Scenic Landscapes of Ireland

• Day 1 Liverpool

  Departure: late afternoon

• Day 2 Cruise Past Fingals Cave

  Fingal’s Cave is an iconic structure comprised of basalt rock, renowned for its distinctive symmetrical columns that soar out of the ocean. Famed for its naturally arched roof that creates eerie sounds from the echoes of the waves as they tumble against its walls, it was said to be Mendelssohn’s inspiration for the ‘Hebrides Overture’. According to legend, the giant Finn McCool built Fingal’s Cave as a place of refuge from his archenemy, Benandonner, and the road connects to the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland, both formed from the same ancient lava flow. In July, the cave is a popular place for wild swimming in its clear waters, so you may spot bathers from the decks of your ship snorkelling amongst the hexagonal columns. 

• Day 2 Cruising by Dutchman's Cap (Bac Mòr)

  Bac Mòr, also known as Dutchman’s Cap due to its unique mushroom-like shape, is one of the most iconic of the Scottish Treshnish Isles. Sailing alongside this geological spectacle offers a unique perspective from the sea, as the striking appearance of this uninhabited island appears before your ship, creating a rugged silhouette against the skyline. During July and the summer months, you’ll be able to witness rich grasslands and an abundance of wildflowers on the island; as well as nesting puffins, guillemots, fulmars, and razorbills, as it has been designated as a Special Area of Conservation.

• Day 3 Belfast

  A vibrant city with a rich history and blend of traditional and modern culture, Belfast offers you the chance to not only explore its strong maritime links with the Harland & Wolff shipyard, where the RMS Titanic was built, before she set sail on her ill-fated maiden voyage from Southampton on 10^th April 1912, but also as gateway to the impressive rock formations of the Giant’s Causeway, discovering its links to the mythological giant, Finn McCool. You can stroll through the city’s streets, alive with music and traditional Irish pubs, admire the urban street art, or visit the Titanic Distillery and learn of its whiskey tradition and why it disappeared, before sampling a few Irish spirits at Belfast’s first working distillery in 90 years.

• Day 4 Dun Laoghaire

  Pronounced Dunleary, Dún Laoghaire is located close to Dublin, with spectacular coastal walks and historical landmarks begging for exploration. A popular Victorian seaside town, you could take a stroll along the mile-long East Pier Walk, past the cast iron bandstand and admire the views across Dublin Bay, or explore People’s Park with its multitude of landscaped lawns and sweet-smelling flowers. Alternatively, you can discover the renowned James Joyce Tower and Museum, home to many of his letters, photographs, and rare first edition books, or enjoy a bracing dip in the Forty Foot, a traditional Irish bathing place at nearby Sandycove Beach.

• Day 6 Killybegs

  Killybegs The days start early in Killybegs, as this quiet fishing town rumbles to life, and ships with red and blue paint peeling from their hulls quietly depart, ready for a morning's hard work at sea. Located in a scenic part of County Donegal, Killybegs is Ireland's fishing capital, and the salty breeze and pretty streets serve as a revitalising medicine for visitors. The town is also your gateway to some of the country's most majestic coastal scenery, which is dotted with flashing white lighthouses, keeping watch over invigorating seascapes. Killybegs enjoys a privileged position on the coast of north west of Ireland, close to the spectacular Slieve League - a titanic mountain, which explodes upwards from frothing ocean. Walk as close as you dare to the coastline’s sheer drops, or admire the folding cliffs from the best vantage point, down on the water.

  Cruising Lough Swilly

  Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is renowned for the beauty of its rugged coast, spectacular cliffs and natural wonders. The 45 kilometre-long Lough Swilly slices between the peninsulas of Inishowen and Fanad in County Donegal, Lough Swilly is Ireland at its quintessential best, a wonderland of shimmering blue waters flanked by diverse countryside scenes of lush-green valleys, craggy coastlines, imposing cliffs and secluded pools, beaches and bays.

  Cruising by Tory Island

  Tory Island is Ireland’s most northerly inhabited land, situated nine miles off Wild Atlantic Way on the northwest coast of County Donegal. The island has rugged sheer cliffs and vast grasslands, and the inhabitants here are keen to keep it as culturally and historically preserved as possible. The ‘King of Tory’ tradition dates back to the 6th century, with the most recent king passing away in 2018, and at the time of his death, was the last remaining kingship in Ireland.

  Cruising by Arranmore

  As your smaller ship sails along the rugged coast of County Donegal and the renowned Wild Atlantic Way, the hidden gem of Arranmore offers views of unspoiled landscapes, sandy beaches, dramatic sea caves, and craggy cliffs, making it the perfect setting for many species of bird life, including fulmars, shags, and seals, while the clear waters are home to dolphins, seals, and basking sharks. From your ships’ decks, it will be possible to see the Lighthouse, which served as a lookout post in the Second World War, and the Old Lighthouse steps, carved into the rock.

• Day 6 Pass Slieve League Cliffs

  Slieve League Cliffs are one of the Wild Atlantic Way's greatest secrets. Located in County Donegal, Ireland, the cliffs are among the highest in Europe and offer remarkable views of the Atlantic Ocean and the surrounding landscape. Considered to be a site of great pilgrimage, the cliffs are home to ancient stone remnants scattered around the hillsides, thought to be from a time before Christianity arrived in Ireland, and also contain the ruins of a chapel from an early Christian monastic site.

  Killybegs

  Killybegs promises a captivating blend of maritime history, nature, and exploration, and during July, you could enjoy a boat trip from the local harbour to discover the region’s rugged coastline or try your hand at sea fishing. The area surrounding Killybegs is renowned for its numerous hiking trails offering scenic views of Lough Eske, the Blue Stack Mountains, or the Slieve League cliffs, which are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. On your return, you can experience warm Irish hospitality by sampling freshly caught seafood, including succulent prawns and the famed Donegal oysters, while listening to traditional Irish music in a local pub with a pint of the iconic ‘Black Stuff’, Guinness. Meanwhile, there will also be opportunities to discover the town’s maritime history and importance to the Irish fishing industry at the maritime and Heritage Centre.

• Day 7 Galway

  Galway is a city in the West of Ireland in the province of Connacht. It lies on the River Corrib between Lough Corrib and Galway Bay and is surrounded by County Galway. It is the fourth most populous urban area in the Republic of Ireland and the sixth most populous city in the island of Ireland. It is both a picturesque and lively city with a wonderful avant-garde culture and a fascinating mixture of locally owned speciality shops, often featuring locally made crafts. Indeed local handcrafts are a feature of the entire region including hand knits, pottery, glass, jewellery and woodwork. The city’s hub is 18th-century Eyre Square, a popular meeting spot surrounded by shops, and traditional pubs that often offer live Irish folk music. Nearby, stone-clad cafes, boutiques and art galleries line the winding lanes of the Latin Quarter, which retains portions of the medieval city walls. The city bears the nickname "The City of the Tribes" because "fourteen tribes" of merchant families led the city in its Hiberno-Norman period. The merchants would have seen themselves as Irish gentry and loyal to the King. They later adopted the term as a badge of honour and pride in defiance of the town's Cromwellian occupier.

• Day 7 Cruise by the Cliffs of Moher

  The Cliffs of Moher sit alongside the unique landscape of the Burren on one side and the Wild Atlantic Ocean on the other. Rising out of the Atlantic and running along the coast of Clare for almost 8 miles, the cliffs were formed over 320 million years ago, and today form part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark. 30,000 pairs of seabirds nest at the cliffs during the breeding season, where the site is also home to rare wildflowers.

• Day 9 Liverpool

  Arrival: early morning

Scenic Landscapes of Ireland Itinerary