Real Encounters, Real People in Northern Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way

This captivating corner of Northern Ireland is a little under an hour from Belfast, two hours from Dublin, with regular ferry services to either city from the UK mainland. We’ll be happy to manage a tailor-made solution to get you here with the minimum of fuss. Once here, you’ll find a neat little town, framed by the mountains of Mourne and its expansive namesake forest park, each eagerly awaiting your exploration.

Your Accommodation in Co Down

By the entrance to the forest park, your hotel in Castlewellan is an historic structure maintaining its 19th-century facade, while the interior has been treated to an appealing modern upgrade. Locals mingle with visitors in the popular restaurant, while en-suite bedrooms are cosy and comfortable.

An immediate taste of local authenticity this morning, within a few minutes’ drive of your hotel. At the home of the friendliest of families, take a seat at the kitchen table and enjoy a homemade breakfast with your hosts. Hear the story of their life here amidst the peaceful folds of Co Down countryside before getting down to the serious business of soda bread. Learn the ancient techniques deployed in the creation of the daily Irish staple, in this fully hands-on activity. A new skill to learn that you’re sure to take home with you.

In the afternoon, take to the undulating route towards Portadown in Co Armagh. This is the heart of cider country and you’re off to a family-owned orchard and cider factory. Here, on this fourth-generation farm, meet grandma, grandad, mum, dad, daughter, son and perhaps even grandchildren, proud custodians of the orchard planted almost a century ago. Hear the story of its genesis and development, and sample some of the ciders, juices and vinegars produced right here in Co Armagh. Later, relax in the recently constructed pavilion with tea and homemade apple pie

Say cheerio to your hosts in Castlewellan and make your way north to the lush landscapes of Co Antrim. Here, in the ‘ninth Glen’ of Glenravel, meet a local family on their heritage farm.

Step into the rhythm of traditional Irish country life with an immersive experience, during which you’ll discover the stories, skills and spirit of rural Ireland through a relaxed and welcoming journey into the past.

Your visit begins with a warm Irish welcome – a locally inspired drink and homemade bite shared before setting out on a guided walk through the family farm. Along the way, hear the history, folklore and customs that shaped generations who lived and worked from the land.

Experience seasonal farm traditions firsthand as you take part in age-old rural tasks: Churn fresh cream into butter using traditional methods; learn how grain was harvested, threshed and transformed from field to flour; explore the journey of the humble potato, from planting and harvesting to cooking over the fire.

Using these simple staple ingredients alongside fresh local produce, enjoy the preparation of traditional Irish dishes cooked on the griddle and served beside an open hearth. As stories and folklore are shared, your visit concludes in true Irish fashion with a final parting glass.

Later, it’s a brief drive to your next base on the edge of the Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Your accommodation in Co Londonderry

 Close to Lough Neagh, in the shadow of the breathtaking Sperrin Mountains, this refined, Victorian country house is a peaceful haven offering traditionally presented bedrooms and award-winning dining.

Today, just a short drive from your accommodation, take to the water of Lough Neagh and grasp the unique opportunity to discover the story of one of the oldest ways of life in Northern Ireland. In the company of a local fisherman, follow in the wake of the earliest settlers who navigated along Lower River Bann to the lough.

Amidst some of Ireland’s finest scenery, view the humble Lough Neagh fishing quays, where Neagh eel and Lough Neagh pollan are landed. And even try your hand at authentic net-making, a traditional craft handed down through many generations.

Further north today, and it’s just a short hop to one of our favourite cities on the island of Ireland. In Derry/ Londonderry you’ll have use of a Visit Derry Pass, allowing you access to many of the city’s main attractions, including several museums, two cathedrals and, of course, the Derry Girls Experience. Your pass also gives you places on two of the city’s best walking tours, on its ancient city walls and around the historic Bogside area.

From Derry, you’ll have a short drive to your base for one night on the shores of Lough Swilly in Co Donegal.

Your Accommodation in Co Donegal

 This listed Georgian mansion on beautifully manicured grounds is a wonderful place to spend an evening. Carefully restored by the longstanding family owners and furnished with an expertly chosen range of antiques, the evident refinement sits perfectly alongside the warm and friendly welcome. Dining here is a distinct highlight, too, with imaginative menus crafted from the very best of what’s available from the immediate local area.

