Overnight flight to Ireland

Your tour starts this morning at 11am at Dublin airport where your own personal Irish driver/guide will meet you in the Arrivals hall. We travel westwards in the footsteps of St Ciaran to his monastic settlement at Clonmacnoise where you will unlock the secrets of saints and scholars and the importance of the church in Irish history. Afterwards we travel along the banks of the River Shannon to the once fortified town of Athlone. Hidden behind the towering Athlone Castle we stop off at Ireland’s oldest Pub, Sean’s bar for lunch and a chat with Timmy to hear his stories of the bar and the making of whiskey on the banks of nearby Lough Ree. Sample Sean’s own beer or whiskey with a bite of lunch before we head to Galway, the City of the Tribes on the mouth of the River Corrib. On arrival, check in to your hotel and shortly after embark on a short walking tour of this old medieval city. The evening is free to sample and experience the wonderful cuisine options that are on offer in this old walled city and your local walking guide will recommend his favourites.

Overnight Hyde Hotel, Galway. DBB

This morning after a hearty Irish breakfast we leave Galway and take the ferry ride to the Aran Islands. For an authentic Irish experience, visiting the Aran Islands is a must. Here the Irish language is still very much alive and old traditions are still a way of life. Our local guide will take us around the main island of Inishmore where we step back in time and visit Dun Aengus, a stone age fort dating back to 1100BC. You will also see many old churches, some associated with famous Irish Saints who used the island as a place of pilgrimage. Check out the local sweater shops where Aran sweaters are still made locally and pop into one of the local bars for a chat and drink with the locals where their stories will spellbound you of times gone by. An island where time stands still in the old Irish traditional way. This evening again you have time to yourself in Galway City on our return.

Overnight Hyde Hotel, Galway. BB

This morning we leave Galway and travel by road around Galway bay to County Clare and the Burren region. The word “Burren” comes from an Irish word “Boíreann” meaning a rocky place. It’s basically an area of exposed limestone and underground cave networks but is also described as a cultural landscape where man and the elements worked side by side. Evidence of burial chambers and old settlements are abound, enhancing the combined works of nature and of man. We continue onto the majestic Cliffs of Moher. At over 700ft high the panoramic views are fantastic along the Atlantic coast. We then travel southwards and take a ferry ride across the River Shannon and stop off in the town of Listowel. Here we have afternoon tea/coffee/scones and listen to the stories of Billy Keane whose father JB Keane, a famous Irish playwright owned a pub. Billy runs the pub now and so the story has another chapter. ‘John B’s is and always will be our living room, with beer ‘, says Billy. We then travel onto Killarney. This evening we have dinner at our hotel which is situated in the town centre beside all the bars and shops which you can explore later.

Overnight Dromhall Hotel, Killarney. BB

This morning we set off around the Iveragh Peninsula, otherwise known as the Ring of Kerry. A spectacular drive with breath-taking scenery. We have a lunch stop at the top of Coomakista Pass at the Scariff Inn which has one of the most spectacular views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Travel through the village of Sneem and back to Killarney by Molls Gap and Ladies view which overlooks the beautiful Lakes of Killarney. We then travel onto Killarney where the evening is free to enjoy this very lively town.

Overnight Dromhall Hotel, Killarney. BB

Today we leave Killarney and travel to County Cork where our first stop is in the quaint village of Blarney. Visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone!! You can also visit Blarney Woollen Mills which houses the best collection of Irish arts and crafts you can find in Ireland. A quick stop off at the famous Jameson distillery for lunch and visit the whiskey shop. We then travel the short journey to Waterford and a tour at the House of Waterford Crystal. After our tour which allows time to visit the showrooms, travel the short journey Northwards to County Kildare and the magnificent Kilkea Castle Estate for our overnight stay. Enjoy dinner tonight in the Lodge restaurant and take a walk around the estate grounds. Enjoy your stay and discover why Kilkea Castle has earned the reputation of being one of Ireland’s finest Castle resorts.

Overnight Kilkea Castle. DBB

We leave Mount Juliet this morning after a hearty Irish breakfast and travel the short distance to the medieval city of Kilkenny. We take a short walking tour with a local guide along the Medieval mile and then you have time on your own to stroll around the grounds of Kilkenny Castle or visit St Canice’s Cathedral. Have a tea or coffee in the former stables which now houses Kilkenny Irish gifts flagship store. We then travel to County Kildare on our way to Dublin City. Here we visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese gardens before we travel into the City and our overnight hotel.

Overnight Ashling Hotel Dublin. BB

This morning after a leisurely breakfast we take a Panoramic tour of Ireland’s capital city. All guests will embark on a short tour of Dublin which includes visits to Epic Ireland. Here you will discover that what it means to be Irish expands far beyond the borders of Ireland. We finish the tour off with a lunchtime visit to the Guinness Storehouse and sample “a pint of the black stuff” made famous around the world by Arthur Guinness. This afternoon time is free for you to explore the city on your own. Your tour guide will suggest many places to visit as well as bars and restaurants for you to dine later that evening. An early evening transfer back to hotel will be available. A full day to enjoy Dublin’s fair city.

Overnight Ashling Hotel Dublin. BB

This morning we will provide transfers at allocated times to Dublin Airport for check-in and departure flights. Either a Continental or Hot Breakfast will be provided before transfer.