The Scenes and Scenery of Ireland's Movies Self-Drive
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,299
MODERATE | SELF-DRIVE: Game of Thrones fans will find this Ireland tour especially thrilling as it takes in locations and sights featured in the show. For others, it’s a tour of Ireland at its most photogenic.
This 8-day trip explores the Emerald Isle through the lens of a fantastic world. Be introduced to the sights and charms of this wonderful country, before following your imagination through the Seven Kingdoms.
Touch down in Dublin and explore Trinity College, Dublin Castle, or as many of the city’s famous sights if time allows. Your time is at leisure and a rental car is at your disposal. The following day, you’ll head to Belfast, capital of Northern Ireland and gateway to the Game of Thrones set. Belfast and its surrounds have stood in for historic spots throughout the UK and Ireland. There are plenty of archaeological sites here as well, including the burial ground of Saint Patrick.
Enjoy a panoramic tour of Belfast before your Game of Thrones tour begins in earnest. Shane’s Castle is one of the most prominently used locations in the show, along with Cairncastle, which carries its own dark story connected to the Spanish Armada. Leaving Belfast behind, visit the town of Glenarm, another filming location where local jeweller Steensons provides pieces for many of the show’s decorative props. You’ll also enjoy the thrilling views from Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which connects the mainland to tiny Carrick Island.
The Giant’s Causeway is one of Ireland’s most famous landmarks with good reason. These 40,000 basalt columns line several miles along Ireland’s coast, and have earned themselves a UNESCO World Heritage listing. Warm up from the brisk coastal weather at Bushmills Distillery before settling into the charming walled city of Derry. This is your base for exploring Donegal, home to Glenveagh National Park and Glenveagh Castle.
Your drive back to Dublin takes a full day, going via the picturesque Femanagh Lake District, Castle Coole, and the astonishing Marble Arch Caves. Overnight in Dublin before departure... or stay a few days to continue your own Ireland story.
- Duration
- 8 Days
- Prices From:
- US$ 1,299
Itinerary View Trip Map
Arrive Dublin
Upon arrival at Dublin Airport you will pick up your car rental and drive to the city centre and explore the city. The North Side of the city offers striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on O'Connell Street and the 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. If you have time, you can enjoy a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. Overnight in Dublin (Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross or similar).
Duration | 1 Night |
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Accommodation |
Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross |
Location | View map |
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Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross
Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross is located on the N7 Naas Road and beside the M50 junction 9. Situated on the main route in and out of Dublin for those travelling to and from the south and west of Ireland making it an ideal base for …
Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross is located on the N7 Naas Road and beside the M50 junction 9. Situated on the main route in and out of Dublin for those travelling to and from the south and west of Ireland making it an ideal base for business and leisure guests alike.
Facilities
- Family Room
- Fitness Centre
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Meeting Facilities
- Reception
Photo gallery
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Dublin to Belfast
This morning you will depart Dublin and drive northwards. Your first stop will be to visit Trim Castle which was used to film the York and London scenes for Braveheart. Next you will visit the nearby Bru na Boinne and Newgrange. The archaeological landscape within Bru na Boinne is dominated by the three well known large passage tombs, Knowth, Newgrange and Dowth, built some 5,000 years ago in the Neolithic or Late Stone Age. Travelling North, head for Downpatrick, burial ground of Saint Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland and visit Castle Ward, to visit some of the set of Game of Thrones, series one. Continue on to Belfast for the night (Ramada Encore Belfast or similar).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 2 Nights |
Accommodation |
Ramada by Wyndham Belfast |
Location | View map |
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Ramada by Wyndham Belfast
An ideal hotel for those wishing to stay in Belfast city centre. The Ramada by Wyndham Belfast is situated right in the heart of Belfast in St Anne's Square. All bedrooms are contemporary, bright, spacious and stylish in design. All rooms have direct dial telephones, …
An ideal hotel for those wishing to stay in Belfast city centre. The Ramada by Wyndham Belfast is situated right in the heart of Belfast in St Anne's Square. All bedrooms are contemporary, bright, spacious and stylish in design. All rooms have direct dial telephones, tea and coffee making facilities, state of the art flat screen TV with Sky, radio channels and pay movie channels. If you need to get online there is broad band access in every room and free Wi-Fi throughout the ground floor and conference areas of the hotel.
