39 years ago Michael Palin's first 'Great Railway Journey' to Kyle of Lochalsh prompted Dave to organize his first tour. We thought now would be a great time to recreate Palin's second 'Great Railway Journey' from 'Derry to Kerry'! Experience the fabulous line from Coleraine to Londonderry and the scenic East Coast Line from Dublin to Wexford, enjoy the contrasts of Belfast, Dublin, Waterford and Tralee, and wonder at the natural beauty of the Causeway Coast and the Ring of Kerry!
DEPARTS
Thursday 26 September 2019
TOUR HIGHLIGHTS
Marvel at the Giants Causeway, a unique natural phenomenon
Arrive at the Causeway aboard the Bushmills Railway
Taste Bushmills Whiskey at the distillery
Experience Northern Irelands great scenic rail journey
Tour the walls of Derry-Londonderry
Visit the Titanic Experience in Belfast
Sightsee in Dublins fair city
Take in the Irish Republics most scenic railway along the East Coast
Learn about Irelands emigrant history at Dunbrody Emigrant Ship Museum
Explore Waterford and visit the famous Waterford Crystal
Trundle through the Suir Valley on the heritage Suir Valley Railway
Enjoy the fabulous views of the Ring of Kerry
Let your hair down with a final nights dinner and Irish Show in Dublin
Also included in your Tour Fare:
Dinner every evening
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to/from the mainland ports (Standard or First Class)
Standard Class rail travel in Ireland
Ferries and coach travel, as described
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
Hotel Porterage
DAY 1
Customers booking our rail-inclusive package will begin their holiday with the 'Burns Country Line' through Galloway to our hotel for one night, the North West Castle Hotel in Stranraer
DDAY 2
Our morning ferry crosses from nearby Cairnryan to Belfast Port. A local coach awaits our arrival for the transfer to Belfast itself, where we visit the popular Titanic Experience. The world's largest Titanic visitor attraction is housed at the spot where it all began. We then continue to the unspoilt Antrim coast and our hotel for three nights, the Londonderry Arms in the seaside village of Carnlough.
B, DDAY 3
Transferring to Ballymoney, we join arguably the most scenic stretch of railway on the island of Ireland. From Coleraine the line runs alongside the River Bann before passing through Castlerock and Downhill tunnels, the longest in Ireland. From the seaside village of Castlerock we pass Binevenagh Mountain, the track running alongside the golden sands of Benone Strand, with views of unspoilt beaches and rolling waves from the Atlantic Ocean. Arriving in Derry-Londonderry, we enjoy a guided walk on the city walls of Ireland's only completely walled city, before retracing our tracks to Ballymoney.
B, DDAY 4
Today we head along the Antrim coastline to Bushmills. Here we board the Giant's Causeway & Bushmills Railway, a railway built to the Irish narrow gauge of three feet and running for two miles along the track of the former Giant's Causeway Tram. At the Giant's Causeway we visit the Visitor Centre walk the short distance to the stones. Returning to Bushmills, we visit the Bushmills Distillery for a tasting of their malts.
B, DDAY 5
Transferring to Ballymena, our train takes us through Antrim to Belfast. Changing trains, we continue southwards, with the Mountains of Mourne in the distance, crossing into the Irish Republic. From Drogheda to Dublin the railway skirts a pretty coastline of beaches and harbours. In Dublin we stay for two nights at The Academy Plaza Hotel.
B, DDAY 6
A morning sightseeing tour by coach introduces the main sights of Dublin, after which the remainder of the day is at leisure to explore Ireland's capital independently. Be sure to visit the Book of Kells, enjoy a pint of the black stuff at the Guinness Storehouse or explore thriving Temple Bar.
