Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Coast

Look forward to a panoramic tour around the Eastern Highlands, arguably one of the most beautiful areas within the British Isles. Journey south from Invergordon along a peaceful route with a far reaching panoramic view of the surrounding area. You will follow the banks of the Cromarty Firth, where seals are often spotted. Take in the view across to the picturesque Black Isle before turning inland to travel along a scenic road through the Ardross Forest, planted with spruce, larch and pine trees.

Pause at the Struie Hill viewpoint, overlooking the Dornoch Firth, before descending to the firth and following the northern coast to the 12th-century town of Royal Dornoch. This popular resort is surrounded by sand dunes and blessed with an exceptionally sunny climate. The town’s oldest buildings are all gathered around its spacious and beautiful square, including the medieval Cathedral. Enjoy some free time here to explore at leisure before returning to Invergordon.

Additional Information

This is a coach-based excursion with most of the sightseeing taking place from your vehicle. Walking during your stop in Dornoch is entirely at your discretion.

Northern Ireland’s cultural capital, Belfast, is a haven for literature, art, music and theatre. The city also has a rich seafaring history and it was here that the RMS Titanic was built.

This panoramic tour provides an introduction to the city with commentary on the main sights, such as the Grand Opera House, the Albert Memorial Clock and Queen’s University, where the Botanic Gardens are located. Pause to photograph Belfast City Hall on Donegall Square, at the heart of the city. Construction was completed in 1906 to celebrate Belfast’s city status granted by Queen Victoria in 1888. This landmark Renaissance-style building has a lengthy façade of Portland stone and houses a whispering gallery and numerous paintings and statues.

Continue your tour past the city’s famous murals depicting Northern Ireland’s complicated political history and see the Crumlin Road Court House and Crumlin Jail, the only remaining Victorian era prison in Northern Ireland.

Additional Information

This is a coach-based excursion with most of the sightseeing taking place from your vehicle. Any walking at short photo stops will be at your discretion.

A choice of included excursions is available from Cobh. Please select your preferred excursion and note that you can only join one of the excursions.

Enjoy a narrated drive through Cork, passing the city’s Georgian architecture along the way. It is a University City with a rich cultural scene that incorporates jazz, film, opera and theatre. Despite offering the many amenities of a large city, Cork has retained the traditional charm and friendliness of a country town.

During your tour you will see the spires of St Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Designed by William Burges and consecrated in 1870, the site of the cathedral has been a place of Christian worship since the seventh century. Continue past Cork City Hall which was destroyed in December 1920 by a fire set by the Black and Tans as retribution for republican attacks. It was replaced by the Jones and Kelly building of 1935, which was opened in 1936 by Eamon de Valera.

Journey past the Old Courthouse and 18th-century St Anne’s church where the Tower houses the renowned Bells of Shandon before returning to your awaiting ship.

Additional Information

Sightseeing during this excursion is mainly from your tour vehicle. There will be no comfort stop made during this two-hour excursion.

A choice of included excursions is available from Cobh. Please select your preferred excursion and note that you can only join one of the excursions.

Embark on a return transfer to Cork City with an introduction from your local guide en route. On arrival in the city centre, you will have approximately three hours to browse the shops and explore the city at your own pace. Cork is a University City with a unique character, a city of Jazz, Film, Opera and Theatre. However, as well as offering the many amenities of a large city, it still manages to retain the pleasant charm and friendliness of a country town.

Perhaps visit the English Market, which has been here since 1788 and is full of culinary delights. Or you may choose to explore the Cork City Gaol which is more like a castle than a penitentiary, with its grand Gothic and classical architecture. It’s impossible to miss St Fin Barre's Cathedral, a French Neo-Gothic masterpiece set on the south bank of the River Lee. After your free time, re-join your coach for your return journey to port.

Additional Information

Walking is at your discretion, but this excursion has been graded as moderate based on a good exploration in Cork.

Head along the banks of the Cromarty Firth, passing through Muir of Ord and Beauly on your way to Drumnadrochit and world-famous Loch Ness. As the deepest freshwater loch in the country, much has been written about what lies beneath; the mystical Loch Ness monster has intrigued visitors for many years. The first reference to a monster in the loch is found in a seventh-century book on the life of Saint Columba, but media interest in the phenomenon really started in 1933 when a motorist and a motorcyclist both reported seeing a large creature cross the road in front of them and walk down to the loch.

Enjoy a tour of the majestic ruins of the 13th-century Urquhart Castle, located on a rocky cliff on the northern edge of the loch, where views over the water can be enjoyed. The castle has had a turbulent history: it was captured by King Edward I of England in 1296, was seized from the Crown by the Earl of Ross 200 years later, and was subsequently occupied by the MacDonalds. It has been a ruin since 1692, when its fortifications were partially dismantled by the troops of King William III, to prevent their use by Jacobite supporters. The castle is now in the care of the Historic Scotland agency, and has a new Visitors’ Centre and gift shop. On your return journey to Invergordon, you skirt the eastern shore of the loch and pass through Inverness.

Additional Information

A total walking distance of approximately 800 yards is required to and from the castle ruins. There are also around 30 steps to negotiate in each direction, but an alternative longer route can be followed to avoid these. Additionally, there is a steep spiral staircase, with over 60 steps, if you wish to climb to the top of the tower. Surfaces can be slippery.

Explore the beauty of the Highlands on this walking tour, which begins with a scenic drive along the banks of the Cromarty Firth and northward to Rogie Falls Waterfall. After taking a walk along the banks of Blackwater River, pause to admire the cascading falls from the suspension bridge that spans the river.

