Giant's Causeway

Marvel at the wonders of nature at the Giant's Causeway in North Antrim. No trip to Northern Ireland would be complete with a stop to Northern Ireland's most popular tourist attraction. The Giant's Causeway is known for its hexagonal shaped basalt columns formed by intense volcanic activity formed in the area some 50 to 60 million years ago.

Visit the Giant's Causeway on your next tour of northern Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations

Neolithic Sites of Ireland

Ireland is thought to have been inhabited from around 6000BC by people of a mid-Stone Age culture. And about 4,000 years later, tribes from Southern Europe arrived and established a high Neolithic culture. The best-known Neolithic sites in Ireland are the megalithic passage tombs of Newgrange and Knowth in County  Meath. Both were built around 3200BC, making them older than Stonehenge in England, and the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt.

Explore the ancient history of Ireland at Neolithic sites. Here are just a few:

The Loughcrew Cairns
The Loughcrew Cairns, also known as the Hills of the Witch, are a group of Neolithic passage tombs dating to 3000 BC. The tombs are located on three different hills and Cairn T, one of the largest tombs in the complex, is situated on Cairnbane East. Inside this tomb lies a cruciform chamber, a corbelled roof and some of the most beautiful examples of Neolithic art in Ireland. During the Vernal and Autumn Equinox people gather at dawn in Cairn T to watch sunlight enter the chamber and illuminate the inside of the tomb.

Newgrange
Newgrange was constructed over 5,000 years ago (about 3,200 B.C.), making it older than Stonehenge in England and the Great Pyramid of Giza in Egypt. Newgrange was built during the Neolithic or New Stone Age by a farming community that prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. Knowth and Dowth are similar mounds that together with Newgrange have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Ceide Fields
Beneath the wild boglands of North Mayo lies the Céide Fields, the most extensive Stone Age monument in the world, consisting of field systems, dwelling areas and megalithic tombs. The stone walled fields, extending over thousands of acres are almost 6,000 years old, the oldest known in the world. They are covered by a natural blanket bog with it's own unique vegetation and wildlife. The Visitor Centre has won several awards, including the Gold Medal for architecture. It is located beside some of the most spectacular cliffs and rock formations in Ireland and a viewing platform is positioned on the edge of the 110m high cliff.

Dun Aonghasa
Perched spectacularly on a cliff overlooking the Atlantic ocean, this is the largest of the prehistoric stone forts of the Aran Islands. It is enclosed by three massive dry-stone walls and a "chevaux-de-frise" consisting of  tall blocks of limestone set vertically into the ground to deter attackers.

Rathcroghan
Hidden within the tranquil scenery of North Co. Roscommon is the Ancient Royal Site of Cruachan (Rathcroghan), a four square mile archaeological complex dating back over 5000 years. The literary home of Queen Meave, the Warrior Queen mentioned in the Ulster Cycle and the main protagonist in the story of the Táin Bó Cuailnge (Cattle Raid of Cooley), Rathcroghan is one of 5 ancient Provincial Royal sites dating back to the Iron Age and played a central part in the ancient history of Ireland.

Drombeg
This lovely recumbent stone circle is locally known as the Druid's Altar, and is located on the edge of a rocky terrace with fine views to the sea about a mile away. The word Drombeg means 'the small ridge'.

Kenmare
This circle lies in the town of Kenmare itself, not far from the Cromwell Bridge. Unlike any other ring in Muster, this one is egg-shaped, measuring 17.4 x 15.8m (56 x 49ft). Such shapes are unusual; their design could be a late geometrical development.

Dolmen of the Four Moals
Ballina is a lovely little town on the estuary of the Moy River. on a small hill near the railway station, lies the dolmen of the Four Maols. It is immediately beside the road and is signposted as a National Monument.

Kilcooney
On the east of the lane behind the Kilclooney church lies this magnificent site, composed by two dolmens within the remains of a 25m (82ft) long cairn.

Visit these Neolithic Sites in Ireland and more on your next self-drive tour of Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

Ireland Video from Celtic Tours with Switchback

Let the spirit of Ireland get under your skin and into your heart. We want you to sing your heart out at our festivals, start off your mornings with a full Irish breakfast and feel like family in our cozy B&B's. Because here, you're always welcome! So go on, Jump Into Ireland with Celtic Tours http://www.CelticTours.com Music kindly provided by Switchback http://www.waygoodmusic.com/index.php

Castle Coole

Castle Coole in County Fermanagh is a superb late 18th century neo-classical house designed by James Wyatt and was the home of the Earls of Belmore. Very fine interior furnishings and plasterwork, a visit to Castle Coole can now include the ornate state bedroom, the servant's tunnel, the laundry house, the dairy, five of the original stables in the Grand Yard and the Belmore Private Coach in the original coach house. Landscaped parkland with many walks and nature trails make Castle Coole a great visit on your next tour of Northern Ireland.

