Explore Northern Ireland

Explore Northern Ireland

Rugged coastlines, historic castles and breathtaking scenery are in abundance in this very green and captivating land.

Take the awe-inspiring coastal road to see the Giant’s Causeway, one of Europe’s most celebrated natural wonders, or feel the spray from the other side of the Atlantic. When it comes to city life, the colourful capital Belfast and vibrant Derry, provide some fascinating sightseeing opportunities and you’ll be in for some great craic with a traditional Irish welcome on the affectionately known ‘Emerald Isle‘.

It’s easy to see why the magical and fantastical landscapes of Northern Ireland, from forbidden forests to sweeping glacial valleys, were chosen as filming locations for the hit TV series Game of Thrones and this beautiful country can be yours discover through your own eyes!

Our Tour Highlights


Belfast and Derry – City life

From the birthplace of the Titanic to the iconic City Hall, you'll find an abundance of historic landmarks and world-class visitor attractions in Northern Ireland’s largest city, Belfast. ...more

Giants Causeway and the Antrim Coast


The extraordinary Giant’s Causeway, flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean on one side and a landscape of dramatic cliffs on the other, is well worth a visit. ...more

Great Houses and Irish tradition

You’ll be spoilt for choice with the amount of grand residences on offer in Northern Ireland, including Hillsborough Castle with its royal connections ...more

From Patron Saints to Screen

Castle Ward is the fascinating home of the Ward family since the 16th century, a unique property with its impressive Gothic façade and stunning location overlooking Strangford Lough. ...more

Performance Venue Highlights


Belfast Cathedral

Magnificent St Anne's Cathedral at the heart of Belfast's Cathedral Quarter is a treasure trove of art and culture and of course, music, with a range of resident choirs who rehearse and sing in this beautiful building. Consecrated in 1904 and extended over the years, with the eye-catching Spire of Hope added in 2006. Today, a sacred space and place of worship, St Anne's also provides a stunning backdrop for concerts, recitals and carol services.
  • Perfect for: Choirs, Orchestras and Bands
  • Repertoire: Sacred, classical and some secular repertoire accepted
  • Performance times: Recitals on request and service participation is welcomed. For a very special experience, the cathedral can be hired for an evening concert.

Castle Ward, Downpatrick

Castle Ward, an 18th-century eccentric house with two distinctly different architectural styles, classical on one side and the Gothic aspect overlooking Strangford Lough. This truly beautiful expanse of walking trails, exotic garden, stunning vistas and picturesque farmyard, will bring history to life. Follow in the footsteps of the ‘Game of Throne’ stars and perform in the farmyard, now famous for being the location of Winterfell in this hugely popular TV series.
  • Perfect for: All music ensembles on request and subject to event calendar
  • Repertoire: Mixed and appropriate for the concert timing or event
  • Performance times: During special events and during your group visit

Giants Causeway, County Antrim

Flanked by the wild North Atlantic Ocean on one side and a landscape of dramatic cliffs on the other, for centuries the Giant’s Causeway has inspired artists, stirred scientific debate and captured the imagination of all who see it. Northern Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mystery and stories of the landscape are explained in the award-winning Visitor Centre where your performance will also take place overlooking this dramatic land.
  • Perfect for: All musical ensembles visiting the Giants Causeway
  • Repertoire: Mixed
  • Performance times: Daily as required and on request

Where To Stay


*official star rating

Dunadry Hotel and Country Club, Dunadry

  • Stunning, recently refurbished, quality hotel built on the site of an ancient fort, set within beautiful gardens alongside the
  • Six Mile Water trout river. 25-minute drive from Belfast City Centre.
  • Elegant bedrooms, due to be fully refurbished by 2019, are equipped with TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities
  • Hotel facilities include a modern restaurant and cosy bar with many of the former paper mill’s original features on show.
  • Leisure and spa facilities include an indoor swimming pool, spa pool, steam room, beauty salon and gym.

*official star rating

Ramada by Wyndham Belfast City Centre

  • Located in Belfast City Centre near St Anne Cathedral.
  • Modern bedrooms equipped with TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities.
  • Hotel facilities include a welcoming lobby area, restaurant and bar.

