Paul Byrom Bus Tour
COME HOME TO IRELAND VI
9th - 17th of May 2024
Wednesday, May 8th - Travel Day
Depart US Airport to arrive in Dublin airport the morning of May 9th.
Thursday, May 9th - Welcome to Ireland
Today our Irish adventure begins as we all arrive in Ireland and meetat our first hotel in Malahide. Located just north of Dublin City, this very charming and picturesque coastal village has a lot to offer. While you are enjoying your free time before our gathering tonight, take in the blend of contemporary shops and the traditional pubs, walk the beautiful beach or discover the history of the local castle. Whatever you do will be the perfect introduction to the Emerald Isle. Later this evening we meet up with our fabulous host PaulByrom and our fellow travelers for a Welcome Reception. Afterwards you are free to check out the array of restuarants in town.
Overnight & Welcome Reception: Grand Hotel Malahide
Friday May 10th - Heading North to Belfast.
After breakfast today we bid farewell to Malahide and start our journey north to Belfast. Along the way we’ll
step behind the scenes of The Seven Kingdoms as we tour the Game of Thrones Studios in Banbridge. Following our tour, we’ll travel to Ballynahinch located in County Down, which was once home to seven Irish Whiskey producing distilleries. Here we’ll visit the beautiful grounds of the Killaney Estate to have a tour and tasting of some of the finest Irish Whiskey at the Hinch Distillery. We continue to Belfast and check into our 5 Star city center hotel where we will be for the next 2 nights. Enjoy dinner together this evening.
Overnight & Dinner: Grand Central Hotel Belfast
Saturday, May 11th - Belfast City & The Titanic
This morning after breakfast we’ll visit Titanic Belfast, a state-of-the-artinteractive museum which provides an unforgettable visitor experience. It tells the story of RMS Titanic, from her conception and launch into the River Lagan in 1911, to the tragic end of her maiden voyage a year later. It was here at Titanic Quarter (the former Queen’s Island) in Belfast Harbor, that the ship was built. We’ll stop for lunch and then tour the vibrant city center of Belfast, including the newly developed Titanic Quarter, the magnificent government building of Stormont and the student area of Queens University. Enjoy the exhibits at your own pace. We’ll then have the afternoon free before heading to Crumlin Road Gaol. We’ll take a tour of the jail and test your knowledge on The Troubles and its famous prisoners before enjoying dinner and a performance by our favorite artist!
Overnight & Dinner: Grand Central Hotel Belfast
Sunday, May 12th - Northern Ireland Countryside, Sperrin Mountains
Today we depart Belfast, stopping for lunch at Friels Historic Bar & Restaurant. You can have your lunch and a pint while gazing at the historic photographs that line the walls. After lunch we’ll continue on to the scenic Sperrin Mountain region, where Strabane town is the hidden gem of the North West. The town is rich in history and heritage, boasting internationally renowned musicians, modern and traditional leisure activities as well as having some of the finest shopping and dining experiences in Northern Ireland. With a rich history of fishing, flax and linen weaving, today Strabane is a bustling town offering visitors many attractions including local markets, live performances, galleries, art installations, angling, hiking tours and award-winning boutiques and shops. We make our way to one of Paul’s favorite places, Harvey’s Point. This spectacular resort is where we will be staying for the next 2 nights.
Dinner & Overnight: Harvey’s Point Resort
Monday, May 13th - Killybegs and the Slieve League Cliffs
Today we make our way to Killybegs to board a ferry for a Cruise to the Slieve Liag Cliffs. The vessel will travel from Killybegs Harbour out to the base of the cliffs. Straight away you will experience the individual landscape of Donegal Bay, as Killybegs Harbour uniquely has two lighthouses. At almost 600m, Sliabh Liag boasts Europe's highest accessible sea cliffs, and the best place to truly appreciate their magnificence is from the sea. You will see the Napoleonic Tower on the cliff top as we sail past numerous sea stacks and sheltered coves, caves, and waterfalls, all holding their own history and secrets. The warm Gulf Stream means the bay is not only a favorite of humans, but also of a vast range of marine wildlife. Your cruise may be lucky enough to meet a pod of dolphins. After our cruise we enjoy lunch and head north to Ardara to meet the family of Triona Design. We’ll experience the history and witness the skill and craft that has gone into creating Donegal Tweed for generations. We’ll watch master weavers working on looms that have been used for centuries. We return to the hotel, we will prepare for our Second Performance from Paul Byrom who will be joined with a couple Donegal musicians in the lovely Garden Suite at Harveys Point. Then enjoy dinner together.
Dinner and Overnight: Harvey’s Point & Second Performance
Tuesday, May 14th - Heading South, Gunpowder Gin, Carrick on Shannon & Meath
After breakfast, we bid farewell to the warm and super friendly Donegal to head back south to County Meath. We make our way through the bustling town of Sligo on the way to visit The Shed Distillery, home of Gunpowder Gin. We’ll take a tour and enjoy a tasting of PJ Rigney’s hand- made, slow-distilled gin made with gunpowder tea and botanicals, as well as various other brands. We’ll then head to Carrick on Shannon, a bustling town itself steeped in history. Take a stroll through the town to discover its interesting historical buildings, in particular the unusual Costello Chapel, which is believed to be the smallest chapel in Europe. The beautiful 19th Century former Courthouse has been wonderfully restored into Leitrim’s first integrated center for the arts – The Dock. The Dock houses a 100+ seat performance space, three art galleries, artists’studios, an arts education room and is home to The Leitrim Design House. The next part of our journey takes us the stately Johnstown Estate where we will spend our last 3-nights in Ireland.
Overnight: Johnstown Estate & Hotel
Wednesday, May 15th - Kilbeggan Distillery and Kildare Outlets
This morning after fueling up on a hearty breakfast, we’ll visit the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland, Kilbeggan Distillery, to enjoy a tour and tasting. The tour starts in 1757, where you discover how Irish whiskey was made. See the old mash tuns and fermenters, still in their original positions. You will get close to the iconic waterwheel, which one powered the whole distillery and kept whiskey flowing through Kilbeggan. And of course, you will get to taste Kilbeggan’s finest whiskey! After that we’ll head to the Kildare Outlets where you’ll have time to shop for yourselves or a gift for someone back home. In the evening you will have time to freshen up before we head out for a short journey for our Third & Final Performance!
Overnight & Dinner: Johnstown Estate & Final Performance
Thursday May 16th - Billykilcavan Farm and Brewery
Today, we get a get a full Irish culture experience at the Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery. Enjoy the artisan food tour with David Walsh at their family farm and brewery. We will take a walk around the old farmyards with David telling his family year-old gardener's tunnel to the remains of stories, then go onto the farm to see the barley and hops that they use to the champion black walnut tree of make their beers. We then visit Ireland and go through the 200 year-old gardener's tunnel to the remains of the walled garden. After that, we will explore the brewery to see the kit and process of their brewing. We will then finish in the newly refurbished 19th century mill building with a food and beer pairing session with local and Irish cheeses, bread, and charcuterie, all paired with one of their beers. Later that afternoon we return to our hotel enjoy a farewell dinner together.
Dinner and Overnight: Johnstown Estate
Friday, May 17th - Homeward Bound...
With bags packed, enjoy breakfast and head for the airport where we will board our flight for home. Carry on your photos and memories and bring a bit of the Emerald Isle home with you.
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