Overview
Breathtaking, lush landscapes combined with vibrant cities and historical attractions await you on this Scenic Ireland guided tour, which includes Northern Ireland. You’ll visit some of the most famous cities as well as some of the smaller towns. Along the way, you’ll learn about the Irish way of life, see breathtaking scenery, hear about Ireland’s tumultuous history, and visit some of its historical sights.
Take in the Irish way of life at a typical Irish farm to see a farmer at work with his dogs and you’ll learn how to make scones to enjoy with coffee. Globus has also arranged an Irish Coffee demonstration in Waterford. Visit the Blasket Islands Centre, which tells the story of life on the remote Blasket Islands evacuated by the last inhabitants in 1953. Learn about life in Northern Ireland on guided tours with Local Guides in Derry and Belfast.
Spectacular scenery also awaits you on your escorted tour of Ireland. See the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast, offering breathtaking views of rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean. You’ll visit beautiful Garinish Island, home to a lush garden, and you’ll join part of the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile drive with sparkling seascapes and mountains dotted with brightly coloured farmhouses. In Northern Ireland, you’ll visit awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, basalt columns formed millions of years ago by volcanic eruptions.
You’ll also hear about Ireland’s history and visit some of its historical and religious sites, including a guided tour of the Bronze Age passage-grave at Knowth, and visit Belfast’s Titanic Experience where you’ll learn about the building of the Titanic and its ill-fated maiden voyage. These are just some of the many highlights offered on this scenic guided tour of Ireland.
UK - Shannon, Ireland - Limerick
Day
1
Fly to Shannon Airport where you will be met and transferred to your hotel.
Céad míle fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes! After checking into your hotel, free time to relax and perhaps enjoy the hotel’s leisure amenities or explore the city. This evening, meet your Tour Director and travelling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Limerick - Cliffs of Moher - Galway - Clifden
Day
2
Drive to the CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, and savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. Next, a special treat: at RATHBAUN FARM, try your hand at SCONE BAKING and watch the farmer shear a sheep and manoeuvre a flock with the help of a sheep dog, then enjoy coffee and your scones, fresh from the oven. On to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan centre with colourful shops and a busy café and bar culture. Call at the Joyce family’s MARBLE WORKSHOP before spending the night at Clifden, a small fishing town in the far west.
Clifden - Kylemore - Westport - Sligo
Day
3
Visit KYLEMORE ABBEY this morning, the massive castle acquired by Benedictine nuns, and see the restored house, church, and gardens. Pause at Westport on the banks of the beautiful Carrabawn River and then travel through rugged landscapes to the coastal seaport and county town of Sligo, known for its literary heritage.
Sligo - Derry, Northern Ireland - Giant's Causeway- Belfast
Day
4
Cross into Northern Ireland this morning and in Derry, walk the city walls in the company of a Local Guide. After lunch, visit awe-inspiring GIANT’S CAUSEWAY. Hear how millions of years ago, the earth cracked open, lava forced its way out, and as it cooled slowly and evenly, more than 40,000 interlocking basalt columns were formed, leading from the cliff foot into the sea. Spend the next two nights in Belfast, Northern Ireland’s seat of government.
Belfast
Day
5
This morning’s “Living History” tour in the company of a Local Guide will take you past all the city’s attractions, including City Hall, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower, Queens University, and the Parliament Buildings at Stormont. Next, visit the fascinating TITANIC EXPERIENCE and learn all about the building of the largest passenger steam ship, its maiden voyage, and the tragic night of April 14, 1912. The afternoon is free for you to explore the lively town on your own, and later you might like to join an optional excursion.
Belfast - Carlingford, Ireland - Dublin
Day
6
Your first stop today is at HILLSBOROUGH CASTLE, where you will be treated to a guided tour of the official residence of the Royal Family when they are in Northern Ireland, and home of the Secretary of State. Afterwards, enjoy morning coffee. Then stop in the charming village of Carlingford on the Cooley Peninsula, known for its oyster farms and medieval buildings, before heading for Dublin. For a first taste of the Irish capital, join an optional cabaret evening with dinner and entertainment.
Dublin
Day
7
An orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. The afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy this vibrant city. Tonight, maybe take in an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse.
Dublin - Kilkenny - Waterford
Day
8
Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s prettiest towns with medieval cobblestone streets and Old-World charm, is your first destination today. Visit magnificent KILKENNY CASTLE, which overlooks the Nore River and has guarded this important river crossing for more than 900 years. The gardens, with extensive woodland paths, rose garden, and ornamental lake, create the setting for a beautiful stroll. Then, to Waterford for a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL. You may also want to join an optional excursion to a local pub. After dinner at your hotel, enjoy an IRISH COFFEE DEMONSTRATION.
Waterford - Blarney - Kinsale
Day
9
The first of the day’s highlights is an entertaining walk through Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, in the company of a Local Guide. Then, visit BLARNEY CASTLE, renowned for its magical KISSING STONE. Overnight is in picturesque Kinsale, an historic port and fishing town. You will have time to stroll along the waterfront, admire yachts moored in the harbour, walk up the winding streets and marvel at brightly painted galleries, shops, and houses.
Kinsale - Garinish Island - Killarney
Day
10
This morning, board a private boat for the short crossing to GARINISH ISLAND in Bantry Bay, whose warm waters attract colonies of seals. Follow the winding paths between the strong-scented flowering trees and shrubs of this lush tropical island garden. Then, head over the mountains into County Kerry. At Kenmare, join part of the RING OF KERRY and stop for spectacular photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View before arriving in the popular resort of Killarney. Tonight, an entertaining optional evening in Tralee with dinner and tickets for Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre.
Killarney. Dingle Excursion
Day
11
Enjoy panoramic views on Dingle Peninsula on the way to the BLASKET ISLANDS CENTRE. Learn about the way of life and unique literary achievements on the string of remote offshore islands evacuated by the last inhabitants in 1953. Visit Dingle, then return to Killarney.
Killarney - Adare - Limerick
Day
12
A final morning at leisure in Killarney with time for an optional excursion by horse-drawn jaunting car. In the afternoon, drive via quaint Adare, renowned for its pretty thatched cottages, to Limerick. A suggestion for a very special night out: attend an optional medieval banquet at an historic castle.
Limerick - UK
Day
13
Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
Things to note
This Platinum tour is operated by our sister company Globus