southern scotland, northern ireland, the scots-irish link

SOUTHERN SCOTLAND & NORTHERN IRELAND
The Scots-Irish Link
4 days / 3 nights - Saturday to Tuesday

TENTATIVE ITINERARY	NIGHTSTOP
DAY ONE - SATURDAY
You board our tour at 08.00 in central Glasgow (on occasions, it may be an earlier departure if we have to catch the ferry from Cairnryan). Our road takes us south through the pretty lowland countryside and Killmarmock to the seaside town of Troon where we board our ferry to Northern Ireland. The crossing is a short and scenic one to Larne. (Ferry P&O Express 1hr 50mins Troon to Larne departs 10.05 or, alternatively, a similar time from Cairnryan). We by pass Belfast today in favour of a drive alongside Lough Neagh to the religious capital of Ireland, Armagh. Tradition has it that St Patrick chose Armagh as the centre of his mission in Ireland. It is certainly regarded as the spiritual capital of Ireland and with a range of interesting secular and religious sites. Our visit options include two cathedrals, the nearby Dan Winter's Cottage (the longest thatched cottage in Ireland!), the Genealogical Centre, Armagh county museum, the museum of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. http://www.armagh.gov.uk/history Our next stop of the day being at Dungannon, the location for the seat of government of the famous O'Neill clan. The homestead of Ulysses Simpson Grant, 18th U.S. President, is located in the town. Finally, we drive through gentle, rolling country to our splendid overnight base near Omagh.	Omagh
DAY TWO - SUNDAY
We take the winding back-roads (some might call them lanes!) through the Sperrins to the northern coast. En route we’ll be seeing small interior towns and villages such as the 17th century Plantation town of Cookstown. Our next visit will be either to the Wellbrook Beetling Centre, an interesting relic of the old Ulster linen industry, or to the prehistoric stone circles at Beaghmore in the foothills of the Sperrins. The famed Bushmills distillery is a visit option before we continue on to the world heritage site of the Giants Causeway. Following lunch, we continue with our coastal drive, taking a run through the Glens of Antrim before returning to our base in Omagh in time for one of their sumptuous farmhouse dinners. http://www.northantrim.com/giantscauseway.htm	Omagh
DAY THREE - MONDAY
The touring road begins with a choice, dictated by the group’s interests, between the Ulster American Folk museum, or the historically broader Ulster History Park. The road then takes us through Strabane, where the National Trust Georgian property of Gray's printing shop harks back to Strabane's past as a printing hub and Sion Mills. This unique village is a heritage area. The features of its linen industry are perfectly preserved, with the mill encircled by tiny cottages used by the mill workers. A quick diversion down a backroads to Castleberg rewards us with megalithic tombs, Todd's Cairn and the Druid's Altar. The Druid's Altar tomb includes stone panels with Ogham carvings. Incidentally, Alamo hero Davy Crockett and Sam Houston were sons of Castleberg. Finally, to Londonderry/Derry. Here you’ll enjoy a walk along the city walls, hearing about the siege of Derry and seeing the painful reminders of Ulster’s age old conflict.www.folkpark.com We return to our accommodation near Omagh.	Omagh
DAY FOUR - TUESDAY
We depart Omagh, by 08.30, taking the short drive to Northern Ireland's capital. Belfast is a city with much to recommend it, including fine, restored Victorian architecture, impressive civic buildings, a newly restored 'docklands' and some good shopping! A highlight of our panoramic tour will be the drive up the two roads that defined Ulster's sectarian 'troubles' of nearly 40 years. The political graffiti that adorns the side of houses and shops along the Falls and Shankill roads is one of the most amazing sights you'll see. We board our lunchtime ferry (P&O Larne to Cairnryan 13.30 / arrive 14.30), enjoying lunch aboard. Just an hour later we dock at Stranraer in Southern Ayreshire. What a treat we have in store for this final afternoon drive! We follow the Robbie Burns trail north, stopping at Burns own cottage and Brigadoon. The splendid scenery of the Galloway Forest Park adds to our enjoyment. We'll arrive back in Glasgow by 18.30. Your accommodation tonight is not included in your tour price. Accommodation on a B&B basis can be reserved in Glasgow (central location) at a cost from £45 per person for a twin room, and £60 for a single room.
Note: those who have had their taste buds whetted by the Borders scenery seen this afternoon will be pleased to continue with us for a further three days and combine this tour with our 'Borders Explorer'. Those staying 'on board' will not return to Glasgow but stay in New Lanark. The New Lanark Mill Hotel is a unique opportunity to stay in the heart of the World Heritage Site, on the banks of the River Clyde.