11-night Unforgettable Ireland Tour
| Price From |
$1649 |
per person |
|
Visits:
* Dublin City * Kildare & The National Stud * Dublin/Wicklow * Waterford/Kilkenny * Cobh/Blarney/Killarney * Ring of Kerry * Cliffs of Moher/Galway * Connemara * Knock/Kingscourt * Dublin/USA
Ireland Bus Tour Testimonials
Tour Details:
Tour Highlights:
Escorted sightseeing by luxury motorcoach
Professional Irish Tour Director throughout
Group Round-trip Airport Transfers included
Accommodation at superior and first class hotels for 6 nights, Irish Farmhouse stay for 2 nights and 1 night in a 15th century Irish Castle.
Full Irish Breakfast (B) daily except morning of arrival
Four dinners (D) including a farewell dinner at 15th century Cabra Castle
All entrance fees to
-Guinness Storehouse
-National Stud of Ireland
-Japanese Gardens
-Dunbrody Famine Ship
-Walking tour of Waterford
-Cobh Heritage Center
-Ferry Ride across the River Shannon
Sightseeing including Dublin, Wicklow, New Ross, Kilkenny, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Galway and Cavan
Tips for baggage handling, taxes and hotel gratuities except gratuity to your Tour Director
Travel Documents including document holder, luggage tags and day-by-day itinerary
Day 1: Depart USA
Your trip to the beautiful Emerald Isle begins when you board your evening
flight bound for Dublin Airport (airfare not included in tour price).
Day 2: Dublin City
Upon arrival at Dublin airport, collect your luggage and proceed to the
arrivals hall. A representative will be there to meet you and arrange a transfer
to your first hotel. If your flight arrives after 12.00 noon, you will need to
transfer to the hotel at your own expense. In the afternoon, we will take a tour
of Dublin's Fair City. We will pass Trinity College, home of the Book of Kells
and St. Patrick's Cathedral. We'll pass O'Connell Street, Europe's largest
street and pass Christchurch Cathedral, and the Bank of Ireland, which is
formerly the Irish House of Parliament. If you keep a close eye on the road, you
may even spot Molly Malone wheeling her wheelbarrow! Conclude your tour with a
visit to the Guinness Storehouse, the birthplace of this famous pint, in the
heart of Dublin.
Overnight: Grand Canal Hotel or similar
Day 3: Kildare & The National Stud
After breakfast, we venture outside Dublin city to visit Ireland's National
Stud in County Kildare, home to some of Ireland's finest thoroughbreds. The
Horse Museum is where the ‘Sport of Kings' comes to life and here you learn
about how horse racing has become such a large part of Irish culture. We also
stop to visit the world famous Japanese Gardens created between 1906 - 1910 and
beautifully displayed in the 1000 acre Tully estate. Tonight, you may opt to
enjoy a traditional Irish dinner accompanied by ballads, Irish dancing and song!
(B)
Overnight: Grand Canal Hotel or similar
Day 4: Dublin/Wicklow
Today our drive is through County Wicklow, also known as the “Garden of
Ireland”. We will visit Glendalough, where St. Kevin founded his 6th century
monastic settlement. On then to the lovely town of Avoca, where the popular TV
series Ballykissangel was filmed. We continue via New Ross where we will visit
the Dunbrody Famine ship. Once aboard this replica Emigrant Ship you will
discover in person what life was like aboard an emigrant ship bound for America.
This evening a very warm welcome awaits you at an Irish Farmhouse. You will
spend time with your Irish hosts for 2 nights, including dinner. (B,D)
Overnight: Kilkenny Farmhouse or similar
Day 5: Waterford/Kilkenny
This morning we enjoy a historical walking tour of the Viking city of
Waterford and home of Waterford Crystal. We then continue on to Kilkenny,
Ireland's beer capital, where we enjoy some free time to explore. You can opt to
visit the Medieval Kilkenny Castle , built in 1195 and home to some of Ireland's
most famous families. Spend time exploring the drawing room, the library and the
bedrooms all decorated in 1830's splendor. We return this evening to the
farmhouse for another delicious dinner. (B,D)
Overnight: Kilkenny Farmhouse or similar
Day 6: Cobh/Blarney/Killarney
After breakfast we travel west and visit Cobh Heritage Centre, last port of
call of the fated Titanic and a historical site. On then to the village of
Blarney where we you can indulge in a little shopping at the famous Blarney
Woolen Mills. There will be time for those that opt to climb the castle steps to
kiss the Blarney Stone! We arrive into Killarney in the late afternoon and
tonight we will enjoy dinner together at the hotel. (B,D)
Overnight: Killarney Towers Hotel or similar
Day 7: Ring of Kerry
After breakfast we embark on one of Ireland most scenic drives, the Ring of
Kerry. We head along the coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula through the towns of
Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen, Waterville and Sneem. The circle is completed as our
route takes us on to “Ladies View” then back to Killarney. In the afternoon,
step back in time and opt to take a ride in a traditional horse drawn cart by
the Lakes of Killarney. Return to your hotel, dinner is on your own. (B)
Overnight: Killarney Towers Hotel or similar
Day 8: Cliffs of Moher/Galway
We depart Killarney and head north crossing the Shannon River by ferry into
Kilimer, County Clare. Our first stop today is the majestic, spectacular, and
mighty Cliffs of Moher. Rising 700 feet above the ocean and extending 5 miles,
the Cliffs offer sweeping views of the Atlantic, the Aran Islands, and Galway
Bay. We continue on to Galway, “the city of Tribes” after the fourteen families
who originally settled in the area. Enjoy this historic city visiting the
Cathedral and Claddagh area. (B)
Overnight: Radisson SAS Hotel Galway or similar
Day 9: Connemara
This morning, after a hearty Irish breakfast we shall explore the rugged yet
serene Connemara area which John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara made famous in the
classic, “A Quiet Man”. This rocky land of broad-backed mountains and pearl-like
lakes is the largest Irish speaking section of the country and the old
traditions and way of life are as much a part of Connemara's attractions as is
the scenery. We drive along the shores of Lough Corrib and then westward through
Maam Cross to Leenane. We return to Galway for the evening, where you are free
to enjoy the many pubs and restaurants Galway has to offer. (B)
Overnight: Radisson SAS Hotel Galway or similar
Day 10: Knock/Kingscourt
Leaving Galway behind us, we stop to visit Knock, which is often reffered to
as the Lourdes of Ireland. It is the site of an apparition of the Blessed
Mother, Saint Joseph and St. John in the year 1879. The highlight of the
day in Knock will be a visit to the large basilica dedicated to Our Lady, Queen
of Ireland. Our drive south continues to the beautiful 15th century Cabra
Castle, situated in Kingscourt Co. Cavan where we will spend our final evening
Ireland. This evening, we will enjoy a special farewell dinner in the castle.
(B,D)
Overnight: Cabra Castle or similar
Day 11: Dublin/USA
Savor one last hearty Irish breakfast before heading off to Dublin Airport
for your return flight. (B)