Next, continue by coach to the Silverbridge Forest where the forest trail offers visitors a charming riverside walk alongside both sides of the Blackwater. As you walk, your guide will point out the local flora and fauna and you can expect to see a huge range of native and non-native trees including conifers and broad-leaved trees as well as diverse wildlife such as roe deer, red squirrels, foxes and bats. Man-made attractions include the traditional stone bridge crossing the river at Little Garve, which was built in 1762 as part of the military road from Contin to Poolewe, and offers splendid views of the river and waterfalls.

Your tour concludes with a visit to Scotland’s Victorian spa town of Strathpeffer, where you have a little free time to explore before returning to your ship.

Additional Information

There is approximately three miles of walking on this excursion, following forest trails over mixed surfaces and uneven ground, with around 200 rough steps. Good walking shoes and waterproof clothing are recommended. Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

This relaxing scenic tour takes you into the beautiful and mysterious area of Loch Ness, one of the most popular locations in Scotland. Starting out from Invergordon, your coach takes you along the banks of the Cromarty Firth, pausing briefly for photographs at Beauly - meaning ‘beautiful place’ - and enjoying views over Loch Ness from high above before descending to Drumnadrochit, on the west shoreline of the loch. It is the largest single body of fresh water in the UK and is famous all over the world as the home of a creature known by the name of ‘Nessie’.

Your tour continues through scenery along the main road that runs along the full length of the loch. You stop for photographs by the Clansman Hotel, located at the loch’s edge. This brings you as close to the water as is possible, without needing to venture out in a boat. It is also one of the most picturesque parts of Loch Ness. Afterwards, you return to the ship at Invergordon, skirting the eastern shoreline and passing through Inverness.

Additional Information

This is a coach-based excursion with most of the sightseeing taking place from your vehicle. Further walking at any photo stops will be at your discretion, which could be up to 300 yards to make the most of the views.

Begin with a journey to the ancient Royal Burgh of Tain, an attractive town of elaborate sandstone buildings, for a tour of the Glenmorangie Distillery. In Gaelic, Glenmorangie means the ‘glen of tranquillity’, and the scenery and relaxed atmosphere of the surrounding region makes this name very appropriate. Your leisurely visit to the distillery includes demonstrations of traditional manufacturing processes, before you have a chance to try a dram of this popular whisky for yourself.

Leaving the distillery, cross the Dornoch Firth to the 12th century town of Royal Dornoch, surrounded by sand dunes and home to a championship golf course. During your visit you have the chance to see the medieval cathedral, the 16th-century Bishop’s Palace and the Old Town Jail, now home to a variety of galleries and shops. After free time to explore Dornoch, you return by the main road to Invergordon.

Additional Information

The total amount of walking is approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile with multiple staircases featuring steep open-tread steps, which must be negotiated during the tour of the distillery. There are also a few steps if you wish to go inside Dornoch Cathedral. We cannot guarantee that actual whisky production will be taking place at the time of your tour. Photography inside the distillery's production area is prohibited.

Take in the famous battlefield at Culloden Moor and the medieval castle of Cawdor. Travelling south from Invergordon by coach, trace the banks of the Cromarty Firth and cross the Black Isle, before turning westward through stretches of woodland and open countryside.

Your first stop is at the National Trust for Scotland’s Culloden Battlefield and Visitors Centre, an eerie, windswept moorland, and one of Scotland’s most iconic and emotive locations. Famous as the site of the last major battle fought on British soil and the final defeat of the Jacobites, the course of world history changed here on April 16, 1746. Explore the Visitors Centre independently before continuing by coach to the conservation village of Cawdor and the impressive Cawdor Castle, which is associated with Shakespeare’s Macbeth. The approach is by a drawbridge; inside it is romantically furnished and outside, surrounded by exceptionally pretty gardens. Dating back to 1372, it has been in the hands of the Cawdor family for over six centuries and is currently home to the Dowager Countess of Cawdor. Legend reads that the castle was built on the site where a donkey lay down under a thorn tree – and this tree is still there to view today in the 14th-century tower.

After your visit, there is time to roam through the beautiful gardens. Flowers, vegetables, and orchards combine to form the North Garden. The other half is divided into the individual Paradise, Knot and Thistle Gardens, as well as an orchard that has been planted with old Scottish fruit trees. From here you return to Invergordon and the ship.

Additional Information

Expect to walk approximately three-quarters-of-a-mile during this excursion. There are approximately 80 steps to negotiate inside Cawdor Castle. An accessible route is also available, but this will not visit some of the harder to reach rooms. An audio guide headphone system is provided for your tour of the castle interior.

From Belfast’s port, drive through County Antrim and make a short photo-stop at the viewpoint overlooking Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, which spans a chasm roughly 80 feet deep. Then continue to the world-famous Giant’s Causeway. The 40,000 irregular basalt columns here are thought to have resulted from volcanic activity, but they have also been the subject of many intriguing legends. One of the most popular is that a giant, Finn MacCool, constructed the causeway as a path to his true love, Oonagh.

On arrival at the Causeway visitor centre, you will be given an audio guide system which provides a commentary during your independent exploration. The unique rock formations have stood for millions of years as a natural rampart against the ferocity of the Atlantic storms, and the rugged symmetry of the columns never fail to intrigue and inspire. As you travel back to Belfast, admire unspoilt coastal scenery and make a short stop by Dunluce Castle. Perched on the edge of a steep crag and dating back to the 13th century, the castle ruins offer an opportunity for dramatic photographs.

Additional Information

Walking on the Giant’s Causeway itself is strenuous and can be slippery, but is at your discretion. Lunch or refreshments are not included during this excursion and it may operate over the usual lunch service times on board your ship, so we recommend bringing a drink and snack with you. There is a walk of just over half a mile in each direction between the coach parking area and the causeway with a steep gradient. A shuttle bus service is in operation but this is a public bus which cannot be booked in advance. This service will cost £1.00 or €1.20 each way, payable to the driver. Regrettably we cannot guarantee a place on the shuttle bus and there may be high demand during peak times.

