The Big’s Causeway & Recreation of Thrones ~ DownshiftingPRO
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After an intensive go to to County Donegal in Eire, we weren’t fairly completed exploring the Emerald Isle. When the chance arose to take Rabbie’s 3-Day Uncover Northern Eire Tour from Dublin, it was a straightforward sure!
Rabbie’s is a revered, small-group tour firm based mostly in Edinburgh, recognized for its fastidiously deliberate itineraries and educated native guides. They run excursions throughout the U.Okay. and Eire for vacationers who worth consolation, tradition, and a extra private expertise. With a most of 16 passengers on their luxurious mini-coaches, Rabbie’s excursions strike a stability between construction and suppleness – leaving room for a little bit of spontaneity and discovery alongside the way in which.
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Though we had deliberate a brief keep in Belfast, I shortly realized I wasn’t ready to prepare a complete itinerary by myself. That drawback was effortlessly solved by the great individuals at Rabbies’s. Their Northern Eire route included cultural landmarks reminiscent of Mount Stewart and Fortress Ward, together with a number of unforgettable Recreation of Thrones places. As long-time followers, we had been delighted to see the jewelry, landscapes, and places made well-known on display screen. Though not all of our journey mates had been followers by the tip of the tour, we had extra following alongside our small screed journey!
Day 1: Belfast and Mount Stewart
We had a reasonably jam-packed itinerary that started in Dublin. We met within the early morning, temporary introductions, after which began heading north towards the Northern Eire border. There is no such thing as a formal check-point, however you’ll discover that your cellphone will go from Eire to U.Okay. service (so be certain and purchase a SIM that covers each). Additionally of word, you’ll now be charged in £ British Kilos and NOT EU € euros.
The drive supplied glimpses of rolling inexperienced countryside, and a historic commentary from our information. Though conscious of the historic battle between the English and Irish, it got here as an enormous shock to me that, although Eire and Northern Eire reside on the identical island, life between Catholics and Protestants stays firmly divided.
With these tales of staunch delineation between the 2, our first main cease was Belfast’s poignant Interface Space by the Solidarity Wall on Northumberland Avenue, a vivid testomony to the town’s historical past throughout the troubles and its peace efforts. This stretch options murals on partitions separating the Catholic residential space from the Protestant. They chronicle key occasions, political figures, and highly effective messages of peace and unity, lined in paintings symbolizing reconciliation between communities.
We walked the realm with our information, who shared insights into the peace partitions, republican and loyalist symbolism, and an on-going path to peaceable co-existence. It’s a compelling cease that brings Northern Eire’s complicated previous to life way more powerfully than storytelling and pictures alone.
From there, we reached the Titanic Quarter, Belfast’s revitalized waterfront the place the ill-fated ship was constructed over a century in the past. The centerpiece is the gorgeous Titanic Belfast Museum – an enormous, ship-shaped construction that immerses guests within the story by means of interactive displays, recreated ship cabins, and artifacts from the wreck.
We spent a few hours exploring the self-guided galleries (with an audioguide), from the shipyards’ gritty industrial period to the tragic maiden voyage. The eye to element is extraordinary: really feel the chilliness of the North Atlantic in a third-class bunk, or stand on a full-scale duplicate of the grand staircase, or re-create your favorite scene from the film.
Entrance is at your individual expense (round £25/grownup), nevertheless it’s price each penny for historical past aficionados you’ll emerged with a deeper appreciation of Belfast’s shipbuilding legacy and maritime life. (Word: a full evaluation of Titanic Belfast is coming quickly on DownshiftingPRO.com.)
After Belfast, we continued to the elegant Mount Stewart Backyard and Property in County Down, a Nationwide Belief cease with Italianate gardens, subtropical crops, comical statues, and sweeping views over Strangford Lough.
The property’s historical past as a political powerhouse – as soon as residence to Lord Londonderry – provides layers, with themed gardens just like the Shamrock Backyard nodding to Irish heritage. We wandered the manicured paths, admired unique rhododendrons thriving on this delicate microclimate, and toured the opulent home interiors crammed with tremendous artwork and interval furnishings. Entry charges apply (£15/grownup) – although a stroll by means of the gardens is free.
Tucked alongside Strangford Lough’s jap edge in County Down’s Ards Peninsula, Gray Abbey’s 1193 Cistercian ruins function sleek Gothic arches and a roofless nave that feels frozen in time. The neighbouring graveyard, dotted with weathered headstones amid tangled grass, carries is each enchanting and spooky with the names of lives way back gone etched in stone.
