Scotland to Ireland Tour

 P&O ferry at Troon


This post reprises the commencement of a custom, small group tour from Scotland to Ireland.

First, we departed our lodgings in Troon, on the coast south of Glasgow and caught the 11.00 am ferry to Larne, Northern Ireland. This sea crossing took 2 hours 15 mins and passed close to Ailsa Craig en-route. Ailsa Craig is a small island of volcanic origin from which Scottish curling stones are manufactured.

Ailsa Craig

On arrival at Larne we disembarked and drove south for about 1 hour to the coastal town of Carrickfergus where we stopped for shopping. There is a 12th century castle at Carrickfergus although we did not visit it.

Carrickfergus


Carrickfergus Castle


Next, we continued south towards Dublin, stopping for shopping and a break at the old town of Newry, County Down.

Newry Cathedral


Newry Town Centre

We finally arrived at our destination of Navan about 6.00pm whereupon we checked into our hotel. Navan positions us for an early visit to the famous Newgrange Neolithic Passage Grave site which is first on our agenda tomorrow morning. Newgrange is about 5000 years old. After Newgrange we travel down to Waterford.

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