Hidden Ireland North

Introduction
Northern Eastern Ireland Ireland
Come and discover the beauty of Donegal, Antrim and Sligo in the north of Ireland. On this hiking trek we discover beautiful bays, enticing islands, stunning scenery, localities steeped in history and folklore and green as far as the eye can see! Enjoy the soulful air of Ireland’s traditional music and the warm, smiling welcome of its people.

Hikers will have the thrill of crossing the Giant’s Causeway rope bridge (linking Carrick Island to the mainland) at thirty meters high and discovering ancient towers (at Ballintoy and Drumcliff) that look over the ocean and old monasteries founded by saints. Natural scenery includes rolling hills, green grass, crips air, clear skies, and happy cows abound! Come and join us on a unique trip through the green isle as we take in history, architecture and the great outdoor all at once!

Tour Highlights
- A fabulous walk at the Giant's Causeway
- The beautiful Antrim Coastal Path
- High cliffs, mountains and wilderness of Donegal
- Hiking the wilderness of Glenveagh Nat. Park
- Stunning coastal scenery
- Poor House Museum at Dunfanaghy
- Lovely lakeside hike in Sligo
- Irish music in the Galway pubs

Accomodation

Accommodations
This is a progressive tour so nights will be spent in different locations.

Description
All our accommodations have been carefully selected and are approved by the high standards of the Irish Tourist Board. We have chosen locations of outstanding natural beauty, so that you can enjoy the best of Irish rural life and scenery. You will enjoy top quality accommodation in small, family run guesthouses and hotels whilst being charmed by the hospitable and friendly hosts.
We stay in small hotels, guest houses, farmhouses, B & B's and occasionally castles.

Accommodation Itinerary - subject to changes based on availability
Night 1, 2 & 3: Accommodation in Bushmills
Night 4 & 5: Accommodation in Dunfanaghy
Night 6: Accommodation in Strandhill

Room Occupancy
All rooms are en suite twin, double or single. Singles are available on request for a small supplement.


Meals:
All meals are included in your package except from dinner on Day 6.

Each morning, in addition to the famous full Irish breakfast, there are alternative options available. Everybody loves the Irish soda bread, with creamy Irish butter. But for the more health conscious, you can be assured of plenty of fruit, juice, yogurts and cereals.

We take packed lunches for our lunch breaks during our walks. These are provided from our accommodation or from local delis.

Our evenings are a time for reviewing the day's activities and shared experiences on the hills. Evening meals are taken either in the places where we are staying or in local restaurants. You will be pleasantly surprised at the fine quality meals you will enjoy on your tour.

Riding

This holiday, guided by someone who really knows and cares for Ireland, is the best way to see this enchanting country; imagine yourself hiking (or walking) over Irish mountains, pausing by Irish lakes, drinking in Irish pubs and listening to traditional Irish music.

These hiking trips show you the best of Ireland, its picturesque scenery, the grandeur of its mountains, the warmth and hospitality of its people and the magic of their music. Call it an Irish walking holiday; a hiking vacation in Ireland; even a sabbatical - maybe you're researching Ireland, perhaps for a thesis or book; or perhaps you want to see the Ireland of your Irish ancestors. Call it any or all of these, but treat yourself to a tour of Erin's Isle anyway.
Our hiking tours of Ireland are fully escorted by experienced, professional guides. We travel through Ireland in groups of no more than twelve people. We will escort you on hikes through Ireland's most scenic trails, walk through undiscovered routes lined with extraordinary vistas.

Ireland has a lot to offer the walker: dramatic sea cliffs, high mountain ridges, quiet green roads, butter roads, fuchsia-lined lanes, heath and moorland, sweeping expanses of beach. And then there are the sleepy villages, oak woods, sky-blue lakes, torrential waterfalls and babbling brooks.
Ireland's climate ideally suits the walker as generally it rarely gets too hot to be uncomfortable. Rain and cloud-formations are what bring the interesting light patterns and rainbows. The Western coast and islands are known for magnificent sunsets.

Don't be surprised at the very few people you will meet whilst walking, after all, the entire population of Ireland is only around four million! Ireland is a birdwatcher's paradise with many rarities such as the corncrake. It is also a great place for botanists, especially the area of the Burren, Co. Clare.

Maybe the best attraction of all is the people, you'll never find another place like it for hospitality, friendliness, warmth, generosity, humor, love of life and love of the land.

Hiking Level
It is important that you are fit and at least a regular hiker / walker. When we do half day walks the distance covered could be from 4 to 9 miles, when we do full day walks the distances covered could be 6 to 13 miles. The pace is relaxed with time to enjoy your surroundings, take pictures, watch the birds, etc. Generally the terrain comprises of combinations of tracks, lanes, moorland, heath, coastal paths, beaches and mountain paths. You may choose not to walk on certain days, it's your holiday, there are always alternatives. You may prefer to relax at our accommodation, draw, paint, read, think...
Generally after a day of walking we can help ourselves to complimentary tea and coffee at our accommodation. We allow for some relaxation time before dinner. We have an official "Diary" which has been kept by previous groups and you may choose to make a contribution at the end of your day. After dinner there is nearly always the option of visiting the local pubs for some traditional music and dancing.

