☘️EXPLORE IRELAND – ESCORTED -12 DAY TOUR

Warm, witty, welcoming and with more than our fair share of quirky charm. Ireland’s people will make any trip here an unforgettable experience! You’re sure to have a great time meeting the friendly people and experiencing the unique Irish culture.

☘️PRICES INCLUDE:
*11 nights accommodation with daily breakfast *Modern motor-coach for days 2-11 *English speaking driver/guide for days 2-11 *Porterage x 1 piece of luggage p.p.

☘️Food & Beverage:
*Full Irish Breakfasts each morning Day 2 – 12 *Dinner at your hotel on days 4 and 5

☘️Visits:
*The Glyde Inn VR Experience *Hillsborough Castle *Titanic Belfast *Giants Causeway *Belleek Pottery *Marble Arch Caves *Cliffs of Moher *Blarney Castle *Midleton Distillery Experience *House of Waterford *Dunbrody Famine Ship *EPIC museum

☘️Experiences:
*Discover the Walled City of Derry *The Medieval City of Kilkenny *Scenic drive of the Causeway Coast *Ring of Kerry *Explore Dublin and Belfast
*Derry City Walking tour *Jaunting Car ride in Killarney National Park

SELF-DRIVE, CHAUFFEUR SERVICE TOUR OPTION AND FAMILY GROUP RATES AVAILABLE
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US or call us direct at 772-571-3132

DAY – 1

Welcome to Dublin!

Upon Arrival in Ireland, make your own way to your city centre hotel. The remainder of the day is free to relax and settle into the fair city of Dublin. Dublin is a city with a soul. Founded in 841 by the Vikings, it is a city with an interesting past. Its many monuments tell of its history. Today, Dublin is the Cosmopolitan capital of the Irish Republic and a city of over one million people. Despite the many changes the city has witnessed during the last decade, it still remains a city ready to welcome all who wish to visit.  Explore Ireland’s Capital City discovering the north and south side of the River Liffey. Wandering around the Heart of Historic Dublin—the Liberties. This area offers great striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on the city main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, or the Custom House along the quays, as well as the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares, such as Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde’s House can still be found (today owned by an American College), its colourful doors, along with Grafton Street and its quality shops. Not so far from St. Stephen’s Green, in Kildare St., you will see the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. This part of the city is also dominated by the students of Trinity College, where the famous Book of Kells is permanently exhibited in its library. The university is facing the medieval district where Dublin Castle and the two Anglican Cathedrals can be found.

Trinity College 

Trinity was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1st on grounds confiscated from an Augustinian priory and is the oldest University in Ireland. The Campanile, erected in 1852, was built on what is believed to be the centre of the monastery. Built to further the education of the ruling Anglo-Irish families, restrictions were imposed to prevent Catholic from attending courses. These restrictions were not fully lifted until the 1970’s. Trinity however admitted women in 1902, earlier than most British universities. Most of the main buildings off the main square were built during the Georgian period, some of which replaced older buildings. Within its walls, you will be able to admire Parliament Square and its 18th Century edifices. Trinity College has had many famous students such as Jonathan Swift and Samuel Beckett who later became a lecturer in French at the university. The Inter-denominational Church is very much worth a visit, should it be open during our visit.

You may wish to visit the world famous Guinness Storehouse.

The Guinness Brewery in Dublin is Europe’s largest stout producing brewery and home to the Guinness Storehouse. Opened in 1904, the Storehouse was an operational plant for fermenting and storing Guinness. Today it houses a very fine exhibition dedicated to the Guinness story. Visitors on the Tour will discover what goes into the making a pint of Guinness – the ingredients, the brewing process, the time, the craft and the passion. The exhibition shows how the brew has been marketed and how it is today sold in over 150 countries. Once a tour has finished the group is invited to the Gravity Bar to enjoy a pint of Guinness. Regular demonstrations on the art of pulling a pint of Guinness also take place in the Storehouse. Launched on the fifth floor in 2011, “Five” at Guinness Storehouse, includes a small replica authentic Irish Bar, an 18th Century inspired Brewers Dining Hall, and a restaurant named Gilroy’s where guests enjoy a Guinness gastronomical experience driven entirely by the Irish tradition of wholesome local produce. Menus include local foods such as Ardsallagh goat’s cheese, Irish mussels from Carlingford and the Waterford Blaas bread supplied by MD Bakery in Waterford. This area will host from time to time live cooking demonstrations using Guinness in the recipe and it includes an interactive recipe sharing bank that allows visitors to take Guinness recipe cards home.

