May 24 - Dublin
Arrive in Ireland, making your way to your hotel, located in the heart of Dublin making it easy to explore the many nearby attractions. We can assist with air arrangements and transfers, speak to one of our travel professionals. Join your
Tour Director and Local Guide along with those in the group, meeting in the hotel lobby at 2:45pm. The group will depart at 3pm by coach, taking you to the Guinness Storehouse. Experience the history, heart and soul of Ireland’s most iconic beer. Explore the story of Guinness and take in the 360 views of Dublin City from the Gravity Bar.
Our evening includes a Welcome Dinner at Taylors Three Rock, a cabaret show in the foothills of the Dublin Mountains. Enjoy a rip-roaring evening of traditional Irish song and dance, accompanied by an authentic taste and great selection of quality Irish food.
Included Visits: Guinness Storehouse, Taylors Three Rock
Meals: Welcome Dinner
Accommodation: The Iveagh Garden Hotel, Dublin, or similar (1 Night)
May 25 - Galway
Depart from Dublin at 10am, making a visit to Caffrey’s Bar in Batterstown, Co. Meath. A 40-minute drive from the city centre of Dublin to the lush green farmland of Ireland. Within 8km is the Fairyhouse racecourse, one of Ireland’s premier horse racing venues and home to the prestigious Irish Grand National and a mainstay in Irish society and history since 1848. The pub is adorned with photographs of horses, jockeys, owners and trainers from Ireland and International locations. Enjoy a drink and have lunch in the pub.
We head west making our way to Galway, "The City of Tribes" a medieval city originally founded, as a fishing village in the area close to the Spanish Arch. Galway is one of Ireland's most engaging cities where street cafes offer front-row seats for observing buskers and street theatre. Our itinerary makes a stop at Sean’s Bar, listed as one of the 25 most incredible Bars in the World by Lonely Planet, Sean’s Bar was officially recognised by the Guinness Book of Records as Ireland’s Oldest Pub situated in the heart of Ireland, halfway between Dublin and Galway, Sean’s Bar is part of the life and soul at Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Sláinte Agus Céad Míle Fáilte!
Included Visits: Caffrey’s Bar, Sean’s Bar
Meals: Full Irish breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: The Park Hotel, or similar (2 nights)
May 26 - Galway
Today we take a 45-minute ferry to explore Aran Islands, One of the world’s top Island destinations, according to National Geographic. A true Irish experience awaits, where locals speak Irish as well as English in a setting of Celtic churches of historical significance including World's Heritage site Dun Aonghasa. An island that covers 42 sq km, populated by 800 people yet 2000 km of stone walls. Travel through the island by mini-bus, bike or walk.
Lunch is at Joe Watty’s Bar, a welcoming local Aran island pub with good music and craic. Depending on the weather, you may relax and unwind in front of a warm open fire with an Irish coffee (it’s considered one of the ‘Cosey pubs in Ireland for a drink by the Fire’ by the Journal.ie) or you can enjoy a pint of Guinness in the beer garden and watch the world go by. A wide selection of craft beers, wines and whiskeys are available at the bar where you might also learn a cúpla focal (few words of Irish) from some of the locals. Enjoy the evening in Galway at leisure.
Meals: Full Irish Breakfast, lunch
Included Visits: Aran Islands, Joe Watty’s Bar
May 27 – Killarney
Today we set our sights on Killarney - a vibrant 'little' town amongst beautiful countryside, full of history, heritage, activities and world-class hospitality.
Depart our hotel today for the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren. The Cliffs of Moher, a daunting 700 feet of sheer rock overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and home to thousands of nesting birds is one of Ireland’s natural attractions that is sure to take your break away.
Visit the Burren Region, a lunar landscape recognized worldwide as a botanist garden with an array of flowers from native species to Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean plants. The Burren National Park is one of six national parks in Ireland, an area sculpted over the last two million years by glaciers, through the exposure and submergence of its landscape to ice, ocean and the plate movements of the earth.
