Northern Ireland
Holiday Highlights
- Ride the Bushmills and Giant Causeway, Peatlands Park, Downpatrick and Delamont Railways
- Visit the Whitehead and Foyle Railway Museums
- Excursion to the Giants Causeway and the Flame Gasworks Museum
- Guided tour of Bushmills Distillery
- Rail travel between Belfast and Larne and Belfast and Derry/Londonderry
- Executive coach for road transfers
- 6 Days from £795pp
Tour Dates:
Wednesday 30 June to Monday 5 July 2021
Meet in Belfast to spend 6 days exploring the railways of Northern Ireland. There will be railways large and small to enjoy as well as visits to the Giants Causeway, the Whitehead and Foyle Railway Museums and a distillery tour. Plus free time to explore Belfast and Derry/Londonderry.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrival in Belfast
Make your own way to Belfast and meet at the Hilton Hotel, where we stay for 2 nights. The hotel is located across the road from Belfast Lanyon Station (formally known as Belfast Central) making it an ideal base from which to explore. Ffestiniog Travel can arrange individual flights or rail-sea-rail bookings to join this tour, please ask for a quotation.
Day 2 – Gasworks, Larne & Whitehead Railway Museum
We take a morning train on the Belfast to Larne line as far as Carrickfergus where we pay a visit to the Flame Gasworks Museum, located adjacent to the station. Continue along the branch line to the terminus at Larne for a lunchtime arrival. After a suitable break our return journey to Belfast includes a stop at Whitehead to visit the Railway Museum of the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland.
Day 3 – Bushmills, Giants Causeway & Derry/Londonderry
Morning train journey to Coleraine and coach transfer to the world famous Bushmills Distillery to enjoy a tour. Later we take a ride on the Bushmills and Giant Causeway Railway to the Causeway to see the world-famous basalt columns. This UNESCO World Heritage site was formed from lava over 50 million years ago. Return transfer to Coleraine where we catch a train to Derry/Londonderry for a 1-night stay.
Day 4 – Foyle Railway Museum & Peatlands Park Railway
Located in the Former Foyle Road station of the Great Northern Railway we pay a morning visit to the Foyle Railway Museum. From here we transfer to the 266 hectare Peatlands Park in the afternoon to enjoy a return journey on its 3ft narrow gauge railway. Back to Belfast for a further 2-night stay.
Day 5 – Downpatrick & Delamont Railways
Today we take a round trip by coach, visiting the 5ft 3in Downpatrick and County Down Railway, which runs to Inch Abbey, a large, ruined monastic site dating back to the 12th Century. In addition to the 4 mile long line the railway is also home to a Museum, Carriage Gallery and a model railway. We later pay a visit to the 10¼ inch Delamont Country Park Miniature Railway.
Day 6 – Farewell
Following breakfast we bid farewell to Northern Ireland and head home independently.
Selected Hotels
Hilton Hotel, Belfast
Maldron Hotel, Derry/Londonderry
Please note - hotels can be subject to change
Price Includes
- Rail travel within Northern Ireland in standard class
- Excursions as listed
- Transfers as described
- Accommodation in good quality hotels on a bed and breakfast basis
- Services of a tour leader from London and throughout the tour
Price per person
Escorted holiday: | £795 |
Single room supplement: | £257 |
Deposit for this holiday: | £100 |