|
The Ards Peninsular, geographically situated in Northern Ireland's County Down, has farmland amongst the richest in Ireland, a most attractive coastline plus the beautiful Strangford Lough, a sheltered and placid stretch of water - the largest sea inlet in the British Isles. This tour makes the most of countryside, coastal scenery, and splendid vistas as the circular scenic itinerary takes you around the picturesque and historical Peninsular lying just a short distance from the metropolis of Belfast.
Take a break at Donaghadee - a pretty seaside town with an attractive harbor and majestic lighthouse, which makes for a perfect photo stop during your leisurely scenic drive. There, you will find the Pier 36 Irish pub in its attractive setting facing the harbor. A bright and warm welcome awaits you as you cross the threshold to enjoy refreshments and entertainment. Whiskey has been drunk in Ireland for more than five hundred years and is known as the "water of life." In this casual atmosphere, you'll enjoy an Irish coffee, a combination of whiskey, double cream, sugar, and hot black coffee. The hot whiskey-laced coffee is drunk through the cold cream floating on top of a special stemmed glass, all adding to your experience of Irish hospitality.
Note: Walking while in Donaghadee is at the guest's discretion over various surfaces and 2 to 3 steps to enter/exit the coach. This tour is recommended for those guests who want a leisurely drive with a refreshment stop.
 |
|
 |
Northern Ireland has sights from every era of history as well as magnificently varied coastal scenery. The lunar landscape of the Giant's Causeway, a World Heritage Site, lurking below the gaunt seawall where the land ends, must have struck wonder into the hearts of the ancient Irish. The Causeway proper is a mass of basalt columns packed tightly together.
The column tops form stepping stones that lead from the cliff's foot and disappear under the sea. Altogether there are 40,000 stone columns, mostly hexagonal, but some with four, five, seven and eight sides.
The tallest are about 40 feet high, and the solidified lava in the cliffs is 90 feet thick in places. Legend has it that Finn McCool, a love-lorn Irish giant built the causeway to reach his ladylove, a Scottish giant.
Whichever explanation is preferred, nothing can destroy the magic and strangeness of the Causeway with its looming grey cliffs and tales of the legendary giant.
On arrival at Giant's Causeway, your coach will park at the cliff top where the columns are situated at sea level, approximately 0.75 mile away. You will have the option of walking along the paved pathway, which is steep in parts, leading down to the bottom of the cliffs, or taking the round trip shuttle.
After your visit to the Giant's Causeway, you will stop to admire Dunluce Castle - a romantic ruin clinging to a crag almost surrounded by water, and watching over the magnificent coastline; it is one of Ireland's most atmospheric castles.
Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 0.33 mile over various surfaces with some steep inclines and a few steps. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. There are small souvenir shops in the Visitor Center and the National Trust shop at the Causeway. The drive to/from Belfast is approximately 2 hours each way, dependent upon traffic conditions.
|
|
|
Begin with a panoramic drive through the center of Belfast, a city with origins dating as far back as the Stone Age, when people gathered cockles from the Lagan shores. In spite of settlers from Devon and Scotland, it remained a village until significant expansion began with the late 17th century arrival of French Huguenots, who provided a boost to linen making.
The center of Belfast is undoubtedly Donegall Square, dominated by the enormous white Portland stone building of City Hall.
You will pass the poignant Titanic Memorial recalling the doomed liner and the gallant men and women who perished on it, and the magnificent Waterfront Hall as your coach circles the city center.
Various memorials hearken back to times past, including statues of Queen Victoria and a stone commemorating the American Expeditionary Force that arrived in Belfast in 1942.
Heading out from the city, you'll travel through the suburbs towards the countryside of the Ards Peninsula, the narrow stretch of land bordered on one side by peaceful Strangford Lough and on the other side by the Irish Sea.
The Cistercian Abbey and the settlement around it is called 'Greyabbey.' Unfortunately, Grey Abbey's annals did not survive, but its known history is intriguing. The church was founded in 1193 by Affreca, daughter of Godred, King of the Isle of Man, and wife of John de Courcy, the Anglo-Norman conqueror of Ulster. The tradition is that she founded the abbey in thanksgiving for a safe landing after a storm at sea. During a stroll around the grounds, you will see the qualities of Greyabbey are many and varied. The peace of its green setting, the strong outline of its church and cloister, the high quality yet lack of ornament of its stone carving, the ruined state of its buildings today, all contribute to the attraction of Greyabbey as you see it now 800 years after its foundation.
Note: Guests must be able to walk approximately 400 yards over various surfaces, inclines and 2 to 3 steps to enter/exit the coach. The tour sequence may be altered in order to avoid congestion and traffic conditions.
|
