A truly unique opportunity to visit our great Southern and Western coastal regions, with fabulous seascapes and mountain scenery. This Grand Atlantic Rail Tour visits Ireland’s premier tourist locations such as Cork, Cobh, Blarney Castle, Ring of Kerry, Bunratty Castle, Cliffs of Moher, Galway Bay and Connemara. This tour takes in part of the Wild Atlantic Way and includes 2 nights accommodation in Killarney and 1 night in Galway
Tour Pricing:
2019 Price is €689 per adult sharing from Oct to May & €719 from June to Sept
Single supplements apply
Depart Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday
Subject to availability at time of booking
Tour Itinerary:
Day 1
Check in Dublin Heuston Station (Customer Service Desk) for 7.00 departure of Intercity train (Breakfast included Monday to Friday) to Cork. We transfer by road to Blarney Castle and its amazing gardens (Admission included) and kiss the famous stone which bestows the gift of eternal Eloquence!!
We have time for lunch and shopping and a flavour of Cork City including the famous English Market, recently made famous by the visit of Queen Elizabeth II on her first visit to Ireland.
We visit the port of Cobh and its Heritage Centre, home of the “Queenstown Story”. Experience the history of Irish famine and emigration. It was also here that the Titanic made her last port of call.
We depart Cork by train to Killarney arriving 18:30 where we are transfered to our comfortable Bed & Breakfast accommodation with en-suite facilities.
We are based here for two nights. Evening free in Killarney.
Day 2
10:00 we embark on the famous Ring of Kerry tour which is a largely coastal drive around the Iveragh Peninsula – lots of stunning mountain and coastal scenery, including the famous Lakes of Killarney.
Evening free in Killarney Perhaps enjoy a traditional night entertainment. Your Host can give you suggestions and ideas.
Day 3
07:30. After another Full Irish Breakfast we transfer to Killarney by road to Limerick. After a short tour of this historic Vicking city, famous as the setting for the movie Angela’s Ashes on the mighty river Shannon, we visit Bunratty Castle and its lovely folk park. After a couple of hours here we strike West for the tiny fishing village of Doolin on the Wild Atlantic Coast. We have lunch here in Gus O’Connor’s traditional bar (not included).
Next, we visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher highest sea cliffs in Europe, and enjoy at least 1 hour and half or so here .Perhaps take some of the cliff walk if you dare.
We continue Northwards along the Atlantic coast and experience the unique limestone desert of Burren, famous for its unique flora and fauna.
We round Black Head and make our way along the stunning south shore of Galway Bay to Galway city arriving around 6:15pm (depending on traffic conditions).
Checkin to your 4 Star standard (Subject to availability.) Galway Hotel.
Evening free to enjoy this really exciting city with its huge selection of traditional bars some with music and a wide variety of restaurants and cafés.
Day 4
10.00am. We depart Galway and strike out into the faboulous scenery of Connemara (inlets of the ocean). On our journey we passed the house where Bruce Ismay (director of the white Star Line) retired to in disgrace after surviving the Titanic sinking until his death in 1932. Mountains, lakes and deep inlets are there to behold, we visit the lovely fishing village of Leenane on Ireland’s only fjord – Killary Harbour.
We visit the World famous Kylemore Abbey & Garden (admission to Abbey & garden included).
This is also our lunch stop (not included). See the Tweleve Bens and Maamturks mountain ranges. Plenty of shopping and photo opportunities en route.
We continue on along the shores of Galway Bay and arrive in Galway at around 18:00hrs.
We depart Galway by train at 19:20hrs to Dublin Heuston by InterCity train (bar & snacks available on board) arriving at 21.50hrs.
