INCLUDED IN THIS TOUR:
Accommodation (3* 4* & 5* Hotel pricing Categories):
Day 1 Dublin
Day 2&3&4 Galway
Day 5 Limerick
Cliffs
Day 6&7 Killarney
Day 8 Kilkenny
Day 9&10 Dublin
10 meals
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Visits and admissions –St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, Clonmacnoise, Kylemore Abbey, Ailwee Caves, Cliffs of Moher (Parking Only), Bunratty Banquet, Gallarus Oratory, Muckross House, Rock of Cashel, Kilkenny Castle, Glenalough, Powerscourt House and Gardens, Irish Shindig Evening at Old Jameson Distillery, Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre & Tomb, Monasterboice.
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First class coaching throughout and all transfers, arrival and departure
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Services of a professional Irish driver/ guide
ITINERARY
Day 1:
Upon arrival at Dublin Airport you will be met by the tour guide in the arrivals hall. Transfer to Dublin. The capital of Ireland, which is located on the River Liffey, was founded as a Viking settlement in 841.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Dublin
Day 2: Dublin –Clonmacnoise – Galway
After breakfast you will travel to the county of Offaly, which lies in the heart of Ireland. Co. Offaly is dominated by a boggy landscape – “The Bog of Allen” (1000 square kilometres). Then you will travel on a replica of a Viking longship from Athlone town to Clonmacnoise – ruins of an ancient ecclesiastical site. The extensive ruins at Clonmacnoise consist nine Churches, two Round Towers and two High Crosses. In 548 St. Ciaran founded an abbey that subsequently developed into one of the most famous Irish monastic cities. The monastic settlement has seen many violent and destructive periods in its history and was destroyed by fire at least 13 times!
Your journey today will finish in Galway known as the “City of the Tribes”.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Galway
Day 3: Galway – Kylemore – Galway
Today you will visit the wild and barren region of Connemara, with it’s a stunning patchwork of bogs, lonely valleys, mountains and lakes, and only the odd remote cottage or castle hideaway for company. Connemara has tremendous hill walking to offer – why not walk over the peaks of the Twelve Bens, which offer views over to the sea and Connemara’s maze of rocky islands, tortuous inlets and sparkling white beaches. The wild, rugged beauty of Connemara has a unique character the fact that the Irish language is still the first language in a large part. You will visit Kylemore Abbey which is the only Irish home of the Benedictine Nuns. Built originally as a Castle (1868) it is one of the best examples of Irish neo-gothic architecture, the estate features include a Victorian Walled Garden, restored Abbey reception rooms, Gothic Church.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Galway
Day 4: Galway – Rossaveal/ Aran Island – Optional!
Today you will have an opportunity to travel to one of the Aran Islands – “Inishmore”. Inishmore is the largest island of the three with approx. 900 inhabitants. You will find a lot of places of archaeological interest around that area and evidence of prehistoric and early Christian life. The most famous places of interest are: Dun Aenghus, a fort that dates back some 3000 years and towers on the top of cliffs that are some 91 m high.
Important information: Visit of the Island depends on the weather!
Alternatively sightseeing in Galway City. Visit the lively university town by the sea with its buskers and small shops. Have a look at the Salmon Weir Bridge and the Spanish Arch.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Galway
Day 5: Galway – Cliffs of Moher – Limerick
Today you will travel through the Burren region. The Burren is a glacial deposit left since the ice age, and is famous for it’s flora, fauna and limestone. You will visit the Aillwee Cave. This stunning creation of nature was formed by the melt waters of a prehistoric ice age. The cave, carved out of limestone, cuts into the heart of the mountain. Visit the impressive Cliffs of Moher, which rise 800m from the sea and stretch for 5 miles along the coast from Hag’s Head to O’Brian’s Tower. Then head to Bunratty Castle and Village one of Ireland’s most popular visitor attractions. The Castle was built in 1425, and was plundered on many occasions. It was restored in 1954 to its former mediaeval splendour. The castle is home to nightly famous mediaeval banquets. Within the grounds is Bunratty Folk Park, where Irish life at the turn of the century is recreated. There are eight farmhouses and a complete village street.
