Day 1 : Ennis
Welcome to the Emerald Isle. Your expedition begins in the Ennis area, where the air is often thick with the scent of woodsmoke and the promise of Atlantic mist. You will be met and transferred to your hotel to settle into the rhythmic pace of Irish life. Later, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers for a welcome presentation that sets the stage for the heritage and history ahead. Share stories over a dinner of traditional fare, raising a glass to the start of your exploration through a region defined by its rugged beauty and enduring heritage before resting for the adventures that lie ahead on the western coast.
Arrival Transfer
Shannon Airport - Ennis 1h
You will be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel to start your adventure.
Welcome Moment - Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group
Ennis 1h
Your opportunity to meet your Expedition Leader and fellow travellers, and learn more about your tour. Don't forget to see the notice in the lobby (or ask reception) for the official time and place to meet up with the group. There will be an included group welcome dinner after the meeting.
Day 2 : Ennis/Westport
The jagged Atlantic coastline leads to Doolin, where you board a ferry for a crisp crossing to Inis Oírr. Feel the salt spray on your face as you arrive at this soul-stirring island. Explore the island with a local guide, wandering a labyrinth of dry-stone walls and coastal heritage that has barely changed in centuries. After a relaxed lunch overlooking the sea, a local guide leads you through Galway's vibrant Latin Quarter, where the echoes of maritime history meet a modern hub of art and music. The day concludes on arrival at your majestic manor house-style hotel where a gourmet dinner awaits, surrounded by the quiet grandeur of the estate.
Private Vehicle
Ennis - Doolin 0h30m - 0h45m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Ferry
Doolin - Inisheer 0h30m
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Guided Tour of Inisheer
Inisheer 3h30m - 3h30m
A day trip to Inisheer involves trading your coach for a ferry a short ride to the smallest Aran Island, just enough time to feel the salt air and watch the Cliffs of Moher loom in the distance. You’ll pass endless networks of hand-built stone walls, a shipwreck rusting on the shore, and a 10th-century church that has slowly sunk into the sand over the centuries. Everything is quiet. You’ll hear the local Gaelic language being spoken in the shops and the distant sound of the sea against the rocks. After lunch on the island, board the ferry back to the mainland to continue your journey.
Ferry
Inisheer - Doolin 0h30m
Get to the next spot on your route aboard a convenient and efficient ferry boat.
Private Vehicle
Doolin - Galway City 1h30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Guided Walking Tour of Galway
Galway City 1h30m - 1h30m
Explore the vibrant streets of Galway, a city celebrated as the primary center for Irish art, music, and theater. This guided walking tour takes you through the lively Latin Quarter and Eyre Square, stopping at the historic Spanish Arch and the scenic banks of the River Corrib. It is a perfect way to experience the "City of Tribes" and its unique blend of medieval history and modern creativity.
Private Vehicle
Galway City - Westport 1h15m - 1h30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 3 : Westport
Take in the dramatic glacial corridor of the Inagh Valley, including the Twelve Bens and Maumturks mountains rising like stone sentinels over the moorlands. Today you explore Westport, a Georgian gem where stone bridges frame the Carrowbeg River, and explore the harbour's independent galleries. Board a cruise to navigate the 365 islands of Clew Bay, the holy peak of Croagh Patrick watching from a distance. Enjoy free time to enjoy Westport or the grounds of your hotel. In the evening experience a local style dinner in town.
Orientation Walk in Westport
Westport 1h
This short walk takes you from your hotel into the heart of Westport, which is often called one of Ireland’s most beautiful towns. You will start by walking toward the center of town along The Mall. This is a scenic, tree-lined road that runs parallel to the Carrowbeg River. As you leave the river behind, you will walk into The Octagon, the main square of Westport. In the center of the square, you’ll see a large stone pedestal with a statue. This is the traditional meeting point for the town.
Clew Bay Cruise
Westport 1h30m
The cruise offers a relaxing tour of Clew Bay’s famous drumlin islands and local seal colonies. Enjoy unique views of the Holy Mountain: Croagh Patrick, the historic Inishgort Lighthouse and John Lennon's Island, all from a comfortable, all-weather vessel.