Itinerary

Sample itinerary - subject to changes

The itinerary below is subject to change for varying reasons. Any changes made by the operator and / or the tour leaders will be in the interest and safety of all participants.

Day 1: Meet at Dublin Airport. Travel to Antrim Via Hillsborough    
The first part of our journey will take us directly north from Dublin to the coast of County Antrim. We will stop on the way for a visit to Hillsborough the famous and historical village in County Down renowned for its beautiful castle and Georgian houses. For our first two nights we will stay at a lovely guest house with great views of the Antrim Coast. The Antrim Coast is an official Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and you will soon see for yourself how the title was earned. After dinner there should be time for a short stroll along the Causeway Coast. 
Terrain: sandy beach | Elevation gain: sea level
Walking Distance 2 miles (3.2 km)
Overnight: Bushmills, County Antrim
Meals Included: Dinner

Day 2:  Hike the Antrim Coast from the Giant's Causeway to Dunseverick
Our walk today will take us along the stunning Antrim coastline, highlighted by the world famous Giants Causeway. The Causeway consists of thousands of hexagonal black basalt columns. Sixty million years ago an undersea explosion resulted in this fascinating geological structure, and it is officially known as one of the great wonders of the Natural World. We break for lunch at the ruin of Dunseverick Castle. The views are spectacular and in fine weather, it is possible to see straight across to the coast of Scotland.
Terrain: well-maintained coast path, beach, cliffs | Elev 600 ft.
Walking Distance 6 miles (9.7 km)
Overnight: Bushmills, County Antrim
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 3: Rathlin Island
Today we take the ferry out to Rathlin Island: the only inhabited offshore island in Northern Ireland. Rathlin is only 15 miles from the Scottish coast at the Mull of Kintyre. We take a trip out to the West Lighthouse: famed for its bird life and home to tens of thousands of seabirds, including kittiwakes, guillemots, puffins and razorbills. Later we will walk down to Rue Point for a fine walk beside lakes and down to see the seals at the southern shore. We return later to the mainland and our guest house to relax and enjoy an excellent meal, perhaps with some locally caught seafood.
Terrain: country lanes, coastal track, rocky shore | Elevation gain: 200 ft.
Walking Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)
Overnight: Bushmills, County Antrim
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 4: Travel from Antrim to Donegal & Hike Ards Forest Park
Setting out this morning, our walk today will be at the Ards Forest Park peninsula. This is one of the northernmost peninsulas of County Donegal. This is the longest Ards Forest Park trail, visiting a variety of habitats, with interesting flora and fauna.  We switch from level ground at the seashore to more difficult conditions at higher elevations, providing much wonderful hill and coastal scenery.  We will then make our way to our lovely accommodation in the coastal  village of Dunfanaghy.
Terrain: forest path, beach / dunes, coast path | Elev: 400 ft.
Walking Distance 8 miles (12.9 km)
Overnight: Dunfanaghy, County Donegal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 5: Visit Glebe Gallery & Hike Glenveagh National Park
We start today with a visit to Glebe Gallery, the former home of artist Derek Hill. Glebe House is in a beautiful setting beside a lake. We will then make our way to Glenveagh National Park for a walk which begins in the wild country in the mountains and finishes at the beautiful Lough Beagh and Glenveagh Castle gardens.
Alternative Walk Options: there is a shorter alternative of hiking just one or two miles.
Terrain: forest / lakeside path, some muddy trails | Elev: 50 ft.
Walking Distance 7 miles (11.2 km)
Overnight: Dunfanaghy, County Donegal
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Day 6: Sheep Dog Demonstration & Hike Foot of Benbulben
This morning we visit a sheep farm for a wonderful sheep dog demonstration with a family who have farmed the hills for generations. We will then hike at Gortarowey, in the foothills of Benbulben.  
Our final journey brings us to Strandhill, a few miles outside Sligo Town.
Terrain: woodland paths, lakeside paths, lanes | Elev: 150 ft.
Walking Distance 3.4 miles (6 km)
Overnight: Strandhill, County Sligo
Meals Included: Breakfast and Lunch

Day 7: Departure
Last breakfast together and then we have a two-hour drive to Galway City.  It is very straightforward to take a coach from Galway to Dublin City and / or Airport for your return or onward journey.
Meals Included: Breakfast


Note: Many clients come on a tour who wish to do very little hiking. Every day there are alternative options such as sight-seeing, relaxing, reading, painting, listening to Irish traditional music, and generally just soaking up the Irish atmosphere. You can opt out of the hiking on any day! All our accommodations are based in scenic locations, so you are very welcome to just remain “home” for the day.

Rates and Dates for Hidden Ireland North

Dates Note:

Other Info
Meeting: Dublin
Airport: Dublin
Transfer: Dublin airport

Climate:
                                                    Strandhill area