Travel Itinerary - excellent for small groups
Days 1-2*. Fáilte go mBaile Átha Cliath (Welcome to Dublin). Explore Dublin, drink Guinness and walk in the footsteps of St. Patrick!
Meet us at a hotel lobby and we will take you to lunch in Dublin’s highest restaurant while admiring views of the city, tasting the freshest pint of Guinness and learning how to pour and drink it.
We’ll set out on a walking tour through the winding streets of Dublin. Walk through the oldest university in Ireland, pop into the famed Ulysses pharmacy, meet the locals, and perhaps even hear a song in Irish. We’ll then make our way to St.Patrick’s Cathedral to learn all about the saint himself as well as the Cathedral’s most famous dean, Jonathan Swift - author of Gulliver Travels.
Later, a drive through the one of Europe’s largest enclosed parks, the historic Phoenix Park, offers beautiful views and a peek at the grand residence (Uachtarán na hÉireann) of the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins.
Visit The Irish Emigration Museum -- a museum experience like no other and winner of Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction.
We’ll also enjoy a stroll through the legendary Temple Bar area where you can pop into the writer’s bar to say hello, taste unique Irish whiskey and listen to Irish music. We’ll follow the “U2 Trail” where you can learn all about the band’s history and early beginnings in Dublin.
Experience the dramatic 800-year-heritage of Malahide Castle followed by a walk through Howth -- an affluent peninsular village with stunning views.
Authentic dining experiences include offerings such as a seafood feast of oysters, Dublin Bay prawns, Balscadden Bay lobster, Irish sea crab in a Howth harbour restaurant and in a pub up in the Dublin mountains with Irish Music Dancing.
*The Dublin touring route is for 1.5 days at a moderate pace.
Day 3. Сounty Wicklow: the Garden of Ireland & Glendalough
First, we will head down to a renowned beach in South Dublin and marvel at the brave Irish swimmers jumping into the cold waters.
We will warm up by tasting Irish coffee in the pub that Bono, Enya, Sinead O’Connor & Cillian Murphy call their “local”.
Then on we travel to County Wicklow where we’ll explore an ancient monastery, lakes and glens. Fans of “P.S. I Love You” may recognize many of the filming spots from the movie on our journey.
Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience meeting Farmer Michael, a local sheep farmer, and his sheepdogs as he goes about his daily work. Michael will share fascinating stories about his life farming in Ireland.
Day 4. Off to the West: Galway and County Clare
We’ll cross Ireland from East to West.
Today’s adventure starts with a distillery visit and a unique Irish whiskey tasting.
For lunch, we will head to the “Oldest Pub in the World” where you’ll learn to make your own Traditional Irish Coffee.
Dinner in the Salmon Smoke house - meet the owners and taste their award-winning produce and have a pint of a local beer made from an ancient Druidic recipe.
Travelling through the most picturesque villages, we arrive in your spectacular Manor house accommodation
Day 5. County Clare: A Day on the Edge of the World in Aran Islands
Sail to a tiny port in a picturesque Atlantic coastal setting and set off to Inishmore Island, the largest and most popular island of the three Aran Islands.
We step back in time and explore the way Irish people lived for centuries surrounded by stones, waves and wind.
We’ll meet a local seaweed gatherer and walk the shores together picking seaweed and listening to fascinating facts about the practice of harvesting seaweed and its use in traditional Irish recipes.
We will also visit an ancient fort and learn about Druids and their beliefs.
Day 6. Country Clare: Wild Atlantic Way | Cliffs of Moher | Bunratty Castle
Cliffs of Moher. Walk the safe, paved pathways and view the famous Cliffs on Europe’s western frontier and enjoy the spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean at this UNESCO world heritage site. The Cliffs of Moher, the most famous cliffs in Ireland, will leave you awestruck and create memories that will stay with you forever. The Cliffs of Moher host major colonies of nesting sea birds and are one of the country’s most important bird- breeding sites
We will visit a medieval Irish Castle and a Folk Park and see how the Irish of all classes lived in the 19th century.
Following the castle tour, we’ll visit the Blarney Woolen Mills where you will find a wealth of unique souvenirs.
Day 7. County Kerry: Ring of Kerry
Take a scene-stealing route around the Iveragh Peninsula – beginning and ending in Killarney - taking in all the spectacular views: Moll’s Gap, the Torc Waterfall and the Gap of Dunloe – but really, the route itself is so much more than the sum of its parts.
Step back in time and take a trip by pony and trap – follow the route that Irish commuted 100 years ago.
Day 8. County Cork: Day in Cork | Blarney Castle | the Titanic’s launching site
Find out how the Irish got their “Gift of the gab” by climbing to the top of Blarney Castle and kissing the famous stone (and maybe receive the gift of eloquence yourself)
Lunch in a renowned English Market and learn about famous Irish butter
Walk in the steps of the last passengers of the Titanic who joined the infamous ship as it sailed into the Atlantic from the fishing village of Cobh.
Day 9. Meet the locals and dine in their home, but it’s a living Castle and he is a Lord
For your farewell lunch, explore the castle of the 7th Earl of Rosse.
Dine in style in the old dining room with silver and crystal and take part in wonderful conversation with the hosts. Get up close and personal with our hosts who will guide you around the castle gardens and share their experiences with castle life in a bucolic setting.
Arrival back in Dublin for dinner and overnight.
Day 10. Dublin. End of programme. Flights home or continue to Northern Ireland
- A tour is designed for a small group (12-14 people)
- A tour starts and ends in Dublin.
- 10 days | 9 nights
- Dublin city tour starts at noon on the arrival day after a hotel check-in. Morning flight arrivals are recommended
- Private airport transfers are available upon request
- Luxury Castle or Manor house accommodation along the whole itinerary.
- Accommodation map: 3+1 nights in Dublin, 2 nights in Co Clare and 3 nights in Co Kerry.
- A group is chauffeur-driven all the way in a comfortable Mercedes Sprinter (16-seater).
- Alcohol is an important part of Irish culture and history, and so of our tour, too. Please taste and drink responsibly.
- Ireland’s beauty is in its scenery, landscapes and glens. Please consider moderate walking.
- Please take care of your travel insurance and have it with you
- Looking for more? Additional activity options are available including a Culinary class and/or a Silver Jewellery Making Class. A tour can be extended to Northern Ireland and Scotland