This full-day excursion visits two of Northern Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions: the Titanic Museum and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giants Causeway. Begin with a visit to the purpose-built Titanic Belfast Museum which opened in April 2012, nearly one hundred years to the day since the disaster. It contains nine galleries offering a deep insight into the tragedy of this event through scale models, interpretative materials and an included immersive ride through the Titanic under construction. Stories of passengers, crew and the heroes of the day are told in a modern and unique way, and you will have approximately two hours here to browse the museum at your own pace.

After, rejoin your tour vehicle and guide for your journey to the Giants Causeway, travelling along the inland route from the City of Belfast to the North Coast of Antrim. On arrival, browse the visitors centre which explains how the causeway’s 40,000 basalt stones were formed. Stories about the area’s rich mythology, history, geology, flora and fauna will paint the Causeway in your mind before you make your way to the stones themselves. You will be given an audio guide system which provides commentary during your independent exploration. For centuries, visitors have marvelled at its mystery and beauty. The unique rock formations have, for millions of years, stood as a natural rampart against the unbridled ferocity of the Atlantic storms. After admiring the rugged symmetry of the columns, return to your tour vehicle for the journey back to Belfast Port.

Additional Information

There will be approximately two miles of walking including approximately three-quarters of a mile at Titanic Belfast, with periods of standing. At the Giant’s Causeway, there is a walk of just over half a mile in each direction to access the causeway with a steep gradient. A shuttle bus service is in operation, but this is a public bus which cannot be booked in advance. This service will cost £1.00 or €1.20 each way, payable to the driver. Regrettably, we cannot guarantee a place on the shuttle bus and there may be high demand during peak times. Walking on the Giant’s Causeway itself is strenuous and can be slippery but is at your discretion. Lunch or refreshments are not included during this excursion, but you can choose to bring a packed lunch from the ship or purchase refreshments at either location.

This tour showcases the very best that Northern Ireland has to offer, from the rugged cliffs of the coast to the beauty of the glens.

Leaving Belfast, head along the coastal road to Glenariff Forest Park. At each bend in the road, dramatic headlands and bays come into view. Glenariff Forest Park forms part of the world-famous Glens of Antrim, an area where tourists have been coming for over a century. Glenariff, called the ‘Queen of the Glens’, is considered by many to be the most beautiful of the nine Antrim Glens. The park covers an area of over 2,900 acres, most made up of dense forests. The remaining 700 acres include several small lakes, recreation areas and spaces that have been left open for landscape and conservation reasons. The park is bisected by two small rivers - the Inver and the Glenariff. During their course through the park, they form tranquil pools, waterfalls and stretches of fast-flowing water that tumble through steep-sided, rocky gorges. Spend some free time in the national park before continuing to the tea house for tea or coffee and homemade scones. The Glenariff Tea House is famous throughout Ireland for its views across the park and along the glen to the sea.

You have time to enjoy this spot before re-joining your coach and heading back via Ballymena to the port of Belfast.

Additional Information

Other than at the Tea House, walking on this tour is entirely at your discretion. However, we have graded the excursion based on making the most of your visit to the Forest Park; you will need to walk several hundred yards to make the most of the visit, over ground that may be uneven or slippery with some steps.

Explore the award-winning Titanic Museum during your visit to Belfast, the city where the ship was designed, built and launched. Your excursion starts with a panoramic tour that will introduce you to the many varied features of Northern Ireland’s largest city. Built with 19th-century industrial wealth, many fine Victorian buildings still grace the city as reminders of its prosperous past. Your guide will point out sights such as the Grand Opera House and Albert Clock as you wind your way through the city. You will also drive past Belfast City Hall - a building with a long façade of Portland stone - which dominates Donegall Square. In the grounds you can see a marble statue by Sir Thomas Brock that commemorates the sinking in 1912 of the RMS Titanic.

From here, continue to Titanic Belfast. Opened in April 2012, this dramatic new building tells the story of the ill-fated Belfast-built liner. Its nine galleries incorporate a variety of interpretative materials and media including CGI, film, audio and scale models. Begin your visit in the building’s giant atrium surrounded by the four ‘hull’ shaped sections which house the exhibition. The stories of passengers, crew and the heroes of the day are told in a modern and unique way. The tour concludes with a ‘virtual visit’ to the wreck at her resting place on the floor of the North Atlantic, before returning to your Saga ship.

Additional Information

This excursion involves walking a minimum of three-quarters of a mile, with periods of standing during the tour of Titanic Belfast: this building, however, is easily accessible with ramps, escalators and lifts to all levels. This excursion follows some of the same route covered on the Belfast City Highlights excursion and therefore we do not recommend that you book both. Titanic Belfast is a popular attraction which will likely be busy with visitors of all ages.

Delve into the rich history of Britain and Ireland on this visit to the Royal Palace of Hillsborough, where many pivotal moments and diplomatic efforts have taken place.

Leaving Belfast, travel south to the village of Hillsborough, which has won many awards in the ‘Ulster in Bloom’ competition. Step inside Hillsborough Palace, the official Northern Ireland residence of the Royal family and visiting dignitaries. Hillsborough has played an important role in the Peace Process in Northern Ireland since the 1980s. A guided tour of the palace will acquaint you with tales of the Hill family – who held the title of Marquess of Devonshire – and of the Governors of Northern Ireland. Learn more about Hillsborough’s role in recent Northern Irish history and see its furnishings and works of art.

Afterwards, you will have time to stroll in the gardens which stretch across 100 acres, before returning to your ship.

Additional Information

Expect to walk at least 800 yards, partly over uneven ground, with approximately ten steps inside the palace. Walking in the gardens is at your discretion. Weatherproof clothing is recommended. Please note that Hillsborough may be closed at short notice owing to state visits or private events.

