Vagabond Magnetic North

Meet your VagaGuide and fellow Vagabonds at reception of the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin on Sunday at 8.20am. Board your 4x4 VagaTron tour vehicle and hit the road!

Cross the border into Northern Ireland (remember, UK £ sterling required).

Climb Slieve Gullion mountain (573 m / 1,880 ft) to one of Ireland’s highest passage tombs. Enjoy great views and mysterious folk myths.

Zoom to Belfast, the vibrant capital of Northern Ireland.

OPTIONAL EXTRAS (Choose A,B,C)
● A.  A highly recommended Black Cab Tour, explaining the history of the Troubles era (Tour Option - £20 per person)
● B.  Or a self-guided visit to the Titanic Centre (Tour Option - £24.95 per person)
● C.  Alternatively, explore Belfast at your own pace

Your accommodation and dining for the evening is at the Londonderry Arms. This quaint former coaching inn once played host to none other than Winston Churchill himself.

Overnight—The Londonderry Arms Hotel, Ballymena, Co. Antrim

The average driving time today is 4 hours.

Cameras at the ready! You'll wake up on one of the world’s most spectacular coastal drives, Antrim’s Causeway Coastal Route.

Next up, hike the Causeway Coast Way. The finale of this steep, often muddy trail, lies at the Giant's Causeway.

Experience the Giant's Causeway (Fee Included). Science tells us this World Heritage Site formed millions of years ago when magma cooled into 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns. But folklore says Finn McCool and his giant- fighting ways are to blame!

Anyone for a wee dram? Visit Bushmills, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, for a tasting (Optional Extra).

We’ll stop at clifftop Dunluce Castle (Fee Included) before passing through historic gates to enter the city of Derry/Londonderry.
Overnight—Bishop's Gate Hotel, Derry

The average driving time today is 3 hours

Start the day with a guided historical walking tour along the walls of Ireland’s only intact walled city, Derry/Londonderry (Fee Included).

Cross the border back into the Republic of Ireland and the euro currency zone (€).

Panoramic 360° vistas await you at the beautifully preserved Celtic stone ringfort at Grianán of Aileach.

Hike along a scenic lake in Glenveagh National Park with the choice of a self-guided castle tour (Optional Extra).

Rent regular bikes or e-bikes to explore Glenveagh National Park (Optional Extra). Minimum numbers apply.

This evening — weather permitting — choose from these options:
OPTIONAL EXTRAS (Choose A or B)
A.Sea kayaking (Optional Extra)
B.A scenic local hike

Overnight—Arnold's Hotel, Dunfanaghy, Co. Donegal

The average driving time today is 2 hours

Today is yours to design. Flexible activities abound in Donegal; one of Ireland’s most remote and beautiful regions.

This morning, take a scenic drive to explore the wild wonderland that is Donegal.

At Slieve League, your VagaGuide will offer these options:

Get close to the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe, on a hike over steep and rugged terrain.

Take a guided boat trip under the cliffs (Optional Extra). You’ll be on a small, 12-person boat. Sea legs required.

Enjoy live traditional music in Donegal town, after a great day of adventures.

Overnight—The Gateway Lodge, Donegal Town

The average driving time today is 2.5 hours 

Starting in Donegal, your adventure tour moves further into Ireland's northwest, finishing in Mayo.

This morning, explore craft shops in Donegal town or take a self-guided tour of 15th century Donegal Castle (Optional Extra).

Watch shepherd and dog working perfectly in tandem during a guided farm tour and sheepdog demo (Fee Included).

Sligo flies under the radar when compared to more famous Irish counties. After lunch — weather permitting — choose from these options:

OPTIONAL EXTRAS (Choose A or B)
A.Surfing (Optional Extra)
B.A scenic local hike

Overnight—Mount Falcon Estate, Ballina, Co. Mayo

The average driving time today is 3.5 hours.

The penultimate day of your Magnetic North Adventure Tour spends quality time in Mayo. This northwestern county is arguably Ireland’s most unspoilt destination.

Start slowly this morning, exploring the picturesque grounds — or the hot tub — at Mount Falcon.

Lose a sin with every step as you hike the holy mountain of Croagh Patrick. You'll be following an ancient pilgrimage route, connected to the legend of Ireland's patron saint.

If you have energy left after all that, jump onto a trusty steed for a guided

horseback ride (Optional Extra). Alternatively, opt for an early check-in.

There’s a distinct possibility of live music and good food this evening in Westport. Don’t miss the unique atmosphere in the town's authentic Irish pubs.


Overnight—Wyatt Hotel, Westport, Co. Mayo

The average driving time today is 2 hours.

Before we wave goodbye, there’s still time to take in some of Ireland’s highlights.

Discover Ireland’s rich rural heritage at the Museum of Country Life’s modern exhibition space and Victorian landscaped gardens.

Unearth the Iron Age trackway, or togher, at Corlea. Constructed circa 150 BC, this is the largest prehistoric roadway in Europe, hinting at a sophisticated pre-Christian society.

Disembark your VagaTron 4x4 tour vehicle back at the Grand Canal Hotel in Dublin between 5-6pm. Farewell hugs all round for your new friends


The average driving time today is 4.5 hours