Belfast City Tour

OverView

08:00 Your one day Tour begins from the Suffolk Street Tourist office (outside the old stone church). Your guide will do a quick introduction of the Tour and off you go!  As you pass through the northern suburbs of Dublin, your friendly guide will tell you about the interesting sites on the way, Croke Park- Home of Gaelic Games, Dublin Airport's controversial 2nd terminal and the Dublin Port tunnel that was built too small for the larger trucks to use!  10:15  As you arrive in Belfast you Tour West Belfast home to the famous 'The Peace Wall' which divides the republican and loyalist communities, the wall murals tell a own story from both sides of the fence. Visit the Republican Museum, with a large collection of artefacts and prison handicrafts, representing various phases of the struggle for Irish Freedom. (Please note that this is closed on Sunday and Monday).  11:00  You have some time to explore the City Centre, have something to eat and look around on your own.  Some suggestions maybe: Afternoon Tea with views of Belfast City Centre in the Europa Hotel. Book Here! The Crown Liquor Saloon with its wooden partitions and ornate Victorian exterior, where you can show your political preference by walking either over the crown at the front entrance, or walk around it. The Grand Opera house Belfast City Hall Linen Hall Library - the oldest library in Belfast with exhibition space and a gift shop. St. Anne's cathedral (also known as Belfast Cathedral). If culture is your thing, find out more about its "Black Santa" or listen to its pipe organ play- the largest in Northern Ireland. The Cathedral Quarter - this area is home to many small art galleries and intriguing works of public art. It is also a hub of traditional pubs and arty bars if you want to enjoy a pint. It is a very pretty area to get lost in while you are in Belfast. There is also many different acclaimed restaurants to choose from for every taste.  The Merchant Hotel - have a peak at this beautiful hotel, home to the most expensive cocktail in Europe. Victoria Square - want to go shopping in Belfast? Victoria Square is Belfast's newest shopping centre with high street and designer shops to choose from and plenty of places to eat and drink.  The Albert Memorial Clock, Belfast's own leaning clock tower! 13:30 Your Tour continues with an introduction to East Belfast, home of the Harland & Wolff shipyard and birthplace of the Titanic, before heading south to the resting place of the Patron Saint of Ireland: Saint Patrick. ​ 14:45  Arriving at Downpatrick, first visit the St Patrick Centre with a walk through exhibition and film of Saint Patrick’s life.  After a short walk to the Down Cathedral you will see the last resting place of the great man who it is said, brought Christianity to Ireland.  16:00  As you head southwards the next stop is at the small seaside village of Dundrum and the Norman castle, built by John De Courcy in the 12th century. It is a ruin today but you can climb to the top of the fort walls and see the amazing views for miles. 17:00 From Dundrum your Tour takes in Northern Ireland’s largest mountain range, the Mourne Mountains. An area of outstanding beauty, gaze up at the highest peak called Slieve Donard and before you leave ask your guide to show you 'gravity hill' where you'll see your bus roll 'up' a hill all by itself!! 17:20 Sadly it is then time to depart the beautiful Mourne Mountains and start to make the journey back down to Dublin. You'll enjoy chatting and reminiscing about your days adventure to Northern Ireland while you listen to some traditional music along the way! 19.30 You should arrive back in Dublin.