Mayo on the map for first luxury train tour

Ireland's first luxury train tour experience is coming to Westport.

Belmond Ltd. has announced its first luxury train experience in Ireland, which is anticipated to commence in summer 2016.

Belmond Grand Hibernian will be the first luxury overnight rail experience of its kind in the country, with plans for tours of the magnificent open countryside, dramatic coastal scenery and a number of cities both in the Republic and Northern Ireland. Westport is one of the destinations on the tours schedule.

Minister of State Michael Ring hailed the luxury touring train as 'an exciting proposition' and another unique way for overseas visitors to experience what Ireland has to offer.

Belmond Grand Hibernian will journey throughout the island, offering two, four and six-night rail experiences. The route will take in the major destinations, including Dublin, Belfast and Cork, Galway, Limerick, Kerry and further afield.

The initiative, the minister explained, is also hugely beneficial to Iarnród Éireann from whom Belmond has acquired 10 carriages, which the company is in the process of transforming into a luxury en-suite cabins.

“With the reputation that Belmond has, as the company behind the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express and the Eastern and Oriental Express, this luxury visitor experience adds an additional string to the bow of Irish tourism. I am delighted that Mayo has been included in the route and look forward to welcoming Belmond’s Grand Hibernian and all who travel on her to Westport in the years to come.”