Irish Escape
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7 Days
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UK and Ireland
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Steady pace
Once you’ve strolled Dublin’s famous O’Connell Street past the elegant red-brick townhouses, stopping off to sup the “Black Stuff” in a Temple Bar Tavern, you’ll slip easily into the gentle rhythms of Irish life. From this great city, a scenic route takes you across the limestone plateau of The Burren to the popular resort of Galway on the west coast and the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Then journey across the Kerry Mountains through County Cork to Blarney to see its famous Kissing Stone. Glimpse Ireland’s ecclesiastical history at Glendalough and spend time with the weavers of Avoca, Ireland's oldest handweaving mill: fascinating insights into Irish traditions in this seductive and dramatic landscape.
Your journey starts here
Highlights
| VIP private home pick-up service |
| Flights |
| Transfers |
| Services of a tour director |
| Accommodation |
| Selected meals |
| Service charges |
| Free Wi-Fi on coach |
| Porterage |
| All airport taxes |
VIP private home pick-up
Get picked up at home and whisked off to your departure point (within 50 miles).
Overview
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
Day 7
Your detailed itinerary
Meals included: 6 breakfasts, 2 dinners
Overview
At a glance
- Dublin: See Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College, St Patrick’s Cathedral and the Guinness Storehouse
- Cliffs of Moher: Experience the wind-whipped drama of these towering west coast cliffs
- Ring of Kerry: A rousing 100-mile journey through seaside villages and farmhouse-dotted mountains
- House of Waterford: Watch a Master Craftsman demonstrate the traditional methods of crystal-making
- Glendalough: Take a guided tour of this early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century
Day 1
UK - Dublin
Fly to Dublin, transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax in Ireland's capital city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and enjoy a welcome dinner with wine at your hotel.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 2
Dublin
The morning's orientation drive in the "Fair City" includes statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares with their tall red brick townhouses, colourful doors and wrought iron decorated windows, Oscar Wilde's Trinity College, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore the city further, or you could join an optional excursion to the Guinness Storehouse and learn all about the world-famous beer: from how Guinness is made to the ancient craft of barrel making in the cooperage. The evening ends with a sample of "The Black Stuff," followed by dinner.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 3
Dublin - Galway - Cliffs of Moher - Ennis
The morning's orientation drive in the "Fair City" includes statue-lined O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares with their tall red brick townhouses, colourful doors and wrought iron decorated windows, Oscar Wilde's Trinity College, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. The afternoon is at leisure for you to explore the city further, or you could join an optional excursion to the Guinness Storehouse and learn all about the world-famous beer: from how Guinness is made to the ancient craft of barrel making in the cooperage. The evening ends with a sample of "The Black Stuff," followed by dinner.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 4
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 famed Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island's south-western tip. Plenty to focus your camera on here: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly coloured farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and the breath-taking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Travel on to the popular resort of Killarney for an overnight.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 5
Killarney - Blarney - Waterford
Across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork, the route brings you to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. There is time here 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, for a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal. The Master Craftsman will demonstrate the traditional methods that are still used to this day and you will learn all about crystal-making, from modern day back to its beginnings in 1783.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 6
Waterford - Avoca - Glendalough - Dublin
A thrilling day that includes a visit to Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; Ireland's oldest handweaving mill at Avoca, to 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, and the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement with your Local Guide. Return to Dublin tonight for an optional dinner followed by an evening of Irish song and dance.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Day 7
Dublin - UK
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Meals included
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
Hotels
- Dublin: The Gibson
- Ennish: Temple Gate Hotel
- Killarney: Killarney Towers Hotel
- Waterford: Granville Hotel
Notes
Accommodation as stated or similar
This Platinum tour is operated by our sister company Globus