Experience a wide range of sightseeing activities in popular regions around the south of Ireland. All superior and first class hotels offer high standards of comfort and excellent meals and a two night stay in especially selected farmhouses will enhance your knowledge of Ireland and its people.
Learn of giants, heroes and magic as you're immersed in the ancient myths and legends from Irelands past.
Very different from other tours, this 9 or 10 day vacation will take you off the beaten track as you visit some of Irelands lesser known regions, such as the Aran Islands, Clonmacnoise Monastic site and Kilkenny's Medieval Mile, while also seeing the more popular locations like Dublin and Galway!
Overnights for this tour:
Day 1: Dublin Arrival & Malahide Castle
Tour begins 2:00 PM at Dunboyne Castle. Ensure you book an appropriate transfer to Dunboyne Castle as there is no public transportation service there. Head out to visit Malahide Castle, first built in 1185 and filled with medieval artifacts. Enjoy a welcome get-together drink with your group before dinner.
(D)
Day 2: National Stud &Kilkenny Walk
Visit the home of equine royalty, The Irish National Stud, where you’ll see immaculately bred stallions alongside protective mares, frolicking foals and athletic yearlings. Take a walk around the grounds to see St Fiachra’s Garden and the miniature Japanese Gardens. Enjoy a casual lunch at the Kilkenny Design Centre, housed in the former stables of Kilkenny Castle. Take a walking tour with a local guide along the Medieval Mile, the main thoroughfare to see historic streets and buildings. The evening is free for dining on your own.
(B, L)
Day 3: Waterford Crystal & Dunbrody Famine Ship
Witness the creation of crystal masterpieces during your visit to the House of Waterford Crystal. Then join a local guide for a gentle walking tour to hear stories about the Waterford’s long history and some of its colorful characters. Explore more of the town with time for lunch, and head to New Ross to explore the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of the vessel used during the 1840s Famine to transport emigrants to North America.
(B, D)
Day 4: Cobh Heritage Centre & Blarney Castle
Travel south to Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic and where many places associated with the liner still exist. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration over a number of centuries from Ireland to North America. Head to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone or stroll through the spacious parklands to view Blarney House, stately old trees and colorful borders. Treat yourself to quality Irish good at Blarney Woollen Mills before heading to Killarney.
(B, D)
Day 5: Killarney & Dingle Peninsula
Spend the morning at leisure in Killarney, a little town with an ideal location beside Ireland’s highest mountains. Discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula as you drive along the south shore to admire views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. Stop at the South Pole Inn for an Irish coffee and learn about Tom Crean, an early explorer who braved the South Pole. Browse around the town of Dingle and enjoy a pub dinner before returning to Killarney.
(B, D)
Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Galway Panoramic Tour
Embark on a memorable ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. View the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs where on a clear day you can see great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Immerse yourself in farm life and watch a farmer demonstrate how his trained dogs herd mountain sheep. Head to Galway for a panoramic city tour.
(B, D)
Day 7: Aran Islands Excursion & Prehistoric Dun Aengus Fort
Set out across the Galway Bay for Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintain traditional fishing and farming methods. Head to Dun Aengus, a huge prehistoric fortress perched on sheer cliffs, which fall away to the Atlantic Ocean below. Explore Kilronan, the main town, enjoy a casual lunch and meet a local storyteller who will regale you with stories of island life, before returning by ferry.
(B, L)
Day 8: Clonmacnoise Monastic Site & Abbey Tavern
Visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in 545 AD and set on the banks of the River Shannon. Marvel at elaborate high Celtic crosses decorated with biblical scenes, walk around the many church ruins and two round towers. Head to nearby Athlone and stop at Sean’s Bar. This pub has a documented history going right back to 900 AD. During renovations in 1970, ancient walls and old coins dating back centuries were discovered. In the evening, head to Dublin’s Abbey Tavern for an Irish dinner and lively show.
(B, D)
Day 9: Independent Bus Tour in Dublin
Enjoy an independent Dublin open-top bus tour and a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions – Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC Ireland, or the General Post Office Museum.
(B)
Day 10: Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Tour Start Date in Ireland. | Tour End Date in Ireland | Land price Twin Sharing | Guaranteed Departure |
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