Sample Itinerary

This itinerary is for guidance only and will be tailored to meet your exact tour requirements. The excursions and concerts featured below will be subject to your chosen tour dates, availability and budget. Please get in touch to discuss your potential tour in more detail and other opportunities available to your group!
MorningAfternoonEvening
Day 1Travel to your destination from your chosen collection point.Welcome drink at the hotel and time at leisure.Group evening meal at the hotel and time to socialise!
Day 2Day excursion to Belfast. Visit the Titanic Exhibition, the Titanic Quarter, Botanic Gardens and explore the city itself.Lunchtime concert in Belfast Cathedral and afternoon at leisure.Evening meal at the hotel and evening activity.
Day 3Enjoy the splendour of the Antrim Coastal road with a visit and concert at the Giant’s Causeway.Sample the Irish whiskey and take a tour of a local distillery.Evening meal at the hotel and potential evening concert at your hotel.
Day 4Enjoy a relaxing morning visiting Downpatrick and the numerous attractions dedicated to the patron saint, St Patrick.Afternoon visit to the atmospheric Castle Ward to include a concert and complete the day with a boat tour across the Strangford Lough.Farewell meal in local restaurant.
Day 5Optional morning excursion.Onward journey home.

 

Sound Escapes did a fantastic job on arrangements for our tour . Would thoroughly recommend Jo to any choir looking to travel . All feedback has been positive from everyone who travelled . The extra care at meeting us at the coach and check in to ensure things ran smoothly went above and beyond .
Don OakleyMalmesbury ChoirOxford 2023
As a Chorister, and eventually Head Chorister in our local church choir for eleven years, Jo was talented, dedicated and could always be relied on to work to the utmost of her undoubted abilities. I would expect that she would apply the same attributes to her professional life
P BuckmasterChoral Director

In May 2020 we were due to tour the Stirling area in Scotland and due to the current coronavirus pandemic we took the difficult decision to call off the tour. I’d like to give our thanks and praise to Jo and her team for all the planning and preparation she had done to put the itinerary together – she was able to provide us with an excellent range of stunning concert venues, plus some great suggestions for our leisure time, and we look forward to working with her again soon.

Sally ColesSecretary, Cantamici
Fantastic tour in Bonnie Scotland, enjoyed by all who went, singing and non-singing. Brilliant organisation from Jo who really made it all look so easy.
Kate HymansTour organiser for Masterworks Chorale
You’ve been patient and kind all the way through this, Jo – especially with it being the first international tour I’ve done, and with all the unforeseen changes to the travel arrangements, so thank you to you and the team.
Sarah MonteithChoir DirectorResound ChoirParis 2023
Jo and her team came up with a fantastic itinerary for our choir and planned everything to the last detail. We always felt we were in safe hands and that they were on the end of a phone to help us with anything we needed. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough.
Rosie SayersChairperson for Sing It Loud Community Choir
Brilliant tour, expertly organised. Kindness and compassion. Nothing was too much trouble. Colin, our driver, was a complete gem and so knowledgeable about the isle. Lovely hotel staff where nothing was too much trouble
Felicity CourageChoir Director, Courage Choir
Care and attention to detail of the highest degree. The planning with Jo Porter was detailed and meticulous, with nothing being missed, and although she was not involved in the accommodation arrangements, she nevertheless checked it out and acted as an intermediary.
Robin SpencerChoir Secretary, Phoenix Choir
One of the best tours we have ever undertaken – musically, socially and geographically. Would heartily recommend Sound Escapes to any group considering a tour.
Carole Lindsay-DouglasAmici SingersWeston-Super-Mare 2023
From cathedrals and abbeys, churches and stately homes, all steeped in centuries of history, some in Roman Towns others in quintessential English ‘picture postcard’ villages, every choir and musical ensemble should spend a tour exploring the United Kingdom and Ireland. Whatever part of the country you to choose to visit, by working with a knowledgeable team of people who know the regions inside out from both a tourism and musical perspective, you will be guaranteed the richest of touring experiences
Tim KnightBritish composer and Choral Director

Your musical journey awaits, get in touch today ...