Irish Experience Small Group 9-night small group tour starting at €2863.00 per person
You might not know how to find it yet, but it will find you. Your place in Ireland. It might be a mood that comes over you, all of a sudden, as you wander through the medieval streets of Kilkenny, join in a traditional music session in Killarney, or enjoy a bracing walk through the panoramic landscape of Donegal. The people you meet will captivate you with their curious tales, and unique way with a phrase. There are opportunities to discover the traditions of Irish agriculture, rural living and music, and to adjust to a slower pace of life. This tour is limited to 15 people.
Irish Experience Small Group Itinerary:
Wednesday - DEPART FROM HOME Your vacation begins the moment you board your flight. Destination: SHANNON.
Thursday - CLIFFS OF MOHER/BURREN/GALWAY Arrive in Shannon, where you meet your fellow travelers and your Lynott Tours driver/guide. The wonderful west! Behold the power of the Cliffs of Moher. The rugged cliffs, looming above the pounding surf of the Atlantic Ocean far below, offer spectacular scenic vistas during a morning visit. The limestone Burren features the ancient Paulnabrone Dolmen, and the area is alive with arctic and alpine flowers in the spring and early summer. Travel to Galway, a vibrant, cobblestoned city full of music, art and pubs. Afternoon tour to Connemara, Â including the village of Cong, setting for the John Wayne film, The Quiet Man.
Friday - YEATS' SLIGO/DONEGAL - ANCIENT SITES & CHINA You visit the inspiring Our Lady's Shrine at Knock and then continue to Sligo, which inspired moving poetry of William Butler Yeats. Visit the awe-inspiring ancient site at Carrowmore Cairns. Stop at Belleek China for a factory shop visit, before settling in our home village of Donegal.(B)
Did you know? Sea captain and pirate queen Grace O’Malley patrolled the waters off the West coast of Ireland in the 16th century, and pirated and traded successfully for over 50 years. She even gave birth to her youngest son aboard her ship as it was being attacked by North African pirates.
Saturday - DONEGAL HIGHLANDS EXCURSION - WEAVING AND TWEEDS The rugged coastline of Donegal is yours to explore, where narrow roads twist and turn around the wild Atlantic and Irish is often the language on signposts. Nearby are the Slieve League cliffs, the highest in Europe. Pass Killybegs, with its colorful fishing boats and net menders. Next, Ardara, where villagers weave their tweeds, from spinning the wool to color choice to the finished fabric. (B)
Sunday - DONEGAL/DUBLIN - THE HEART OF IRELAND Travel by way of Lough Erne, Cavan and Kells, to Navan, residence of the Irish high kings. The Hill of Tara has been an important site since the Stone Age. Arrive in Dublin, Ireland's capital, which has retained its Georgian elegance, and transfer to your hotel. Our afternoon of Dublin takes you to Trinity College to see the illuminated Book of Kells, and St. Patrick's, Ireland's national cathedral. Visit the Guinness Storehouse in the heart of old Dublin, where you sample Ireland's most famous creamy stout. Storytelling, dinner and traditional music in a candelit Dublin pub: The scene is set in one of Dublin's oldest pubs. As early as the 1600's, it was a popular haunt. The Seanachi, the Irish word for storyteller, entertains with oral tales of fairies, Celtic warriors and legendary deed-doing. Tales are told and songs sung and everyone is made to feel welcome. With turf fire glowing a perfect setting in which to take you back through the romantic mists of time. History comes alive tonight! (B,D)
Monday - DUBLIN/WICKLOW DAY TRIP This is a day dedicated to touring one of the most beautiful areas, the "Garden of Ireland". Visit Powerscourt Estate, with its impressive Italianate garden. Then, we are off to Glendalough, snuggled in a wooded and lush countryside setting. Its noteworthy round tower is one of the best preserved in Europe. Return to Dublin, where your evening is free. (B)
Tuesday - KILKENNY Enjoy the relaxed pace of Ireland, known for its bogs and turf fires, rich farmlands and scenic countryside. Travel through the Curragh, the horse breeding center of Ireland. You visit Kilkenny Castle. Stay in Kilkenny, somewhere very special with its cobbled streets and castle, one of the finest examples of an Irish medieval town. Tonight, "Meet the Irish" by staying as a welcome guest in a local home, not only wonderfully located, but also fully equipped, comfortably homey, and clean. Enjoy a pub lunch. (B,L)
Wednesday - BLARNEY/COBH/KILLARNEY This morning you take the scenic route to Cobh, originally a small fishing village. Cobh was the departure point for many Irish immigrants in the 19th century, and is associated with the loss of the Titanic. Visit Blarney, with a chance to kiss "The Stone". Travel through landscapes of the rarest green, where herds of black and white cows peek from every hill on the way to Killarney. (B)
Did you know? Robert Gregg, born in Monaghan in 1867, invented the Gregg Shorthand technique used all around the world.
Thursday - DINGLE BAY OR RING OF KERRY An incredible day awaits! We drive along the Kerry Coast to the Dingle Peninsula, one of the natural wonders of Ireland and introduced to the world in "Ryan's Daughter". We'll see the mysterious beehive huts (or stone igloos) en route to Slea Head for a view of the Blasket Islands and Dunmore Head, the westernmost point in Europe. A musical pub evening is in store for us tonight, complete with local entertainment. (B,D)
Friday - ADARE/LIMERICK We'll travel to the quaint village of Adare, distinguished by its charming thatched cottages. Tonight, we've planned a special farewell castle medieval dinner. We'll be transformed back in time as we sip the traditional mead and don bibs to eat with our fingers at a fun-filled medieval dinner at Bunratty Castle, built in 1460 on the edge of Ratty River and protected by a moat. You have a choice, too, to stay at a wonderful 5 star castle hotel - Dromoland Castle. (B,D)
Saturday - SHANNON Return home with the memories of the friends you’ve met, and a lifetime of stories to relate. You have ample time for duty-free shopping before boarding your return flight home. (B) You may purchase transfers to Dublin, and extra nights at added cost.
Irish Experience Includes:
- Round trip airfare available at extra cost.
- Airport transfers according to schedule below.
- Deluxe motorcoach transportation
- Driver/professional guide throughout
- First-class accommodations for 9 nights; room with private bath
- 9 hearty Irish breakfasts (B), special pub lunch (L), 3 special dinners (D)
- Tea and scones at a farmhouse
- Baggage handling
- All taxes and service charges
- All sightseeing and entrance fees. Some highlights:
Your 3* & 4* first-class hotels:
- Galway - Flannerys 1 night
- Donegal - Mill Park 2 nights
- Dublin - Ashling Hotel 2 nights
- Kilkenny - homestay 1 night
- Killarney - Killarney Plaza Hotel 2 nights
- Shannon - Oakwood Arms or Dromoland Castle 1 night
Same Price as Booking Irish Experience Small Group Direct
As always, Enchanting Ireland works directly with all tour operators therefore our rate is theirs and there are no additional fees. All tour operators pay a commission to travel agencies however, if you book Irish Experience Small Group direct, they keep this commission rather than passing it along to you - so our prices are the same as booking it yourself. We will, however, charge in USD, handling the currency conversion to save any transfer fees as well as make your pre-post travel plans at no additional charge.