Belfast’s long and often turbulent history is well documented. This excursion delves into the past events before introducing you to a more light-hearted side to the city; showcasing the music, dance and famous ‘craic’.

Begin with a panoramic drive through Belfast, passing the landmarks that have played their part in the city‘s development. Enjoy commentary from your local guide on sights such as the Grand Opera House, the Albert Memorial, City Hall and Queen‘s University. Your drive will also take you past the alternative sights of Belfast including the political wall murals.

Following your introduction to the city, stop in a local establishment where you will be served a refreshing drink. Spend the next hour in the company of world champion Irish dancers and musicians. Try your hand at 'sean-nós' and céilí dancing as your entertainers sing and play some local melodies and street songs that would have been heard in the shipyards, mills and markets of old. With dancing, stories, songs and music played with harp, uilleann pipes, bodhrán, guitar, flute, fiddle, concertina and whistles, there is something special for everyone in this unique cultural experience.

Afterwards, rejoin your tour vehicle for the return journey to Belfast Port.

Additional Information

Depending on the venue visited on the day, there will be up to 400 yards of walking which may involve some uneven ground. Inside the venue there may be up to 20 steps to access the performance area. Seating is provided during the performance. One drink is provided per guest, but further drinks can be purchased.

Standing at the top of the Slieve League Cliffs, you will perhaps understand why people once considered this the edge of the world, with nothing but Atlantic Ocean ahead.

On this tour, explore the cliffs’ rugged nature for yourself and learn about its stories at the family-run, award-winning visitor centre. Leaving Killybegs, drive through Kilcar and Carrick to the Ti Linn Café and Craft Shop, otherwise known as the Slieve League Cliffs Visitor Centre. Board the minibus which will take you to the Slieve League Cliffs’ viewing point. At approximately 1,900 feet the cliffs are the highest in Europe and on a clear day, the views extend across to Sligo.

After capturing the rugged landscape, make your way back to the Ti Linn Café for tea or coffee accompanied by scones. Furthermore, here you will have an opportunity to browse a range of local and national craft in the craft shop: from photographic work to knitwear. Also see the Ti Linn Art Gallery which displays work from both resident and visiting artists before returning to Killybegs Port.

Additional Information

This excursion involves a coach journey of approximately 45 minutes in each direction. There will be up to 500 yards of essential walking across flat terrain, as well as at least five steps.

Like its famous tweed, the Donegal countryside is visually unique, combining an abundance of colour which you can immerse yourself in during this tour. Some of the scenery you’ll admire includes long valleys dropping down from the mountains to meet a coastline of rocky headlands, punctuated by fishing villages and sweeping sandy beaches.

Leaving the port at Killybegs, travel north through quaint, seemingly isolated towns to an area known as ‘The Rosses’, meaning ‘The Headlands’. This barren coastline boasts an array of rock formations rising out of the water and features aspects of traditional Irish life preserved when elsewhere they have been lost, such as the Irish language. Drive through the small capital, Dungloe, a hive of activity and a desirable fishing location, before arriving at Crolly, the home of internationally-acclaimed singer Enya. Here, with views across the rolling hills, enjoy an Irish coffee and time to relax while listening to some local entertainment.

On your return drive to Killybegs, make a short stop at Gweebarra Bridge to take in the view.

Additional Information

Most of the sightseeing will be from your tour vehicle. Walking during your stops is at your discretion. There will be approximately 100 yards of walking across flat terrain and three steps to access the refreshment venue.

Drive through some of Donegal’s picturesque landscapes, stopping for refreshments at the tea rooms of Glencolmcille Folk Village, where local musicians will perform traditional Irish music. The region of Glencolmcille is rich in folklore and heritage, and your visit to the museum reveals an insight into a bygone era.

The Folk Museum opened in 1967 and is a monument to Father James McDyer, who came to the village in 1952 and set about infusing the local people with a spirit of self-reliance and pride in their heritage. See the craft shop, schoolhouse and thatched cottages dating from 1750: the smells of damp and musk will remind you of a time before insulation and central heating. A range of activities may be taking place on the day.

This part of Ireland has many associations with W B Yeats: the revolutionary and feminist Maud Gonne, who spent some time in a cottage near Glencolmcille, had a long relationship with the poet and turned down several proposals of marriage from him.

Additional Information

Walking at the Folk Village is largely at your discretion and you should expect to walk up to 500 yards in order to see the main exhibits. Some of the cottages have high threshold steps. The visit to the Folk Museum is free-flow, allowing you to explore at your own pace. This excursion involves a scenic coach journey of approximately 45 minutes in each direction.

Enjoy a visit to Belleek Pottery, where the methods and techniques first developed by the craftsmen in the 19th century are still used today. Following a video presentation, your guided tour begins at the casting, fettling and flowering shops. See how the craftsmen design, mould and shape the parian, creating tiny petals, stems and twigs by hand; and discover the secret which gives Belleek Parian China its distinctive pearly glow. Afterwards, continue to the furnace area and painting rooms where the delicate colours of nature are artfully applied. There will be the opportunity to purchase a memento of your visit from the showroom before a scenic drive through the countryside takes you to Donegal Town for a little free time.

Additional Information

This tour involves walking approximately 500 yards, with approximately six steps. Further walking during your free time in Donegal Town is at your discretion. Flat, comfortable walking shoes are recommended. There will be a drive of approximately 75 minutes in each direction, broken up on your return journey by the stop in Donegal Town.

Look forward to a leisurely stroll through Donegal Town, retracing its history and enjoying the sights. Donegal Town is located at the mouth of Donegal Bay in the northwest of Ireland, surrounded by the Blue Stack Mountains.

