Tour Overview:
This is a well paced tour with two-night stays in Killarney and Galway, as well as in Dublin. The driving days are of a reasonable length, with frequent stops offering splendid photo opportunities.
Itinerary:
12 DAYS ~ IRELAND ~ NORTHERN IRELAND
Tour Pace - This is a well paced tour with two- night stays in
Killarney and Galway, as well as in Dublin. The driving days are of a reasonable length,
with frequent stops offering splendid photo opportunities.
Fellow Passengers - This tour attracts both experienced and
first-time travellers who wish to explore the Emerald Isle. The comprehensive itinerary
is also perfect for those with Irish heritage or those fascinated by the Irish way of
life.
DAY 1 – MON – DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING. Welcome to Ireland! On
arrival at Dublin Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel
at 08:00, 11:00 & 13:30. Later, your sightseeing tour of Dublin includes the
elegant squares of Ireland’s ‘fair city’ and a visit to the
impressive castle (when open). See also the famous O’Connell Street and
Customs House. Tonight, enjoy a Welcome Drink with your Tour Director and
fellow guests.
Hotel: Burlington.
DAY 2 – TUE – DUBLIN – WATERFORD. Drive to Kildare
for an informative visit to Ireland’s National Stud, one of the country’s
main racehorse breeding centres. Visit the Japanese Gardens, laid out by Eida, a
Japanese landscape artist invited to Ireland at the turn of last century. Move on to
visit the 13th century Kilkenny Castle, with its splendid picture gallery. See
also the Kilkenny Design Centre before continuing to your hotel in historic
Waterford.
Hotel: Dooleys. (B)
DAY 3 – WED – WATERFORD – BLARNEY. See history
unfold before your eyes in Waterford as you view the 9th century
Reginald’s Tower and the remains of the old city walls. Tour the
Waterford Glass Factory, to see the famous crystal being blown and polished by hand,
before a coastal drive brings you to Ireland’s second city of Cork. See
St Finbar’s Cathedral, Cork’s most exuberant church building then
continue to your hotel in Blarney.
Hotel: Blarney Golf Resort. (B,D)
DAY 4 – THU – BLARNEY – KILLARNEY. Visit the
ancient castle of Blarney this morning. Will you dare to hang upside down from the
ramparts to kiss the Blarney Stone, and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? Admire
displays of Waterford Crystal at Blarney Mill before driving up the valley of the
River Lee into the majestic Derrynasaggart Mountains. Now to the beautiful scenery of the
Dingle Peninsula, spectacular setting for the film Ryan’s Daughter. From
dramatic Slea Head at the peninsula’s far end, make your way to the peaceful
town of Killarney.
Hotel: Killarney Avenue & Towers. (B,D)
DAY 5 – FRI – RING OF KERRY EXCURSION. An excursion
takes you around the Ring of Kerry on one of the world’s greatest scenic tours:
see towering cliffs, lush lakelands, remote villages and, above all, Ireland’s
highest mountain range, and view the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. Return to
Killarney and enjoy a highlight ride with the locals on one of the famous jaunting cars.
Tonight your Dine-Around evening offers you the option of dinner at a selection of local
restaurants. (B,DA)
DAY 6 – SAT – KILLARNEY – GALWAY. Drive via
picturesque Adare to the city of Limerick and see St Mary’s
Cathedral and medieval King John’s Castle. Now visit Bunratty Folk
Park, which recreates the homes and lifestyle of rural Ireland over the centuries
before a delightful drive takes you through the Burren, a strange, rocky landscape
rich with wild orchids, to Galway.
Hotel: Maldron. (B,D)
DAY 7 – SUN – CONNEMARA EXCURSION. In Galway, see
St Nicholas Cathedral, the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the
late US president John F Kennedy. The beautiful rugged landscape of Connemara
opens up a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills en route to the famous marble
factory, where you will tour the workshop. Visit palatial Kylemore Abbey
before returning to your hotel. (B)
DAY 8 – MON – GALWAY – LONDONDERRY. Bidding
farewell to Galway and Connemara, drive past Tuam to Clonalis House.This estate is the
home of the O’Connor family, descendants of the last High Kings of Ireland. Meet
the resident family and tour their home before driving through County Sligo to visit
the Belleek Pottery Centre. Continue to Donegal town, with its stronghold of
the great O’Donnells, and head north through the Blue Stack Mountains into
Northern Ireland, settling for the night in the ancient city of ‘Derry’.
Hotel: City. (B,D)
DAY 9 – TUE – LONDONDERRY – BALLYGALLY. Sightseeing
with a local guide takes you inside the well preserved walls, still topped
with cannons, and down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the
Gothic Guildhall. Continue along the coast to the spectacular Giant’s Causeway,
and hear the fantastic legends which surround this geological masterpiece created by the
cooling of lava which burst through the Earth’s crust millions of years ago.
Continue along the scenic Antrim coast to arrive in Ballygally for an overnight
stay.
Hotel: Ballygally Castle. (B,D)
DAY 10 – WED – BALLYGALLY – BELFAST. Continue
around the coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive in
Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Meet your local guide for a panoramic
tour of this unique city, with highlights including City Hall, Queen’s
University and Stormont Castle.
Hotel: Europa. (B)
DAY 11 – THU – BELFAST – DUBLIN. Travel alongside
the Mountains of Mourne to Drogheda, taking a short drive along the historic Boyne
Valley, site of the Battle of Boyne where William of Orange defeated the forces of
Catholic King James. Return to Ireland’s lively capital, Dublin, and spend a
leisurely evening relaxing, exploring or perhaps taking in a famous Irish Cabaret show.
Hotel: Burlington. (B)
DAY 12 – FRI – DUBLIN. Departure transfers arrive
at Dublin Airport at 07:30, 09:30 & 11:30. (B)
Price Details:
Notes
REF: B909. Prices are per person sharing a twin.
Some departures will operate in reverse.
Insight's Airport Shuttle Service
Transfers operate on the days and at the times shown in the itinerary.
Passengers arriving ourside these days and times have the option of either
purchasing a transfer (see Conditions) or making their own way from/to the airport.
2009