Day 1 — 12 September 2022 - Arrive Dublin
A Cead Mile Failte to the Emerald Isle is extended on arrival at Dublin Airport by your friendly driver/guide. We begin our adventure with a stop for a light lunch at the historic Man O’War Pub, a 15th-century public house and last stop for weary travellers heading north. We continue through the majestic Mountains of Mourne into Saint Patrick’s Country to visit the grave of Ireland’s Patron Saint and the Saint Patrick Centre which tells his story. Then it is onwards to Belfast where we will check in to our city centre hotel. Tonight we will dine at our hotel.
Lunch/Dinner
Overnight, The AC Marriott, Belfast
Day 2 — 13 September 2022 - Belfast
This morning, we will visit the Harland and Wolff Shipyard and the Titanic Experience, where you will take a self-guided tour of this top European attraction. Afterwards, we will visit Belfast City Hall for a guided tour, before undertaking a panoramic tour of Belfast which will include the Protestant Shankhill and Catholic Falls Roads. The remainder of the day and evening are at leisure. You may wish to check out the Cathedral Quarter of town, home to many great restaurants and lively pubs.
Breakfast
Overnight The AC Marriott, Belfast
Day 3 — 14 September 2022 - Giant’s Causeway/Derry
This morning we take the scenic Causeway Coastal Route through the Glens of Antrim to the iconic pillars of The Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO world heritage. We continue to Derry, where you will take an interesting and informative guided walking tour of the historic city walls. This evening we will dine in the beautiful surroundings of The Cedars Restaurant at the luxurious Lough Eske Castle.
Breakfast/Dinner
Overnight, Lough Eske Castle, Donegal
Day 4 — 15 September 2022 - Adara/Donegal/Westport
We travel to the small town of Ardara and visit the home of Donegal Tweed, Triona Design. Here you will enjoy an Irish Coffee while learning the history of Donegal Tweed, including a weaving demonstration on a 200-year-old Hand Loom. There will be time for you to shop for fashionable woollens and a selection of Irish knitwear during your visit. We then travel back into Northern Ireland to visit Belleek Pottery, home to Ireland's oldest working fine china pottery where you will see artisans create beautiful pieces that hold a special place in Ireland's cultural heritage. Then we enter the romantic domain of WB Yeats, and sites associated with the poet before arriving in Westport. Tonight we will dine at our hotel.
Breakfast/Dinner
Overnight, The Castle Court Hotel, Westport
Day 5 — 16 September 2022 - Wild Atlantic Way
This morning we will travel along the Wild Atlantic Way into the rugged wilds of Connemara for a guided tour of Kylemore Abbey, a monastery founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in WW1. This afternoon is free for you to explore the pretty town of Westport, where you can spend the rest of the day as you please. Westport is a Georgian Town, famous for its stoned bridges, tree-lined promenades and historical sites including those relating to The Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley, a fearless leader who challenged the politics of the 16th century and gender imbalance and bias. There are also plenty of shops and a gallery that sells handicrafts and artwork created by local artists. This evening you may wish to dine at a local pub or restaurant.
Breakfast
Overnight, The Castle Court Hotel, Westport
Day 6 — 17 September 2022 - Galway/Cliffs of Moher
Today we journey south along the picturesque shores of Lough Mask and Lough Corrib to Galway. On arrival, we will be met by a local guide who will entertain us with tales of local legends and characters on a walking tour of The City of Tribes. Our travels take us to the mighty Cliffs of Moher where we will have time to tour the visitor centre and soak in the spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands while strolling along paved pathways. This evening you can dine in Limerick’s town centre or, for those wishing to travel a little further afield, an optional medieval banquet in an Irish castle is on offer.
Breakfast
Overnight, Radisson Blu Limerick, Limerick
Day 7 — 18 September 2022 - Limerick/Kilarney
After breakfast, a panoramic tour of Limerick City is undertaken before travelling to the quaint village of Adare, where we will stop to take photos of the thatched roof cottages that line the main street. Our drive takes us through the villages of Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale before arriving in the lively town of Killarney. Tonight we will dine at our hotel.
Breakfast/Dinner
Overnight, The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney
Day 8 — 19 September 2022 - Ring of Kerry
This morning we begin our drive along the scenic Ring of Kerry Road. Our journey will take us to the edge of Ireland passing through quaint towns and villages, including Moll’s Gap, a mountain pass that offers breathtaking views of the MacGillycuddy's Reeks mountains. We will visit Kissane Sheep Farm for an entertaining display of sheepdogs hard at work. This evening we will meet local jarvies and take a jaunting car ride through the town to Quill’s Farmhouse, where we will enjoy a traditional Irish farmhouse dinner while being entertained by a duet of local musicians.
Breakfast/Dinner
Overnight, The Great Southern Hotel, Killarney
Day 9 — 20 September 2022 - Blarney/Waterford
Our first stop today is the village of Blarney, where you can shop for handicrafts, or for those who are feeling energetic, climb the 125 steps of Blarney Castle for the opportunity to kiss the ‘stone of eloquence. We then travel to New Ross where we will experience what life was like for a group of famine emigrants as we board the Famine Ship Dunbrody at the quayside. This evening we will dine at our hotel.
Breakfast/Dinner
Overnight, The Waterford Marina, Waterford
Day 10 — 21 September 2022 - Dublin
Today we head north towards Dublin, with a stop in the medieval town of Kilkenny, where you will have time to stroll the squares and cobbles of the town centre. Later, we will visit the Irish National Stud, home to many of Ireland’s most famous former, and most recent championship racehorses. While you are here, you may wish to take a wander through the Japanese Gardens, a mix of western and eastern cultures and one of the most beautiful gardens of its kind in Europe. On arrival in Dublin, we will visit Trinity College and view the Book of Kells. The remainder of the day and evening is at leisure. Dublin is a great city for dining, where you can not only indulge in traditional Irish fayre, but also choose from a great selection of fine dining restaurants and bistros that feature cuisines from around the world.
Breakfast
Overnight, The Travelodge Trinity Plus, Dublin
Day 11 — 22 September 2022 - Dublin
Today is a free day for you to explore the city using your Dublin Bus Hop-on/Hop-off ticket. Recommended visits include Guinness, EPIC, Kilmainham Gaol and Trinity College. This evening we take a drive into the Dublin Mountains for a farewell dinner with rousing Irish entertainment.
Breakfast/Dinner
Overnight, The Travelodge Trinity Plus, Dublin
Day 12 — 23 September 2022 - Your tour ends this morning
After a final hearty breakfast, a group transfer will take you to Dublin Airport for your flight home.
Breakfast