TOUR OF IRELAND

11 AUGUST 2024 FOR 8 DAYS

Welcome to Ireland and as we say in gaeilge, ‘Cead Mile Fáilte’, a hundred thousand welcomes. On leaving the airport we take you on a journey of discovery of the ancient land that is home to 6 million people and where North and South seamlessly knit into one and where time is forgotten.

THE ITINERARY

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL AND VISIT TO EPIC MUSEUM

On arrival to Dublin airport, you will be met by your private driver and hostess who will transport you to your City Centre Hotel.

You may like to relax that day and explore Dublin city or/and visit EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum. EPIC, recently awarded Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards tells the moving and unforgettable stories of those who left the island of Ireland, and how they influenced and shaped the world. EPIC embraces the past and the future with 1,500 years of Irish history and culture housed in its atmospheric vaults.

Overnight in Dublin

DAY 2 - ESCORTED TOUR OF DUBLIN – GUINNESS EXPERIENCE

Dublin has long been a centre of art and culture. Enjoy an escorted tour today in the capital of Ireland, strolling through the elegant Georgian streets of Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares, shop in the elegant emporiums of Grafton Street and Powerscourt Townhouse

The city is over a thousand years old, and many of the towns and settlements that surround it are equally ancient. Successive centuries have left their distinctive overlays of character and architecture which means that Dublin has a wealth of historically significant and fascinating sights to explore such as Dublin Castle, where the Normans ruled from the 12th Century, St Patrick’s Cathedral, of which Jonathan Swift was Dean, and Trinity College, famous for The Book of Kells and for its alumni who include Oscar Wilde and Oliver Goldsmith. (Cost for a visit to Trinity College are included where you can view the Book of Kells can be organised within the tour of the day)

That afternoon – you have the opportunity to enjoy the Guinness Experience and view the entire city from the Gravity Bar before retiring to your overnight accommodation in Dublin.

Guinness has been produced in Dublin and shipped all over the world since 1759, when at the age of 34, Arthur Guinness signed a lease for the St. James’s Gate Brewery, Dublin. He leased the brewery for 9000 years at an annual rent of £45. The brewery was only 4 acres in size, disused, and had little brewing equipment.

Despite this, Arthur quickly built up a successful trade and by 1769 he had begun to export his beer to England. Over the centuries Guinness became available all over the world and its name is part and parcel of the fabric of Irish life.

The Guinness Connoisseur Experience at the Guinness Storehouse, is a journey through the tastes, smells and story of Guinness. Here you’ll sample four of the most popular beers that have ever been brewed at Guinness while your guide talks you through all there is to know about them.

You will discover the origins of famous Guinness beers, connect with the people around you and gain an understanding of the craft and connection behind the most iconic brand in the world. – Options for evening meals (cost not included) can be on the 5th floor at Guinness or you may wish to enjoy an evening meal at a local pub nearby.

Overnight in Dublin

DAY 3 - ATHLONE & CLONMACNOISE MONASTIC SITE/ HEYWOOD GARDENS

This morning you will be met by your driver and will travel to the midlands of Ireland. Along the way you will stop off at in the military town of Athlone, seen as the centre of Ireland. There is a tour of the Castle where many battles were fought, the first being the battle of Athlone in 1690 between James II of England and William of Orange. We will board the Viking Cruiser to travel along the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river, to Clonmacnoise Monastic site. This is one of the most important Christian settlements in Europe and has within it a Cathedral, two round towers, three high crosses, nine churches and over 700 grave slabs. In the visitor’s centre, the preserved 10th century high cross of the Scriptures is now housed to protect it from the weather. Founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century, his monastery is on the banks of the river. The monastery flourished and became a great seat of learning, a university of its time with students from all over Europe. As you go on this self-guided tour the monastic influence comes alive.

Before we travel on to Galway City, which will be your base for the next three nights, we recommend a visit to see the wonderful gardens of Heyward at Ballinkill, Co. Laois. The centrepiece of these gardens is the Lutyens Garden designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and dating from 1912. A pleached lime alley planted in approximately 1906 leads from the Lutyens Garden to the Upper Terrace, where there are Alliums, wild rose, Erinus alpinus, hardy cyclamen, and Kniphofia. Nearby the Pergola has been recently planted with Hydrangeas, Wisteria, and Fuchsia. From here visitors can view the chain of three lakes below which are part of the older romantic landscape and can be accessed via the steps. A pathway leads through beech trees down to the original drive. Along this drive visitors can admire the exterior of the partially restored Orangery, the Sham Castle and the old window.

The landscape also includes the woodland of ancient oaks and beech, an obelisk, Claude’s Seat and the bath house Heyfield Gardens, Co Laois.

Overnight in Galway

Day 4 – THE BURREN & BUNRATTY CASTLE/ FOLK PARK

This morning we set off and travel on the Burren trail in County Clare, stopping off at The Burren Centre, Kilfenora. The exhibition area at The Burren Centre enables the visitor to experience the development of the Burren and its civilisation from formation 320 million years ago to how the Burren is today. It has audio video information on the whole region and gives a better understanding of the unique landscapes in this area.

This afternoon, we visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Set on 26 acres of unspoilt Clare countryside, the Folk Park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting.

Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at that time according to their social standing, from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House a fine example of a Georgian residence built 1804 home of the Studdarts, the last family to occupy Bunratty Castle.

