Heartland of Hidden Ireland
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Belfast International or City Airport, City Harbour or Larne Ferryport Arrival & Departure
- 4 Nights/ 5 Days

Day 1/Belfast & Enniskillen
Early arrival in Belfast - a quick glimpse of this bustling city before heading west for the lovely lake land county of Fermanagh. En route stop off at Omagh for a fascinating visit to the Ulster American Folk Park a museum of emigration and folk life. Continue to Enniskillen where there is a wealth of interesting places to visit in this picturesque lakeside setting. Firstly Enniskillen Castle, dating back to the 15th Century overlooking Lough Erne. Then Castle Coole, which is a fine, late 18th Century neo-classical mansion with lovely interior furnishings and plasterwork. Also visit Florence Court, a fine mid 18th Century house and estate against the stunning backdrop of the Cuilcagh mountains. In the same area, a very different experience is a visit to the Marble Arch Caves and Cuilcagh Mountain Park, a contrast between underworld marvels and the rare habitat of the blanket bog. Overnight in Enniskillen.

Day 2/Fermanagh/Sligo & Roscommon
Begin today with the scenic drive along Lough Erne to Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre where the skills and crafts of past generations are still carried on today. Then head south across the border into South Donegal and Sligo - birthplace of the great poet WB Yeats. Then drive inland, through Ireland's lovely lakeland region, firstly via Lough Gill, inspiration of Yeats' famous poem "The Lake Isle of Inisfree", to Lough Key Forest Park, in County Roscommon. Owned by "Coillte", the Irish Forestry Board, it is a 350-acre park of great natural beauty, combining woodlands and water with a wealth of historical and archaeological points of interest. On to nearby Boyle and visit King House Interpretive Galleries & Museum, a magnificently restored Georgian mansion with unique architectural qualities which housed the famous Connaught Rangers from 1788 to 1922. Overnight in Boyle.

Day 3/Roscommon & Cavan
Drive through the rich midlands of Ireland via the medieval village of Tulsk and visit the award winning Cruachan Aí Visitor Centre, celebrating the myths and legends surrounding the era of Queen Medb, the Warrior Queen of ancient times. Cruachan is one of the most important Celtic Royal Sites in Europe. On to Strokestown in County Roscommon, to visit Strokestown Park, an 18th Century Palladian Mansion and Estate whose stables now house the best private Famine archive in Ireland. Then continue via Longford and Mullingar to the historic Heritage Town of Kells in royal County Meath and visit the Kells Heritage Centre which tells the story of the early monastic site and the famous Book of Kells. On to Cavan in the midst of lakeland and drumlin country where visits include Cavan County Museum in picturesque Ballyjamesduff, famed in the Percy French ballad, tracing the history and heritage of County Cavan. Overnight in Cavan.

Day 4/Armagh & Belfast
Returning to Northern Ireland, spend some time at the cathedral city of Armagh including visits to the fascinating Armagh Planetarium for its multimedia Star-Show, the Armagh County Museum, and St Patrick's Trian, which houses 3 inspirational visits under one roof: the Armagh Story,Saint Patrick's Testament and the Land of Lilliput. En route to Belfast visit the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum which illustrates the way of life and traditions of the people of the north of Ireland. In Belfast stroll through the intimate city centre and explore its exciting mix of old and new - illustrate the contrast with firstly a visit to the Ulster Museum, a treasure house of past and present which tells the story of the North from the Ice Age to the 20th Century. For a glimpse of the 21st Century visit whowhatwherewhenwhy - W5, Ireland's first interactive discovery centre located in the heart of Belfast. Overnight in Belfast

Day 5/Giant's Causeway
Impossible to leave Northern Ireland without visiting Ireland's only World Heritage Site, the Giant's Causeway, one of the geological wonders of the world situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty on the Antrim coast within a 2 hour drive of Belfast. Evening departure from Belfast.