s Causeway

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.

Join a guided panoramic tour of Belfast with a local expert, passing City Hall, Queen’s University and the neoclassical Stormont Parliament Buildings. Stories of industry and resilience unfold beside the Peace Walls and political murals, before the route opens into the revitalised Titanic Quarter.

Step inside Titanic Belfast, a world-class museum set on the historic shipyard slipways. Nine interactive galleries bring the build, launch and legacy to life inside an angular structure inspired by a ship’s hull—placing you at the heart of Belfast’s maritime story.

Experience the Mountains of Mourne, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty where granite ridges and loughs tumble toward the sea and Slieve Donard crowns the skyline. Coastal viewpoints reveal dune-backed beaches, field-bound stone walls and ever-changing Atlantic light.

Wander characterful towns en route: elegant Hillsborough with its castle and lakes; breezy Newcastle at the foot of the peaks; and historic Downpatrick, home to Down Cathedral, long associated with St Patrick. Cafés, craft shops and friendly locals complete a warm County Down welcome.

Discover Dublin on an optional guided city tour by coach and on foot, taking in elegant Georgian squares, the cultural buzz of Temple Bar, and graceful River Liffey crossings including the photogenic Ha’penny Bridge. Hear tales of rebels, writers and musicians that shaped Ireland’s capital.

See grand O’Connell Street and the GPO, trace scholarly traditions around Trinity College, and admire church spires on a route designed for first-time orientation. This experience is at additional cost and bookable on tour, with timing coordinated to leave space for independent exploration.

Explore the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of interlocking basalt columns shaped by ancient lava flows and Atlantic surf. Walk cliff-edged paths from the award-winning Visitor Centre, tune into the audio guide, and hear the Finn McCool legend as seabirds wheel over wave-washed stones.

Trace the Causeway Coast past rugged headlands to Portrush, with time to stroll sandy strands and Ramore Head. Views towards the Glens of Antrim set a spectacular backdrop—perfect to pause for photos and reflection on one of Ireland’s most dramatic shorelines.