The Best of Ireland Touring Itinerary

Day 1 - DUBLIN CITY

‘Cead Mile Failte!’ Welcome to Ireland! Arrive into Dublin Airport on your transatlantic flight.
[All Flights Should Arrive before noon to be eligible for transfer]

Your private driver/guide will meet you in the arrivals hall where he will escort you to your awaiting motorcoach - He will have a sign with “Best of Ireland Group on it”.

This morning enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin City by coach, where you will view all the main sights of the capital including Georgian Dublin, Merrion Square, Dublin Castle, Christchurch Cathedral, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the River Liffey, the Phoenix Park and O’ Connell Street.Dublin is one of Europe’s most vibrant cities. Over a thousand years old, the turbulent history and rich traditions of the city have inspired writers, artists and musicians down the ages. Today, artists are still attracted by Dublin’s youthful enthusiasms and easy-going lifestyle and the city has become a thriving center of culture and enjoyment. The new wave of cafes and restaurants are meeting places for all ages while traditional Dublin pubs are rightly world-famous for their informal atmosphere and lively conversation. The city oozes atmosphere, not least in the heady scents that cling to it - the rich aroma of the hops being roasted in the Guinness brewery and the salty tang of the sea. Nighttime entertainment is a rich mix of world-class theater, concerts from classical to rock, jazz clubs, traditional music sessions and old-style cabaret. Above all, Dublin is a small city, where visitors can feel at home after even the shortest stay.

Enjoy a visit to the most famous Book of Kells. The Book of Kells dates back to the 9th century and is an exquisite and lavishly decorated copy of the first four gospels in Latin. The book is on a permanent display in the Trinity College Library and evokes much passion among all those who witness this historical spectacle.

Continue to the Ashling Hotel, enjoy Tea/Coffee & Scones before check in.

Afternoon at leisure in Dublin City and tonight enjoy dinner and overnight at the Ashling Hotel, Dublin City (Dinner B&B Basis)

Day 2 - DUBLIN TO GALWAY

Enjoy a full Irish Breakfast at the hotel before departing Dublin and travelling westwards to Westmeath. Visit the Kilbeggan Distillery, which is the oldest distillery in world dating back to 1757 and home of Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey. The Kilbeggan Experience offers a unique opportunity to see a fully operational traditional Irish pot still whiskey distillery, while enjoying a historical tour of the old distillery which includes the waterwheel and original distillery machinery. The old distillery has been maintained as a museum just as it was during John Locke’s ownership in the 19th Century. The current distillery contains the oldest working pot still in the world and has a cooperage on show for all visitors. With guided tours and the opportunity to explore at your own leisure, each tour ends with a complimentary sample of the award-winning Kilbeggan Irish Whiskey.

Afterwards continue towards Galway, where you will overnight with dinner at the Ardilaun Hotel. (Dinner, B&B Basis).

Galway nestles at the neck of Galway Bay and is reputed to have been Columbus’ final point of departure on his voyage of discovery. Some of the main attractions include St. Nicholas Church, the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square - which is the focal point of the modern city.

Day 3 - CONNEMARA TOUR

After breakfast, enjoy the beauty of the West of Ireland with a drive through the area known as Connemara - Connemara is a wild and beautiful region of mountains, lakes, tumbling streams undulating bog, unspoilt beaches and panoramic views. It is a Gaelic- speaking region and has attracted many artisans, who can be visited at work in their studios. The centre of Connemara is composed of mountain peaks, the Twelve Bens or Pins which culminate in Benbaun (2388ft).

The sharp grey peaks of quartzite rock, which is resistant to weathering, are too steep and hard to be clothed in blanket bog. The region is now largely uninhabited, although in the past the more fertile lowlands were cultivated and the uplands were used as pasture for cattle and sheep.

Visit the spectacular Kylemore Abbey & Gardens - Set in the heart of the Connemara mountains is the Kylemore Abbey Estate, home of the Irish Benedictine Nuns. Visit the picturesque Abbey (under restoration), exhibition and enjoy a stroll to the beautiful Neo-Gothic Church (under restoration) and Mausoleum where original owners are buried; browse in the Craft/Retail Shop; take a shuttle bus to Kylemore Abbey’s six-acre Victorian Walled Garden, the most significant walled garden in the West.

Return for your evening at leisure and overnight at the Ardilaun Hotel (B&B Basis).

Day 4 - GALWAY TO KILLARNEY

Depart Galway after breakfast and travel southwards to Co. Clare and through the area known as the Burren - a vast, bare, eerie limestone plateau which covers much of Co Clare and is gradually being established as a national park.

Visit the Cliffs of Moher. Situated in County Clare and bordering the Burren Area, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights. Standing 600ft above the ground at their highest point and 5 miles long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara.

This afternoon a little south of Ennis, visit Bunratty Castle & Folk Park, which recreates 19th century Victorian Ireland, and see its very interesting and extensive display of Irish heritage.

Continue to Killarney for Dinner & overnight at the Dromhall Hotel in Killarney, Co. Kerry (Dinner B&B Basis).

Day 5 - MINI RING OF KERRY

Today the group will explore the mini Ring of Kerry. The Ring of Kerry Tour takes you through spectacular coastal and mountainous scenery along the base of the highest mountain range in Ireland, The Macgillycuddy Reeks, and the highest peak being Carrauntoohill rising 3,414 feet. The journey takes you through villages and towns depicting typical rural life in Ireland. As you descend into Killarney, fabulous views of the three Lakes of Killarney are afforded from “Ladies View”, named after Queen Victoria’s visit at the beginning century.

Continue to Killarney’s National Park and the Muckross House Estate for a visit. Visit Muckross House, a 19th century manor house, majestically situated on the shores of Muckross Lake. Now a major visitor centre, the house has two main themes, the environment of the National Park and the folklore of County Kerry in the 19th and 20th centuries. The gardens informal in size, are noted for their fine collection of rhododendrons and azaleas, which bloom in May/July, extensive water gardens and an outstanding rock garden of natural limestone.

Return to the Dromhall Hotel in Killarney for an evening at your own leisure to explore the town (B&B Basis).

Day 6 - KILLARNEY TO DUBLIN VIA CORK

After a Full Irish breakfast at the hotel depart Killarney and travel to Blarney Village in County Cork to visit Blarney Castle. This historic castle is most famous for its stone, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss it. The stone is set in the wall below the battlements, and to kiss it, one has to lean backwards (grasping an iron railing) from the parapet walk. In the grounds of the castle the Rock Close, and its surroundings, is a curious place of ancient trees and far more ancient stones, by legend a garden of druidic origin and a centre of worship in pre-Christian days.

Continue north to Dublin City for your evening at your own leisure for sightseeing.

Overnight at the Aisling Hotel in Dublin City; enjoy dinner on your own this evening.

Day 7 - TRANSFER TO DUBLIN AIRPORT

Enjoy breakfast this morning. After, you will be transferred directly to Dublin Airport in time to check in for their departure flight homebound.

Slan Abhaile! (Safe Home)