Touring Ireland: Irish Music Trail £545pp for 7nts

A week long exploration, when you can learn about the influences on some of the world-famous musicians who originate from the northern part of Ireland, discover friendly bars and hear some great live music. While the country is most famous for traditional music, we have designed this self-drive tour to show you many sides of the Irish music scene.

This holiday was featured in the Daily Mail on Saturday 21st January 2012 &  Independent on Sunday 10th July 2011.

Day One -  Belfast

Your first base is the bustling capital of Northern Ireland. As well as a strong tradition in folk music, Northern Ireland has also spawned numerous modern day masters, from Ruby Murray to Van Morrison to Snow Patrol, via The Undertones and Stiff Little Fingers.

Your Hotel in Belfast

This AA four star rated guest house comes highly recommended for offering great value for money. There is complimentary WiFi throughout all rooms with free, secure car parking, and a light and airy breakfast room. Based in the university area, it is just ten minutes’ walk from the heart of the city with its host of restaurants and bars to suit all tastes and budgets. As they say "in Belfast the craic is never far away".

In the evenings we will recommend places where you can enjoy love music, of all styles from folk to country, jazz or rock.

Day Two - the Belfast Music Tour

Today’s highlight is the Belfast Music Tour. This unique, guided bus trip will show you some of Belfast’s famous hotspots and nightspots, as well as providing a fascinating insight into the down-to-earth backgrounds of fifties singer Ruby Murray, flautist James Galway, classic songwriter Van Morrison and rock group Snow Patrol. Led Zeppelin first performed Stairway to Heaven in Belfast, whilst the punk music of Stiff Little Fingers united a generation of teenagers across the sectarian divide. The tour ends at the Oh Yeah Music Centre, where an exhibition tells the story of the glorious achievements and diverse musical talents that Northern Ireland has produced over the years, and features items of prized memorabilia.

The city of Belfast in general is compact and easy to get around on foot or public transport. Although there has been much new development in the city there is still a genuine heritage and a truly warm welcome for visitors. The Cathedral quarter is the historic cultural heartland of the city, whereas the Titanic Quarter of East Belfast - where the legendary liner was built - is full of reminders of a proud maritime and industrial past. Must-see destinations range from the grand Victorian City Hall, to Stormont, the home of government, from the Ulster Museum - where the Girona exhibition of Spanish Armada Gold is unmissable to the historic pubs, such as the Crown Liquor saloon - a rather unique National Trust property. Depending on the timing of your stay, we will recommend places where you can enjoy live music in the evenings: from folk to country, or jazz to rock.

Day Three - The Antrim Coast

Your next base is on the Antrim coast, close to the Giants' Causeway. It is just over two hours' drive from Belfast, so take your time and explore the dramatic coast road, enjoying views back to Kintyre and Scotland, a mere 12 miles away

Your Hotel on the Antrim Coast

Centuries of history exude from the old timber beams and rough plaster walls of this landmark inn. At its heart is the gas-lit sixteenth century snug, with soot-stained walls and ceilings and a pulley suspended above the fireplace. You could spend hours here over a Guinness or a dram, dreaming up romantic notions of encounters goneby. The snug is encased by a mere two-hundred year old inn, with an even more modern, yet sympathetically designed, outer shell. Guest rooms are spacious and atmospheric, with individual character and attention to detail to ensure design in-keeping with the building's charm. This place is a genuine meeting point for travellers and locals alike, buzzing with conviviality and conversation throughout a jigsaw puzzle of interconnecting public rooms and cosy corners. The outdoor courtyard and terrace come into their own in the summer months, while open peat fires provide the perfect ambience in other seasons. Service is attentive and friendly, many staff being young, local and very proud of the area. The menu offered throughout the restaurant and conservatory fuses local produce with a touch of creativity to make this one of the most renowned dining destinations in the North of Ireland.

