Game of Thrones in Ireland Self Drive

Welcome to Dublin International Airport, where you will pick up your rental car. Dublin is a vibrant and historic capital city with many historic buildings, Georgian streets, and colourful gardens. The North Side of the city offers striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on O’Connell Street and Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The city’s south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares and is home to Trinity College, Dublin Castle and two Anglican Cathedrals. The best way to end the day is with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse to sample the brew.

Overnight in Dublin

This morning depart Dublin and head north. We recommend stopping for a visit to Trim Castle which was used to film the York and London scenes for Braveheart. Then a visit to the nearby Brú na Bóinne and Newgrange. The archaeological landscape within Brú na Bóinne is dominated by three well-known large passage tombs, Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth, built some 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic or Late Stone Age. As part of your unforgettable Ireland tours, continue north to Downpatrick, burial ground of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland and be sure to visit Castle Ward, to visit some of the set of Game of Thrones, series one.

Overnight in Belfast

We recommend spending the day exploring Belfast and its surrounds on this suggested program. See some of the landmark sites such as City Hall and Queens University along with a visit to the famous Titanic Belfast Experience; a dramatic, innovative and exciting presentation on the real story of the Titanic. This state-of-the-art exhibition takes visitors on a journey through the life of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, to her famous maiden voyage and tragic end. In the afternoon travel to the north-east shores of Lough Neagh and Shane’s Castle. Built in 1345 by a member of the royal house of O’Neill, the castle ruins and its 2600-acres near Randalstown was the scene of extensive filming for the Game of Thrones series. Outside the village of Ballygally lies Cairncastle the location for many other scenes from Game of Thrones. Cairncastle has its own tale of the nobleman supposedly drowned along the coastline in 1588 as part of the ill-fated Spanish Armada.

Overnight in Belfast 

This morning leave Belfast and travel towards the picturesque town of Glenarm on the north Antrim coastline; the setting of many Game of Thrones scenes. Time permitting, pay a visit to Steensons Jewellers in the village, producer of many of the jewels featured in the hit TV series. Continue along the Antrim coastline enjoying the spectacular views, rolling hills and scenic villages. Stop at Carrick-a- Rede Rope Bridge, one of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks. The bridge is suspended across a 20-metre chasm between the mainland and tiny Carrick Island, with a 23-metre drop to the water below.

Overnight in Ballycastle or Bushmill area. 

No visit to the north of Ireland would be complete without calling in to the Giants Causeway which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Causeway was formed more than 60 million years ago when red-hot lava erupted onto the surface of the earth and was cooled by the sea to form the columns which make up the Giants Causeway.  Legend tells a different story however that Fionn mac Cumhaill built the causeway over the sea to Scotland to fight his arch enemy, Fingal, who had started his own path. The two had never met before and when Fionn heard the heavy footsteps of Fingal he turned back. Helped by his wife, Fionn dressed up as a baby and when Fingal arrived and saw Fionn, Fingal assumed the baby’s father would be much bigger. This scared him and he went running home, destroying the causeway behind him. Later make sure to stop for a visit to the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery, one of the world’s oldest distilleries.

Overninght in the Derry 

This morning takes some time to explore on foot the walled city of Derry founded in the 6th century by St. Columba. Derry is the second largest city and port in Northern Ireland. In 1613 the city was selected as a major plantation project, organised by the London livery companies. It was in this year that the walls of Derry were built to protect the town from the Gaelic chieftains in Donegal. Aftewards depart for Donegal, where you can visit Glenveagh National Park and Glenveagh Castle. Located in the northwest of Co. Donegal, Glenveagh encompasses some 16,000 hectares in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains. Drive by the nearby Glenties, where Brian Friel’s play “Dancing at Lughnasa” was filmed.

Overnight in the Donegal

This morning commences your return journey to Dublin. Travelling south through the Fermanagh Lake District, you may want to visit Castle Coole, a magnificent 18th-century mansion and landscape park. Castle Coole is one of Ireland's finest Neo-classical houses, allowing visitors to glimpse what life was like in the home of the Earls of Belmore. Next, you should visit nearby Marble Arch Caves, one of Europe's finest show caves with a fascinating natural underworld of rivers, waterfalls, winding passages, and lofty chambers. Lively and informative guides conduct tours past a bewildering variety of cave formations - stalactites glisten above streams and chambers while fragile mineral veils and cascades of creamy calcite coat walls and spread like shimmering terraces across rock-strewn floors.

Overninght in Dublin

Today make your way back to Dublin International Airport in time to drop off the car before checking in for your onward flight.