Céide Fields — 5,000 Years of History
The world's most extensive Stone Age monument — a vast system of ancient field walls, megalithic tombs, and dwelling places preserved beneath the Mayo bogland for 5,000 years.
Ancient Ireland Tour
Walk in the footsteps of Ireland's earliest settlers on the Wild Atlantic Way — Céide Fields, the Quiet Man country of Cong, Westport House, and the dramatic Atlantic seaboard of County Mayo.
- Group size15 – 30 guests
- Duration8 Days / 7 Nights
- From$3,100
About this tour
Walk in the footsteps of Ireland's earliest settlers on the Wild Atlantic Way — Céide Fields.
Come to Ireland and discover new places in undiscovered, uncrowded, safe, unspoiled County Mayo on Ireland's Wild Atlantic Way. We invite you, your family, and friends to join us on this once-in-a-lifetime journey, enjoying the warmth and Céad Míle Fáilte (100,000 Welcomes) that Mayo people are renowned for throughout the world.
Based in Westport for seven nights, this tour combines ancient archaeological wonders with spectacular Atlantic scenery, John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara's Quiet Man country, grand estate history at Westport House, and the stories of the 1798 Irish Rebellion.
What's included
Tour highlights
The Quiet Man Country
Walk in the footsteps of John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in Cong Village and Ashford Castle, where the 1951 classic film was shot in the breathtaking Mayo-Galway border country.
Westport House & the 1798 Rebellion
Tour one of Ireland's best-loved heritage attractions — Westport House and Gardens — then visit the Mayo 1798 Rebellion and WWII historical sites along the North Atlantic coastline.
Downpatrick Head & the Atlantic Coast
The spectacular Dún Briste sea stack at Downpatrick Head, rising 50 metres above the Atlantic — one of Mayo's most dramatic natural landmarks.
Country Life Museum & Foxford Woollen Mills
The National Museum of Country Life at Castlebar chronicles Irish rural life from pre-famine to the mid-20th century, followed by a tour of the historic Foxford Woollen Mills.
Day by day
Your itinerary
- 1Day 1
Welcome to Ireland!
Arrive at Shannon Airport and travel through scenic Clare and Galway to Westport, stopping to visit Kinvara Village and Dunguaire Castle on Galway Bay. Check in and enjoy a welcome orientation reception and dinner with Irish traditional music entertainment.
- 2Day 2
A Quiet Man Day
Explore the magic of The Quiet Man country — walk in the footsteps of movie legends John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara through Cong Village and past Ashford Castle, where the 1951 classic was filmed amid the spectacular Mayo-Connemara landscape.
- 3Day 3
An Ancient Ireland Day
Go back 5,000 years to Ireland's first settlers at the Céide Fields interpretive centre in Ballycastle — the world's most extensive Stone Age monument. Explore an historic farm and enjoy cutting your own turf on the Atlantic headlands of north Mayo.
- 4Day 4
Free Day
A leisure day to enjoy the food, music, and craic of Westport and its environs. Optional day trip to Dublin, spa, golf, or a saunter around Westport's elegant Georgian streets and Matt Molloy's pub. Group dinner with Irish music and dancing in the evening.
- 5Day 5
An Ireland History Day
Tour the magnificent Westport House and Gardens — 300 years of Irish history at one of Ireland's finest heritage estates. Then visit the Mayo 1798 Irish Rebellion and WWII historical sites along the North Atlantic coast at Ballycastle and Killala. Irish genealogy talk, 5–6 p.m.
- 6Day 6
A Mayo Day
Visit the National Museum of Country Life at Castlebar, with exhibitions tracing Irish rural life from pre-famine times to the mid-20th century. Then tour the historic Foxford Woollen Mills, established in 1892 by the Sisters of Charity to relieve local poverty.
- 7Day 7
Bunratty & the Cliffs of Moher
Travel to Bunratty, County Clare for your last night in Ireland. Tour Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, then visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher before checking in to the Shannon Airport hotel.
- 8Day 8
Departure
Tour ends after breakfast, 7–10 a.m., at the Shannon Airport hotel. Departure for most from Shannon Airport to return home.
A glimpse
Scenes from Ireland
More in Ireland
