St Patrick's Footsteps

It doesn't have to be Saint Patrick's Day to enjoy this adventure vacation in Ireland and follow in the Footsteps of Saint Patrick, Ireland's national Saint.

This is a suggested route, you can ask to change it if you wish

Included in your price:

• Free calls to your personal Ireland vacation specialist
• 2 Nights at Clontarf Castle Hotel, Dublin
• 4 Nights at Homestyle B&Bs
• 1 Night at Stormont Hotel, Belfast
• A hearty cooked Irish Breakfast each morning
• Road map of Ireland
• Discounted admission to attractions throughout Ireland
• Coupon Booklet-"Ireland at a Glimpse" offering discounted admission to attractions

Prices are per person based on 2 persons in each room with full Irish breakfast and taxes included. A single supplement will apply to rooms and car rental in the case of single occupancy.

Please note that we charge in Euros (€). Prices in other currencies are for indication only and subject to fluctuation.

Days 1 & 2: Dublin City

Enjoy two nights in Dublin while you visit the famous sights of the city, view the medieval artefacts like the Book of Kells at Trinity College, sample a pint of Guinness at the Guinness Storehouse after a tour of the brewery and do some shopping along Grafton Street and O'Connell Street.

Day 3: Hill of Tara & Newgrange

Leaving Dublin head north towards County Down stopping off at the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of power for the High Kings of Ireland and the Hill of Slane where Saint Patrick adopted the shamrock to explain the holy trinity.

Close by is Newgrange, the finest stone age passage tomb in Ireland and a place steeped in Celtic Mythology. Enjoy the night at an approved B&B.

Day 4: Downpatrick, Armagh & Belfast

Drive on into Northern Ireland, taking the scenic coast road towards the seaside town of Newcastle overlooked by the Mourne Mountains. Take a short hike in the hills before heading to Downpatrick nearby. It was here that Saint Patrick built his first church and is where he is buried, his grave marked by a slab of Mourne granite with the inscription Patric, in the grounds of Down Cathedral.

Close to the cathedral is the Saint Patrick Centre, which houses an excellent multi-media exhibition illustrating the life and legacy of Ireland's patron saint. From Downpatrick drive to Armagh the ecclesiastic capital of Ireland since Saint Patrick built Ireland's first stone church here in 445. Continue to Belfast and stay at the Stormont hotel.

Day 5: Sligo & Carrowmore

This morning head South West through Northern Ireland's majestic countryside towards Sligo. The poet W.B. Yeats features strongly in Sligo and you could take a brief stop to explore some of the landscapes that inspired his writing, visit the Yeats Building and stop by his grave, under the shadow of Benbulben. Around Sligo are some amazing Megalithic tombs at Carrowmore and a trek up nearby Knocknarea will present you with wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, before you head off into neighbouring County Mayo and stay at a B&B for the evening.

Day 6: Westport & Croagh Patrick

This morning proceed to Westport where you will find the mountain of Croagh Patrick. It was here at the 765m summit that, according to legend, Saint Patrick banished all the snakes from Ireland. A trek up the holy mountain forms an important pilgrimage and on the last Sunday of July, tens of thousands of people line the route to the top. A walk up and down the mountain would take about four hours but the views on a good day across Clew Bay and the rugged Mayo countryside are well worth it.

Day 7: Knock & Bunratty Castle

Visit the world famous Marian Shrine at Knock, where a vision of Our Lady appeared before the townsfolk in the 19th Century. Then head to County Clare for a medieval evening banquet at Bunratty Castle.

Day 8:

Return home from Shannon Airport .