The Giants' Causeway. © Anthony Dodd
Belfast to the Giants Causeway
First we'll drive to Carrickfergus to see the 12th-century Norman castle, before passing through Kilroot, where Jonathan Swift was a Church of Ireland curate in the early 18th century. On our way to the Giants Causeway we'll pass Glenarm, the home of the Earls of Antrim, and take a diversion to drive along a coast road that offers spectacular views of the Mull of Kintyre and the Western Isles of Scotland. Then we'll go to the vertiginous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge – you can cross it if you insist! – and the Causeway itself. After a walk in the footsteps of the giants, we'll see the romantic ruins of Dunluce Castle en route to Mussenden Temple at Downhill, near Coleraine – a copy of the Temple of Vesta was built for the Earl-Bishop of Derry in the early 18th century – before returning to Belfast.
Nature and Government
Mount Stewart House is a beautiful Nationa Trust property built for the Vane-Tempest-Stewarts – Marquesses of Londonderry – whose most famous scion was probably Viscount Castlereagh, the statesman responsible for Ireland's inclusion into the United Kingdom in 1801. We'll visit the house and celebrated gardens, before heading by road and boat to Kilkeel and Rostrevor, skirting the Mountains of Mourne on one side and the Irish Sea on the other. After plenty of photo ops, we'll drive through the lovely Castlewellan Forest Park on our way back, via Hillsborough Castle, the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland offers a huge amount in terms of history, landscape and entertainment. For more information on options, charges and booking please contact us