Or you may want to visit the Old Jameson Distillery in Smithfield Village, located in the heart of Old Dublin. This old barley storehouse, once the centre of Distilling in Dublin, was renovated in 1998 and converted into a museum where all the secrets of Irish whiskey’s distillation will be revealed. An audio-visual show will introduce the history of this spirit and it is followed by a guided visit which will take a visitor through the various stages of whiskey distilling from grain intake to malting, mashing, fermentation, distillation, maturation and finally bottling. The visit culminates in the Jameson bar with an opportunity for all to taste the signature Jameson drink. During the visit a number of volunteers are selected to take part in a tasting session to compare a Jameson whiskey with a Scottish Whisky and American bourbon. Participants will receive a Diploma for their achievement.

Christchurch Cathedral 

King Sitric Silkenbeard, the 1st Christian Viking King of Dublin, built the city’s first church on this site in 1038.The current building was built in 1172 by the Anglo-Norman Richard de Clare (Strongbow). Similar to St Patrick’s Cathedral, it is adorned with funeral monuments, including the reputed tomb of Strongbow. Unlike St. Patrick’s however, Christchurch posses a crypt which stretches nearly its entire length & much of the Cathedrals memorabilia is displayed here. Attached to the Cathedral is Dublinia, an excellent exhibition of medieval Dublin.
This, the evening of your arrival, you will start your warm welcome to Ireland when you meet your fellow tour participants for a welcome drink at your Hotel. The next day is the start of your fantastic journey through the Emerald Island!

Overnight: Dublin (Bed & Breakfast)

Newgrange. Co. Meath

DAY – 2

You will meet your driver and guide at the hotel’s reception and depart towards Belfast. On route, you will travel through the Boyne Valley and the 5,000- year-old Hill of Tara, the seat of the ancient High Kings of Ireland. You will stop at the Glyde Inn for a unique VR experience! You won’t just learn about being a Viking; you will become one. Continue to Hillsborough Castle, the official Royal Palace for Northern Ireland, for a visit. Discover stories of celebration, entertainment, diplomacy, and negotiation as you explore Hillsborough Castle’s fascinating history and stunning State Rooms.

Overnight: Belfast (Bed & Breakfast)

DAY – 3

Experience Belfast City!
Splendidly situated at the head of Belfast Lough, the City is a modern and vibrant one, which is proud of its heritage and history. Enjoy a panoramic tour of the city center during which your guide will explain how Belfast developed from a small market town to an industrial giant. Pass by landmarks like City Hall and Queen’s University before visiting Titanic Belfast, an iconic landmark building where the story of Titanic is told. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure in Belfast.

Optional: Glenshane Country Farm Sheepdog Demo – (Supplement will apply) A family-owned sheep farm based deep in the beautiful ancient landscape of the Sperrin Mountains.
Meet Jamese McCloy, a fourth-generation shepherd who wants to introduce people to sheep farming, particularly his highly trained team of working sheepdogs. Join Moss, Tess & Jess, on this immersive experience, ‘Sheepdogs at Work’.

Overnight: Belfast (Bed & Breakfast)

DAY – 4

North Antrim Coastline and The Giant’s Causeway

Travel along the spectacular North Antrim Coastline & experience the highlight of any trip to Northern Ireland: The Giant’s Causeway, where about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns result from a volcanic eruption. The site was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1986. After your visit, continue to Derry, Ireland’s only fully intact walled city. Feel the centuries of drama witnessed by the inhabitants of the past, as you walk the Derry Walls. After this amazing day of history and landscapes, you head to Donegal for the evening.

Overnight: Donegal (Dinner, bed & breakfast)

DAY – 5

Galway

This morning you will travel on towards Galway where you stay for 2 evenings. Our first stop for the day is at Belleek Pottery which has been in business since 1857. See first-hand how this world-renowned pottery is created. Continue to the Marble Arch Caves and explore a fascinating, natural underworld of rivers, winding passages and lofty chambers. The caves, in the heart of the UNESCO Global Geopark, were formed in limestone rock when water flowing through the rock slowly dissolved it to leave chambers, passages and systems you can explore during a guided tour.
Galway City at the mouth of Galway Bay is both a picturesque and lively city with a wonderful avant-garde culture and a fascinating mixture of locally owned specialty shops, often featuring locally made crafts. Indeed, local handcrafts are a feature of the entire region including hand knits, pottery, glass, jewelry and woodwork. The City is a delight with its narrow streets, old stone and wooden shop fronts, good restaurants, and busy pubs. The City has many relics of its medieval past which are worth taking time to explore.