That night, we checked into our cozy base in Bangor: Shelleven Home B&B (you possibly can learn my Lodge-Scoop.com evaluation), a captivating spot with welcoming hosts, Sue and Paul, snug rooms, and a straightforward entry to the waterfront.
Dinner was at Underground Eating, a Bangor favorite with a beef wellington made to perfection. This was a romantic tremendous eating expertise in a really informal ambiance. We walked again to the B&B and tucked into very snug beds.
Day 2: Causeway Coastal Route, Big’s Causeway, and Darkish Hedges
After our scrumptious breakfast (included in our room price), our driver picked up up and wel all headed north alongside the breathtaking Causeway Coastal Route, certainly one of Northern Eire’s most dramatic dives with its rugged cliffs, crashing Atlantic waves, and storybook villages hugging the ocean. Our Rabbie’s mini-counch made simple work of the winding roads, stopping at scenic viewpoints.
First up was Carrickfergus Fortress, an enormous Norman fortress perched dramatically on the lough’s (lake’s) edge. Relationship again to 1177, its certainly one of Northren Eire’s best-preserved medieval castles, with towers you possibly can climb for panoramic views. There’s additionally a captivating statue of King William III. If you wish to tour, there’s an entry charge of £6/grownup – allot about 45 minutes to tour the courtyard, tower, and battlements.
From there, we continued north to the seaside village of Glenarm, the primary cease on the Video games of Thrones (GoT) portion of the tour. Glenarm is residence to Steensons Jewellers, a small, family-run workshop answerable for creating lots of the present’s most iconic items – amongst them the Hand of the King pin and Sansa Stark’s Crown. We even had the prospect to attempt on the few gorgeous replicas, all handcrafted with distinctive element.
Our subsequent GoT collection cease was Carnlough Harbour, immediately recognizable because the setting the place Arya Stark emerges from the waters of Braavos (S6E7). Followers flock to this quiet fishing village to face the place the scene was filmed, and it’s simple to see why – it’s as picturesque in individual because it seems on display screen.
We then headed to Cushendun Caves, know to GoT devotees as the location the place Melisandre gave delivery to the shadow murderer. Even if you’re not a fan, as some individuals on our tour had been, these towering rock formations and echoes of crashing waves if you find yourself within the cave make this a surprising spot to discover.
For lunch we stopped at Carrick-a-Rede Bar & Restaurant, close to the well-known Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, earlier than persevering with alongside the breathtaking Causeway Coastal Route in direction of certainly one of Northern Eire’s most well-known pure marvel the Big’s Causeway.
Its hexagonal basalt columns, shaped by historic vocanic exercise, create a panorama that feels otherworldly (a lot in line with the GoT theme, I’d add). It’s no marvel this UNESCO World Heritage Web site has impressed myths and legends for hundreds of years.
Though we weren’t in a position to cease, you possibly can head to Ballintoy Harbour, one other GoT location often called the rugged residence of the Iron Islands. The views are fairly spectacular with jagged cliffs and seabirds wheeling overhead.
We had been in a position to cease on the Magheracross Automotive Park & Viewpoint to take a look at Dunluce Fortress, a clifftop wreck perched dramatically above the ocean. With its ghostly stone partitions and windswept setting, it’s simple to think about why this haunting fortress impressed the design for the Greyjoy’s seat on the Iron Islands.
As we headed residence, we made a short go to to The Darkish Hedges, situated in Stranocum, Ballymoney, you aren’t permitted to drive or cease. Our intrepid driver managed to discover a parking place as a number of of us shortly walked to the street and took our compulsory GoT photos. They’ve been trimmed and are not as lush as on the present nevertheless it was nonetheless fairly thrilling.
Day 3 – Strangford Lough, Fortress Ward, and the Journey Again to Dublin
Our ultimate day with Rabbie’s 3-Day Uncover Northern Eire Tour took us by means of among the area’s most picturesque countryside, combining coastal allure, fascinating historical past, and one final Recreation of Thrones connection earlier than crossing again into the Republic of Eire.
We started the morning alongside the Ards Peninsula, taking the brief ferry journey throughout “the Narrows” from Strangford to Portaferry. It’s a serene crossing the place shimmering blue water meets, gentle rolling hills – a beautiful technique to begin the day. The ferry itself is an expertise with postcard views of Strangford Lough, on of Northern Irelands most necessary marine nature reserves.