DAY 7
Leaving Dublin behind, for a few days at least, the most scenic rail journey in the Republic awaits. Heading round Dublin Bay, the coastline really opens out at Killiney Bay and the tracks follow the coastline down through Bray and Greystones to Wicklow, before moving inland through County Wexford. A coach awaits in Wexford to transport us to Waterford, via New Ross, which was the ancestral home of the Kennedys. Here we visit the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship & Museum, exploring Ireland's history of emigration, before continuing to Waterford for two nights at Treacy's Hotel
B, DDAY 8
A factory tour of Waterford Crystal showcases the different skills that go into creating their world-famous product, including glass blowing, cutting, sculpting, moulding and engraving. Today also features a heritage rail excursion through the beautiful Suir Valley on the diesel-hauled narrow-gauge Waterford & Suir Valley Railway.
B, DDAY 9
Rejoining the Irish rail system, we depart Waterford across Ireland's green belly. We are not a long way from Tipperary when we change at Limerick Junction, joining a train through County Kerry destined for Michael Palin's final destination, Tralee. Here we stay for two nights at Brandon House Hotel.
B, DDAY 10
A scenic guided tour of the Ring of Kerry takes us through an untouched landscape of rolling hills, fishing villages and tranquil lakes on the dramatically scenic Kerry coastline. Our route passes charming towns, such as Killorglin, Waterville and Kenmare, before spending a little free time in Killarney, sitting at the foot of MacGillycuddy's Reeks.
B, DDAY 11
Departing Tralee, we cross Ireland from coast to coast, arriving back in Dublin for a final free afternoon's sightseeing and a final night at The Academy Plaza Hotel. We bid farewell to the Emerald Isle with a final dinner and a rousing send-off of live Irish music and dancing.
B, DDAY 12
We transfer to Dublin Port for the sea crossing to Holyhead, from where the trains await to transport you home.
BB=Breakfast, D=Dinner
HOTELS
Londonderry Arms, Carnlough
Built in 1848 as a coaching inn by Frances Anne Tempest, the Marchioness of Londonderry, the Tempests estate, including the Londonderry Arms, was passed to second cousin, Sir Winston Churchill in 1921. The hotel boats Georgian architecture and with just 35 rooms it has a cosy, family atmosphere amidst the small seaside village of Carnlough.
Academy Plaza Hotel, Dublin
A city centre hotel just off Upper OConnell Street on Findlater Place right in the heart of Dublin city within walking distance of Temple Bar, Trinity College, St Stephens Green and many other famous landmarks.
Treacys Hotel, Waterford
Treacys Hotel is a family-run hotel overlooking the River Suir in the heart of Waterford, Irelands oldest city, and boasts a traditional Irish pub, restaurant and a heated indoor swimming pool.
Brandon House Hotel, Tralee
The Brandon Hotel, Leisure Centre & Spa has excellent facilities and a fantastic central location in Tralee Town Centre. Hotel guest rooms include everything youll need for a comfortable stay while you can enjoy a swim in the 15m swimming pool, unwind in the Jacuzzi, Steam Room or Sauna.
FARES
Fare Region | First | Standard | RC (-) |
London: Euston | £2,085 | £1,935 | -£20 |
Greater London | £2,135 | £1,965 | -£25 |
South of England | £2,145 | £1,970 | -£25 |
East Anglia | £2,160 | £1,985 | -£25 |
South West | £2,095 | £1,955 | -£25 |
Heart of England | £2,065 | £1,920 | -£20 |
Midlands | £2,000 | £1,895 | -£15 |
Yorkshire | N/A | £1,890 | -£15 |
North East | N/A | £1,900 | -£15 |
North West | £1,965 | £1,865 | -£15 |
South Wales | £2,075 | £1,910 | -£20 |
North Wales | £1,920 | £1,845 | -£10 |
Scotland | N/A | £1,880 | -£10 |
Join Stranraer & Leave Holyhead £1,775
Single Room Supplement £255
11 nights bed, breakfast & Table dHôte evening meal
Rail travel & seat reservations from your Home Station to Tour Base (Standard or First Class)
Rail, ferry & coach travel, with transfers as described
All excursions & admissions as detailed
Services of experienced Railtrail Tour Manager
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