Galway has attracted a bohemian crown of musicians and artists which add so much to its character. We recommend to pop by the beautiful Cathedral, built in 1965, the Salmon Weir Bridge and along the trout stream to the Collegiate of St Nicholas of Myra, which was built in 1320. The Collegiate is close to Nora Barnacle’s house (Mrs. James Joyce) and to the famous Lynch window from which the English language receive the word to Lynch (hang). Continue on along Shop Street to see the splendor of the rich merchants’ houses during the time that they controlled the commercial life of the City, Lynch’s house being an excellent example. Finally, pass by the Eyre Square, the accepted centre of Galway City. On the western side of the square is Browne’s doorway which is all that remains of a mid-17th century merchant’s house. The square also has a statue to Padraig O’Conaire, a noted Irish writer and a curious rusted metal sculpture representing the famous Galway Hooker, a boat which is unique to Galway.

This, the largest county in Connaught, is celebrated in song and story throughout the world and takes centre stage on Ireland’s western seaboard. A spectacularly beautiful county, it is a medley of contrasts – the wildest and remotest of countryside teamed with one of Europe’s most vibrant and popular cities. It has changed considerably over the last number of years and features a fascinating juxtaposition of new and ancient architecture. The centre of the city is conveniently compact enough to ramble around comfortably. Anyone who knows the song ‘Galway Bay’ will be familiar with the Claddagh, previously a fishing village of thatched cottages, now an area just outside the city centre. Here is the birthplace of the world famous Claddagh ring, a souvenir many bring home, just to keep a little piece of Galway with them always

Galway Cathedral

The largest catholic church in Galway, the Cathedral is located on Nun’s Island, on the west bank of the River Corrib near Salmon Weir Bridge. It was the last large church in Ireland to be made from stone and features a huge octagonal dome that complements the skyline of the City of Galway. The cathedral combines many features from different styles and periods of architecture. There are many treasures of art inside and outside. Erected on the site of an old jail, the parking lot of the cathedral contains a white cross in the pavement. It marks the site of the prison graveyard.

Overnight: Galway (Dinner, bed & breakfast)

DAY – 6

This morning you will be traveling into Co. Clare via the Burren Region to the Cliffs of Moher.
The Burren landscape covers over 150 square kilometres and is one of Ireland’s 6 National Parks. The region is visually similar to a moonscape, yet shelters a mixture of flora and
archaeological sites which have attracted visitors for centuries. Man came here over 6000 years ago, cleared the forests and set in motion soil erosion. Centuries of weathering has produced a terrain of fissured limestone pavements, disappearing lakes, terraced mountains, and underground cave systems. For millennia man has left his mark, megalithic tombs and cooking sites litter the pavements, while medieval tower houses and churches guard the valleys. Today man is absent from most of the upland, leaving behind ancient field systems, routeways and placenames.
Visitors to the Burren will find Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean plants growing together.

Visit the Cliffs of Moher,

offering splendid views over the Atlantic Ocean. Situated on the Atlantic Ocean and bordering the Burren region, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland.

On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. The cliffs reach their highest point just north of O’ Brien’s Tower built by Cornelius O’ Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, to entertain his lady friends. A visit of the tower is also possible. The sweeping view across the Atlantic has recently been ranked the best ‘cliff-view’ on the planet by Conde Nast Traveler. The respected travel publication has voted the world-famous landmark at the top of a new chart of ‘ Nine Gorgeous Cliff Views that Rival The Grand Canyon’. At this spot, is the “Atlantic Edge”, the exciting new interpretive centre at the Cliffs of Moher, which is built into the natural landscape. The centre is a huge domed cave that contains images, exhibits, displays & experiences exploring different elements of the mighty Cliffs of Moher: Ocean, Rock, Nature and Man. The visitor centre has a restaurant and shop facilities. A spectacular upgraded 13 km of scenic coastal pathway along the Cliffs of Moher links Doolin to Hags Head.
Return to Galway to enjoy some time at leisure in the city.