On the alternative shore, we reached certainly one of Northern Eire’s most well-known movie places: Outdated Fortress Ward, higher know to Recreation of Thrones followers as Winterfell Fortress & Demesne. The archery scenes when Bram was a boy, or the tower from which he was thrown are all on the grounds. You’ll be able to simply think about what this iconic location would have appeared like with the entire solid and crew. It was an effective way to complete this tour.
Afterwards, we head again all the way down to Fortress Ward, the 18th centure mansion the place you possibly can have guided excursions of the inside rooms. Stuffed with furnishings, work and a formidable textured ceiling on the second ground, we actually loved the distinctive architectural components on this fortress.
Our ultimate cease was Down Cathedral, a historic and religious landmark believed to be the burial web site of Saint Patrick, Eire’s patron saint. The cathedral’s easy magnificence and its statue of St. Patrick overlooking the city of Downpatrick supplied a quiet second of reflection after a number of energetic sighting days. Close by stands St. Patrick’s Cross, a fantastically preserved stone monument marking centuries of historical past and pilgrimage.
Leavind Downpatrick behind, we made a brief refreshment cease in Rostrevor village. The drive by means of the Mourne Mountains offered sweeping scenic views – the sort that make your attain in your digicam, another time as you drive by within the fading mild. These rugged peaks and glens shaped a becoming backdrop to our final stretch by means of Northern Eire.
As we crossed again into the Republic of Irelan and continued in direction of Dublin, conversations turned to favorite moments – whether or not standing on the Big’s Causway, strolling by means of Winterfell or whiskey on the pub. By night, we arrived again on the Radisson Blue on the Dublin Airport (in depth lodge evaluation approaching Dec. 20, 2025) drained and hungry, prepared for to repack and proceed our travels – mine to Scotland and England and my husband’s residence to Canada.
Why Journey with Rabbie’s Tour
Touring with Rabbie’s Excursions presents seasoned vacationers with loads of causes to like the expertise – from affordability to detailed itineraries to small, extra intimate teams. Given the selection between a big, crowded bus and a luxurious mini-coach carrying simply 16 passengers (or fewer in our case), most will gladly select the latter. It’s a stage of consolation and camaraderie you not often discover in different excursions.
Our native information, Stephanie, was wonderful, educated, partaking, and clearly passionate in regards to the area’s historical past, from the Troubles to tales of historic castles. Having led this tour for years, she knew all of the hidden locations and fortunately accommodated particular requests. Whether or not we would have liked an additional rest room break or an unscheduled picture cease, she made it occur with ease.
One of many causes I respect Rabbie’s Excursions is their versatile method to lodging. Whereas they don’t present set lodging, they do provide a useful reservation service. You’ll be able to select from their listing of instructed choices and e book the fashion and room kind that fits you finest. Plus, a beneficiant baggage allowance 44 lbs (20kg) means you possibly can pack comfortably with out fear.
Entrance charges to museums and Nationwide Belief websites are not included, and that’s truly a plus. You solely pay for what you select to see. Skip the Titanic Museum or fortress tour in case you favor, and easily get pleasure from a peaceable stroll within the gardens or a relaxation on the luxurious coach.
Whereas advance ticket buy is inspired, most stops didn’t require them. We additionally appreciated the prospect to cease for native snacks and drinks – excellent for late-night cravings. Dinner was equally relaxed: get pleasure from a quiet, romantic night or share a meal with new journey pals – we did each and loved time with our new pals from Peterborough, ON, and Edmonton, AB. You can go high-end (Underground Eating) or informal (Donegan’s), relying in your temper and finances.
Lastly, touring in a smaller automobile meant we might simply attain these off-the-beaten-path spots that massive buses can’t. One memorable spotlight was having the ability to park close by and shortly stroll to the hauntingly stunning Darkish Hedges reasonably than simply admiring them from a distance on the bus as we shortly drove by. In the end, another person is doing the driving, and we didn’t have to fret about renting a automobile, having a world driver’s license, and manoeuvring on the alternative aspect of the street. We let another person fear about that!
Advice: 5 ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨ ✨
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Margarita Ibbott is a journey and life-style blogger. She blogs about journey in Canada, america and Europe giving sensible recommendation by means of restaurant, lodge and attraction evaluations. She writes for DownshiftingPRO.com and different on-line media retailers.