Medieval banquet in Bunratty Castle.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Limerick
Day 6: Bunratty – Adare – Dingle – Killarney
This morning you will travel from Limerick to Killarney via Adare. Adare is widely regarded as being Ireland’s prettiest and most picturesque village. Travel onto Dingle (Gaeltacht Region). This small fishing port is the most westerly town in Ireland and the most important point on the peninsula sit Gallarus Oratory, a well-preserved early Christian prayer house. Lunch break in Dingle. Return to Killarney.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Killarney
Day 7: Ring of Kerry
In the morning visit Muckross House and Gardens.
Ring of Kerry…
Enjoy an all-day round trip with stunning views of distant islands and peninsulas. Travel via Killorglin and Glenbeigh to Cahirciveen, along the Dingle Bay with its varied scenery and magnificent view of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, which include the highest mountain in Ireland, Carrauntoohil (1, 050 metres). Then travel to Coomakista Pass from which you will have a breathtaking view of the Derrynane Bay. On the way back – Moll’s Gap and Ladies view, where you can see three Lakes of Killarney.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Killarney
Day 8: Killarney – Cashel – Kilkenny
Today you will travel to Cashel in Co. Tipperary. Cashel with its famous Rock of Cashel is also called Irish Acropolis. The Rock of Cashel was the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster since the 4th century and in 1101 church took possession of the Rock of Cashel. Travel to Kilkenny. You will visit Kilkenny Castle – one of the finest Norman castles in Ireland and it dominates the city of Kilkenny. It was originally built in the late 12th century, and was the seat of the Butler family. Their descendants carried on living here until 1935, when the castle was handed to the State.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Kilkenny
Day 9: Carlow – Wicklow – Dublin
Lying just south of Dublin, Co Wicklow is a scenically spectacular county, with beautiful granite mountains, remote villages and a pretty coastline. You will visit Wicklow’s most important archaeological sites. Glendalough – is the most important of these monastic settlements, and at one time was famous throughout Europe as a centre for learning. You will also visit Powerscourt House and Gardens. The gardens at Powerscourt are probably the finest in Ireland, both for their design and their dramatic setting at the foot of the Great Sugar Loaf Mountain.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Dublin
Day 10: Dublin – Bru na Boinne – Monasterboice – Dublin
Today you will be leaving Dublin travel north to the Boyne Valley. There you will see the ruins of Monasterboice, a monastery that was founded in the 5th century. Pay special attention to the Celtic high crosses that date back to the 10th century. The river and the valley through which it runs are closely connected to the dramatic history of the country. Along by the river you will find a lot of evidence of many different stages in the Irish history. One of the most impressive ones by far is Newgrange, a Neolithic tomb of 80 m in diameter. It is one of the most interesting and biggest tombs Ireland’s and older than the pyramids in Egypt.
Then visit Dublin’s most important features:
St. Patrick’s Cathedral – founded in 1190. A wooden church was built on the present site in the fifth century when Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick, baptised his first Christian converts at a well on this site. The present church dates from the twelfth century.
Trinity College Library – The Book of Kells was written around the year 800 AD and is one of the most beautifully illuminated manuscripts in the world. It contains the four gospels, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and canon tables or concordances of gospel passages.
For your final evening in Ireland – Shindig night at the Old Jameson Distillery. Your evening begins with a drinks reception and guided tour of the distillery. Guests may also join a whiskey tasting session. This relaxed evening includes Irish music and “craic” and also contemporary “Riverdance” style dancing, paired with a delicious meal.
Dinner/ Overnight/ Breakfast in Dublin
Day 11:
Transfer to the airport/ Return flight from Dublin airport.
