Private Belfast St Patrick’s Trail & Hillsborough Castle Tour
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Make the most of your Belfast port day with a private journey through Northern Ireland’s heritage. Travel in a Mercedes MPV reserved for your group of up to six as you follow the story of St Patrick, enjoy the coastal setting of Newcastle, and continue to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens. After pickup from Belfast Cruise Port or another agreed location, visit the Saint Patrick Centre and his traditional burial place in Downpatrick before continuing through the countryside with a dedicated driver-guide. The pace can be adjusted where practical around your interests, attraction access, and ship schedule. Travel with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and refreshments included. Entrance fees, meals, and gratuities are not included unless stated. - Private Mercedes MPV for up to six - Belfast cruise-port pickup and return - St Patrick heritage and royal history - Flexible pace with a personal driver-guide - Wi-Fi and refreshments included
Inclusions
What's included
- WiFi on board
- Bottled water
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Parking Fees
What's not
- Lunch
- Gratuities
- Admission to St Patricks Centre may apply.
- Admission to Hillsborough Castle & Gardens may apply.
Itinerary
Explore the atmospheric ruins of Inch Abbey, a medieval Cistercian monastery set beside the River Quoile. A short walk leads to the abbey, where you can admire the historic remains, enjoy the surrounding countryside, and take photographs at a relaxed pace. The site also appeared in *Game of Thrones* as Robb Stark’s camp, where he was proclaimed King in the North. On selected summer dates, a living-history monk may be present, but this cannot be guaranteed. Free Admission
Visit the Saint Patrick statue on Slieve Patrick, created to mark the 1,500th anniversary of his arrival in the area. From the elevated setting, enjoy wide views across the surrounding countryside and Strangford Lough. The ground is uneven and there are no formal footpaths, so comfortable, supportive footwear is recommended. Parking is provided at the entrance; there are no footpaths so sensible shoes are advisable.
Visit Saul Church, traditionally associated with the beginning and end of Saint Patrick’s mission in Ireland. According to local tradition, Patrick established his first church here after arriving in the area in AD 432 and later died at Saul on 17 March 465. Your driver-guide will explain the site’s religious significance and its place in the story of Ireland’s patron saint.
Discover Struell Wells, one of Ireland’s most complete medieval holy-well complexes and a historic pilgrimage site associated with Saint Patrick. See the Eye Well, Drinking Well, and the surviving medieval bathhouses while learning about the traditions and legends connected with the site. The terrain and historic structures may be uneven, so suitable footwear is recommended Free Admission
Visit the Saint Patrick Centre, home to a permanent exhibition dedicated to Ireland’s patron saint. Through multimedia displays and historical interpretation, learn about Patrick’s life, writings, journeys, and lasting influence on Irish history and culture. Admission to the exhibition is payable separately.
Visit the traditional burial place of Saint Patrick outside Down Cathedral on Cathedral Hill. The site has been an important place of pilgrimage since the early medieval period. Saint Brigid and Saint Columcille are also traditionally associated with the burial site, reflected in the well-known words: “In Down, three saints one grave do fill: Patrick, Brigid and Columcille.”
Pause in the seaside town of Newcastle, set between the Irish Sea and the Mourne Mountains. Enjoy time for lunch, a short walk, or views toward Slieve Donard, Northern Ireland’s highest mountain. Newcastle is also home to the renowned Royal County Down Golf Club. Meals and personal purchases are not included.
Complete the day at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, Northern Ireland’s royal residence. Explore the landscaped grounds, including ornamental lawns, woodland paths, waterways, and peaceful garden areas. An interior castle visit available when the correct ticket and access are confirmed. Admission is payable separately unless stated otherwise.
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Reviews
5.0
- 53
- 40
- 30
- 20
- 10
Ratings come from 3 reviews collected by our booking partner. They are travellers' own words, in the order they were written — never reordered to flatter the experience.
Know before you go
- Pickup
- Pickup is included for everyone.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Five Star Luxury Tours
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
How it compares in Belfast
- Its from-price is 14% above the median of the 138 day trips we list in Belfast.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- By number of reviews it ranks 86 of 138.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Belfast
Belfast is Northern Ireland's capital, a harbour city between hills and lough, known for shipbuilding, Victorian pubs, murals and the Titanic story.
Belfast grew with the linen and shipbuilding trades, and the giant yellow cranes of the old shipyard still stand over the docks where the Titanic was built and launched in 1911. The Titanic Quarter now holds a large museum on that story. In the centre, the domed City Hall, completed in 1906, stands in a square of Victorian and Edwardian buildings, and the Cathedral Quarter has cobbled lanes and old pubs.
Top-ranked sights in Belfast: Giant's Causeway, Dunluce Castle, Dark Hedges.
Special offers in Belfast
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
