How to spend a week in Ireland? From first-class hotels in Dublin, Killarney, and the Lodge at Ashford , this all inclusive Ireland vacation shows you the highlights of Ireland. Two-night stays make it easy to
relax and enjoy, whether you’re exploring Dublin’s sights with a
local guide, browsing among the temptations at Blarney Woollen Mills, or
marveling at the Cliffs of Moher and wild Connemara. Visit the land of Legends,
Poets, Musicians, and Celtic Heritage on a 7 day Irish bus tour.
Day 1: Dublin Tour & GPO Museum
Tour begins 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. Meet your guide and set off on a tour of central Dublin. Highlights include the shopping areas around Grafton and Nassau Streets, Dublin’s elegant Georgian squares, and a drive long the wide O’Connell Street. Visit the GPO Museum and enjoy a welcome drink before dining independently at one of Dublin’s many restaurants or pubs.
Day 2:Kilkenny & Waterford Crystal
Drive through the Irish countryside to the compact city of Kilkenny. Visit Kilkenny Castle, which was the principal residence of the powerful Butler family for almost 600 years. It has been remodeled over the centuries and now houses an excellent collections of portraits and artifacts. Continue south to the famous House of Waterford Crystal to watch molten glass being transformed into elaborate and shimmering trophies by the skilled blowers and cutters. View a huge array of stemware in the showrooms and you may purchase pieces also. Check in to your hotel in the center of Waterford and, after dinner, take a gentle walking tour with a local guide to learn about the region’s history. (B, D)Call 1-800-221-2474 9AM - 5PM Mon-Fri Eastern Time
Day 3: Jameson Experience & Blarney Castle
Head out to County Cork to Midleton for a tour of the Jameson Experience, a journey through the story and making of Irish whiskey complete with a sample at the end. Next up, treat yourself to quality Irish-made goods at the Blarney Woollen Mills Then visit the famous Blarney Castle with a climb to the top to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence” or enjoy a walk through the lovely parklands and gardens. Head to Killarney, a small town that’s big on glorious scenery. After dinner, you may want to explore town on your own, perhaps sampling a lively pub or two. (B, D)
Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Irish Night
Start your day with a lovely jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle for wonderful views of Lough Leane and the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks Mountains. Then set out on the famous Ring of Kerry scenic route. The road winds between mountains on one side and the Atlantic coastline on the other. Stop for photos at great locations all along the route. Take the bridge to Valentia Island to visit the Skellig Experience to learn about the rocky islands off the end of the peninsula where monks lived under austere conditions in early Christian times. In 2014 part of “Star Wars VII” was filmed on the islands. Stop in the attractive village of Sneem and at Moll’s Gap for panoramic mountain views. In the evening head to an Irish Night for dinner with a fun traditional show. (B, D)
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Lodge at Ashford
Drive north through Listowel to Tarbert for a 20-minute ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Continue your journey north to view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches to almost 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower for views across Galway Bay of Connemara and the Aran Islands on a clear day. Relax as you travel through the Burren and on to Cong where your hotel sits within the magnificent 350-acre estate of Ashford Castle. Take time to relax before dinner in the Lodge. You may choose to explore the beautiful gardens and grounds, or the castle itself, which is open to guests as long as there are no special events taking place. (B, D)
Day 6: Connemara & "The Quiet Man" Walk
Today embark on the Corrib Princess for a scenic cruise on Lough Corrib (Mar 28 – Oct 21 departures) and watch demonstrations of Irish coffee-making and step dancing. Then explore scenic Connemara to admire how constantly-changing cloud formations give granite hills, sparkling lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. While visually stunning, this area is not good for farming and only suitable for the sturdy mountain sheep that survive on the steep hills. In Cong take a walking tour with a local guide to see locations for “The Quiet Man” movie, made in the village in 1952. Head to a traditional pub for a casual lunch. Stop at Standun of Spiddal for an Irish coffee and a talk on various aspects of Irish life and traditional crafts before returning to Galway where the evening is free. (B,L)
Day 7: Clonmacnoise Monastic Site & Dublin’s Abbey Tavern
Head to the center of the country to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is set on the banks of the mighty River Shannon. See elaborate High Celtic crosses decorated with biblical scenes. Continue your journey to Dublin once again and check in to a different hotel. Drive to the fishing village of Howth on the north side of the city to finish up your tour at the popular Abbey Tavern with a hearty dinner and a lively show of traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 8: Group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00
am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
OR
8 night tour:
Call 1-800-221-2474 9AM - 5PM Mon-Fri Eastern Time
Day 8:Independent Bus Tour
Spend an additional day in Dublin with an independent Dublin open-top bus tour (valid for 48 hours), plus a visit to Guinness Storehouse or General Post Office. (B)
Day 9: Depart Dublin for Home
What Your Escorted Ireland Tour Includes
GROUP AIRPORT TRANSFERS
When we book your flights together with a coach tour, we include complimentary group transfers on the starting and ending date of tours at times specified on each itinerary-a $30 per person fee applies to land only bookings.
- Traditional Irish Night in Killarney
- 3 table d'hote dinners
- GPO Museum in Dublin
- Cliffs of Moher
- Ashford Castle Estate
- Clonmacnoise Monastic Site
- Kilkenny Castle
- Ring of Kerry
- Skellig Experience
- The Lodge at Ashford Castle
Your Accommodations: Stay at the following (or similar):
Superior & First Class
- Ashling Hotel or Radisson Blu St Helen’s Hotel | Dublin (1)
- Dooley’s Hotel | Waterford (1)
- Killarney Towers Hotel | Killarney (2)
- The Lodge at Ashford Castle| Cong (2)
- Grand Canal Hotel | Dublin (2)
Price per person sharing a twin or triple room. ONLY ONE TRIPLE ROOM IS AVAILABLE PER DEPARTURE - BOOK EARLY.
| IRISH SPIRIT TOUR | 2023 | |
| 8 DAYS FROM | $1745 | |
| SINGLE ROOM SUPPLEMENT FROM | 450 | |
| THURSDAY AND SATURDAY DEPARTURES | ||
| MAR | 4,18,21 | |
| APR | 8,15,22,27 | |
| MAY | 6,13,18,20,25,27 | |
| JUNE | 1,3,10,15,22,24,29 | |
| JULY | 6,8,13,15 | |
| AUG | 3,12,24,26 | |
| SEPT | 2,9,16,21,23,30 | |
| OCT | 7,21,26 | |
Save 10% per person on coach land tour prices if you are 8 & under 17 and traveling with at least one full fare paying passenger. Airfare is available from many cities. Just ask.
If you don't see the date you are interested in, please call us. Availability changes often.
Cancellation Penalties: Airfare up to 100%; Land: Penalties per person apply: 70 days or longer: Forfeiture of deposit 69 - 46 days: 35% per person 45 - 8 days: 45% per person 7 - 1 days: 60% per person' On day of departure: 100% per person Travel Insurance
Please Email Us For Information Call 1-800-221-2474 9AM - 5PM Mon-Fri Eastern Time
