A Royal Tour:Hillsborough Castle & Historic Marvel

Day 1

Departing from your pick up point start your day with a ferry trip across the Irish Sea to Ireland. A short coach journey takes us to our hotel where a warm Irish welcome awaits you.

Day 2

This morning we enjoy a guided tour of Navan Centre and one of Irelands most important ancient monuments, the Navan Fort. Our experienced guide divulges some of the significant archaeological discoveries made here and provides an insight into the fort's links with the city of Armagh and other royal sites in Ireland. As living history characters interpret life over 2,000 years ago, we experience life in an Iron Age dwelling, sample a traditional Celtic welcome of tea and oat cakes, and learn some warrior skills and how to write our names in Ohgam. We enjoy a soup and sandwich lunch served with tea/coffee here before heading to the historic Hill of Armagh. Our guided tour introduces us to some of the city's most important historic buildings, including St. Patrick's Church of Ireland Cathedral, built on the site of St. Patrick's first stone church, and the 18th century Armagh Robinson Library, home to thousands of rare books, amps and manuscripts, including the original copy of 'Gulliver's Travels'

Day 3

We follow in the footsteps of royalty this morning with a guided tour of Northern Ireland royal residence, Hilsborough Castle. As we move through the stunning State Rooms, we learn more about the history of this elegant Georgian Home. Outside, we can stretch our legs in the 100 acres beautiful gardens. We enjoy free time for lunch at the castle before making our way to the family-run Armagh Cider company for a tour and tasting. We stroll through the orchards, see where the apples are pressed and fermented and step into the bottling plant, progressing to the Cider Barn where the ciders and juices can be sampled. Taste buds tingling, we tuck into tea/coffee and a delicious apple tart with cream.

Day 4

Our day begins with a scenic driver through the majestic Mourne Mountains, the highest mountain range in Northern Ireland with 12 picturesque peaks. We stop in the small seaside resort town of Newcastle to enjoy some time at your leisure before continuing to Brownlow House, a fabulous grade A, 19th century country manor house overlooking the scenic Lurgan Park. We tuck into a delightful afternoon tea and embark on a guided tour of the house with its ornate high ceilings, grand spiral staircases and beautiful stained glass windows. As we explore, we can imagine what life was like when it was occupied as a dwelling years gone by and as a home to US troops during World War II.

Day 5

After a good Irish breakfast we begin our journey home.