clonmanysdaughter

My group is planning to be in Ireland in April 2008 for 12 days. We would like to start our vacation on a 5 day bus tour (or similar) from Dublin to the glens of antrim and giants causeway. Having never been there before, we'd prefer not to self drive. We'll end our tour without the return to Dublin. Can anyone recommend a tour company for this?
We'd like to follow that tour by renting a car to visit Belleek, Knock, Cong, Galway and Killarney. Any advice will be appreciated!!

IrishEyes

Huh?

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"we'd prefer not to self drive"

"We'd like to follow that tour by renting a car"

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How many of you?

clonmanysdaughter

Thank you IrishEyes; my question was confusing.......we're planning our vacation in two legs. There are 4 of us traveling. We've been to Ireland several times before but never to the Antrim area. We've only alloted 5 days for that leg of the trip so want to go with someone familiar with the sights. We want to get the most out of the area and feel a tour will do that.
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After being escorted through Antrim, we want to rent a car and head southwest for the second leg of the trip. We want to go on our own, at out own pace. Every other time we've been to Ireland, we've been on a time schedule. This time we want quality over quantity.

Itallian_Chauffer

Renting a car in Northern Ireland for return in the Republic will likely involve a HEFTY 'Drop-Off' fee. (When I was looking into doing so last year, some of the Car Hire places were quoting as much as 200GBP!!)

It might be cheaper/easier to rent the car and drive into NI and then mix day-tours with some self-touring. N.I. -- paricularly the Antrim coast (Dunluce Castle, Giant's Causeway, Bushmill's) is served by fine roads that are generally well marked.

There are a number of Derry-based tours.

http://www.visitderry.com/

Or from Belfast:

http://www.gotobelfast.com/

The NI Tourist Board is very good (and QUICK) about sending booklets and maps and other info:

http://www.visitnorthernireland.com/...t.asp?itemid=1

Bob

Itallian_Chauffer

Another good source:

http://www.ballycastle.free-online.co.uk/places.htm

Bob