8 Day Focus on Ireland

Tour Description

The living museum at Bunratty, a jaunting car in Killarney, the brilliant green countryside and the ‘lilt’ of Irish voices all make for an exceptional tour. Well paced with two-nights in Killarney, and overnight stays in Galway and Waterford. The driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent and often scenic stops offering photo opportunities.

Tour Highlights

• Admire stunning views of the Clare Coast & visit the Exhibition Centre at the Cliffs of Moher
• Visit Bunratty Folk Park – a living reconstruction of the homes & environment of Irel& of over a century ago.
• Take a leisurely excursion around the magnificent Ring of Kerry
• Join your ‘Jarvie’ for a ride on one of Killarney’s jaunting cars
• Visit Cobh Heritage Centre & witness the story of the Titanic & Lusitania.

Your Hotels

Stay at the following ( or similar ):

• Burlington, Dublin
• Clayton, Galway
• Killarney Towers, Killarney
• Blarney Golf Resort, Blarney

Personal Insights

• Learn about the local & national effects of Ireland’s number one industry, Tourism, from our expert guest speaker.
• An equine professional joins you for a behind the scenes look at Ireland’s National Stud & its famous Japanese Gardens.

Additional Excursions & Sights

• See the Customs House, Guinness Brewery, Dublin Castle & Phoenix Park in Dublin
• See Galway’s Lynch Memorial, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch & Eyre Square
• Drive through the mysterious rocky limestone landscape of the Burren
• See King John’s Castle & St Mary’s Cathedral & the Treaty Stone in Limerick
• Visit the picturesque town of Adare, its main street lined with thatched cottages
• Learn about the history & daily life of an isolated island community at the Blasket Centre
• Enjoy an orientation tour of Cork
• Climb Blarney Castle & dangle from the ramparts to kiss the famous ‘Blarney Stone’
• See medieval Cahir Castle
• View St. Patrick’s Rock of Cashel

First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with extended leg room & on-board restroom
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveller document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Airport Shuttle arrival and departure transfers at scheduled times on Day 1 and Day 8

Quality Dining

• Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant from our selection in Killarney (DA)
• 7 full Breakfasts (B) and 2 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive Dublin

Welcome to a land of legends, of misty mountains, lovely lakes and a warm friendly greeting wherever you go. On arrival at Dublin Airport, your airport shuttle service leaves for the tour hotel at 08:00, 11:00 & 13:30. Later, a sightseeing tour of Dublin takes you past the Customs House, along O’Connell Street and through Phoenix Park. Travel along the river Liffey to see the Guinness Brewery and Dublin Castle before admiring the 18th century buildings of the Georgian section of the city. Later, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink. Stay:Burlington.

Day 2: Dublin – Galway

Drive through the ‘forty shades of green’ landscape of the Emerald Isle. Cross the Boyne River, its name a reminder of the battle which saw William of Orange sow the seeds of future strife in his defeat of the Catholic King James. Pass by the former fortress town of Athlone, built to defend the strategic crossing of the Shannon, before crossing the river. The destination: historic Galway, ‘City of the Tribes’, at the mouth of the Corrib River and the capital of Western Ireland. Join your Tour Director to see the infamous Lynch Memorial where Judge Lynch executed his own son, and the Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his discovery of America. Also see the aged Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late President, John F Kennedy. Stay: Clayton (B)

Day 3 Galway – Limerick – Killarney

Take the scenic route through the mysterious rocky limestone landscape of the Burren, riddled with underground caverns and streams and known for its rare flora. Stop at the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher with breathtaking views of the Clare Coast. Not far from here Ireland’s rural heritage comes to life as you walk through the cobbled streets of Bunratty Folk Park, lined with buildings from a bygone era and thatched cottages furnished in traditional style. Later, stop in Limerick, situated on the banks of the River Shannon, and famous for rhymes, lace and elegant Georgian houses. Here your Tour Director shows you King John’s impressive castle, the 800-year-old St Mary’s Cathedral and the Treaty Stone. Continue past the charming thatched cottages of Adare, through the land of song and legend, to your hotel in Killarney. Stay: Killarney Towers (B/D)

Day: 4 Ring Of Kerry Excursion

After a hearty Irish breakfast, take a leisurely excursion around the magnificent Ring of Kerry to enjoy the breathtaking views over mountains and sea. Pass through the small towns of Killorglin, where the famous Puck Fair takes place, and Caherciveen, birthplace of the great patriot Daniel O’Connel. Follow the narrow road as it winds along the cliffs and through the fishing town of Waterville and delightful villages like Sneem. Cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap and admire Queen Victoria’s ‘Ladies View’. Back in Killarney, enjoy a memorable ride on a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car with the local ‘Jarvies’. This evening, with your Dine-Around option, create your own personal dining experience by choosing from our selection of local restaurants. (B)

Day 5: Dingle Peninsula & Blasket Centre

Begin the DAY, if you wish, with an included insight from our local guest speaker, about Ireland’s number one industry, ‘Tourism’ & its effects on the localand national economy. Travel through the town of Tralee, famous for its Rose of Tralee Festivaland out to the rugged Dingle Peninsula, a land of blue gold hills, which inspired films such as ‘Ryan’s Daughter’ & ‘Far & Away’. At the very tip of the peninsula, visit the Blasket Centre which celebrates the language, culture & tradition of the Blasket Islanders. With your Dine-Around option tonight, create your own personal dining experience by choosing from our selection of local restaurants. (B/DA)

Day 6: Killarney – Cobh – Cork – Blarney

Journey through the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains to the pretty riverside village of Cobh, which was the last port of call for the Titanic. As you walk through the Heritage Centre relive the story of emigration of Irish people & the life of this once great passenger port. Then drive along spacious Grand Parade & South Mall of Cork, seeing the Court House & fine Georgian houses. At nearby Blarney, visit the 15C Castle, home of the famous Stone of Eloquence, once kissed – never forgotten! You also have a chance to shop for woolens at the Blarney Mills before reaching your hotel. Stay: Blarney Golf Resort (B/D)

Day 7: Blarney – Cahir – Rock Of Cashel – Kildare – Dublin

This morning drive to Fermoy & through the Golden Vale with its beautiful pastoral countryside to Cahir to see its imposing 15th century castle, featured in the film Excalibur. Continue to St. Patrick’s Rock of Cashel, home to Irish kings, for amazing views of one of Ireland’s most popular monuments. Next visit the Irish National Stud & Japanese gardens in Kildare, before arriving early afternoon in Ireland’s fun-loving capital, for last minute shopping & sightseeing. Tonight, consider enjoying a farewell dinner & Irish cabaret to round off your tour. Stay: Burlington (B)

Day: 8 Dublin

Bid farewell to Ireland, as your memorable tour comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Dublin Airport at 07:30, 09:30 & 11:30. (B)

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Accommodation rating Represents the standard of hotel used most frequently throughout this tour

Extras Represents the individual operators suggested budget to pay for additional activities on tour (dinners,entertainment,excursions etc) NOT included in base tour price

Hotel legend:
D deluxe | SF superior first | F first | MF moderate first | ST superior tourist | T Tourist