9 Days | 8 Nights | 14 Meals
( Land Only )
Choose this tour if you’d like to see both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland on one vacation enjoying the regions’ most popular sites at a great value!
Day 1: Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
Tour begins 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. Set out on an introductory tour of central Dublin. Highlights include 18th century Georgian houses with brightly-painted doors, tranquil parks and the wide O’Connell Street. Take a guided walking tour through the campus of Trinity College to view the illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells. In the evening, enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dining independently in one of Dublin’s many restaurants or lively pubs.
Day 2: 6th Century Glendalough & Dunbrody Famine Ship
Enjoy the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Glendalough, one of Ireland’s most beautiful destinations. Explore the remains of one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland, founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Walk through the deep valley to view the picturesque ruins of a round tower, churches, and Celtic crosses. Continue to New Ross to the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a reconstructed 19th century vessel showing the harsh sailing conditions for emigrants on the way to North America. Relax as you continue to Waterford. After dinner, take a gentle stroll around the narrow streets of the historic city with a local guide. (B, D)
Day 3: Waterford Crystal & Blarney Castle
Witness the creation of crystal masterpieces during your visit to the House of Waterford Crystal. Travel to Cobh, the last port of call Giant’s Causeway, Co. Antrim of the Titanic. A walking tour will reveal many of the places that still remain over a century since travelers embarked on that fateful voyage. Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or explore the tranquil gardens. Treat yourself to quality
Irish made goods at Blarney Woollen Mills. Journey west through rugged countryside and settle in to your centrally located hotel in Killarney. (B, D)
Day 4: Ring of Kerry Drive & Skellig Experience
Discover the natural beauty of the Emerald Isle on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry, with plenty of photo stops along the way. Cross the bridge to Valentia Island to visit the Skellig Experience, which explains the life of early Christian hermits on Skellig Michael, a rocky offshore island that was featured in the film “Star Wars VII.” After lunch, stroll around Sneem and stop at Moll’s Gap for its panoramic views. Enjoy the evening in Killarney for dinner on your own and perhaps a visit to one of the town’s many lively pubs. (B, L)
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Embark on a memorable ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Travel along the coast of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher, which soar almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower for great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Head to Galway to join a local guide for a brief stroll through the twisting streets of the old city before spending some time on your own. (B, D)
Day 6: Sheepdogs & Derry’s Medieval Walls
Stop in the pilgrimage town of Knock, one of the world’s leading shrines. Visit the church where villagers saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Immerse yourself in Irish farm life during a visit to an authentic working farm and watch trained sheepdogs round up mountain sheep. Head to Donegal town for some free time in this charming town. On arrival in Derry meet a local guide to discover the history of this ancient city which retains its medieval fortification walls dating from 1613. (B, D)
Day 7: Giant’s Causeway & Glyde Inn
Explore the northern coastline, stopping for photos at the sprawling ruins of Dunluce Castle. Visit the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Visit Titanic Belfast and learn about the ill-fated ship through state-of-the-art displays. See the docks where this famous liner was built just over a century ago. Stop at the Glyde Inn for a farewell dinner with Irish specialties and entertaining traditional Irish songs and music. (B, D)
Day 8: Dublin Sightseeing
8-day tour ends after breakfast. Guests on 9-day tour enjoy an independent Dublin open-top bus tour and a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions – Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC Ireland, or the General Post Office Museum. (B)
Day 9: Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B)
DINING EXPERIENCES
5 dinners (D) including a traditional Irish dinner and show at the Glyde Inn, 1 lunch (L), and 7 or 8 daily hot breakfasts (B)
AUTHENTIC LOCAL EXPERIENCES
Immerse yourself in country life as you watch a farmer work with highly skilled dogs to herd sheep.
Visit the last port of call of the Titanic where a local guide will reveal many of the places that still remain over a century since travelers embarked on that fateful voyage.