The Emerald Isle Belle – June/July 2027
|
DAY 1 SUN 20 JUN |
AUSTRALIA TO DUBLIN Depart Sydney, Australia on your flight to Dublin |
| DAY 2
MON 21 JUN |
DUBLIN On arrival, transfer to your Dublin hotel Overnight: |
| DAY 3
TUE 22 JUN |
DUBLIN St Patrick’s Cathedral, Book of Kells and Dublin Castle tour Overnight: Meals: Breakfast is included for all passengers today |
| DAY 4
WED 23 JUN |
DUBLIN TO DONEGAL, Northwest Ireland This morning you will be transferred to Dublin Connolly station to meet our private train, The Emerald Island Belle. Waiting here will be the meticulously cared for carriages belonging to the RPSI, and on the front will be one of their resplendent steam locomotives, likely to be No.171 “Slieve Gullion” or “Q” class No. 131. We depart mid-morning and steam around the North of the City, heading westwards to pass through the very essence of rural Ireland – green fields, gentle hills and shimmering loughs – as we travel into the centre of Ireland to Longford. From here to Sligo, we are hauled by a diesel locomotive as we navigate the many streams and waterways that form the source of the mighty River Shannon. Arriving mid-afternoon to Sligo, our onward coach transfer takes us past verdant peaks and rugged coastlines to our hotels in Donegal and Lough Eske.Overnight: Prestige & Prestige Deluxe: Lough Eske Castle Hotel (or similar) Signature: Harvey’s Point (or similar) Meals: |
| DAY 5
THU 24 JUN |
DONEGAL Donegal was recently named the fourth-best region in the world to visit by Lonely Planet. Explore the region at your own leisure or join one of our optional excursions. These are likely to include a chance to travel along the Fintown Railway on Lough Finn, a visit to the sea cliffs at Sliabh Liag, a dramatic formation which stands three times as high as the Cliffs of Moher, or a day trip by coach across the now invisible border to Northern Ireland and the City of Londonderry, which is now a thriving community on the banks of the River Foyle with a rich history. Traditionally centred around its historic Diamond, this former market town offers easy exploration and a rich blend of shops, dining and cultural attractions, including the 15th century Donegal Castle and the Railway Heritage Museum. Overnight: Meals: |
| DAY 6
FRI 25 JUN |
COUNTY DONEGAL TO COUNTY MAYO After breakfast, we head by coach along the Wild Atlantic Way, with the sea to the North and the Ox Mountains to the South, on our way to Ballina. The old town sits at the mouth of the River Moy, and there should be time to explore this unspoilt historic town with its rich cultural heritage before joining our train. Ballina is the terminus of a rural branch line, where our train awaits for the southward journey to join the mainline towards Dublin. At Claremorris we change locomotives before taking the line to Westport, arriving in time for dinner. We have two nights here, where wild landscape contrasts spectacularly with the warm atmosphere of this colourful town. Live music fills the pubs and local produce fills every menu. Overnight: Meals: |
| DAY 7
SAT 26 JUN |
WESTPORT Discover the stunning surroundings and rich history of the Westport region at your own leisure or on one of our optional excursions, which may include a boat cruise around Clew Bay, a scenic Atlantic inlet with more than a hundred islands, home to wildlife, oyster farms and whiskey experiences. You may also visit Westport House, known as ‘Ireland’s Most Beautiful Home’ with legendary beginnings dating back to Pirate Queen Grace O’Mally, or Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery set in 1,000 acres of Connemara mountainside. Overnight: Meals: |
| DAY 8
SUN 27 JUN |
WESTPORT TO KILLARNEY After breakfast in our hotels, we meet our train at Westport station for what promises to be an exciting day of travel by steam. After climbing to Claremorris, we head south-east crossing the River Shannon at Athlone and joining the mainline from Galway. We continue east, journeying through some eskers (ancient geological raised embankments of glacial material) to reach Portarlington. Here, we will enjoy a leg stretch during which there will be a good opportunity to admire and photograph both our steam locomotives as we change engines. From Portarlington, we head South-West along the busy mainline to Cork. After stopping to take water at Limerick Junction, we carry on to Mallow, the junction for the branch to Killarney and Tralee. The scenery becomes progressively more mountainous, and our locomotives will be working hard as we steam west to Killarney, our home for three nights. Overnight: Meals: |
| DAYS 9 & 10
MON 28 – TUE 29 JUN |
KILLARNEY Killarney is known as the gateway to Ireland’s largest National Park, a breathtaking, unspoilt expanse of the peaks of the stunning MacGillycuddy’s Reeks sandstone and siltstone mountain range that sweeps down to the world-famous lakes. As you might expect, optional excursions may include the change to explore the National Park by pony trap or boat (in some cases, directly from your hotel!) as well as a journey around the famous Ring of Kerry, a breathtaking 179km (111-mile) scenic driving route circling the Iveragh Peninsula, offering glorious coastal views, beaches, waterfalls, ancient stone forts and charming villages like Sneem and Waterville. Railway excursions may include a journey by steam along the branch line to Tralee and a visit to the unique Lartigue Monorail and its museum.Overnight: Prestige & Prestige Deluxe: The Europe Hotel & Resort (or similar) Signature: Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa (or similar)Meals: Breakfast is included for all categories and dinner is included for Prestige Deluxe passengers for these two days |
| DAY 11
WED 30 JUN |
KILLARNEY TO DUBLIN After breakfast in our hotels, The Emerald Isle Belle tour heads for the tour’s conclusion in Ireland’s fair capital city. Our steam locomotive will have to work hard as it climbs out of Killarney and travels through steep mountainous country to the junction station at Mallow where we join the mainline from Cork to Dublin. After a sprint along this important double-tracked artery, we will pass through the Dublin suburbs before negotiating the circular route around the city to arrive mid-afternoon at our original starting point, Dublin Connolly. With sunset at 10pm, there will be ample time both before and after dinner to discover the rich history and culture that is so unique to Ireland and perhaps take a stroll along the banks of the River Liffey that runs through the city centre.Overnight: Prestige & Prestige Deluxe: The Shelbourne Hotel (or similar) Signature: The Green Hotel (or similar) Meals: |
| DAY 12
THU 01 JUL |
DUBLIN TO AUSTRALIA After breakfast in our hotels in Dublin, it will be time to say farewell to Ireland for now, although it will be hard to forget the truly restorative effect of this enthralling island of timeless beauty, vibrant culture and abundant history. Transfer to Dublin airport to board your flight home to Sydney, Australia.Meals: Breakfast is included for all passengers today |
| DAY 13
FRI 02 JUL |
ARRIVE AUSTRALIA |
Need more information?
Get in touch
Head Office - Sydney
Central Coast NSW
Perth WA
Contact us if you would like to arrange a face-to-face or virtual meeting.
