Writing with Whiskey

Irish Highlights from Dublin to Belfast and back… Experience the best of both worlds on this tour which will take you to both of Ireland’s capitals. While journeying through some of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes you’ll learn about two of the country’s greatest legacies, writing and whiskey, discovering a proud literary heritage and some of the finest distilleries in the world.

Tour highlights can include:

Tours of two of Ireland’s most famous whiskey distilleries
Learn the story of the world’s most famous ship at Titanic Belfast
Walk along the Giant’s Causeway
Tour Ireland’s only walled city
See the landscape that inspired Yeats’ poetry

What's included...

Day 1 - Dubliners...

We’ll start as we mean to go on. First on the list is a visit to the Dublin Writers Museum, an absolute must-see for anyone wishing to explore the Irish capital’s rich literary history. The collection is housed in a magnificent 18th century mansion and includes the lives and works of Dublin’s literary celebrities of the last 300 years, including four Nobel Prize winners. Next we head to The Old Jameson Distillery where, for a truly authentic Irish whiskey experience, after our tour you will have the chance to fill your own personalised bottle of Jameson’s whiskey, direct from the cask.

Day 2 - On St. Patrick's Trail...

We cross into Northern Ireland and head towards the majestic Mourne Mountains. At the top of this range is Trollymore Forest Park, a romantic nature haven in the foothills of the mountains which contains the oldest tree in any arboretum in Ireland, gothic-style gate arches, hidden grottos and caves and much more. There is a mystical and mysterious feel to this wood which makes it easy to see why it was one of the locations used in the filming of the incredibly popular Game of Thrones TV series. Once we have fully explored this natural treasure trove we continue on our path to Down Cathedral, the final resting place of Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick.

Trollymore Forest Park, Northern Ireland

Day 3 - Birthplace of the Titanic...

Today we venture into Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. We will visit the Titanic Belfast, the iconic and architecturally stunning building, just a short walk from the city centre, which houses the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience. Learn the whole story of the Titanic, from when it was first built right here in Belfast, through exclusive interactive galleries. This afternoon we journey just outside of Belfast to relax in the beautiful gardens of Antrim Castle.

Day 4 - Standing on the Shoulders of Giants...

The Giant’s Causeway is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most remarkable natural landmarks in the whole of the UK. We will adventure across these unique volcanic rock formations and discover the fantastical myths that surround them in the Giant’s Causeway Visitor Centre. After lunch it’s time for our second whiskey experience as we take a tour of the Bushmills Distillery – the oldest working distillery in Ireland.

The Old Bushmills Distillery, Northern Ireland

Day 5 - Bridges and Battlements...

For any intrepid explorers a trip across the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge is an absolute must. A short coastal path leads up to the bridge which was originally erected over the 23m-deep and 20m-wide chasm by fishermen. Crossing the bridge is itself an exhilarating experience but once you reach Carrick Island you will be rewarded by seeing diverse birdlife and an uninterrupted view all the way to Scotland. We will recover from our daring morning activity on the journey to Derry, Ireland’s only remaining walled city. We will take a guided tour around the city walls, learning the captivating history of Derry; from the building of the city walls in the early 17th century to the Poet Laureate Seamus Heaney who was educated here.

Day 6 - Donegal in a Day...

Glenveagh, Ireland’s second-largest National Park situated in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains, is a true wilderness and wildlife haven. As well as the park’s stunning natural attractions, Glenveagh Castle is a wonderfully preserved property which still houses its original furnishings. A guided tour of the house offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of an earlier age. Art lovers will be thrilled to visit Glebe House and Gallery this afternoon. The 19th century Regency-style house is decorated with William Morris textiles and is home to the Derek Hill Collection. The collection includes three hundred works by leading twentieth-century artists such as Picasso and Kokoshka as well as Irish and Italian artists.

Day 7 - Slán (Goodbye in Irish)…

Today we travel back to Dublin via Sligo, one of the most picturesque places in all of Ireland. WB Yeats famously spent his childhood holidays in Sligo and the area inspired the poet’s work for many years after.