- Dublin open-top bus tour
- (9-day tour only)
- Professional tour director throughout
- First class hotels with private bath/ shower for 6 or 7 nights
- Group transfers at start and end of tour
- Sightseeing by luxury coach
- Professional tour director
- 8 days/7 nights or 9days/8 nights in hotels listed below
- Full breakfast (Br) daily (7-day tour) - except on day 1 (8-day tour)
- Full Irish breakfast daily (B)
- Dinners (D) including:
- - Dinner and traditional show in Dublin
- - 4 table d’ hote dinners
- Welcome get-together drink
- Tour of Dublin with a local guide
- Tea & scones at Rathbaun Farm
- Catamaran cruise of Killary Fjord (Mar 18 - Oct 28 departures)
- Visit and a pint at Guinness Storehouse
- Dublin open-top bus tour (only 8-day tour)
- Visits and admissions to Book of Kells at Trinity College, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woollen Mills, Skellig Experience, Cliffs of Moher and Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory
- Deluxe flight bag, ticket wallet, luggage tags & strap
- All local taxes, hotel service charges & porterage for one suitcase per person
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First Class Hotels - 7 or 8 days Coach Tour
This great value tour gives a wonderful overview of Ireland including a Catamaran Cruise of Killary Fjord and ending with a lively show of traditional Irish music, songs and step-dancing. Also included are tours to the Rock of Cashel, the Blarney Woollen Mills and the tour highlight of the Ring of Kerry renowned the world over for its stunning scenery.
Day 1: Dublin Tour & Trinity College
Your tour starts at Dublin Airport. A group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. Should you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense.
At 2:00 pm join your group and a local guide for an introductory look around central Dublin. Here you will find fashionable shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets. View Dublin’s famous elegant Georgian squares and townhouses – you will notice the now famous, brightly coloured door of each house. Taking some time to view the Famine Memorial is a must.
We advice you take some time to walk through the campus of Trinity College to the Old Library and view the illuminated manuscript of the 8th century Book of Kells and other popular pieces. Back at your hotel meet with your guide and travel companions for a traditional Irish welcome drink.
Day 2: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Depart Dublin and travel through the midlands of Ireland. Take the time to pause for photos at the Rock of Cashel. Your drive will continue south where you can fit in a visit to Blarney Castle where you can kiss the famous stone. While you are here, shop at Blarney Woollen Mills for an array of quality Irish products. Also shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills is a must! For quality Irish-made souvenirs look no further. Alternatively, take a walk around the village green.
Drive into County Kerry where you will be greeted with beautiful mountainous scenery all the way to Killarney. The town of Killarney is situated beside the beautiful Lakes of Killarney. Check in to your downtown hotel and relax before dinner. Afterwards check out the many traditional Irish “singing” pubs around town. (B, D)
Day 3: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
The 100 mile Ring of Kerry route is known worldwide for its stunning views. Next, you will drive through Killorglin and Cahirciveen to cross by bridge to Valencia Island. Visit the Skellig Experience to learn about the rocky islands off the end of the peninsula where monks lived in early Christian times. In recent times the islands are known for their protected bird sanctuary. Stop in the village of Sneem and also at Moll’s Gap to view the famous Three Lakes of Killarney. Enjoy some free time to browse around Killarney to shop and explore before dining later in the evening at your hotel. (B, D)
Day 4: Cliffs of Moher & Irish Farm Life
On day 4 drive north and travel through the outskirts of Limerick to Bunratty Village. During your free time shop or visit Durty Nelly’s before heading to the coast of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher. We recommend you walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower for great views. Driving through the Burren makes for some stunning views. Travel around the shores of Galway Bay until Rathbaun Farm is reached. See traditional farming methods and vintage farm machinery as well as lots of farmyard animals. Sampling some home-baked scones with tea or coffee is am ust before embarking on a short orientation tour of Galway city before checking in to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 5: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Day 5 includes the exploration of another of Ireland’s famous scenic regions, Connemara. Travel alongside Galway Bay to Spiddal, where most locals speak the native Irish language, and on to Leenane and Killary Harbour, which is Ireland’s only fjord.
Take a short catamaran cruise to see pristine mountain areas (Mar 18 – Oct 28 departures only). You can see traces of pre-Famine fields on the hilly slopes and also thriving salmon and mussel farming. Take a drive to Clifden and stop for a look around the attractive town. At Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, why not watch skilled craftsmen cut the crystal and learn about the symbolism of the motifs before returning to Galway for some leisure time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 6: Guinness Storehouse & Irish Evening
On the morning of day 6, drive across to the east coast to reach Dublin once again and check in to a different hotel, located on the north side of the city. Visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about this legendary black stout which has been brewed for over 250 years in Dublin. Learn all about how it is created and of course we recommend you sample a pint of creamy draft Guinness in the rooftop bar where you can enjoy great views of central Dublin. Finish up your tour at a traditional Irish pub with a hearty dinner and an Irish coffee followed by a lively show of traditional music, songs and stepdancing. Great craic to be had by all! (B, D)
Day 7: Depart for Home or Extra Day in Dublin
For those of you booked on our 7-day tour, complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
If you have booked our 8-day tour, spend an additional day in Dublin with an independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for 24 hours).
Day 8: Extra Day in Dublin
If you are on the 8th day tour you will be be going home today.
If you are on the 9 day tour you will be able to enjoy an extra day in Dublin at your own pace. independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for 48 hours) with a visit to Guinness Storehouse or Old Jameson Distillery to sample a complimentary pint or a shot
Day 9: Home Time!
You will receive a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport
Br=Breakfast, Di=Dinner
Hotels on this tour
- Ashling Hotel , Dublin (1 night)
- Dooleys Hotel, Waterford (1 night)
- Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
- Westwood Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
- Grand Canal Hotel, Dublin (1or 2 nights)
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