Introduction to Ireland

Overview

A lively skip around the Emerald Isle to experience the highlights of its popular cities and natural splendours. Explore Dublin, learn about Irish Christianity in Glendalough, take a horse-jaunting ride through Killarney's national park and marvel at the Cliffs of Moher. Then cosy down in a village pub for a taste of rural life.

UK - Dublin

Fly to Dublin.

Céad míle fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes! Check into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Dublin - Kildare - Cashel - Limerick - Ennis

Horse-racing country awaits this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the Irish national stud at Kildare, whose fine thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Lots more to see: the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached; Tipperary, made famous in a wartime marching song; and Limerick, where an orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. Tonight’s suggestion for a very special night out: attend an optional medieval banquet at an historic castle.

Ennis - West Coast Excursion

Your day excursion along Ireland’s spectacular Atlantic coastline begins with a drive to the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher, where you savour the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. A scenic route across the limestone plateau of The Burren takes you to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan centre with colourful shops and a busy café and bar culture. This afternoon, a special treat at Rathbaun farm: try your hand at scone baking, and learn from the farmer about sheep shearing and herding. Afterwards, enjoy coffee and your scones, fresh from the oven.

Ennis - Ring of Kerry - Killarney

After a short drive via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer, cross the Shannon estuary by ferry. Continue on to Killorglin on Dingle Bay to join the spectacular Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Take your photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View, then spend the night in the popular resort of Killarney. Before dinner at your hotel, why not take a horse-drawn jaunting car ride along the national park to Ross Castle?

Killarney - Blarney - Waterford

Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts. In the afternoon, proceed via Cork to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings, and look forward to a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal. After dinner this evening, enjoy an irish Coffee demonstration.

Waterford - Avoca - Glendalough - Dublin

An exciting agenda today: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; Ireland’s oldest Handweaving Mill at Avoca, where you watch the weavers at work; the Wicklow Mountains; and Glendalough, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. See the engaging audiovisual Ireland of the Monasteries, then let your Local Guide show you the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement. Back in Dublin tonight, a fitting farewell to Ireland would be an optional cabaret evening with dinner, followed by dance, song, and laughter.

Dublin - UK

Your tour ends this morning after breakfast.

Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.