Wild Landscapes, Walled Cities, and a Journey Through Irish History
Discover the untamed beauty and historic heart of Ireland’s northern half on this immersive 6-day tour. From ancient royal sites and coastal wonders to civil rights landmarks and cultural capitals, your Northern Odyssey offers a whirlwind of sights and stories—carefully paced and rich with meaning.
Beginning in Dublin and ending in Belfast, this journey takes you through sacred valleys, turbulent histories, and some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes Europe has to offer. With all the details handled for you, you’re free to sink into the stories, connect with the land, and enjoy a stress-free adventure through Ireland’s northern soul.
What to Expect
Your Northern Odyssey begins in Dublin, but it isn’t long before the city disappears behind us and Ireland’s green heart opens ahead. At the ancient site of Clonmacnoise, weathered stone crosses rise from the banks of the Shannon before we continue west to Galway, where music drifts through medieval streets and the evening is yours to enjoy.
The next morning, the roads narrow and the landscape grows wilder. We travel through Connemara, passing dark lakes, rugged mountains and lonely stone walls on our way to Kylemore Abbey. By evening, we reach Sligo, where you can sink into a warm seaweed bath or feel the Atlantic beneath your feet during an optional surfing experience.
From here, we turn north. Watch a skilled sheepdog sweep across a hillside, enjoy lunch in Donegal and stand above the Atlantic at the mighty Slieve League Cliffs. That evening brings a change of pace as we arrive at Lough Eske Castle—a memorable castle stay hidden among the forests and mountains of Donegal.
The wilderness continues through Glenveagh National Park, where open valleys, still waters and distant peaks give way to the historic walls of Derry. A local walking tour reveals the stories written into its streets—but some are best heard while standing exactly where they happened.
Following the coast east, ruined castles cling to cliff edges and waves crash beneath the legendary stones of the Giant’s Causeway. Along the way, we visit Dunluce Castle and the dramatic Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge before arriving in Belfast.
Our final day uncovers two very different sides of the city. At Titanic Belfast, you’ll discover the ambition and tragedy behind the world’s most famous ship. A Black Cab Tour then brings Belfast’s more recent history to life through powerful stories told by those who know the city best.
The tour finishes in Belfast, six days after leaving Dublin—and for guests continuing with us to Scotland, another adventure is waiting just across the water.
This is Ireland’s wild north: ancient ruins, Atlantic air, castle evenings and stories that stay with you long after the road ends.
What’s Included
We take care of the planning, transport and essential details so you can relax and enjoy Ireland’s wild north and west. Your tour price includes:
- 5 nights’ accommodation in carefully selected hotels, including a memorable castle stay at Lough Eske or similar
- 5 hearty Irish breakfasts
- Travel throughout the tour in a luxury, air-conditioned Mercedes mini-coach
- The services of an experienced Valhalla driver-guide
- Admission to the ancient monastic site of Clonmacnoise
- A guided walking tour of Galway City
- Admission to Kylemore Abbey
- A choice of surfing or a traditional seaweed bath in Strandhill
- A traditional sheepdog demonstration
- Admission and shuttle transport at Slieve League Cliffs
- Admission to Glenveagh National Park and Castle
- A guided walking tour of Derry’s historic city walls
- Admission to the Giant’s Causeway
- Admission to Dunluce Castle
- Admission to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, subject to weather and opening conditions
- Admission to Titanic Belfast
- A political and historical Black Cab Tour of Belfast
- Time to explore Galway, Westport, Sligo, Donegal, Derry and Belfast
- All road tolls, taxes, fuel and parking
- Dublin collection on Day 1 and a convenient finish in Belfast on Day 6
- A relaxed small-group experience with no more than 15 guests
- Local stories, cultural insights and memorable stops along the way
- Lots more off the cuff add ons
What’s Not Included
For complete transparency, the following are not included in the tour price:
- Flights to and from Ireland
- Accommodation in Dublin before the tour begins
- Airport transfers before or after the tour
- Lunches and evening meals
- Drinks with meals
- Optional activities or attraction entries not listed in the What’s Included section
- Travel insurance
- Gratuities for your driver-guide
- Personal purchases, souvenirs and other individual expenses
- The connecting Skye High Horizon tour to Scotland, unless booked separately
The 6-Day Northern Odyssey isn’t just about ticking off destinations—it’s about understanding Ireland through its landscapes, its people, and its past. With expert guidance, curated stops, and time to explore, this tour lets you experience the raw beauty and complex history of the north like never before.
Join us for a journey that’s short, powerful, and absolutely unforgettable.
Why not add on our 6 Day Scotland Skye High tour which departs from Belfast.
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