Elegant Ireland 10 Days

Overnights for this tour:

• Herbert Park Hotel Dublin (2 nights)
• Radisson Blu Galway Hotel Galway (2 nights)
• Old Ground Hotel Ennis (1 night)
• The Dunloe Killarney (2 nights)
• Imperial Hotel Cork (2 nights)
• Dunboyne Castle Hotel Dublin (1 night)

Day 1: Dublin Tour & the Book of Kells

Welcome! On arrival in Dublin you can check into your hotel, then the adventuring starts at 2pm, when all participants meet in the hotel lobby for a guided tour of Dublin. Driving down the mains streets you can take in some of Dublin’s most famous sights like Trinity College, the Spire and the GPO. Later, take a guided walking tour of Trinity College's Campus and view the famous manuscript the Book of Kells. Come evening, you can relax at your hotel and enjoy a drink with your tour guide and other guests.

Day 2: Clonmacnoise Monastic Site & Galway City Tour 

Leaving the Capital, you head through the Irish midland countryside to Clonmacnoise. Set up in 545AD, on the banks of the Shannon river, a lot of the architecture including High crosses, round towers and church still stand to this day, albeit in slightly worse condition! its onwards to Galway City, where a local guide will give you a walking tour of Irelands cultural capital. After this you have a while to browse the city on your own before heading back to your hotel.

Day 3: Lough Corrib Cruise & Connemara

Departing from near Galway, you board the Corrib Princess which will bring you on a cruise of the stunning Lough Corrib! After this, you can discover the beautiful Connemara region, admire its stunning lakes and mountains, and see the bogs used for turf to heat Irish homes for generations. Next you drive to Kylemore Abbey, where you can explore the beautiful rooms and furnishings of the mansion, as well as the church that are set beside a picturesque lake. Have a small lunch and enjoy views of Connemara before heading back to Galway where you have the evening free to explore the City!

Day 4: Cliffs of Moher & Ennis

Stopping at Rathbaun Farm, you can see some traditional farm animals and methods of farming. You can also see sheepdogs obeying commands and herding sheep, before sitting down for a cup of tea and some baked goods! Driving along the coast, you'll reach the Cliffs of Moher, a daunting sight, rising nearly 700 feet above the Atlantic. Take a walk along the Cliffs to O’Brien’s tower, where you can see the Aran Islands, on a clear day. Continuing south, you reach Ennis, where you can check into your hotel, before enjoying a walking tour of the town and a visit to Ennis Friary.

Day 5: Flying Boat Museum & Killarney

After crossing the Shannon estuary by ferry, you continue on to the town of Foynes, where you'll visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which will inform and entertain you with tells the story of the early days of Irelands air travel in the 1930's. See a replica flying boat, memorabilia from the time and interactive displays. Leaving Foynes, you head to Killarney, stopping for a light lunch in Listowel on the way. Upon checking into your Hotel, make sure to check out the incredible views of Lough Leane and the mountains from the Hotel, before heading to the Killeen House Restaurant for an excellent dining experience.

Day 6: Dingle peninsula & Blasket Centre

Today you visit the epic Dingle Peninsula, driving to Slea Head, the westernmost part of the Peninsula you can see some incredible views of the Atlantic. Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the history of Blasket Islands, which until 1953 were inhabited by farming and fishing families! Next stop is in dingle, where you can enjoy a light lunch. On your way back to Killarney, stop in the village of Castlemaine where you can call into the very charming Murphy's Pub for an Irish Coffee, before heading back to Killarney to your Hotel.

Day 7: Killarney's Jaunting Car & Cork's Coastline 

Enjoy a traditional, horse drawn Jaunting car through the streets of Killarney and Killarney National Park to Ross Castle, built on the shores of Lough Leane, the Largest lake in Killarney. As you take in the beautiful mountain scenery, your driver will tell local stories. Leaving Killarney, it's onwards to the town of Kenmare for a look around, before heading through the Beara Peninsula and Glengarriff both known for their surprisingly mild weather. Continuing along Corks coastline, you'll also pass through Bantry and Skibbereen until you reach your next hotel in Rosscarbery.

Day 8: Charles Fort & Historic Kinsale

Today you travel along the coast, where your first stop is the Timoleague Franciscan Friary, which was founded in the mid-13th century. Here you can see the ruins of what was once a church and living quarters for the monks! Moving on to the town of Kinsale, a local guide will give you a walking tour of the town and of Charles Fort. This pretty old fishing village is famous for its gourmet food and excellent sailing locations. After a short drive back to your hotel, you have some time to relax before dinner.

Day 9: Blarney Stone & Dunboyne Castle

Departing your hotel, you head to Blarney Castle where you can kiss the famous Blarney stone and visit the woollen mills, which sell quality Irish-made goods. Stop for pictures at the rock of Cashel, before continuing on to Dublin. Your luxurious Castle Hotel is located just outside Dublin city and perfectly mixes the old style of the castle with modern guest amenities. Come evening, you can enjoy a farewell dinner with the rest of your tour group; a fitting end to what we hope was a great vacation!

Day 10: Departure from Dublin

After breakfast, it's goodbye for now!