Traditional Pub Dinner
Westport 1h30m - 1h30m
Enjoy dinner in a local pub style establishment tonight. The experience is as much about the "craic" (social atmosphere) as it is about the food. It represents the very best of West Ireland hospitality.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Dinner
Day 4 : Westport/Donegal
Head toward the wild northwest, pausing in coastal Sligo before reaching Drumcliffe — where W.B. Yeats rests beneath a simple headstone in a quiet churchyard, the outline of Ben Bulben visible on the horizon. The landscape shifts as you cross into Northern Ireland and arrive at a magnificent lakeside castle tucked deep into ancient forest. A private tour of the estate reveals the architecture and ambitions of the families who once called these halls home. As twilight settles over the water, dinner in the castle is followed by a quiet evening in the library or beside a roaring fire.
Private Vehicle
Westport - Sligo 1h30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Orientation Walk in Sligo
Sligo 1h - 1h
Sligo, famously known as "Yeats Country," is a journey into a landscape where ancient mythology meets wild Atlantic beauty. Nestled between the iconic, flat-topped Benbulben mountain and the rolling waves of the ocean, Sligo offers a blend of literary history, Neolithic wonders, and a thriving modern food scene.
Private Vehicle
Sligo - Drumcliff 0h15m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Drumcliff Church and Yeats' Tomb Visit
Drumcliff 1h30m
Take a walk around Drumcliff , known for its early Christian architecture like the ruins of a typical Irish round tower (bell tower), a monastery, and a high cross with intricate carvings. Visit the graveyard of Duncliffe Church to see the humble grave of the famous poet WB Yeats.
Private Vehicle
Drumcliff - Lough Eske Castle 1h
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Private Tour of Lough Eske Castle
Lough Eske Castle 0h30m - 1h
A tour of Lough Eske Castle offers a blend of tragic history and triumphant restoration. From the 19th-century sandstone exterior to the world-class photography collection inside, it provides a luxurious but grounded look at Donegal’s aristocratic past and its vibrant, five-star present.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Dinner
Day 5 : Donegal
The Slieve League Cliffs tower nearly 2,000 feet above the crashing Atlantic and are among the most dramatic seascapes in all of Europe. Walk the clifftop trails before traveling to a working hand-weaving mill for a glimpse into Irish heritage as you wander past century-old wooden looms and watch master weavers rhythmically "throw the shuttle" to transform vibrant local wool into world-class tweed. Afterwards, continue to Donegal Town, where the imposing Donegal Castle sits at the banks of the River Eske — a striking blend of Gaelic and English stonecraft that has weathered centuries of history. Browse the local shops before returning to your lakeside retreat for a rare-access whiskey cellar tasting led by a specialist, exploring the nuanced flavours of local spirits. Dinner follows, celebrating the culinary traditions of the rugged northwest.
Private Vehicle
Lough Eske Castle - Slieve League 1h - 1h15m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit to Slieve League
Slieve League 1h - 1h
Standing on the viewing platform at Slieve League (Sliabh Liag) is a humbling encounter with the raw edge of Europe. Nearly three times taller than the Cliffs of Moher, a visit to here offers one of the most dramatic coastal vistas in the world. One of the most striking things about the platform is the sound. Because you are so high up, the roar of the massive Atlantic waves hitting the base of the cliff reaches you as a soft, rhythmic hiss.
Private Vehicle
Slieve League - Donegal 1h - 1h15m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit to Genuine Working Mill
Donegal 0h45m
Explore behind the scenes of the genuine working mill, where all the cloths are hand woven, and all the garments are artisan made. View each step of the process involved in creating our throws, garments and accessories. The traditional craft of hand weaving is an integral part of the intangible cultural heritage of the area. To lose an indigenous craft is to lose a part of our history, our culture, our link to our past. See the passionate people behind preserving the skill of hand weaving, the only method used in producing all these local tweeds.
Visit to Donegal Town
Donegal 2h
Enjoy an orientation walk Donegal Town starting at The Diamond, the heart of the town and ending with a view of the historic Donegal Castle. A stroll along the Bank Walk offers a peaceful riverside with lovely views of the Old Abbey ruins across the water and the local fishing boats bobbing in the tide. Enjoy free time to settl into a traditional pub or a cozy cafe for a hearty lunch before returning to the hotel.
Private Vehicle
Donegal - Lough Eske Castle 0h15m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Free Time to Enjoy Lough Eske
Lough Eske Castle 3h
A stay at Lough Eske Castle is defined by "unapologetic relaxation." From exploring the Father Browne photo galleries and walking the lakeside trails to unwinding in the infinity pool, the estate provides a perfect balance of historic discovery and five-star wellness in the heart of Donegal. Perhaps join your Expedition Leader for a short walk to the restaurant at Harvey's Point, it’s a local tradition to "castle hop" for a drink on their pier-side terrace.
