Day 1

Arriving in Dublin Airport, pick up your rental car. Enjoy the scenic drive North to County Antrim, where you will stay 4 nights in Ballygally Castle. On the way to County Antrim, make a stop in Belfast City to visit the Titanic Studios, now known as the ‘Paint Hall’. Remember the dramas in the Throne Room, the Sept of Baelor and the Eyrie? Titanic Studios is the location for many of these interior scenes in Game of Thrones. After your tour, enjoy lunch in a local pub before continuing your drive to Ballygally Castle. (We’ll give you an insiders’ list of our favorite pubs and restaurants!) This afternoon settle in and take in your beautiful surroundings. Before dinner, perhaps you would enjoy visiting Dunluce Castle, perched dramatically on towering cliffs high above the North Channel. It is a magnificent sight.

Day 2

After a hearty Irish breakfast, visit Cushendun Caves, otherwise known as Storm’s End, to the spot where Davos Seaworth and Lady Melisandre landed, and birthplace of the shadow baby. These swirling caves are where it all happened. Drive on to Murlough Bay. A treacherous place, Murlough Bay has seen its share of Game of Thrones’ drama. It was the setting for Theon’s awkward horse ride with sister Yara, and it was also the place where Davos is rescued from the Fingers by a passing ship. After Murlough Bay, enjoy exploring the stunning Giant’s Causeway, an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns – the result of an ancient volcanic eruption – buffeted by the wild sea. Legends, dating back to 3rd century, tell how this causeway was built by the giant Finn MacCool, who was 54 foot tall, and leader of a tribe of warriors, called the Fianna.

Day 3

Today, visit Shillanavogy Valley, below Slemish Mountain in County Antrim, the location for the Dothraki grasslands. Here we met the Khal and his future Khaleesi for the first time. Slemish Mountain is where St. Patrick watched sheep, when he was first brought to Ireland as a slave. Drive onward to The Dark Hedges in Ballymoney. The Dark Hedges is an avenue of 200-year-old beech trees on the Bregagh Road. This avenue was already one of Northern Ireland’s most-famous landmarks long before Ayra Stark escaped from King’s Landing disguised as a boy. It is said to be haunted by the Grey Lady, a ghost who appears at dusk. Around the other side of Fair Head, is the village of Ballycastle, birthplace of both the actor Conleth Hall and Varys, the character he plays. Some of the Free Cities’ scenes have been filmed here.

Day 4

Today you will discover the ancestral seat of House Baratheon, Storm’s End. Head for Larrybane, and the setting for the imposing fortress where Renly resided and Brienne of Tarth appeared in a ‘tourney’ (tournament). Larrybane Head is famous for the Carrick-A-Rede rope bridge, linking the mainland to the tiny island of Carrickarede. Next, tour the Antrim plateau near Cairncastle. Ned Stark knows the Antrim plateau all too well. It was on these rolling hills that he beheaded a Night’s Watch deserter, who warned of strange happenings beyond the Wall. For your last stop today, venture to Downhill Strand, in County Derry. This is the location of the sinister ritual of the burning of the seven old Gods on Dragonstone.

Day 5

After breakfast this morning, drive to County Down. Tour Castle Ward, on the shore of Strangford Lough. Castle Ward was once House Stark. This 18th century castle doubled as Winterfell and its surrounding lands. King Robert Baratheon and his entourage arrived here in Season One, and set in motion the deadly ‘Game of Thrones’. Near Castle Ward is Audley’s Field. Sitting on the shore of Strangford Lough, Audley’s Field is the scene for plenty of Game of Thrones’ drama, including Robb’s camp, the capture (and release) of the Kingslayer, and Talisa tending to the wounded. You will stay 2 nights at The Slieve Donard. Settle in this evening and enjoy a delicious meal by the fire.

Day 6

Today, visit Inch Abbey, on the River Quoile outside Downpatrick, County Down. The monastic ruins at Inch Abbey are the location for The Twins and the Riverlands. The Hoster Tully funeral was set here. It is also where The Hound and Arya journeyed towards the Red Fork. This is a stunning, mystical location. Afterwards visit Tollymore Forest Park, at the foothills of the Mourne Mountains. The verdant and vibrant Tollymore Forest Park is where Theon was stalked by Ramsay Snow, as well as depicting the snow-covered lands between Winterfell and the Wall. Visit the enchanting and remote Ballynoe Stone Circle in Downpatrick.

