We are Ireland Made. The spirit of our vintage transport tours is aligned with a focus on preserving and promoting Ireland's rich transport heritage. We've put together a nine day specialist vacation with the simple premise that if we are passionate about all things vintage, then other fellow enthusiasts will like it too!
For our tour, we've identified an incredible series of transport locations across Ireland that will have huge interest to the specialist traveller. Our good relationships with museums and private collectors, make our behind the 'door' experiences, something very special, unique and memorable.
Ireland is the last piece of land on the western edge of Europe and with it comes a richly preserved heritage and culture. In vintage transport terms, that means unspoilt treasures to yet to be found and enjoyed!
The Tour
The Ireland Made Experience is based on an interaction with 'real' and authentic enthusiasts. Folk that are passionate about their collections, willing to share stories, answer peoples' questions and get lost in common worlds. From the Flying Boat Museum in Co, Limerick, Titanic Museum in Belfast, the Curragh Army Camp and being special guests of the owner of Castle Oliver, our tours are always designed to be memorable. Space is left for the unexpected too, magical moments that build memories for visitors and enthusiasts alike.
It's also an opportunity to experience Ireland through carefully selected hotels and authentic Irish eateries. We'll bring our visitors to places that have relevance to the tour and destinations that deserve a visit, because they are, well, just too good to be missed!
Our all-island tour begins in our historic capital city Dublin home of the National Transport Museum, Airfield House and not forgetting the transport archive in the Guinness Storehouse.
The tour then travels to Belfast, the biggest city in northern Ireland and famous for its transport manufacturing from DeLorean cars to the Whitehead Railway Museum and the Harland & Wolff Shipyard where the Titanic was built.
We then travel to the west coast of Ireland to the ancient city of Limerick and the nearby Foynes Flying Boat Museum home to the worlds only Boeing 314 Clipper, then travel for a private visit to Castle Oliver where we have exclusive access to the castle and the collection of Dublin-built 1961 Plymouth cars.
On our journeys between Dublin, Belfast and Limerick there will be frequent stops at places of interest such as the Irish Army Workshops at the Curragh Camp and lots of other surprises along the way.
The trip is not just about vintage transport, however, we've also weaved in stops in authentic pubs, restaurants and cafes, along the way, to give you a real sense of Irish food, fare and of course atmosphere. Overnight stays will be a combination of luxury hotels and historic inns.
Itinerary
In Ireland, everything can change, and new things emerge, that's the beauty and rhythm of life on the island! We're pretty certain our route will go to plan, but we can't predict the future, anyway, who wants a tour without surprises?
As our guests, from time of arrival to departure, we'll be with you, every step of the way. We're the friendly faces that meet you at the airport and transfer you to each hotel. Also, when it comes to departure, we'll ensure you're delivered in good time for the homebound flight.
Day One — Dublin to Belfast
• Welcoming tour event and refreshments
• Stephen Lennon - tractor workshop
• Alan Gillespie - the ‘Welly Boot Man’ pre-war machinery
• The Harry Ferguson Memorial Garden
• Check into the Culloden Estate and Spa
Day Two — Belfast
• Ulster Transport Museum
• DeLorean car club ride
• Private dining room lunch in Titanic Hotel
• Titanic Museum, Drawing Room and Graving Dock
• Victorian Crown Bar for drinks
• Return to the Culloden Estate and Spa
Day Three — Belfast to Dublin to Wicklow
• Whitehead Railway Museum
• Ulster Fry, in the Vintage Railway Cafe
• Enterprise, first class train to Dublin
• Brady’s American Car Museum in Arklow
• Check-in to Hunter’s (historic coaching) Hotel
• Dinner & historian talk in Hunter s Hotel
Day Four — Wicklow
• Coolakay Heritage Museum & Powerscourt Waterfall
• Lunch on Powerscourt Estate
• Pat Cullen’s vintage collection
• Brittas Bay Antiques
• Return to Hunter's Hotel
Day Five — Wicklow to Dublin & Return
• Guinness Storehouse Tour
• Collins Barracks Museum Transport Section with an archivist
• Jameson Distillery & Tower
• Shanahans on the Green for Dinner
• Leprechaun Museum Darkland tour
• Return to Hunter's Hotel
Day Six — Wicklow to Dublin & Return
• Overend Sisters, Rolls Royce, Airfield, Dundrum
• Tea & scones in Airfield’s Cafe
• Fish & Chips at Beshoffs Sea Grill, Howth Harbour
• National Transport Museum, Howth
• Land Rover Safari at Castletown House
• Return to Hunter's Hotel
Day Seven — Dublin to Limerick
• Curragh Military Museum
• Guinness Steam Museum
• Historic Morrissey’s Pub, Abbeyleix
• Field Marshall Tractor collection, Ballybrophy
• Check-in to a Hidden Ireland Hotel
Day Eight — Limerick and Return
• Foynes Flying Boat Museum including Irish Coffee making and certification
• Sean O'Sullivan's car and truck collection
• Castle Oliver Tour & Ride in Plymouths
• Dinner with Mike Keane - James Bond stunt car designer
Day Nine — Limerick to Dublin
• Self-drive classic cars in the Wicklow Mountains
• Tour conclusion event in Johnny Foxes, Pub
• Check into Clontarf Castle
Itinerary subject to change
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Exclusive access to museums & private collections
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Friendly and knowledgeable Ireland Made guide accompanies the tour
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Surprise events and collector meet-ups
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Carefully selected hotels & authentic Irish eateries
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Interact with real, and authentic enthusiasts