Day 1

From Dublin Airport we will drive up to Newgrange in County Meath. The tomb of Newgrange is said to be older than the Pyramids of Egypt. On the day of the Winter Solstice the sun shines directly through a slit in the stone: a truly amazing archaeological and mathematical achievement. The tomb was a burial place for the High Kings and nobility up until the coming of Christianity. Our afternoon here will include the visitor’s centre, audio-visuals and fully guided tour. For our first night we will be accommodated in the beautiful Bellingham Castle in the town of Castlebellingham in County Louth. Take time to relax and wander the grounds of the castle this evening.

Day 2

Today we walk up and over the Black Mountains and the Cooley Hills of County Louth, then down through Ravensdale Forest Park. We will encounter ancient stone circles along the way and we’ll be rewarded with great views of Northern Ireland. Our next 2 nights are spent in the lovely medieval harbour village of Carlingford in County Louth. We will be accommodated at Ghan House.

Info: Full day walk 8 miles (12.9km)

Day 3

   

Wild Oxeye Daisy, Ballintoy Harbour, County Antrim

Today we will head further north and over the border into Northern Ireland. We will make our way to the Causeway Coast, Co. Antrim. The Antrim Coast has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We will be accommodated at a family run guest house in Ballintoy, with a lovely Irish welcome from our hostess Jean McCaw.

Info: Full day walk: 9 miles (14.5km) (shorter option: 5 miles)

Day 4

   

The Giant's Causeway, County Antrim (photo: Jenny Bailey)

Today we take a spectacular walk from White Park Bay to the Giant’s Causeway. The Causeway is made up of 37,000 black basalt columns, mostly hexagonal. It is the result of a massive underground explosion, which took place some sixty million years ago. In 1693 the Royal Geographical Society publicised it as one of the great wonders of the natural world.

Info: Full day walk 9 miles (14.5km) (shorter option: 5 miles).

Day 5

This morning our guide will take us to the Murlough Shore for a lovely walk with unsurpassed views. Later this evening we’ll take the ferry out to Rathlin Island. We will be accommodated in the Manor House for the next two nights.

Info: Half day walk 6 miles (9.7km).

Day 6

Rathlin is famed for it’s abundant bird life. At the west end of the island is a lighthouse and a bird sanctuary is situated there. From there we can see razorbills, kittiwakes, guillemots and more. Our leisurely walk will be out to the West Lighthouse and back.

Info: Full day walk 7 miles (11.3km).

Day 7

   

The Harbour, Rathlin Island, 

County Antrim

We will take the morning ferry back from Rathlin. After our return to the mainland we will walk along the Antrim Coastal Path to the Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge, which takes us out to a tiny island with a salmon fishery. The views from the island are stunning. On our way west now we will stop at Bushmills to visit the world’s oldest legal whiskey distillery.

Info: Half day walk: 4 miles (6.4km).

Day 8

Driving west through the magnificent Glengesh Pass we arrive at Glencolumbkille and some of Europe’s best coastal scenery. Walking west along the coast path we will encounter high cliffs, sheltered coves and sandy beaches.

Info: Full day walk 10 miles (16.1km) (shorter option 4 miles)

   

Day 9

Our final day will be spent walking the Bluestack Mountains and we will spend our last night in Donegal Town. Our last two nights are spent and the beautiful Ard na Breatha Guest House in Donegal Town. Be warned about visiting County Donegal: you’ll want to come back!

Info: Full day walk 8 miles (12.9km).

Day 10

We will drive back to Dublin via Enniskillen and the Fermanagh Lakelands.

"The footprints of an older race are here.

  And memories of an old heroic time

  And shadows of an old mysterious faith

  So that the place seems haunted

  And strange sounds float upon the wind."

Anon