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Belfast City and Game of Thrones Tour
This morning you can enjoy a panoramic tour Belfast City. See some of the landmark sites such as City Hall and Queens University. Why not visit The Titanic Belfast Experience; a dramatic, innovative and exciting presentation of 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 you will drive from Belfast to the northeast 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-acre demesne 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. Return to Belfast for the night (Days Hotel or similar).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Belfast to Ballycastle
This morning you will leave Belfast and drive towards the picturesque town of Glenarm on the north Antrim coastline the setting of many Game of Thrones scenes. Time permitting, you should pay a visit to Steensons Jewellers in the village, producer of many of the jewels featured in the hit TV Series. Continue driving along the Antrim coastline enjoying the spectacular views, rolling hills and scenic villages. Next stop is a visit Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. One of Northern Ireland's most famous landmarks, the bridge is suspended across a 20m chasm between the mainland and the tiny Carrick Island, with a 23m drop to the water below. Overnight in the Ballycastle or Bushmills area (Bushmills Inn or similar).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Accommodation |
Bushmills Inn |
Location | View map |
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Bushmills Inn
The Bushmills Inn is situated in an enviable location a stone's throw from a host of visitor attractions including Royal Portrush Golf Club, Old Bushmills Distillery, The Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Dunluce Castle. Roaring peat fires, nooks and crannies and a secret library …
The Bushmills Inn is situated in an enviable location a stone's throw from a host of visitor attractions including Royal Portrush Golf Club, Old Bushmills Distillery, The Giant's Causeway, Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge and Dunluce Castle. Roaring peat fires, nooks and crannies and a secret library set the tone. In the bar, still lit by gas light, try a glass of malt from the hotel's private cask and make sure to sample some of the finest North Antrim produce in the AA Rosette restaurant.
Facilities
- Business Centre
- Complimentary WI-FI
- Laundry facilities
- Lounge Bar
- Massage Treatments
- Meeting Rooms Available
- Parking
- Restaurant
- Smoke Free Hotel
Photo gallery
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Giants Causeway, Bushmills and Derry
No visit to the north of Ireland would be complete without calling in to the Giants Causeway which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Made up of a network of approximately 40,000 basalt columns projecting into the ocean, the Giant's Causeway forms several miles of Northern Ireland's Causeway Coastal route. Later visit Bushmills Distillery - one of the world's oldest distilleries. Overnight in the Derry area (Maldron Hotel or similar).
Meal Plan | Breakfast and Dinner |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Accommodation |
Maldron Hotel |
Location | View map |
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Maldron Hotel
Maldron Hotel Derry (formerly the Tower Hotel) is in the heart of Derry City, it is the only hotel situated within the historic 17th century City Walls. This city centre hotel is ideally located only a short walk to the main shopping district and tourist …
Maldron Hotel Derry (formerly the Tower Hotel) is in the heart of Derry City, it is the only hotel situated within the historic 17th century City Walls. This city centre hotel is ideally located only a short walk to the main shopping district and tourist attractions. The city has a rich and varied cultural heritage and the City Walls are home to a number of museums, galleries and theatres which are all only a short stroll away.
Facilities
- Business Centre
- Complimentary WI-FI
- Fitness Centre
- Laundry facilities
- Lounge Bar
- Multi-lingual Staff
- Parking
- Restaurant
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Derry to Donegal
This morning you should enjoy a walking tour of the walled city of Derry. Leaving Derry you will drive to Donegal, where you can visit Glenveagh National Park and Glenveagh Castle. Situated 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 area (Mill Park Hotel or similar).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Accommodation |
Mill Park Hotel |
Location | View map |
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Mill Park Hotel
The Mill Park Hotel is situated just outside the historic town of Donegal and the hotels location makes it the perfect holiday base for you to discover the tourism attractions of Donegal and Ireland's North West. The Mill Park Hotel's excellent Leisure Centre facilities are …
The Mill Park Hotel is situated just outside the historic town of Donegal and the hotels location makes it the perfect holiday base for you to discover the tourism attractions of Donegal and Ireland's North West. The Mill Park Hotel's excellent Leisure Centre facilities are available to all guests on a complimentary basis. The leisure centre incorporates a Steam room, Jacuzzi, Fitness Room, state of the art Gymnasium, with the focal point being the beautiful architecture of the duo-level heated swimming pool, which is ideal for a vigorous work out or a relaxing splash around to start the day.
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Donegal to Dublin
This morning commence your return drive to Dublin. Travelling south through the Fermanagh Lake District, 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 streamways and chambers while fragile mineral veils and cascades of creamy calcite coat walls and spread as shimmering terraces across rock strewn floors. Overnight in Dublin (Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross or similar).
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Duration | 1 Night |
Accommodation |
Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross |
Location | View map |
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Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross
Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross is located on the N7 Naas Road and beside the M50 junction 9. Situated on the main route in and out of Dublin for those travelling to and from the south and west of Ireland making it an ideal base for …
Maldron Hotel Newlands Cross is located on the N7 Naas Road and beside the M50 junction 9. Situated on the main route in and out of Dublin for those travelling to and from the south and west of Ireland making it an ideal base for business and leisure guests alike.
Facilities
- Family Room
- Fitness Centre
- Free Parking
- Free WiFi
- Meeting Facilities
- Reception
Photo gallery
Photo 1 of 1
Farewell
It's time to say goodbye! After breakfast you will drive back to Dublin Airport and return your car rental.
Meal Plan | Breakfast |
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Other Information
DEPARTURES:
Daily
PRICE INCLUDES:
- 8 day vehicle rental with CDW, mileage, VAT, GPS system with one driver (F Category - Ford Focus Automatic or similar)
- 7 nights in a mix of moderate and/or first-class accommodations
- Breakfast daily (excluding day 1)
PRICE EXCLUDES:
- Travel Insurance
- Entrance fees
- All other meals and beverages
- Transportation
- Gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Optional excursion package
- Visa fees if applicable
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please enquire.
6 Dec 2020