Visit Castle Coole on your next self-drive tour of Northern Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

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Top Attractions in Belfast

From small beginnings, industrious locals developed a boat building trade and the rest is history. Belfast is a Victorian city rich in architectural heritage, reflecting Belfast’s prosperity, status and pride during its era as a world-class industrial powerhouse. Today Belfast is rich in ancient sites, beautiful scenery, amazing architecture and some of the best craic in Northern Ireland. For your next self-drive vacation with Celtic Tours, let this list of attractions guide you through the best of the city.

Ulster Museum
Come face to face with dinosaurs, meet an Egyptian Mummy and see modern masterpieces with a visit to the Ulster Museum. As Northern Ireland’s treasure house of the past and present, the museum is home to a rich collection of art, history and natural sciences and free to all visitors. From Ireland to the South Pacific, ancient relics to hands on activities, the museum offers something for everyone from the simply curious to the enthusiast. And best of all, it is free!

Titanic Dock & Pump House
Today the Pump-House comprises of a Visitor Centre & Café, Interpretative Centre, meeting rooms & event space. Titanic Dock & Pump House is the only publicly accessible intact piece of the Titanic's great legacy which is open in the city of her birthplace – Belfast.

Belfast Castle
Located 400 foot above sea level, and offering stunning views over Belfast, the castle also makes a great base for a fun day out, offering plenty of things to do, whether you're taking the kids to Cave Hill Adventurous Playground, visiting Cave Hill Visitor Centre or thinking about climbing Cave Hill itself!

Belfast Botanic Gardens
First established in 1828, the gardens have been enjoyed as a public park by the people of Belfast since 1895. There is an extensive rose garden and long herbaceous borders and the tree enthusiast can seek out the rare oaks planted in the 1880s, including the hornbeam-leafed oak.

Victoria Square Shopping Centre
Belfast’s number one shopping destination, anchored by House of Fraser department store. Fantastic shops are split over four levels (including 2 levels of food operators) with covered, pedestrianised streets and topped by an iconic dome, with panoramic views across the city, the river Lagan and even to the Mournes beyond.

Crown Liquor Saloon
Like stepping into a different time the Crown Liquor Saloon in Belfast is a unique visual gem, a veritable masterpiece known to millions all over the world. No trip to Belfast would be complete without stopping in for a pint or two.

Giants Ring
The big earthwork circle, roughly 200m across, is a beautiful example of a 'henge' monument, built in about 2700BC during the Neolithic period. Similar monuments are found elsewhere in Britain and Ireland, but this is one of the finest. In the middle is a tomb made up of five upright stones and a large capstone, the bare frame of what was originally a chambered grave, covered with a cairn of stones and earth. Located a mere 3 miles south of city center Belfast, this is one attraction you shouldn’t miss.

St. Anne’s Cathedral
St Anne’s Cathedral, sometimes called Belfast Cathedral, was erected at the turn of the century upon the site of the original of St Anne’s Parish Church. Inside, there are captivating mosaics, created in the 1920′s. One mosaic is made up of more than 150,000 pieces. It covers the ceiling of the baptistery in grand style. Irish marble and Canadian maple decorate the nave and aisles.

Lyric Theatre
The Lyric Theatre is Northern Ireland’s only producing building-based theatre. Originally created with the ambition of creating ‘a style suitable for dramatic poetry’, particularly the work of WB Yeats, it has built strong associations with many of the major actors and writers to emerge over more than five decades.

St. George’s Market
St George’s Market is one of Belfast’s oldest attractions. It was built between 1890 and 1896 and is one of the best markets in the UK and Ireland. It has been voted for numerous local and national titles and awards for its fresh, local produce and great atmosphere. Originally, St George’s Market was an open market with stalls similar in style to May’s Market and certainly included a meat market and slaughter house. Although St George’s Market is primarily used as a market, it is also used for a whole range of events including food festivals, art initiatives, exhibitions, charity launches, fashion shoots and live music gigs.

Visit Belfast with Celtic Tours on your next self-drive vacation to Ireland.