Before Tolkien wrote the Shire, before George R.R. Martin dreamed up Westeros, before every fantasy map was drawn, there was Ireland. The island where ancient magic wasn't invented. It was remembered.
In March 2027, I'm leading a Flights & Fables group on a 7-day journey through the north of Ireland, the most mythic, the most cinematic, and the most wildly beautiful stretch of the island. This isn't a standard sightseeing tour. It's a nerd's tour. Every stop means something to fantasy fans, and I'll be there as your guide to make sure you feel it.
We begin in Dublin, Ireland's literary, historic capital, with a panoramic tour taking in Trinity College, St. Stephen's Green, and the Georgian streets that inspired generations of storytellers. Then we're off through the heart of the island to Athlone, where we raise a glass at Sean's Bar, Ireland's oldest pub dating back to 900 AD. This is the real thing, a pint or an Irish coffee in a building that was ancient when the Vikings were still around.
We continue west to Galway, one of Ireland's most beloved cities, where a local guide walks us through medieval streets, past the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square. Then north through the rugged landscape of County Sligo for a sheepdog demonstration, one of those authentic rural Irish experiences that sticks with you, before arriving in Donegal, a town born from a Viking harbor.
Day 4 is the one that fantasy nerds came for. We walk the ancient walls of Derry, fortifications dating to the 17th century still standing intact, before heading to the Giant's Causeway, those extraordinary hexagonal basalt columns rising from the Atlantic that folklore says were built by the giant Finn MacCool himself. That evening we dine at the Crosskeys Inn, a CIE Tours exclusive venue dating to 1654, Ireland's oldest thatched pub, with stone walls, open fires, and traditional music. You cannot fabricate an atmosphere like this.
Day 5 delivers the Game of Thrones Studio Tour in Belfast, and if you're a GoT fan, this is the one. Walk through authentic sets including Winterfell's Great Hall and the Throne Room of King's Landing, see original props and costumes, and try your hand at White Walker target practice. This is one of the most immersive fantasy studio experiences in the world, and it's sitting right here in Northern Ireland where so much of the show was filmed.
We close our journey in Belfast with the Titanic Museum, a world-class tribute to the ship that was born in this city, before returning to Dublin for a festive farewell evening of traditional Irish song, dance, and dinner at the Merry Ploughboy. The perfect ending to a week of genuine Irish magic.
This trip is operated by CIE Tours, Ireland's premier tour operator since 1932, which means the quality, the access, and the local expertise are unmatched. I'm joining as your group leader and fellow fantasy nerd, to add context, connection, and a Flights & Fables lens to every stop along the way.
This is a small group departure. Spaces in the Flights & Fables block are limited. Once they're gone, they're gone.