Day 7

Drive south to Dublin, where you will stay 2 nights in Brooks Hotel, in the heart of the City Centre. Return your rental car, settle in and enjoy all Dublin has to offer. Maybe take a horse and carriage ride through Dublin’s historical Georgian Squares? Enjoy a lunch of Guinness and oysters at ‘Davy Byrnes’ Gastro Pub, and stroll down bustling Grafton Street. Or choose to tour the Jameson Distillery this afternoon. Visit O’Donohue’s pub tonight for some great traditional Irish music.

Day 8

Explore The Dublin Writers Museum, The Guinness Brewery, Temple Bar, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, an exquisite illuminated manuscript created by monks circa 800. You can also take ‘a hop on hop off’ double decker bus tour of Dublin. It is a fantastic way to see the city at your own pace. For your last night in Ireland, we recommend dinner at The Brazen Head, the oldest pub in Dublin. They have a brilliant traditional Irish Folklore night full of storytelling, legends, music, and food.

Day 9

Enjoy a private transfer to Dublin airport, and prepare for your return flight home.

Passports & Visas
To enter the Republic or Northern Ireland, you need a valid passport. While e-passports are commonly used now, they are not a necessity to enter Ireland. UK citizens do not require a passport to enter Ireland, but carriers by air or sea require some form of identification with a photograph (usually either a passport or driving license with photo).

Citizens of the EEA member states (the 27 countries of the European Union EU, together with Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein) and many other countries including USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand do not require visas to gain entry to Republic or Northern Ireland.

What to Pack
Bring a sweater, even in summer; waterproofs to accompany all outdoor activities; sunglasses; comfortable walking shoes and an umbrella. The weather is changeable so go for layers that you can put on or take off as the temperature changes.

Weather
February to April: Highest temperatures range from 46 to 54°F
May to July: Highest temperatures are between 64 and 68°F
August to October: Highest temperatures hit between 64 and 57°F.
Winter air temperatures inland normally reach 46°F, while the coldest months are January and February.
April & September are considered the most pleasant and temperate months.

Currency
In the Republic of Ireland, the official currency is the euro (€). One euro consists of 100 cent. In Northern Ireland, pound sterling is the local currency (£). One pound sterling consists of 100 pence.

Gratuities
Gratuities and tips are discretionary and are not usually included in a bill. The general custom is to give 10% to serving staff in restaurants. Cafes might have a collection box at the till and bar staff are not tipped but you are free to offer “have one for yourself”.

Emergency Services
Police, Fire, Ambulance:
Republic of Ireland, Telephone: 112 or 999
Northern Ireland, Telephone: 999

Gadgets
Plugs in Ireland are three-pronged, the same as in the UK and the electricity supply is also 230v. Adapters are widely available, and it’s a good idea to bring a couple for your various gadgets.

Public Transportation
National Coaches
Republic of Ireland: Bus Eireann
Northern Ireland: Translink

Dublin Buses
Leap Visitor Card is a prepaid pass that allows you to travel on all Dublin Bus, Airlink 747 buses as well as the Luas Light Railway Tram and DART (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) for up to 3 days.

Railways
Republic of Ireland: Irish Rail
Northern Ireland: Northern Ireland Railways
The Dart (Dublin Area Rapid Transit) covers Dublin’s coast and city area from Howth and Malahide in north County Dublin via Dun Laoghaire in south County Dublin to Greystones in County Wicklow.
Luas light rail/tram service travels across the south and west of Dublin city including the city center areas.

Time Zone
Ireland functions on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). During the summer it becomes GMT+1, that’s Irish Standard Time (IST) in the Republic and British Summer Time (BST) in Northern Ireland.
For example, New York is Irish Time -5 hours & Los Angeles is Irish Time -8 hours.

Language
English is commonly used throughout Ireland although Irish is the official language and there are Irish speaking areas called the Gaeltacht where it is the predominant language.

Driving
You will need either a full valid national driving license or an international driving permit. Cars in Ireland drive on the left-hand side of the road and both driver and passengers are required to wear seat belts at all times by law. Signposts in Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) areas are written in Irish (Gaelic) so familiarise yourself with both English and Irish spellings before you set off for those parts. Northern Ireland uses miles per hour, while the Republic of Ireland uses kilometers for signage and speed limits.

Vaccinations
There are no vaccinations required to visit Ireland.