On arrival, see the ruins of the Friary, which was founded in 1474 and destroyed in 1601 during the Nine Years War between Elizabeth I and the chiefs of Tír Conaill and Tyrone: despite its relatively short period of operation, it was very wealthy in its heyday.

Next, you will pay a visit to Donegal Castle and learn about its history. Built by an O’Donnell chieftain in the 15th century, the castle was enlarged by Sir Basil Brooke 200 years later and is still fully furnished, with Persian rugs and French tapestries. Afterwards continue to the Diamond, where you will find a tall obelisk dedicated to the memory of the Four Masters. This was the name given to the four friars, led by Michael O’Cleary, who compiled the Annals of the Four Masters in the 17th century, one of the earliest historical texts recording the history of Ireland.

Following your guided walk, stop for a drink at a local pub - a glass of beer, wine or soft drink - before re-joining your coach for the return journey to the ship.

Additional Information

This tour involves walking approximately one and a half miles, with a total of about 60 steps. Flat, comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended.

From Killybegs you’ll take a short drive to the village of Ardara. Ardara, one of the five designated heritage towns in Donegal, is situated in the south-west of the county. The name Ard a’ Ratha means ‘high hill of the fort’ and comes from the earthen ring fort, which crowns the hill to the northeast of the town. Ardara has been long associated with the tweed and knitwear industries. From the 1870s, this trade became a cottage industry with home-spun and hand-dyed woollen and tweed items being created. The Ardara Heritage Centre, formally the town courthouse, profiles the development of the tweed industry. Several shops in the town still sell highquality tweed and knitwear. Your first stop is at the John Molloy Woollen Mills where you’ll see a demonstration and learn about the tweed industry. Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and a homemade scone while learning about the care that is taken when weaving the tweed.

Rejoin your guide and continue to the Corner House Bar to learn the time-honoured tradition of baking bread with a demonstration given by one of the locals. Afterwards, it’s time to experience something rather different. Perhaps not your average visitor experience, the Irish wake is nonetheless a huge part of old traditional Ireland. The wake, a glorious send-off for departed loved ones, is a prominent feature of Irish funeral traditions. It is seen less and less in modern Ireland and is now almost unknown in the cities. The wake conducted will re-enact the traditional Irish custom of celebrating the life that just passed, a “send-off” to the next life. Take part in the customary “sniffing of the snuff” and “tasting the poitín”. As the Irish have always loved a good party, the wake descends into a celebration of life, food, drink and music. You’ll be offered a drink of choice and treated to some local entertainment. Then, take some time to discover the town of Ardara at leisure, before returning to your ship.

Additional Information

There is approximately 250 yards of essential walking plus further walking at your discretion during your free time in Ardara

Let us take you on a tour to see the sights of the city of Galway, then continue on to the Atlantic coastline and the Connemara countryside just beyond. From the pier side, you will head into Galway through Eyre Square, which for centuries has been the heart of the city. You will then see the impressive Galway Cathedral, flanked by the canal and the River Corrib, which looks as if it’s been there forever, yet was only built in 1958. You might not be able to make out the cruciform shape from the ground, but there is no missing its imposing 145 ft tall Verdigris dome.

Leaving the city centre, you will soon be in County Galway’s unspoilt landscape at the edge of Connemara’s peat bogs and mountains. You will pass through the seaside resort of Salthill, famous for its views of Galway Bay from where, on a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands out at sea. Your route will take you through the town of Spiddal on the eastern edge of Galway’s Gaeltacht, an area where traditional Irish is spoken.

The journey heads northwards deeper into what Oscar Wilde called the “savage beauty” of the untouched and untameable Connemara scenery. Here, you will take a break for tea and the famous Irish scones before wending your way through this scenic landscape, back to the ship.

Additional Information

Most of the sightseeing during this excursion will be from your tour vehicle. There will be approximately 100 yards of walking at the refreshment venue.

Killary Fjord is Ireland’s only glacial fjord, and this excursion takes you by boat across the deep waters. Dramatically surrounded by mountains that rise steeply from the water’s edge, the fjord stretches 10 miles inland to the picturesque village of Leenane and forms a natural border between the counties of Galway and Mayo. Once aboard the ’Connemara Lady’, a comfortable all-weather catamaran offering uninterrupted views of the scenery, local seafarer Alex Goor will captain your voyage.

During the sailing you can relax with a Bailey’s coffee and learn how the fjord has become a centre of aquaculture as mussels are now farmed in the fjord’s clear waters. You can also enjoy spotting birds and wildlife during your 90-minute cruise – dolphins, seals and otters are often seen along this stretch of the Wild Atlantic Way. After disembarking your vessel it’s time for a two-course lunch at a nearby hotel.

After your lunch, rejoin your coach and travel to Cong. The village of Cong and surrounds were made famous when the Hollywood movie The Quiet Man was filmed on location, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Enjoy some free time to explore the quaint village before you rejoin your coach and guide for your return journey to port.

Additional Information

This excursion will involve up to 3½ hours of coach travel in total. Essential walking on this excursion is limited to a few hundred yards on flat terrain. However, the excursion has been graded as Moderate on the assumption of a good exploration during your free time. You will also be required to embark and disembark the boat unaided which may involve some steps. Indoor and outdoor seating is available and there are two sets of steps to access the outside seating area. Your lunch will include a main course and dessert with one glass of beer, wine or soft drink, followed by tea or coffee.

Galway is the gateway to many natural wonders including the Burren. Travelling south through the towns of Oranmore and Kilcolgan, you will enter the Burren region at Kinvara. The Burren, named for the Gaelic word Boireann meaning rocky country, is an area of limestone rock that spans the imposing mountains and tranquil valleys with gentle streams. It has a deeply peaceful atmosphere, where a huge array of wildlife and flora, megalithic tombs and monuments that pre-date the Egyptian pyramids create a tapestry of colour and a magical aura that keep visitors coming back here.

