A wild esolate looking town with a slendidly wide main street which is the ideal base for exploring the great natural beauties of the West.

The 2 hour journey fron Galway provides a truly memorable approach.

Situated between the Atlantic and the peaks of the Twelve Bens Clifden has an almost alpine air and is most refreshing.

Two buildings dominate the town. The Protestant church built in 1820 , just eight years after Clifden was founded , has a silver copy of the Cross of Cong.

The Catholic church , built in 1830 , stands on the site of an ancient CLOCHAN or beehive shaped monastic stone from which Clifden takes its name.

At Ireland Luxury Tours we book our clients into the fantastic Ballynahinch Castle nearby. It is the first stop of our seven days Ireland tours….and one of our most popular.

From the castle we can explore Galway city and the wild countryside of the West…..and of course Clifden.

For truly unique tours of Ireland contact the specialists “Ireland Luxury Tours”

One of the particular attractions is Port Cuan (or Coon) which is a huge cave accessed by boat. Once upon a time the tourist guides would blow bugles so visitors could experience the dramatic echo inside the cave’s Gothic proportions.

Despite somewhat choleric view of Dr Samuel Johnston that the Giant’s Causeway was worth seeing “but not worth going to see”, it remains a major tourist attraction, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

There is much geological history here, as well as outstanding sea views and challenging cliff-path walks which are rewarding but worthy of caution.

The area is also in the care of the National Trust, which also owns the period Causeway Hotel nearby. It is well-known for serving some of the heartiest food and drink in all of Ireland, including a “mixed-grill” of gargantuan proportions which almost requires two plates per person!

Nearby Bushmills was also the focus of a hitherto little known story whereby a former revolutionary new navigational code developed by the German Luftwaffe and named “Consol” was captured by the British during the Second World War. It was later adapted as a key navigational aid for European aircraft in peace-time. The Consol system was installed in a small building three miles outside Bushmills. It was opened in 1946 with the appropriate call signal “MWN-Mike-Whiskey-November”, and for many years its 310 feet  masts were a feature on the Causeway Coast landscape until it was overtaken by new technology and closed down on 30 September 1976.

The system was switched off some 90 minutes before the official time of midnight – so that the “farewell party” would reach the bar at the Bay View Hotel in Portballintrae before closing time.

The Bay View, a hostelry of character and popular hotel still entertains the weary or thirsty although the coastal village of Portballintrae has now been transformed by modern developments.

Any Ireland tours should include this coastline and in particular the Giants Causeway.

At Ireland Luxury Tours we spend a day on this coast on our tours of Ireland.

It is also worth a day tour out of Belfast if you are staying in a hotel or visiting on a cruise ship.

The itinerary below is a sample of the tours we can arrange of Ireland and Scotland.

SUN 26^TH  : Arrive in Dublin and transfer to TRINTY CAPITAL HOTEL (2 nights) http://www.trinitycapitalhotel.com/?gclid=CMPS-pfPr6MCFRQ_lAodgQjq5Q

MON 27^TH : See Dublin (Viking Splash Tour http://www.vikingsplash.ie/   , Book of Kells  http://www.bookofkells.ie/  , Temple Bar)….we can develop ideas for Dublin.

TUES  28^TH : Approx 11.00 am  travel to BALLYNAHICH CASTLE (2 nights)

WED 29^TH : Visit Augnanure castle http://www.galway.net/galwayguide/todo/sights/county_galway/aughnanure_castle/   and Galway (plus further attractions as we discuss)

THURS 30^TH : Travel to Belfast through Fermanagh visiting Devenish Island http://www.discovernorthernireland.com/Devenish-Island-Monastic-Site-Co-Fermanagh-Enniskillen-P2899 on the way. Stay at EUROPA HOTEL (2 nights) http://www.hastingshotels.com/europa-belfast

FRI 1^ST : Visit North Coast (Dunluce castle, Giants causeway, etc)

SAT 2^ND : Take HSS ferry (Belfast to Stranraer approx 2 hours) and travel  to Oban (lunch in Glasgow). Stay at OBAN CALEDONIAN HOTEL (1 night). http://www.obancaledonian.com/  Nice distillery to see in Oban. http://www.discovering-distilleries.com/oban  Views of Mull of Kintyre.

SUN 3^RD : Travel from Oban to Loch Ness (lunch in Fortwilliam or Aviemore). Stay at LOCH NESS CLANSMAN HOTEL (2 nights) http://www.lochnessview.com/  

MON 4^TH : Take Jacobite boat trip on Loch Ness http://www.jacobite.co.uk/  

TUES 5^TH : Travel from Oban to Montrose visiting Edzel and Antonine wall on the way. Stay at PARK HOTEL MONTROSE  http://www.parkmontrose.com/

WED 6^TH : Visit Glamis castle http://www.glamis-castle.co.uk/   and travel to Edinburgh. Stay at the RAMADA MOUNT ROYAL HOTEL (3 nights) http://www.ramadajarvis.co.uk/hotels/edinburgh.aspx

THURS 7^TH : Edinburgh….see the castle and the cobbled streets.

FRI 8^TH : Edinburgh….shopping on Princess Street.

SAT 9^TH : Travel home

We are involved in the Annual Conference and Gala Irish Golf Awards which are being held at the magnificent Slieve Donard hotel in Newcastle , County Down.

It is taking place from 16th October 2010 to 18th October 2010 and we are looking after the VIP guests.

For any Ireland tours or golf tours in Ireland contact Ireland Luxury Tours…..golf in Ireland is just fantastic…

We can organise comprehensive day tours from this base.

But if you fancy something a little different … Montalto House is now open for business. Set in its own grounds this historic manor house is available with staff and luxury accomodation. It is managed by David Anderson , who looked after Queen Elizabeth during her visits to Hillsborough. You really cannot get a better recommendation than that.

Ireland Luxury Tours can look after all your conference needs…

Escape to the shores of Lough Erne and discover the true art of relaxation.

Set within the exclusive Lough Erne Golf Resort, on a private 600 acre peninsula, this brand new bespoke holiday home is the perfect base from which to explore the villages, valleys and breathtaking lakelands of the surrounding area.

• Two minutes stroll from Lough Erne Golf Resort 5 star hotel and spa.
• Golfers paradise – Home to the Nick Faldo 18 hole championship golf course and just a few minutes walk from the Castle Hume championship golf course.

So, whether it’s a round of golf with friends, quality time with the family or a break away for two, you are sure to find something for everyone.

http://www.lougherneholidayhome.com/

We at Ireland Luxury Tours recommend that you take a break here on any tours of Ireland. Whether you are playing golf or on one of our tours this is a truly wonderful place.