The day would not be complete without a visit to Gus O’Connor’s Pub, located in one of Ireland’s best loved villages, Doolin, on the North coast of Co. Clare. Sometimes called “The Mecca of Irish Music” or “The Capital of Irish traditional Music”, Doolin is blessed with an ideal location, breathtaking views, rich culture, history and friendly locals.
Check into the Lake Hotel, nestled on the shores of Lough Lein, the Lake Hotel enjoys the most magnificent setting with the backdrop of the mountains, islands, woodlands and the 12th century McCarthy Mór castle ruins. This hotel has great character, welcoming guests since 1820, providing a long tradition of warm Irish hospitality. Join your group this evening for dinner at the hotel.
Included Visits: Cliffs of Moher, Burren Region, Gus O’Connors Pub, Doolin, Co. Clare
Meals: Full Irish breakfast, dinner
Accommodation: Lake Hotel, Killarney, or similar (2 nights)
May 28 – Killarney
Experience the rugged, majestic landscapes of the Ring of Kerry. The road takes you through 10,000 years of dramatic history, from deep forest to the crashing waters of the Atlantic. We stop at the Red Fox for an Irish coffee and an opportunity to learn about the peat bogs.
Visit a local farmer who will share his insights and provide you with a sheep dog demonstration. The sheepdog is an integral part of farming culture and here you will see just how much a well-trained Border collie can help its master.
Enjoy the mystical and un-spoiled region of Ireland.
Join your group for a Pint-Pulling Competition in Murphy’s Pub, located in the heart of Killarney town and providing live traditional music.
Included Visits: Ring of Kerry, Sheep Dog Demonstration, Pint Pulling in Murphy’s Pub
Meals: Full Irish breakfast
May 29 – Dingle
The Dingle Peninsula is dominated by the range of mountains that form its spine, running from the Slieve Mish range to the Conor Pass and Mount Brandon, Ireland’s second highest peak. The magnificent coastline, and the scenic Slea Head drive will certainly take your breath away.
Visit Dingle Distillery for a whiskey tasting. Dingle Whiskey is a product of its environment. From the local well water to the immensely manual mashing, alongside the wooden fermentation vessels that feed into the three bespoke copper pot stills, the production is purely Dingle.
Enjoy time in town, a place where native Gaelic (Irish language) prospers alongside modern languages. Relax and savour the scenery, the art, culture, local food, and people.
Included Visits: Slea Head scenic drive, Dingle Distillery visit
Meals: Full Irish breakfast
Accommodation: Dingle Skellig Hotel, Dingle, or simliar (1 night)
May 30 – Dublin
We are off to Dublin, Ireland's small capital with a huge reputation. A city rich in history, once a handsome Georgian city of the British Empire, it still holds a fine line of sophisticated elegance amongst medieval castles and cathedrals. Our journey takes us through the small village of Adare, renowned as one of Ireland's prettiest towns and designated as a heritage town by the Irish government. Here you will have some free time to visit some of the local pubs.
Upon arrival, your guide will give you a city tour of Dublin.
Included Visits: Leisure time in Adare Village, Dublin city tour
Meals: Full Irish Breakfast
Accommodation: The Iveagh Garden Hotel, Dublin, or similar (2 Nights)
May 31 – Dublin
Today is a day at leisure to explore Dublin, voted twice the friendliest city in Europe as well as crowned UNESCO City of Literature. A multicultural, artistic city brimming with incredible architecture and pubs and great opportunity for entertainment. The city is a living museum with medieval castles and cathedrals. Make sure to visit Temple Bar, one of Dublin’s most famous areas.
This evening, join your group for a private Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. Professional actors tell you the story of the gin place, the long hall and the spirit grocer, while quoting live from the works of Joyce, Behan, Wilde and many more. The tour is a form of street theatre allowing you to be next to the actors and experience the language live on the street of the city. The Literary Pub Crawl takes about 2 hours 20 minutes across four historic pubs in the centre of Dublin. The tour is led by actors who tell the story of the pub, the poet & the pint. Distance walk: approx. 1km (half mile)
Included Visits: Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
Meals: Full Irish Breakfast
June 1 – Dublin to Home City
Your tour ends this morning at the hotel.
Meals: Full Irish Breakfast