At Ballyvaughan, you’ll visit the impressive Aillwee Caves – the most important caves in Ireland. The story of Aillwee began millions of years ago. It is a stunning creation of nature formed by the melting waters of a prehistoric Ice Age. The cave, carved out of limestone, cuts into the heart of the mountain and was once home to the European Bear, one whose bones still remain over 10,000 years later. It’s a wonderful subterranean treasure waiting for you to discover. Following your memorable visit to the caves, rejoin your tour vehicle for your return drive to your awaiting ship in Galway.

Additional Information

There will be up to one mile of walking at Ailwee Cave with some gradients, approximately 25 steps and slippery surfaces. This excursion is not recommended for guests with limited mobility.

From the pier in Galway city you’ll set off through Oughterard and Maam Cross in the Connemara’s rugged landscape of contrasting scenery. Majestic mountains rise steeply from an earth of rock and boglands with many lakes and rivers, so it’s no surprise that artists the world over have come to paint this landscape and its ever-changing light.

Before long you arrive at Kylemore Abbey and its Victorian Walled Garden. The Abbey was originally built in 1868 and is now the home to the Irish Benedictine Nuns. In the heart of the Connemara Mountains, the abbey is nestled at the base of Duchruach Mountain on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul. You’ll soon see why it’s regarded as one of Ireland’s most romantic buildings.

The Benedictine Nuns at Kylemore have always used the garden and held a very deep desire to restore it to its former glory. Restoration began in 1996 and today, the formal flower garden is fully restored. Every year the standard of gardening gets closer to Victorian perfection. Next, you can look forward to lunch at the on-site Kylemore Kitchen. A buffet-style two-course lunch is offered here in a relaxed environment, served with a glass of wine or soft drink.

Afterwards, return to your tour vehicle and relax as you travel through Recess, Derryneen and Spiddal. From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, it’s obvious to see why Connemara is regarded as the real emerald of Ireland.

Additional Information

This excursion will involve up to 4 hours of scenic coach travel in total. Essential walking on this excursion is limited to a few hundred yards on flat terrain. However the excursion has been graded as Moderate on the assumption of a good exploration during your free time. On arrival at the Abbey, you will receive a lunch voucher and you can visit the Kylemore Kitchen at your convenience.

Embark on a journey through the landscapes of County Mayo, beginning with a scenic drive that showcases the beauty of the Irish countryside. As you depart the pier, you will travel through the charming towns of Oughterard and Maam in County Galway, each offering a glimpse of rural life surrounded by rolling hills and lush greenery.

Your journey leads to Cong Village, a delightful hamlet famous for being the filming location of the classic movie 'The Quiet Man'. Every year, this village draws countless movie fans eager to explore the spots where John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara brought their iconic characters to life. On arrival, visit a local venue to enjoy scones with tea or coffee.

Next, you will have free time to explore Cong Village independently. Stroll along the quaint streets of this famous village seeing such sites as Dannagher’s Farmhouse, the Reverend Playfair's home, and Pat Cohan’s bar, where pivotal scenes from the movie were filmed. As your visit comes to a close, re-board your coach for a picturesque drive back to port.

Additional Information

This excursion involves a scenic coach drive of approximately one hour and forty-five minutes to Cong and one hour back to Galway at the end of your tour. You will have approximately one hour of free time in the village. Walking here is entirely at your discretion, but you should expect to cover at least 500 yards for a good exploration.

Travelling around the bay, you will head south of Galway into County Clare to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher. This five-mile stretch of headland rises to a height of 650 feet above the thundering North Atlantic Ocean, where the nearest coastline west is that of Newfoundland and Labrador. On a clear day, the views from here are spectacular with the Aran Islands on the horizon as well as Galway Bay, O’Brien’s Tower and the Maam Turk Mountains.

To get there you travel through an ancient area called the Burren – a magical landscape of limestone pavement where clints and grykes form natural cobblestones creating a unique habitat for orchids and flora that do not usually grow in such proximity to each other. This ethereal and timeless part of the world is also the setting for Cora Harrison’s series of medieval mystery books.

At Moher, which means ruined fortress, you will get to walk along the clifftop above the sheer drop and ocean below. You will visit the excellent underground visitor centre where you can learn more about the history and wildlife of the cliffs, which are home of hundreds of cliff-nesting seabirds including puffins. You can also get a bird’s eye view of the cliffs with a virtual reality cliff face. When leaving Moher, you travel back through the vast and varied landscape to conclude your unforgettable visit.

Additional Information

The journey to and from the Cliffs will take approximately one hour and 45 minutes hours in each direction. There will be up to one mile of walking, which will involve some walking on a gradient and steps.

Nestled between peninsulas in Bantry Bay, Whiddy Island has a strategic position in a deep water harbour. The island boasts a rich naval history, during World War One, seaplanes from a US navy base on Whiddy patrolled Fastnet Rock. More recently, the island has served as a Gulf Oil terminal for berthing supertankers. It was here, in 1979, that the French tanker Betelgeuse exploded – one of the biggest maritime disasters in Irish history.

Today Whiddy Island is a place where walkers can enjoy a landscape steeped in history and – in the summer months – blessed with red and purple fuchsia. It’s a haven for nature too, especially birds. Today your local guide, Tim, who is also the local publican, postman and all round hospitality King for Whiddy Island, will greet you with a warm welcome into his pub located just off the shoreline. Here you will have the opportunity to sample locally farmed mussels. You’ll also enjoy a baking demonstration, followed by time to sit back and taste the results, accompanied by a refreshing drink.

Return to Bantry Bay via ferry.

