First Class Hotels - 8 or 9 Day Coach Tours
Get a real flavour and understanding of Irish floklore and enjoy some craic and music with this tour. At musical evenings in Brazen Head Pub, you will hear some of the best genuine traditional music still being played.
Day 1: Dublin Tour & Guinness Storehouse
Your tour will begin at Dublin Airport with a group transfer to
your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. Those arriving later will
transfer to the hotel will have to do so at their own expense. In the
afternoon a local guide will invite you to tour Dublin city centre to
see the famous Georgian squares with the beautifully coloured doorways
along with the peaceful St. Stephen's Green. Cross the River Liffey to
O'Connell Street and view the General Post Office where the 1916
Uprising started and pause to view the gaunt figures of the Famine
Memorial. We recommend a visit to the Guinness Storehouse to explore the
many levels of exhibitions, ending in the rooftop bar for a view over
the city while you enjoy a pint. You are invited for a welcome drink
back at the hotel with your tour group and guide and you are free to
choose a venue for dinner. Beside your hotel you will find Ryan’s of
Parkgate Street, which is a traditional Victorian pub. The famous Temple
Bar area is also within easy reach.
Day 2: National Stud & Medieval Kilkenny
On day 2 you will depart Dublin and stop in Kildare to visit the Irish National Stud. Following that you are invited to walk through the
charming Japanese Gardens. When you arrive in Kilkenny you will check in
to your centrally-located hotel. Enjoy the afternoon at your leisure –
Kilkenny is perfect for exploring at your leisure. You may wish to tour Kilkenny Castle which was first built in 1192. The Kilkenny Design
Workshop is near the castle and Kyteler’s Inn, a tavern established in
1324 and thought to have been owned by a witch! (B, D)
Day 3: Waterford Crystal & Blarney
Drive south to the ancient port of Waterford to visit the House
of Waterford Crystal, located in the city centre. See how molten glass
is transformed by skilled craftspeople into elegant glasses and
magnificent trophies of all types. Drive along the south coast to visit Blarney Castle and climb to the ramparts to kiss the well-known “Stone
of Eloquence.” Enjoy some time for shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills
or take a break in the pub hidden between the shops! Travel through
County Cork and on to Killarney and check in to your hotel in the centre
of the town. In the evening you may like to explore some of the cosy
pubs where traditional Irish music is played. (B, D)
Day 4: Ring of Kerry Tour
On day 4 you will be invited to explore County Kerry’s popular
scenic drive with Ireland’s highest mountains on one side and a varied
Atlantic coastline on the other. Every turn will reveal new vistas of
mountains, cliffs and beaches. Stop at Kells to meet a local farmer,
Brendan Ferris, for a taste of farm life as he demonstrates how dogs
herd flocks of sheep. There will be a stop at the Bridge Bar in
Portmagee for lunch before taking the bridge to Valencia Island to visit
the Skellig Experience where you learn all about the early Christian
monks. Continue your trip around the peninsula and stop in the colourful
village of Sneem followed by a visit to Moll’s Gap for a look at the
world famous Lakes of Killarney. You are free to choose a venue for
dinner this evening. (B, L)
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Connemara
Drive north and take a short ferry ride across the wide River
Shannon Estuary. View the Cliffs of Moher that rise to heights of almost
700 feet above churning Atlantic swells. As you pass through the Burren
around the shores of Galway Bay you will go through and find the lovely
scenery of the Connemara region. Pass hills, little lakes and open
country where mountain sheep roam freely. Stop in Leenane, renowned as
the location of the movie, “The Field.” Continue to Westport, a charming
town and check in to your hotel. Westport is a great town to walk
around and has lots of interesting shops and traditional pubs, many with
live music. (B, D)
Day 6: Westport House & Achill Island Excursion
Day 6 includes a visit to the 18th century mansion, Westport
House. The mansion is set in superb parkland with magnificent views
overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and Achill Island. You will see stunning
rooms with original priceless furnishings, paintings, books, silver
artifacts and Waterford Crystal. Next you will drive around Clew Bay
until you reach Achill Island, which is joined to the mainland by
bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of
steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean.
Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100
stone cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840’s Famine. Return to
Westport for a stroll around this attractive estate town, which was
laid out in 1780. (B, D)
Day 7: Strokestown House & Brazen Head Pub
On day 7 you will travel to the centre of Ireland to visit
Strokestown Park House in County Roscommon. There are three parts to
explore here. First you will explore the 18th century mansion with its
original furnishings; then you may enjoy a walk around the four-acre
walled garden and finally a visit the Famine Museum is a must. In the
evening time, head to the Brazen Head Pub, which is Dublin’s oldest, and
dates back to 1198 for an evening of “Food, Folk and Fairies”. A great
time to be had by all. (B, D)
Day 8: Depart for Home or Extra Day in Dublin
For those of you on the 8-day tour, complimentary group transfers
are provided to Dublin Airport –which will arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am
or 12:00 noon. (B)
If you part of the 9-day tour, you will spend an additional night in
Dublin and enjoy an independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass (valid for
24 hours)as well as a visit to the Old Jameson Distillery.
Day 9: Tour ends at Dublin Airport
A taxi transfer is available to Dublin Airport on the final day. (B)
B=Breakfast, D=Dinner, L=Lunch
Hotels:
Ashling Hotel, Dublin (1 night)
Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny (1 night)
International Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
Wyatt Hotel, Westport (2 nights)
Ashling Hotel, Dublin (1 (8-day tour) or 2 (9-day tour) nights)
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