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9 must-visit places on the island of Ireland

© Supplied by Glenton HolidaysA photo of a Glenton coach in Ireland
Glenton Holidays on tour around the Ring of Kerry, Ireland.

Have you always wanted to visit the island of Ireland? Perhaps all the organising involved in travel has put you off? Here’s why you must visit Ireland.

There are hotels, transport and transfers to arrange, as well as day trips to book. However, if you travel with a tour company, they do all the hard work for you.

This is exactly what Glenton Holidays has been doing for its loyal customers since it was established 16 years ago. It has also been hand-selecting locations and destinations for coach tours and invites holidaymakers to “relax from the moment they book”. Glenton, the only ABTA-bonded tour company in Scotland, runs tours all year round and this year is inviting travellers to climb aboard and discover why they must visit Ireland.

Top places to visit on the island of Ireland

One way to see the island of Ireland is to book a coach tour. Glenton Holidays is delighted to offer 21 different tours to the island of Ireland including The Grand Tour of Ireland, which consists of an 11-day visit.

Here’s just a sample of the must-visit places your tour could cover:

1. Hillsborough Castle:

This traditional Irish Georgian house exudes elegance and is an official royal residence. Members of the Royal Family visit Hillborough Castle when visiting Norther Ireland.

2. Giant’s Causeway:

Giant's Causeway © Supplied by Shutterstock
See the spectacular Giant’s Causeway.

It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and unique jewel in the crown on the County Antrim coastline.

3. The Walled City:

The 17th century walls surrounding the city of Derry-Londonderry are amongst the finest in Europe.

4.  Titanic Belfast:

Titanic Belfast
The Titanic Belfast, voted World’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2016

This world-leading visitor attraction tells the story of RMS Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s.

5.  Ireland National Stud & Gardens:

This must-see attraction in County Kildare celebrates Ireland’s thoroughbred horse heritage and is also home to beautiful Japanese gardens.

6. The Ring of Kerry:

Explore charming towns, white sandy beaches and dramatic mountain passes as you embark on the 179km trip around the famous Ring of Kerry.

7.  Bunratty Castle & Folk Park:

A photo of Bunratty Castle © Shutterstock / Patryk Kosmider
Add Bunratty Castle to your list of must-visit places on the island of Ireland

Dating back to the 15th century, it is the “most complete and authentic” castle in Ireland.

8. Doagh Famine Village:

The centre tells the story of Irish life from the Great Famine of the 1840s through until the present day.

9. Rock of Cashel:

A photo of the Rock of Cashel © Shutterstock / Captblack76
The Rock of Cashel is also a must-see

An iconic ecclesiastical site and one of Ireland’s top attractions located in County Tipperary.

How many of these tourist attractions have you been to? To tick more off your list, why not book your tour today.

What if I am a solo traveller?

If you are travelling on your own, then take advantage of one of Glenton’s Good Companion tours.

A photo of Moira in Belgium © Supplied
Moira hosting a Glenton Holiday tour

Moira Cochrane knows all about them for she has been a Good Companion hosts for Glenton since 2018, after being widowed in 2016. In the last few years, she has visited the island of Ireland three times and says she loves the friendliness of the people.

Moira, who joined Glenton two years after being widowed, said: “As a Good Companion host I am there to be a friendly face and make sure people feel at ease and even forge friendships. I also assist the driver and go on all the excursions. I love my job and I put my whole heart and soul into it.

“I appreciate how difficult it is to have the confidence to book a solo holiday, but as a host I am there to assist passengers and make sure they enjoy the experience of a Glenton Good Companion Holiday with no single supplement.”

Why choose to go on a coach tour?

There are many reasons why people opt to travel with an experienced tour company, like Glenton Holidays. The Glasgow-based travel firm was named one of the Best Travel Companies for Coach Holidays at the British Travel Awards 2022.

The beauty of coach touring is that everything is done for you. Book with Glenton and you can be picked up from your own front door and taken (by taxi) to your nearest bus station or departure point. On your return, you will be dropped off at home too.

As well as transfers and ferry crossings, all your hotel rooms are booked for you (after being hand-selected by Glenton). And, if travelling alone, Glenton offers a number of tours where there are no single supplements to pay. Dinner, bed and breakfast is included in the total tour price, so are all your day trips and excursions when you are in Ireland.

A coach tour holiday takes away all the travel hassles.

It’s also the personal service and the charismatic personality of the coach drivers that keen Glenton customers coming back year after year. On your tour you will be driven around by the same friendly driver.

Ask passengers who have travelled with Glenton before, and they will also rave about how comfortable the coach was. The Select coach option has reclining seats and extra leg room. What is also beneficial about coach touring is the friendly people you will meet. The passengers on board are a sociable bunch so you can make new friends, especially if you are a solo traveller. Easiness and quality of service as well as feeling looked after are also why travellers tour with Glenton.

Where are the main locations on the island of Ireland?

You will have no doubt heard about some of these must-visit towns, cities and counties in Ireland. Have you been to any of them? On a coach tour with Glenton you can visit them all!

Here are seven places to visit on Ireland:

A photo of Fanad Lighthouse in County Donegal

 

  • County Donegal
  • City of Derry-Londonderry
  • Belfast
  • Dublin
  • Cork
  • Waterford
  • Galway

How do I book my coach trip to Ireland?

Glenton Holidays is delighted to be able to offer many options for those who wish to travel to the island of Ireland by coach.

You can also find out more about The Grand Tour of Ireland and other amazing trips to enjoy this spring and summer by downloading Glenton Holidays’ 124-page brochure.


Make an enquiry or booking today online or by calling 08000 24 24 24.