Additional Information

Walking during this excursion is limited to approximately 200 yards. However, you will need to embark and disembark the small ferry independently. There are also two steps to negotiate on the island.

Garnish Island (the near island) or Ilnacullin (island of holly) is a splendid island garden set across 37 acres. A short coach drive from Bantry will bring you to Glengarriff, where you will board a small ferry to reach the gardens. It’s a short 10-minute journey, but the surrounding waters are teeming with wildlife, including seals which frequent the rocks on the southern shore. Because of the islands sheltered location and the warming oceanic influence of the Gulf Stream, the climate is almost subtropical, and is favourable to the growth of ornamental plants from across the world.

The island was transformed from a wild blustery isle of uniform green into an artificial Italian idyll almost 100 years ago by Harold Peto for John Bryce, who later bequeathed it to the Irish nation. The vivid colours of Rhododendrons and Azaleas reach their peak during May and June, whilst the hundreds of cultivars of climbing plants, herbaceous perennials and choice shrubs dominate the midsummer period from June to August. Autumn colour, particularly on the heather bank, is rich during the autumn months of September and October. The centrepiece is the Italian Garden, with its formal colonnaded terraces and pools. This garden is exotic and breathtaking but above all a place of serene beauty.

You will have time to explore the gardens at your leisure. The ferry will then bring you back to Glengarriff where there will be time for a stroll in the village before your return coach journey to Bantry.

Additional Information

Although walking is at your discretion, you will need to walk at least one mile to fully explore the gardens. There will be some uneven surfaces and steps throughout the gardens and you will need to board the small ferry independently.

Leave Bantry and travel the main road to Ballylickey before turning north along the remote and scenic route via Kealkill, home to a bronze age stone circle. Continue to the serene setting of Gougane Barra, which sits amid mountain scenery. The lake here has a tiny island, connected to the mainland by an artificial causeway, that was once the hermitage of St Finbarr, patron saint of Cork. Although nothing remains today of the hermitage, there is an 18-century church where an annual pilgrimage is made each September.

A stop will be made at the local hotel for you to enjoy an Irish coffee, followed by free time to visit and photograph the tiny island church of St Finbarr’s Oratory. Eric Cross wrote his controversial book, ‘The Tailor and Antsy’ here, a witty collection of sketches commemorating the stories and sayings of his friend Tim Buckley, the tailor of Gougane Barra. Rejoin your coach and guide for your return drive to Bantry.

Additional Information

Visiting the church will require a walk of approximately 500 yards, although this is at your discretion. A standard coffee can be served at the hotel instead on request.

Be sure to bring your camera on this scenic excursion to the Ring of Beara, with its untamed land and rugged shores which have inspired both artists and photographers alike. A stop will be made in Castletownbear where you can see McCarthy’s Bar. The bar was made famous by Pete McCarthy in his book, ‘McCarthy’s Bar’, which recounts McCarthy’s adventures around the Emerald Isle in search of his Irish roots. Next, see the village of Eyeries with its beautifully painted houses overlooking the Atlantic. The village is famed for the production of the international award-winning Milleens cheese, which is produced on a nearby farm.

From here you will continue to the town of Kenmare for light refreshments at a local hotel. Afterwards, enjoy some free time in Kenmare. Founded in 1670 by Sir William Petty as a settlement for English, Cornish and Welsh protestants, Kenmare was redesigned in 1775 by the 1st Marquess of Lansdowne William Petty-Fitzmaurice, but remains relatively unchanged. The Tourist Board, Fáilte Ireland, officially recognised the historical, cultural and environmental significance of Kenmare by bestowing upon it the title of Kerry's first Heritage Town.

Rejoin your coach and guide for a drive through the mountains back to your awaiting ship in Bantry.

Additional Information

Essential walking during this excursion is limited to 100 yards with three steps at the refreshment venue. Walking during your free time is entirely at your discretion.

This small group excursion ventures by RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) to Whiddy Island from Bantry Bay and promises to be an unforgettable experience. Join your local skipper on the pier and walk to the embarkation point. There will be a brief introduction before setting off on your RIB adventure.

Your skipper will point out the homes of various wildlife and birds that frequent the area during the seasons. Stop at the lobster and crab fishing pots before heading to the mussel lines dotted around the bay. The mussel farms are an important part of life in Bantry with many local trawlers and fishermen harvesting the mussels throughout the season. You may have the opportunity to chat to one of the local fishermen along the way.

Your RIB will stop at Whiddy Island for you to enjoy a sharing bowl of freshly cooked Bantry Bay mussels, served with homemade Irish bread and a glass of Guinness. After your visit to Whiddy, return on your private RIB to the mainland.

Additional Information

This excursion is most suited to the active traveller as a certain level of agility is required to get in and out of the RIB boat. The RIB ride is likely to be bumpy and therefore not appropriate for anyone suffering with back and/or neck discomfort. Walking is limited to approximately 200 yards. This tour may be cancelled at short notice in the event of adverse weather or sea conditions.

Spend a full day discovering the beauty of one of Ireland’s most celebrated scenic routes, the Ring of Kerry. Begin by travelling the winding roads of West Cork, passing the village of Glengarriff and on through the Caha Mountains and tunnel to Kenmare, a heritage town nestling on the shore of Kenmare Bay. From Kenmare, turn north to Moll’s Gap and on to Killarney. A short stop will be made at Ladies View, probably the best place in which to photograph the scenic Lakes of Killarney.

The charming landscape surrounding Killarney also features wooded vales, rolling sandstone hills and rich green pastures. Monarchs, poets, artists, writers and composers have visited and been inspired by the unique and unsurpassed beauty of the region. There will be a short stop for free time in Killarney before your scenic drive continues. The road that winds around the Iveragh Peninsula is known as The Ring of Kerry and it is arguably one of Ireland’s most magical places. The drive takes you past mountains, valleys, lakes and the mighty Atlantic Ocean, passing the towns of Killorglin, Glenbeigh, and Cahirciveen. There will be a short stop in Waterville before completing the Ring of Kerry through Sneem to Kenmare.