Overnight: Galway (Bed & breakfast)

DAY – 7

Cork and The Blarney Castle

Travel south towards Cork. En route, you will pass Limerick City, founded in the 9th century by Vikings. In the afternoon arrive in Blarney where you will visit Blarney Castle. An ancient stronghold of the McCarthy’s, Lords of Muskerry, Blarney Castle is situated in Blarney village ( ‘An Bhlarna’, meaning ‘the little field’), 8km from Cork City. it is one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic castles, and one of the strongest fortresses in Munster. Built in 1446, Blarney Castle is famous for its Blarney stone, the Stone of Eloquence, which is traditionally believed to have the power to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it, with many legends telling the story of the Stone. The Castle gardens cover 60 acres of land with a network of paths that lead through various gardens, arboretums, and avenues, including a water garden, fern garden and poison garden. Blarney Castle has a very strong history with Equestrian. Visitors love to see the many Horses And Donkeys that are on site. The old stables can be seen at the Coach House Café but now the stables are located on the avenue as you walk towards the lake. Historically the estate was a venue for International Horse Trials. The estate also boasts an impressive range of native wildlife.

Overnight: Cork (Bed & breakfast)

DAY – 8

The Ring of Kerry

The Rich route brings you along the Atlantic Coast and is one of the highlights of a trip to Ireland. Quiet valleys and idyllic spots await along the way. The breathtaking beauty of the landscape on the peninsula will delight you. Above all, the Ring of Kerry provides an amazing insight into the ancient heritage of Ireland – see the Iron Age Forts & Ogham Stones, Old Monasteries and a landscape carved out of rock by the last Ice Age 10,000 years ago. Take in the spectacular scenery of Molls Gap and Ladies’ View. Step back in time by experiencing Ireland’s most traditional mode of transport with a Jaunting Car Tour (Horse and Carriage) to view Killarney’s most loved beauty hotspot; Killarney National Park! You will learn all about the area’s history from your Jarvey, many of whom are second and third-generation Jarveys.

Overnight: Cork (Bed & Breakfast)

DAY – 9

On your way to Kilkenny, you will stop at the nearby Midleton Distillery, founded by the Murphy Brothers in 1825, which still produces more than 24 million bottles of whiskey yearly. Finish the visit with a tasting of this famous Irish whiskey. Continue towards Waterford, where you will visit the House of Waterford in the city’s Viking Triangle. On the tour, you will witness how Waterford Crystal masterpieces are crafted, from initial design to final engraving.

Overnight: Kilkenny (Bed & Breakfast)

DAY – 10

While in Wexford, visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a full-scale replica of the original ship built in 1845 for the Graves family of New Ross and which carried thousands of emigrants from Ireland to North America over thirty years. You will have an easy, leisurely afternoon in Kilkenny to discover the picturesque medieval city.

Optional: Learn about life in the castle over the many centuries of its existence with a tour of the Kilkenny Castle. Entrance & self-guided tour to Kilkenny Castle – Supplement will apply. The Castle has been an important site since the Anglo-Normans built it in the 12th century.

The Corner Note cafe in Dalkey in the suburbs of south Dublin

DAY – 11

Today, travel from Kilkenny back to Dublin. In Dublin visit the EPIC Museum and find out why over 10 million people emigrated from Ireland. This is a state-of-the-art interactive experience located in the beautiful vaults of the 1820 Custom House Quarter building in Dublin’s Docklands, the original departure point for so many of Ireland’s emigrants.
It will inspire and guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day. As you uncover the stories of our emigrants, you’ll realize that emigration is not about what people leave behind but what they bring with them. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. You will enjoy the remainder of the day at leisure so that you may explore the Fair City of Dublin as you please.
Optional: Evening Entertainment at Taylor’s Three Rock or similar. Visit this lively pub in Rathfarnham for an excellent night with Dinner Music and Dance.

Overnight: Dublin (Bed & breakfast)

DAY – 12

After a final Irish breakfast, transfer to Dublin Airport for your departure flight home under own arrangements.

SELF-DRIVE, CHAUFFEUR SERVICE TOUR OPTION AND FAMILY GROUP RATES AVAILABLE
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US or call us direct at 772-571-3132

Trip ID: 102401