Discovering Ireland Vacation assists Faculty Leaders or Tour Leaders in planning, developing and booking Educational tours for groups ranging from 10 upwards.
Schools and Universities have been sending groups to Ireland to learn about its troubled past, long history, cultural excellence in science and literature, ancient monuments and varied geology – not forgetting to have some fun on the way!
See below for some suggested itineraries for your vacation in Ireland or contact Steve Royston, our Group Travel Manager, who will put a tour together just for you.
Geological Tour of Ireland – Suggestion A
Day 1 Arrive Dublin and take a tour of Trinity College’s Geological museum and library where the Book of Kells is exhibited. Check into your hotel or hostel and the remainder of the day is free for further activities. Overnight Dublin
Day 2 Visit University College Dublin’s School of Geological Science, Dublinia & the Viking World and Jameson’s Distillery or Guinness Storehouse. Overnight Dublin
Day 3 Today visit Loughcrew Megalithic cairns, Fourknocks Megalithic Passage Tomb and Dublin’s National Museum – Archaeology. Overnight Dublin
Day 4 Leave Dublin and travel North via the Boyne Valley and visit Hill of Tara, Trim Castle and the passage tombs at Newgrange or Knowth. Overnight Belfast
Day 5 Visit the Titanic Belfast Exhibition (2012 is the centenary of her sinking) before experiencing Giant’s Causeway and a walking tour of the only walled city in Ireland. Overnight Derry
Day 6 Today visit Marble Arch Caves and the Arigna Mining Experience. Overnight Westport
Day 7 Today you will have a rest day in this popular coastal town. There are many shops, pubs, restaurants and attractions within or near the town to keep you occupied. Overnight Westport
Day 8 Travel around the Connemara National Park and visit Kylemore Abbey, Connemara History & Heritage Centre and Connemara Marble. Overnight Galway
Day 9 Travel through the karst like landscape of the Burren visiting Aillwee Caves, Cliffs of Moher and Doolin Caves before visiting Ireland’s third city Limerick. This evening enjoy a medieval banquetor Irish Night at Bunratty Castle. Overnight Limerick area
Day 10 Head to Ireland’s most popular town, Killarney. En-route visit Cragg Caves, the National Park and Gap of Dunloe. Overnight Killarney
Day 11 Today travel around the Dingle Peninsula and visit the Blasket Centre, Dunbeg Fort, Celtic Museum and the Bee Hive Huts. Overnight Killarney
Day 12 Leave Killarney and travel to Kilkenny stopping at Blarney Castle and Rock of Cashel. Overnight Kilkenny
Day 13 Today, on your way back to Dublin, visit Dunmore Caves and Wicklow Gaol. Overnight Dublin
Day 14 Today is a free day to relax, shop or further individual sightseeing before your farewell Irish Night & dinner. Overnight Dublin
Day 15 Check out after breakfast and transfer to Dublin Airport for your flight home.
Literary Tour of Ireland – Suggestion B
Day 1 After arriving at Dublin Airport and meeting with your driver/guide, visit the city and see W. B. Yeats Exhibition, James Joyce Museum before checking into your hotel. This evening enjoy a Literary Walking Tour of Dublin. Overnight Dublin
Day 2 Today visit the Dublin Writers Museum, James Joyce Centre, Chester Beatty Library and Shaw’s birthplace. Overnight Dublin
Day 3 Travel to Sligo and en-route stop at the heritage village of Ardagh, Yeats’ Memorial Building, Drumcliffe churchyard where Yeats is buried and Sligo County Museum & Art Gallery. Overnight Sligo
Day 4 Spend the morning at the Museum of Country Life before travelling to Galway, where the afternoon is free to enjoy this vibrant city. Overnight Galway
Day 5 A day on the Aran Island of Inis Meain, visited regularly by the distinguished playwright John Millington Synge. Overnight Galway
Day 6 Visit Limerick today, the setting for Angela’s Ashes, and the Frank McCourt Museum. Overnight Limerick
Day 7 Travel to the popular town of Killarney today stopping en-route in the heritage town of Listowel and the Seanchai Visitor Centre which displays the works of some of Kerry’s esteemed authors such as John B Keane, Bryan MacMahon and Brendan Kennelly to name a few. Overnight Killarney
Day 8 A full day around the Dingle Peninsula including a stop at the Blasket Centre, which celebrates the story of the Blasket islanders and the unique literary achievements of the island writers. Overnight Killarney
Day 9 Check out after breakfast and transfer to Shannon Airport for your flight home.
For all eductaional group tour information contact Steve Royston, our Group Travel Manager, who will put a tour together just for you.