Tour Overview
Welcome to Ireland! Ireland is knee deep in charm. So deep, in fact, that you might suspect its more a Gaelic theme park than a place where everyday people live. In some places, it almost is. The Irish are very experienced at welcoming tourists and aren't above playing up the crowd pleasers: fetching lasses plucking the harp, medieval banquets, Riverdance-style step dancers. But if you get away from the well-trodden tourist areas, you'll find that the charm doesn't end. There is still town after town filled with brightly painted buildings and crowded with cheeky kids in school uniforms. And in even the most out-of-the-way pub you're likely to find someone playing an accordion or fiddle, or simply singing with no accompaniment at all. The Emerald Isle is home to some of the most friendly and welcoming people in Europe, who are sure to make your visit a pleasure from beginning to end. Ireland, once visited, is never forgotten. On this program, you will: Kiss the Blarney Stone, tour the Ring of Kerry, visit Muckross House, see the famous Cliffs of Moher, enjoy a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle, cruise on Lough Corrib, tour Connemara and visit Kylemore Abbey, the Clonmacnoise Monastery and take in a tour of Dublin including a visit to see the Book of Kells.Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Dublin, IrelandWelcome to Dublin! Today when you arrive, you will be met at the airport for the transfer to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free for you to explore the city at your leisure. Enjoy dinner at your hotel this evening. Dublin is one of Europe’s most compelling cities. In fact, against stiff competition, it was recently voted fourth as Europe’s most popular city after London, Paris and Rome. Visitors swarm in droves to Dublin like moths to a flame, and for good reason. You can’t help but enjoy the energy, humor and relaxed attitude of its people. Its many historic museums, top-class attractions and Georgian architecture aside, it’s the genuine social interaction that makes the place magnetic. There is a warmth and vibrancy to the city that, in this ever fast-paced world, is worth its weight in gold. If you want to have a good time and make new friends, Dublin is the place for you! Your hotel will be the Jurys Inn Parnell. Jurys Inn Parnell Street is centrally located in the heart of Dublin city center and is just 30 seconds from O'Connell Street. This Dublin hotel offers guests easy access to Dublin’s main shopping district of Henry Street and is within a short stroll of Grafton Street and some of Dublin’s most fascinating cultural attractions including, Trinity College, Temple Bar, the Abbey and Gate Theatres, the Dublin Writers Museum, the James Joyce Center and the Hugh Lane Gallery.
Jurys Inn Hotel Day 2: Ireland's Midlands- Blarney Castle & Kerry
Meet your coach and English-speaking driver guide and depart Ireland’s Capital and travel to county Kerry. En route stop in the town of Blarney for a visit to Blarney Castle, famous for the Blarney Stone, the legendary stone of eloquence. Afterwards, enjoy some time for shopping at Blarney Woolen Mills and then continue on to Kerry for dinner and overnight. You’ll stay at the Killarney Court in Killarney. With 20 brand new refurbished 4 star bedrooms as well as one hundred standard bedrooms, Kids Play Room, the award winning McGillicuddy's Pub with its old world charm and our Beauty & Spa Treatment Center, the Killarney Court Hotel boasts a tasteful contemporary style decor and rooms complete with bathroom & shower en-suite, multi-channel TV, direct dial telephone, hair dryer, ironing facilities, 24 hour room service and a complimentary tea & coffee tray keeping your comfort in mind during your stay in Killarney and onward journey in the majestic County Kerry. The hotel is a short walking distance from Killarney town center, The Killarney National Park, Fitzgerald Stadium, the majestic Lakes of Killarney, INEC and other local amenities.
Irish Breakfast, Dinner
Killarney Court Hotel Day 3: Ring of Kerry
Today you can enjoy a superb tour of the Iveragh Peninsula, which will give you the opportunity to discover the Ring of Kerry, taking in spectacular scenery- mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. At the end of the tour visit Muckross House, built in the 19th century in the Elizabethan style, and houses a folklore and farming museum. Stop and admire the rhododendrons and azaleas in the formal gardens.
Irish Breakfast, Dinner
Killarney Court Hotel Day 4: The Burren & Cliffs
Today you travel north to County Clare. Here your journey will take you along the coast to the Cliffs of Moher, the most majestic cliffs in Ireland. Then, continue for a tour of the Burren Region, one of Ireland’s strangest landscapes, a treeless limestone plateau which is a place of pilgrimage for botanists and geologists. After, continue to Limerick, where in the evening you’ll enjoy a Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle. Overnight at the Maldron Hotel, Limerick: Conveniently located just off the newly opened Southern ring road and just 5 minutes drive from Limerick city center with the Crescent Shopping Center, Raheen Business Park and the Regional Hospital in close proximity, the Maldron Hotel in Limerick is the perfect choice whatever the reason for your visit to Limerick. One of the best located Hotels in Limerick, The Maldron Hotel Limerick boasts well appointed guest rooms, superb Club Vitae Leisure Club, extensive dining options, high quality conference facilities and wide range of guest facilities make this the perfect base for business or leisure.
Irish Breakfast, Dinner
Maldron Hotel Day 5: Galway City & Lough Corrib Cruise
This morning we travel to Galway. On arrival enjoy an orientation tour of the city, which includes a visit to the Galway Cathedral. Afterwards, enjoy a cruise on the Lough Corrib, which will take you along the majestic River Corrib and onto the lake. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon at leisure. Tonight we stay at the Carlton Hotel Galway City. This contemporary and stylish 3* hotel is located conveniently beside Galway City and has 311 guestrooms- some with balconies. Additional superb facilities include a choice of restaurants, relaxing bar and gym with a 20-meter pool, geyser pool, toddler’s pool and relaxing facilities.
Irish Breakfast, Dinner
Carlton Hotel Galway City Day 6: Connemara
Today travel through the beautiful Connemara Region- a land of lakes and rivers, bogs, mountains and small villages where Gaelic is still the spoken language and where little has changed since the beginning of time. During the tour you will visit Kylemore Abbey, one of the country’s most photographed buildings, which looks even better in reality. It is a late 19th century limestone and granite building erected by a Liverpool merchant as a gift to his son, and is now run by the Benedictine Nuns as a boarding school for girls. The hall, Gothic chapel and three reception rooms are open to visitors.
Irish Breakfast, Dinner
Carlton Hotel Galway City Day 7: Galway- Dublin
Depart Galway for Dublin via Clonmacnoise. Continue to Dublin to discover Dublin’s fair city. Here you visit Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland. Enjoy some time at leisure for last minute souvenir shopping.
Irish Breakfast
Jurys Inn Hotel Day 8: Depart Dublin
Transfer to the Dublin Airport for your flight home.
Irish Breakfast
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