Overnight in Galway

Day 5 – DAY TRIP TO INIS MOR WITH CLIFFS OF MOHER CRUISE

Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands, is situated 9 miles from Galway’s coastline and can be reached by taking the ferry from Galway City.

The island is 9 miles long and about 2 miles wide. It is mostly made of Burren limestone rock and small fields which are surrounded by stone walls. The islanders use the language of Irish every day - the island being one of the last places in Ireland where the ancient Celtic language is preserved.

With your private guide discover the four Celtic stone forts, including the spectacular cliff top fort of Dun Aonghasa. Inis Mór was also an important centre for early Irish Christianity, and the remains of several ancient churches and monasteries can be found on the island.

There are several biological and geological attractions on Inis Mór including the seal colony, as well as miles and miles of limestone landscape with some of the most spectacular cliff coastlines in all of Europe.

You will return from your day trip by boat to enjoy your last night in “The City of the Tribes”

The night life in Galway is exceptional and music is everywhere. So, we recommend the Irish dance show ‘Trad on the Prom’ as a must see in Salthill. It’s a spectacular night of Irish entertainment.

Overnight in Galway

DAY 6 – TIME IN GALWAY CITY AND A FOOD TOUR

Today, you will have free time to browse around the city where you will see the crafts of Ireland, namely the Aran knitwear, the colourful woollen wear and the woven tweeds, some of Ireland’s famous textiles that are sold around the world. We have organised as part of your day a Food tour where, with your guide, you will go to various locations around the city and sample the culinary delights that you can enjoy from this area - example: oysters, cheeses, chocolates and beers!

We leave Galway this afternoon and travel to Kilkenny

Overnight in Kilkenny

DAY 7 – JERPOINT PARK & ABBEY / KILKENNY CASTLE & DESIGN CENTRE

After breakfast, we travel to Jerpoint Park to the “The Lost Town” of Newtown Jerpoint. This is a treasure trove of history in the footprints of the 12th Century Medieval Town. This is also where the tomb of St Nicholas is located on whom the concept of Santa is based.

A visit to the 12th century Jerpoint Abbey, a medieval Cistercian Abbey allows one to view not only the architectural styles from the late 12th century to the 15th century but also, this Abbey is renowned for its stone sculptures, tombs and decorative cloister…

We return to Kilkenny where you can visit the Kilkenny Castle and the nearby Kilkenny Design centre and follow the Medieval Mile to Saint Canice’s Cathedral.

Overnight in Kilkenny

DAY 8 – DUBLIN AND FAREWELL

We leave Kilkenny after breakfast and travel back to Dublin.

Subject to flight times will allow you to either spend time at The Phoenix Park, where you will pass the residences of our President and also the American Embassy. If time allows, we can visit Dublin’s Phoenix Park – Farmleigh Estate. This historic house which has an art gallery, farm animals, and is the official Irish State guest house which provides accommodation for visiting dignitaries, was once the home of the Guinness family for generations. You can enjoy a walk around the gardens or take lakeside walk before traveling to the airport

As we bid you a “Slán Abhaile” = safe trip home, we hope that you have enjoyed your trip to our Emerald Isle and we look forward to seeing you again.

Dates: 11 August 2024 for 8 days

Price : EUR €4,510 per person

PLEASE NOTE FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE PRICE. YOU WILL NEED TO FLY IN AND OUT OF DUBLIN. WE CAN HELP YOU TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS.

Tour Includes:

  • Hostess throughout the trip

  • Accommodation 3* & 4* Hotels with breakfast each morning (Single Occupancy) Transport Transfer to Dublin Airport (arrival and departure) Driver / Guide – 8 days

  • Experiences Dublin - Private Walking Tour, Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse, EPIC Museum

  • Athlone -Viking Cruise, Clonmacnoise and Heywood Gardens

  • Galway - Walking Tour of this City of the Tribes, Food Tour, Boat Cruise of Cliffs of Moher & Visit to Aran Islands, Trad on the Prom Evening Show

  • Clare - Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Burren Trail

  • Kilkenny – Walking tour of the City, Kilkenny City, Jerpoint Abbey and Park

FAQs

  • Yes, we strongly recommend that you purchase full personal travel insurance for the duration of the trip. Personal, comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for each individual joining the tour and should be purchased by the individual prior to booking. Your travel insurance MUST include airline cancellation cover.

  • No, all rooms are single occupancy only.

  • Ireland can experience a lot of rain but for sure August is the best time to go to avoid too much rain; long sunny days but not overbearingly hot.

  • The group size for our Ireland tour is 8.

  • This itinerary is not too strenuous and you can take things at your own pace .

  • Pack summer clothes but take your umbrella just in case.

  • A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your place.

  • Cancellation prior to balance payment = 50% loss of deposit.

    Cancellation after balance payment = 100% cancellation charges.

  • If the Irish Government bans travel due to COVID then we will issue a full refund. If travel is prohibited by other respective Governments, then we will issue a credit note or full refund depending on the circumstances.

Terms & Conditions

  • A 30% deposit is required at the time of booking to secure your place:

  • The balance will be due by 01 June 2024

  • Cancellation prior to balance payment = 50% loss of deposit.  Cancellation after balance payment = 100% cancellation charges. 

  • If the Irish Government bans travel due to COVID then we will issue a full refund.  If travel is prohibited by other respective Governments then we will issue a credit note or full refund depending on the circumstances. 

  • Personal, comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory for each individual joining the tour and should be purchased by the individual prior to booking.