Unforgettable Ireland

Arrive at Dublin Airport. Transfer to your Dublin hotel under your own arrangements. You are free to explore the city at your leisure this afternoon. Your hotel will be within walking distance of the city centre. Overnight in Dublin. Meals: D

Today meet with your coach and English speaking driver-guide and depart Ireland’s Capital travelling to County Kerry. En route, stop in the town of Blarney to visit Blarney Castle. Here you will find the legendary Stone of Eloquence. Kiss it and you’ll never again be lost for words. Enjoy some time for shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills. The presence of the Woollen Mills during the famine shielded Blarney from the worst effects of the famine, due to its employment of local workers. In 1976 Chris Kelleher, himself a mill worker, bought the old mill property. Within a short period of time, Chris and his family transformed the mill into what is perhaps the largest quality craft shop in Ireland. Overnight in Kerry. Meals: B

Today you can enjoy a superb tour of the Iveragh Peninsula, which will give you the opportunity to discover the Ring of Kerry. Taking in spectacular scenery such as mountains, peat, bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. Leaving Killarney pass through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair, then to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay. Passing through the peat bogs one arrives at the sea town of Waterville. Continue to Sneem Village, famous for its brightly coloured houses, before arriving back in Killarney. Next, today enjoy transportation of a different kind! A pony and trap (also known as a Jaunting Car) help you discover areas of Killarney National Park that you might not otherwise visit. Relax aboard a jaunting car as your Jarvey driver takes you through the magnificent scenery of the National Park. Today enjoy dinner on your own in one of the many restaurants or pubs in Killarney town. Overnight in Kerry. Meals: B

Travel northwards to Tarbert and take a short boat ride across the mouth of the River Shannon to land on Clare’s shore at Killimer. Travel along the coast to the Cliffs of Moher, the most majestic cliffs in Ireland which rise from the Atlantic Ocean and extend for over 7km. On a clear day, you can admire the Aran Islands and Connemara Mountains. Enjoy a tour of the Burren Region. The Burren is a strange and unique region in Europe; it is a high plateau of porous limestone situated in Northern Clare. The limestone is bare, with no trees growing here or land covering the stone. But the Burren is not as deserted as we believe: the cracks allow different types of flowers to grow all year round. The rocks hide many caves like Ailwee. Meals: B

OPTIONAL: MEDIEVAL BANQUET AT BUNRATTY CASTLE

Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century by the Earl of Thomond and stands on the banks of the Raite River in County Clare. The Earl was known for his generosity and his lavish entertainment and banquets. The entertainment today is provided by the superb Bunratty Singers and is a fitting complement to the lively mead reception, a four-course meal and of course good wine. Guests are invited to enjoy an unforgettable evening in the splendour of this magnificent castle and take a true step back in time to Medieval Ireland. Overnight in Limerick.

This morning travel to Galway City and get oriented with this beautiful place which has attracted many musicians and artists. Visit Galway Cathedral, one of the largest and most impressive buildings in Galway built between 1958 and 1965. Next, enjoy a cruise along Lough Corrib including scones and an Irish coffee. This journey on the Corrib Princess takes passengers along the majestic Lough Corrib and onto the lake. Visitors will see unsurpassed views of the historic monuments and natural amenities that make this one of the most spectacular waterways in Ireland. This evening, enjoy dinner (included) and overnight in Galway. Meals: B, D

Today travel through the beautiful Connemara Region filled with lakes, rivers, bogs and mountains. Enjoy some time at leisure in Connemara National Park. Visit Kylemore Abbey, built-in 1868 by Mitchell Henry, and see its most famous feature the miniature Cathedral. It has been home to the Irish order of Benedictine nuns since 1920. Overnight in Galway. Meals: B

Depart Galway for Dublin today. En-route visit Clonmacnoise on the banks of the Shannon. Explore the visitor’s centre and take a tour to see the high towers, the 11th-century cathedral & the wonderful high crosses. Continue on to Dublin to discover Dublin’s Fair City. The north side of the city offers striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on O’Connell Street and the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The city’s south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares and is home to Trinity College, Dublin Castle & two Anglican Cathedrals. Visit Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university & home to the Book of Kells. Meals: B

OPTIONAL: TRADITIONAL IRISH NIGHT WITH DINNER IN DUBLIN

Evening Entertainment at Taylor’s Three Rock or similar. Visit this lively pub in Rathfarnham for an excellent night of music and dance. A ballad group will regale visitors with ballads both happy and sad and will (after a few pints) have visitors singing along with them. The music is interrupted for a short while to enjoy the best of Irish Dancing guaranteed to get feet tapping. Visitors will later be sent into the night with fond memories of a memorable night in a Dublin Pub. Meals: D

After a final Irish breakfast, transfer to Dublin Airport under your own arrangements for your departure flight home. Meals: B