Set off this morning for a drive across wild Donegal to the southwest corner of this most dramatic county. Here, by the soaring seacliffs of Glencolmcille, meet the patriarch of a legendary local family and join the Weaver Trail. Historically, Donegal Tweed is a durable, utilitarian fabric woven by local farmers and fishermen for warmth and protection against the wild climate, later entering high fashion, featuring in designer collections across the world. From sheep to yarn to loom, you’ll experience first-hand the traditions of a quite remarkable Irish product in the company of the most engaging host.

Later, join the Wild Atlantic Way for a wonderful afternoon on the road, rounding Donegal Bay on the way as you journey south to Yeats country and the vibrant town of Sligo.

Your Accommodation in Sligo

Immaculately kept in every sense, your Sligo stay is an independent riverside hotel poised like a docked vessel. Behind its striking glass exterior are vibrant, character-filled rooms and an award-winning restaurant led by one of Ireland’s most celebrated chefs.

Go easy at breakfast — you’re about to embark on one of Sligo’s most delicious and intriguing experiences. Just a two-minute stroll from your hotel, you’ll meet at the oyster-farming family’s café and sample oysters fresh and raw, baked for first-timers, or even deep-fried in their signature po’boy. Later, join the owner for a guided tour of the farm to discover the heritage, skill, and craftsmanship behind growing Sligo Bay oysters from tiny seed to table. All of this unfolds against breathtaking views of Benbulben, Knocknarea, and the sweeping curve of Sligo Bay.

No need to hurry today—the next stop isn’t far. Enjoy a slow, hearty Irish breakfast before cruising out along the dramatic Mayo coastline. Your drive traces the base of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s sacred peak, with peaceful Clare Island drifting into view across the wide sweep of Clew Bay. As you head south, the landscape shifts into the raw beauty of Connemara, home to Ireland’s only fjord and the breathtaking Kylemore Abbey and Gardens. Take your time exploring, maybe pop into the buzzing little hub of Clifden, then wind down for the evening at your cozy stay on Lough Inagh.

Your Accommodation in Connemara

 Resting by the shimmering waters of the lough, your Connemara accommodation is a haven of calm and comfort. Framed by the soaring Maumturks and Twelve Bens, the area offers endless opportunities for both casual strolls and challenging hikes. Every bedroom overlooks the lough—an ideal retreat after a day of adventure. In the evening, unwind with a dinner of elevated country-house classics in the restaurant.

Arguably Ireland’s most significant cultural phenomenon in decades, the impact of Riverdance continues to reverberate across the island and the world. Today, you’re off to meet a key player in its continued success, as you attend a private visit to the workshop of the man who’s made every bodhran used in every performance of the show.

Having been a master of bodhran-making for some 50 years, your host’s workshop is a snapshot in time; you’ll see the craft up close and hear stories of the bodhran’s history and its place at the beating heart of Irish traditional music.

Set off from Connemara this morning, taking the Wild Atlantic Way to Galway. Here, in Europe’s westernmost city, you’ll meet one of Ireland’s foremost storytellers for a private session of tales, rooted in this City of Tribes and its place in wider Ireland. Your host brings Irish history to life in vivid colour, leaving visitors with a newfound appreciation for Irish history.

Later, continue south for a short distance to your final base, in Co Clare, amidst the mystical landscape of the Burren.

Your Accommodation in the Burren

 Tucked at the end of a leafy, hidden lane, your Co Clare hotel feels like a cosy escape set against the wild, other-worldly limestone of the Burren. This Georgian country house has been in the same family since 1976, and you can feel their love for good design everywhere you look.

Mixes of quirky antiques, one-of-a-kind artworks, and fresh flowers from the garden give the place a laid-back elegance that still feels personal. Crackling fires pull you in—whether you’re enjoying a drink in the snug bar, relaxing in the bright sitting rooms, or settling into a quiet corner for dinner.

Food is a real highlight. The kitchen leans into the best local ingredients, serving up seasonal dishes that let the region shine, all matched with a smart, carefully picked wine list.

Into the heart of the Burren today, perhaps taking time to discover what makes this otherworldly place so special. Home to neolithic sites, ancient ruins and unique flora, it’s no wonder JRR Tolkien took so much inspiration from this location.

Today you pay a visit to the Burren’s own perfumery, where artisans take cues from the wildflowers and rugged beauty of the Burren, crafting unique fragrances, certified organic skincare, and hand-poured soaps and candles from the finest natural ingredients.

Here at Ireland’s oldest perfumery, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how scents are brought to life in this hideaway in the heart of the Burren. Step into the workshop, chat with skilled makers, and soak up their passion for the craft, all while surrounded by sweeping views and the windswept magic of Ireland’s west.

We’ll provide all the information you need to get you home with the minimum of fuss.