A final stop will be made in Kenmare for some free time. Founded in 1670, the unique charm of Kenmare remains unchanged. Following your visit, depart for the return journey to Bantry.

Additional Information

To complete the full Ring of Kerry loop, this excursion will involve long periods of scenic coach travel, totalling approximately six hours. During each stop, walking is entirely at your own discretion. Lunch and refreshments are not provided and therefore you may wish to order a packed lunch from the ship, or purchase these during your free time.

West Cork is blessed with some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery: the coast is rugged, with creeks, bays and coves, but just inland are gentle green hills and tranquil pastures where cows graze. This area was once thickly forested and inhabited by wolves, the last of which was killed in the early 18th century.

Your destination today, Clonakilty, is a lively market town at the top of a winding inlet and has been designated as West Cork’s Heritage Town by the Irish Tourist Board: a visit to the town soon shows why. You will feel at home here among the traditional shop fronts and hand-painted signs. The post office is housed in an old Presbyterian church and the library and council offices occupy a converted watermill with the river flowing beneath. Narrow streets and lanes open into elegant squares. It is a town of tall spires, towers and historic buildings - the brewery, mills and quayside warehouses stand as testament to a busy trading and industrial past.

Stop for an included cup of tea or coffee and scones in a local hotel, and afterwards have a little free time to browse in the shops or wander through the narrow streets before your scenic drive back to the port.

Additional Information

This is a largely panoramic tour with the majority of sightseeing taking place from your tour vehicle. There is approximately 100 yards of essential walking required, although you will need to walk further if you wish to explore Clonakilty in depth.

Departing from Cobh, drive to Blarney, in the protective shadow of historic Blarney Castle. The castle was built in two sections and has a massive oblong Keep, with battlements that are typically Irish in form. Enjoy a visit to the castle, and, if you wish, kiss the famous Blarney Stone - to do this, you have to lean over backwards from the parapet walk of the battlements! According to legend, the stone imparts the gift of eloquence (the gift of the gab) to all those who kiss it.

From the top of the Castle you can take in the wonderful views of over 60 acres of sprawling parklands which include gardens, avenues, arboretums and waterways. The estate boasts an impressive range of native wildlife. The woodlands, rivers and lake within the inner estate and also in the separate pockets of ground around the village area, provide support for many increasingly rare species including otters, red squirrels, barn owls, buzzards, kingfishers, trout and salmon.

Blarney is also home to the old Blarney Woollen Mills, dating back to 1793 and now a craft and gift centre. Here you enjoy a delicious cup of Irish coffee before returning to the port.

Additional Information

This tour involves essential walking of just under one mile, over mixed terrain. Those wishing to kiss the stone must ascend a spiral staircase with 110 narrow and uneven steps. This is a very popular tourist attraction, and there may be a long queue to kiss the stone. Walking during the free time is at your own discretion. Flat, closed-toe shoes are required if you wish to climb the steps up to the stone.

Spike island has seen the comings and goings of holy men, convicts, soldiers and now you. Step onto the island and become captured by the extensive history on offer.

In its sixth-century genesis, the island offered contemplative solitude for monks to pray. Throughout the 18th century the island’s cavernous nature made it the perfect hiding spot for smugglers, however these lucrative dodgy deals came to an end with the threat of invasion from Napoleon: fortification was needed. Fort Mitchell’s construction began in 1804 and by 1847 the fort was transformed into a prison.

At the end of the 19th century, the last prisoner of this era left, and Mitchell became a fortification once more, offering vital defence throughout the Second World War. Between 1985 and 2004 the fort was transformed into a prison again and today, you are invited to explore this historic site’s many forms.

From the ship it’s a short walk to the ferry which will take you out into Cork Harbour to Spike Island. Discover the stories of those who were kept here, including James Gray, nicknamed ‘Jack in the Box’, before experiencing life in the ‘Punishment’ block, where the most dangerous prisoners were kept. Enjoy a guided tour of the key parts of this site before some free time. After your exploration, return to Cobh via boat and take a stroll back to your awaiting ship.

Additional Information

Expect to walk a total of over one mile on this excursion which includes a short walk to and from the ferry and your time on the island. There are approximately 30 steps to negotiate. The ferry is a public service which may be busy. If your excursion operates over lunch, you may choose to request a packed lunch from the ship.

Board your coach for a scenic tour into the countryside of County Cork, heading east towards the seaside town of Youghal. The town was once home to the Elizabethan adventurer, Sir Walter Raleigh, who lived here for 17 years and was the mayor of Youghal between 1588 and 1589. In more recent years the town featured in the 1954 filming of ‘Moby Dick’. Pause here briefly before continuing to the small town of Midleton, where the ‘Midleton Very Rare’ whiskey is produced.

While here, you’ll visit the Jameson Heritage Centre to learn more about the whiskey making traditions and you are invited to join a 60-minute guided tour of this beautifully restored 18th-century industrial complex. See the fully operational water wheel and the copper pot still of 32,000 gallons, one of the largest in the world. Enjoy an audio-visual presentation that brings the Irish Whiskey legend to life, followed by a whiskey tasting in a traditional Irish pub setting. Afterwards you may like to visit the craft shop, or coffee shop at the Jameson Heritage Centre. Then re-join your coach for your return journey to Cobh.

Additional Information

You will need to walk for just under a mile during your visit to the distillery, with three steps to negotiate and some uneven terrain. Your tour of the distillery may not be exclusively for Saga and you may be joined by other visitors.