Private Whiskey Cellar Tasting
Lough Eske Castle 1h
Hosted in the atmospheric Father Browne Bar, the experience features curated flights of premium Irish spirits, including the legendary local Silkie Whiskey, paired with expert storytelling by the castle’s passionate bartenders.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Dinner
Day 6 : Donegal/Belfast
A day of powerful contrasts begins in Derry at the Museum of Free Derry, where a member of the Derry Trust shares a deeply personal account of the city's most defining events — a story told with a candour and humanity that no guidebook can replicate. Walk the 17th-century walls before the landscape opens dramatically at the UNESCO-listed Giant's Causeway. Stand among 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that rise like a geometric installation from the sea, as your National Geographic Expedition Expert weaves local folklore into the geology beneath your feet. As evening approaches, Belfast emerges on the horizon — a revitalised maritime city that wears its complex history with remarkable openness.
Private Vehicle
Lough Eske Castle - Derry
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Expert Discussion at the Museum of Free Derry
Derry 1h30m
A poignant morning begins with pre-opening visit for a solemn and academic deep dive into the story of Free Derry. Guided by an expert from the Bloody Sunday Trust, you will receive a private lecture that weaves together historical facts with powerful personal narratives, all within the silent, sacred space of the Free Derry museum before it opens to the world.
Guided Tour of Derry
Derry 1h
A walking tour of Derry starts on the 17th-century walls for a panoramic view of the city’s colonial history before descending into the Bogside. In the Bogside, you move through the "People's Gallery" of political murals and visit Free Derry Corner, ending with a message of modern reconciliation at the Peace Bridge.
Private Vehicle
Derry - Giants Causeway 1h - 1h15m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Visit to Giant's Causeway
Giants Causeway 2h15m
A visit to the Giant’s Causeway is a surreal encounter with 60 million years of history. Whether you’re there for the volcanic geology or the tales of Irish giants, the sight of thousands of geometric pillars marching into the ocean is a bucket-list experience that feels truly otherworldly.
Private Vehicle
Giants Causeway - Belfast 1h30m
Settle in and scan the scenery from the convenience of a private vehicle.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch
Day 7 : Belfast
Belfast reveals its layered identity this morning on a classic Black Cab tour with a local. — traversing the Falls and Shankill roads where vivid murals and Peace Walls tell a story of division, resilience, and hard-won progress. For lunch, Clifton House offers a catered meal at a heritage centre-your visit directly supports community care and philanthropy across the city. The afternoon immerses you in maritime history at the Titanic Museum, where the story of the world's most famous vessel unfolds in the very shipyard where it was born. This evening enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner, toasting the landscapes, stories, and connections forged across the emerald coasts.
Black Cab Tour of Belfast
Belfast 1h30m
A Black Cab tour is an immersive masterclass in conflict and reconciliation. It takes you beyond the tourist trail into the Falls and Shankill roads to see the iconic political murals and the Peace Wall. With a local driver as your storyteller, you’ll gain a balanced, personal perspective on the city’s complex history and its remarkable journey toward the vibrant Belfast of today.
Clifton House Visit and Lunch
Belfast 2h
A visit to the Heritage Center of Clifton House, an historic community enterprise combines a high-level meeting on their local impact with a curated, historic tour of the former Poor House. By pairing this with a lunch from provided by a local social enterprise initiative, you experience a "full circle" of social value: your morning supports elderly care and heritage preservation, while your lunch directly funds employment training for the neurodiverse community in Belfast.
Titanic Belfast
Belfast 1h - 2h
Witness the spot where the iconic Titanic was built and launched. Within the ship liner shaped building, you can find a museum dedicated to the ship's construction, replicas of the passengers accommodation, rare footage documenting the ship's existence, and the history of Belfast.
Meals Included:
Breakfast | Lunch | Dinner
Day 8 : Belfast
Your expedition to Northern Ireland concludes this morning. Enjoy a final breakfast before a private transfer takes you to the airport. As you depart, carry with you the echoes of castle fires, the salt-spray of the Atlantic, and the enduring spirit of the people who call this storied corner of the world home.
Departure Transfer
Belfast - Belfast International Airport 0h30m
You will be met at your hotel and transferred to the airport at the end of your adventure.
Meals Included:
Breakfast
