Game of Thrones in Ireland Self-Drive

Ireland is famous for its warm welcome “Cead Mile Failte” or “One Hundred Thousand Welcomes”. Discover Ireland’s steeped history and trace its heritage to almost 5,000 thousand years ago on this Game of Thrones self drive tour. It is because of these factors that Ireland has been the chosen location for many famous TV shows and movies. In recent times the HBO Box Office hit Game of Thrones has been filmed in the Antrim area of Northern Ireland as well as other movie greats including The Quiet Man, filmed in Cong, Co. Mayo in 1952, Ryan’s Daughter, filmed in Dingle, Co. Kerry in 1970, Far and Away also filmed in Dingle in 1992, Braveheart (1995) filmed in locations around Dublin, Wicklow, Kildare and Meath and the Tudors (2007 to 2010) filmed in Dublin.

Welcome to Dublin International Airport, where you will pick up your rental car. Dublin is a vibrant and historic capital city with many historic buildings, Georgian streets, and colourful gardens. The North Side of the city offers striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on O’Connell Street and 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. The best way to end the day is with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse to sample the brew.

Overnight in Dublin

This morning depart Dublin and head north. We recommend stopping for a visit to Trim Castle which was used to film the York and London scenes for Braveheart. Then a visit to the nearby Brú na Bóinne and Newgrange. The archaeological landscape within Brú na Bóinne is dominated by 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 be sure to visit Castle Ward, to visit some of the set of Game of Thrones, series one.

Overnight in Belfast

We recommend spending the day exploring Belfast and surrounds on this suggested program. See some of the landmark sites such as City Hall and Queens University along with a visit to the famous Titanic Belfast Experience; a dramatic, innovative and exciting presentation on 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 travel to the north-east 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-acres 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.

Overnight in Belfast

This morning leave Belfast and travel towards the picturesque town of Glenarm on the north Antrim coastline; the setting of many Game of Thrones scenes. Time permitting, pay a visit to Steensons Jewellers in the village, producer of many of the jewels featured in the hit TV series. Continue along the Antrim coastline enjoying the spectacular views, rolling hills and scenic villages. Stop at Carrick-a- Rede Rope Bridge, one of Northern Ireland’s most famous landmarks. The bridge is suspended across a 20-metre chasm between the mainland and tiny Carrick Island, with a 23-metre drop to the water below.

Overnight in Ballycastle or the Bushmill area

No visit to the north of Ireland would be complete without calling in to the Giants Causeway which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Causeway was formed more than 60 million years ago when red-hot lava erupted onto the surface of the earth and was cooled by the sea to form the columns which make up the Giants Causeway.  Legend tells a different story however that Fionn mac Cumhaill built the causeway over the sea to Scotland to fight his arch enemy, Fingal, who had started his own path. The two had never met before and when Fionn heard the heavy footsteps of Fingal he turned back. Helped by his wife, Fionn dressed up as a baby and when Fingal arrived and saw Fionn, Fingal assumed the baby’s father would be much bigger. This scared him and he went running home, destroying the causeway behind him. Later make sure to stop for a visit to the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Distillery, one of the world’s oldest distilleries.

Overnight in Derry

This morning takes some time to explore on foot the walled city of Derry founded in the 6th century by St. Columba. Derry is the second largest city and port in Northern Ireland. In 1613 the city was selected as a major plantation project, organised by the London livery companies. It was in this year that the walls of Derry were built to protect the town from the Gaelic chieftains in Donegal. Aftewards depart for Donegal, where you can visit Glenveagh National Park and Glenveagh Castle. Located 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 Donegal

This morning commences your return journey to Dublin. Travelling south through the Fermanagh Lake District, you may want to 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 streams and chambers while fragile mineral veils and cascades of creamy calcite coat walls and spread like shimmering terraces across rock strewn floors.

Overnight in Dublin

Today make your way back to Dublin International Airport in time to drop off the car before checking in for your onward flight.

What’s Included

• Accommodation

  07 Nights’ accommodation at listed hotels or similar

  Dublin: Maldron Newlands Cross Hotel

  Belfast: Ramada Encore

  Bushmills: Bushmills Inn

  Derry: Maldron Hotel

  Donegal: Millpark Hotel

• Guide

  Ireland’s Heritage Island Touring Guide

  Ireland’s Explorer Coupon

• Meals

  07 meals

  Daily Breakfast

• Additional Services

  Visit some of the sets of Game of Thrones in Northern Ireland

  Discover Dublin and get to know the fantastic Irish culture in the capital city

  Drive along the incredible Giant’s Causeway, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site

  Admire the Dark Hedges area on the north Antrim coastline, set to many Game of Thrones scenes

  Get to know Irish culture at the same time that you follow the stories of the Seven Kingdoms

• Transport

  8 Days (192 hours) car rental Economy Manual (Group B) Opel Corsa or similar including:

  Car Location Service Charge

  Third part liability

  Collision damage waiver

  Theft Protection

  *One driver (additional driver charge EUR 9.50 per day/per driver inc. tax)

  Where You’ll Stay

  Hotel

  7 nights