Day Four- Exploring the Antrim Coast

The famous sights of this, one of our favourite coastlines, are just a short drive away, including the geological phenomenon of the Giants' Causeway, and the much-photographed clifftop ruins of haunting Dunluce Castle. For the more adventurous, test your nerve and head for heights by venturing across the suspended rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede. You could also take a day trip to the wildlife haven of Rathlin Island, or round off the afternoon with a visit to the famous Bushmills distillery.

Day Five - Donegal

For the final leg of your self-drive tour of Ireland you will head to the northwest county of Donegal, and a small seaside village which has become a regular destination for some of the best Irish and international musicians.

Your Hotel in Donegal

Close your eyes and imagine the perfect Irish pub/hotel: brightly painted, in a small village surrounded by beautiful countryside and glorious beaches, where you will be welcomed as one of the family, treated to home-cooked food and the perfect pint of Guinness while you chat to passers-by. There will be live music too – perhaps a local jamming session in the bar, an evening of traditional music on another day and a concert by some famous Irish names in the atmospheric venue just through the back. Well you don’t need to imagine, as we have found it. Whether you stop here as part of an Irish music tour, or fit it in to a tailor-made itinerary, this Donegal destination leaves a lasting impression – we can’t wait to go back ourselves!

Day Six & Seven

Two days to enjoy this hidden corner of Ireland. Donegal is a delight to explore, with many kilometres of scenic driving and some of the best beaches in Ireland. Malin Head, at the tip of the Inishowen peninsula, is the most Northerly point on mainland Ireland (yet it is in the “South” rather than Northern Ireland...). On a clear day, the views stretch across to the Scottish Hebrides and Kintyre peninsula. It can be a wild and windy place, but fantastic refreshments are available from Cafe Banba – a family-run cafe on wheels that serves delicious coffee and home-baking where you least expect to find it! There are many Neolithic and ancient sites – ruined chapels, standing stones and cairns – if you are interested in pre-history, and a must-visit is the Doagh Famine Village, which tells the story of Ireland from 1845 to the present day in a very different style from any other tourist attraction.

Live Music concert

There will be live music on at least one evening at the hotel, either traditional Irish music or perhaps a concert by a well-known Irish band or performer - and your seat is guaranteed.

Day Eight - return Home

Make your way home, perhaps stopping off in Derry-Londonderry for a tour of the city walls or the Bogside. This will give you a fascinating insight into the complex political history of Ireland over the past four hundred years. Completing the music theme, it will also enable you to see where Eurovision-winner Dana and members of The Undertones grew up.

Prices & Dates for this tailor made Irish holiday

This self-drive holiday is available from March to October 2012

The price is £545 per person for holidays in March & November, £575 per person for April & October, £590 per person for May, June & September and £610 per person for July & August. Prices are based on two adults sharing a double or twin room for 7 nights on a bed & breakfast basis, including a Belfast music tour & live concert in Donegal, as well as lots of recommendations for places to enjoy live music during your holiday.

You can choose to upgrade your hotel in Belfast to a 5 star city centre hotel for an additional £90 per person.

Travel to Ireland

We would be delighted to book your travel to Ireland for this holiday.

The most convenient ferry routes are those from Scotland to Belfast & Larne.

There are direct flight connections to Belfast from many UK airports.

All our self-drive Irish holidays include a map of Ireland with recommended routes from your specified starting point, suggestions on places to see and visit depending on your personal interests and our expertise to help you get the most from your holiday.

All Ireland itineraries and room types are presented subject to availability at specific hotels.

The McKinlay Kidd Guarantee

All our holiday prices include a service charge of £8 per person per night towards the costs we incur in researching, planning and designing your holiday.

We guarantee to refund this service charge if you believe that arranging your holiday through McKinlay Kidd has not met your expectations for value. All we ask is that you write to us within 7 days of your return and explain your reason for claiming the refund. This will ensure that we can improve the experience for all our future guests.

Check availability for this holiday

Holiday ideas