Best of Ireland – 13 Days

Upon arrival at Dublin Airport, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Check in and freshen up. Your panoramic tour departs at 2pm from your hotel. See such elegant Georgian town houses, St. Stephen’s Green and the River Liffey. Visit the Pearse Lyons Distillery, Dublin’s only independent, family-owned distillery, in the former St James’s Church which has been restored. Taste the whiskey and hear tales dating back to the 12th century. Enjoy a welcome drink, dinner will be on your own. Return to hotel.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Check out. Enroute to Belfast visit Down Cathedral where St Patrick’s historical burial site is marked by a huge boulder. Learn about his work, life, and times in the nearby St Patrick Centre. Explore Crumlin Road Gaol to see what prison life was like through the ages. Continue to central Belfast for time to relax before dinner at your hotel. Check in.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Tour central Belfast to see Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit Titanic Belfast to learn about the ill-fated liner. In the afternoon, take a guided walking tour of Belfast. Rest of the evening is at leisure.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Check out. Drive along the Nine Glens of Antrim for views of mountains, valleys, and coastline. This scenic region is one of the locations for “Game of Thrones.” Stop for photos at the ruins of Dunluce Castle. Explore the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago. In Derry, enjoy a guided walking tour around the defensive walls of the old city. Check in at your hotel at Derry.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Check out. Travel through the rugged countryside of Donegal, visit Triona Design in Ardara for shopping and enjoy a demonstration of handweaving. In County Mayo, take a guided walking tour of historic Westport and visit a pub. Check in and dine at your hotel this evening.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Enjoy views of the pilgrimage mountain of Croagh Patrick and stop in the beautiful town of Leenane. Watch skilled dogs herd sheep at a local farm. View Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. Back in Westport, take a guided tour of Westport House, an 18th-century home. Spend the rest of day at leisure.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Check out. Enroute to Galway, enjoy some free time to explore Galway, then continue to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which soar 700 feet above the Atlantic. Enjoy an evening at a medieval-style banquet in an authentic Irish castle. Check in at your hotel in Limerick.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Check out. Travel along the River Shannon into County Kerry. In Listowel, sample tea and scones in the family pub of the late, famed playwright John B. Keane. Journey along the Dingle Peninsula to Slea Head for glorious scenic views. After spending free time in Dingle, travel on to Killarney. Check in at your hotel. Dinner.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Travel along the Ring of Kerry to see spectacular mountain scenery at Moll’s Gap and Ladies’ View on your way to Kenmare. Enjoy lunch there and freetime to explore. Visit Moriarty’s for shopping. Take a scenic, traditional horse-drawn jaunting car to Ross Castle and the Kenmare Estate. Return to Killarney. Evening at leisure. Visit a local pub with live music on your own.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Check out. Visit Blarney Castle to climb the winding staircase and kiss the famed “Stone of Eloquence” or relax in the lovely gardens. Drive to Dungarvan to enjoy an Irish coffee and traditional music at the Marine Bar. Continue to Waterford and enjoy a guided stroll around the historic port city. Proceed to your hotel and check in.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Check out. See the creation of crystal masterpieces at the House of Waterford Crystal, and shop for souvenir crystals. In New Ross explore the Dunbrody Famine Ship, which transported people to North America during the 1840’s famine. This evening, enjoy dinner and a show at Taylors Three Rock. Check in at your hotel in Dublin.

Overnight.

Breakfast. Enjoy your day in Dublin independently on the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour. Use your voucher to visit your choice of one of Dublin’s top attractions: Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Whiskey Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, or GPO Museum. In the evening, dine at one of the many restaurants or pubs that Dublin has to offer on your own.

Overnight.

End of Tour.