The Emerald Isle Belle

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 Derry Londonderry, which is now a thriving community on the banks of the River Foyle with a rich history.

The town of Donegal itself overlooks Donegal Bay with a backdrop of the Bluestack Mountains. 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: Harvey’s Point, Donegal (B)

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, where live music fills the pubs and local produce fills every menu.

Overnight: Westport Plaza Hotel, Westport (B, L, D)

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’Malley, or Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine monastery set in 1,000 acres of Connemara mountainside.

Overnight: Westport Plaza Hotel, Westport (B)

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 th 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 locomotive will be working hard as we steam west to Killarney, our home for three nights.

Overnight: Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa, Killarney (B, L, D)

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 chance 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: Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa, Killarney (B)

Today your day is entirely at leisure or open to joining an optional excursion.

Overnight: Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa, Killarney (B)

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 railway 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: The Green Hotel, Dublin (B, L, D)

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, vivacious culture and abundant history.

Those who have booked a transfer to England will depart for the sea and rail connections towards London, whilst those travelling independently may choose to enjoy their hotel’s facilities, extend their holiday or make onward travel connections at the nearby Dublin International Airport.

(B)