Enjoy a spectacular seven-day journey through Ireland and Northern Ireland, combining scenic main-line railway journeys, historic towns, dramatic coastal scenery, maritime crossings and some of the region’s finest railway & cultural attractions.

• Travel from London to Dublin by First Class rail and ferry, enjoying a comfortable and scenic journey to Ireland.
• Explore Dublin and County Wicklow, including a scenic railway journey through the beautiful Wicklow countryside and visits to its historic attractions.
• Travel aboard the famous Enterprise service from Dublin to Belfast, followed by visits to Titanic Belfast and Belfast Castle.
• Experience the spectacular Causeway Coast railway to Londonderry and Coleraine, with visits to the Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills and dramatic Dunluce Castle.
• Discover Northern Ireland’s rich heritage with the County Down Heritage Railway Diesel Gala, Inch Abbey and
  Downpatrick Cathedral.
• Enjoy a carefully planned journey combining scenic rail travel, historic attractions, coastal landscapes and comfortable accommodation throughout.
  

Monday 23 August

London to Dublin

Your Irish railway adventure begins at London Euston, where you board the morning Avanti West Coast service for Holyhead, travelling up the West Coast Mainline to Crewe, where you take the scenic North Wales Coast line towards the Irish Sea.

After arriving at Holyhead, there will be time to make the short transfer to the ferry terminal before boarding your afternoon sailing to Dublin. Enjoy the crossing of the Irish Sea before arriving at Dublin Port, where your coach will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. Your base for the next two nights is the Hilton Dublin Charlemont Place, conveniently located for exploring the Irish capital. The remainder of the evening is free to relax at the hotel or perhaps take your first stroll through Dublin. (D)

Tuesday 24 August

Scenic railway to Wicklow and free evening in Dublin

Today you travel south from Dublin Connolly aboard Irish Rail, following one of Ireland’s most attractive railway routes towards County Wicklow. The journey provides a wonderful introduction to the scenery of Ireland, with the railway passing through a changing landscape of suburbs, countryside and the Wicklow coast.

On arrival in Wicklow, there will be time to explore this attractive historic town and discover some of its local sights and heritage. A particular point of interest is Wicklow Historic Gaol,* whose fascinating history offers an insight into the harsh realities of Ireland’s penal past. After your exploration of Wicklow, you head back to Dublin Connolly. The remainder of the evening is free to explore Dublin at your leisure. Return back to your hotel for a second night in the Irish capital. (B)

Wednesday 25 August

Dublin to Belfast aboard the Enterprise

After breakfast, you have a free morning to explore Dublin, before meeting back at the hotel for a short coach transfer to Dublin Connolly Station, where you board the Enterprise service for the journey north to Belfast Grand Central. This is one of the most significant railway journeys on the island of Ireland, crossing the international border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland as the train makes its way towards Belfast. On arrival at Belfast Grand Central, transfer to the Leonardo hotel where you are based for the next 3 nights. You have the rest of the day to explore Belfast, a city with a fascinating industrial, maritime and political history. (B)

Thursday 26 August

Titanic Belfast and Belfast Castle

Today you discover two of Belfast’s most celebrated attractions. After breakfast, a short coach transfer takes you to the Titanic Quarter, where you visit the spectacular Titanic Belfast visitor attraction. The exhibition tells the remarkable story of the construction, launch and ill-fated maiden voyage of RMS Titanic, as well as Belfast’s shipbuilding heritage. There will be time to purchase lunch here. Following your visit, you travel by coach towards the northern outskirts of the city and the impressive Belfast Castle. Set against the slopes of Cave Hill, the castle commands magnificent views across Belfast and Belfast Lough. You return to your Belfast hotel, where you’ll enjoy dinner in the hotel restaurant. (B D)

Friday 27 August

The Causeway Coast – Londonderry, Giant’s Causeway, Bushmills & Dunluce Castle

Today is one of the major highlights of the tour as you travel along Northern Ireland’s spectacular Causeway Coast. An early departure takes you from Belfast Grand Central towards Londonderry, travelling aboard the Translink railway service. Enjoy the increasingly dramatic scenery as the railway heads west and north towards Londonderry. There will be ta short pause to explore Londonderry, before returning east along the scenic coastal railway to Coleraine. Here you have a short coach transfer to the Giant’s Causeway. Spend time exploring one of Northern Ireland’s most extraordinary natural attractions, famous for its thousands of distinctive basalt columns descending towards the Atlantic Ocean. You then continue along the Causeway Coast, with visits to two of the area’s most celebrated attractions. Enjoy a private tasting at the historic Bushmills Distillery, before continuing to the ruins of Dunluce Castle, above the Atlantic cliffs. The road coach will then take you to Coleraine, for your Translink rail service from Coleraine back to Belfast Central. Dinner is served in the hotel this evening. (B D)

Saturday 28 August

County Down Heritage Railway & the Story of Saint Patrick

After breakfast, you depart the hotel to Inch Abbey where you will get to enjoy a short visit to the medieval abbey, particularly of interest to Game of Thrones fans. Following your visit you take a short coach transfer to Downpatrick, There will be time to purchase lunch and explore the town before the main railway highlight of the day. The afternoon is devoted to the County Down Heritage Railway Diesel Gala. Here you can enjoy the sights and sounds of preserved diesel traction as historic railway vehicles are brought together for this special heritage event. There should be plenty to see and photograph as the gala recreates the atmosphere of a traditional railway enthusiasts’ event.

Following the gala we take a short visit to Downpatrick Cathedral, traditionally associated with the burial place of Saint Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint. Following the gala you depart Downpatrick, for Newry, where you join the Enterprise rail service for the final time, heading back to Dublin Connolly. There will then be a short transfer to the hotel. Enjoy a final evening together with dinner served at the hotel. (B D)

Sunday 29 August

Return to London

After breakfast, you transfer by coach to Dublin Port, where you board your ferry for the crossing back to Holyhead. On arrival in Holyhead, you travel First Class onboard the Avanti West Coast service back to London Euston. (B)

*The gaol is currently undergoing refurbishment, so its availability for this tour will be confirmed nearer the time.