A Tale of Two Irelands

Welcome to Dublin, Ireland's picturesque capital and birthplace of the famous Guinness beer. Situated on the eastern coast, where the Liffey River meets the sea, Dublin owes its global reputation for friendliness to its people – they're warm, welcoming and always up for a chat.

We don't want you to miss out on a single moment of your Irish adventure, so we recommend that you arrive at your starting destination by 3.00pm.

After meeting our fellow travellers and tour director for a welcome drink, we'll enjoy a brief introduction to the city and take a stroll along South George's Street, before making our way to the Temple Bar district for a welcome dinner.

We start our day in the heart of Dublin, where stories of the city's rich history and unique traditions come to life.

First up is a visit to the prestigious Trinity College, once home to literary greats like Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and Jonathan Swift. Founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 through a royal charter, it is one of the seven original "ancient universities" of Great Britain and Ireland. Inside the renowned library we'll wander through the famous Long Room, which is filled with 200,000 literary works, before marvelling at the jewel in its crown: the exquisite Book of Kells.

We'll then head to Dublin Castle – a site brimming with intrigue and history. Here we explore the magnificent State Apartments and the Chapel Royal.

Later, be transported back to medieval times when we travel to Kilkenny. The city is home to narrow streets and historic buildings, a vibrant restaurant and pub scene, and friendly locals. Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious dinner at a local restaurant.

This morning we'll visit the stunning Kilkenny Castle, taking time to wander through the impressive estate and surrounding grounds. Built in the 13th century, Kilkenny Castle originally served as a defensive castle, due to its location close to the River Nore and several important trade routes. Continuously occupied until 1967, it was sold to the local council for a staggering £50!

Later, we will proceed to Thomastown and explore Jerpoint Abbey, which was established in 1180. The abbey is renowned for its charming location and the remarkable stone carvings adorning its walls. Next, we have time to explore the impressive site of Kells Priory, first founded in 1193, many intact remains still exist there today.

Continuing on, we pass through Dungarvan and Youghal (the filming location of Moby Dick!), before stopping in the picturesque harborside town of Cobh. Here, we will take a break to stretch our legs and have some free time. You may like to explore its thriving restaurant scene and the picture worthy ‘Deck of Cards' – a string of brightly coloured houses perched near the seaside. Fun fact – Cobh (previously known as Queenstown) was the final port of call for the Titanic, before it embarked on its maiden journey across the North Atlantic Ocean.

We arrive in Cork, Ireland's second largest city, later in the evening. Situated on an island in the River Lee, the vibrant city's narrow streets are bursting at the seams with traditional pubs, boutique shops, welcoming laid-back locals and more. You'll have the rest of the night to enjoy at leisure here.

Today we take the time to explore Ireland's remarkable natural scenery as we embark on a winding journey to the coastal town of Glengarriff. From there, we'll board a boat to reach the enchanting Garnish Island. While on the water, we'll make a stop near the seal islands, hoping to catch glimpses of the local seals in their natural habitat. If we're really lucky, we may even see Glengarriff's White Tailed Sea Eagles, which have a wingspan of nearly 2.5 metres! Disembarking on Garnish Island, we'll have some time to explore the scenery and the renowned Bryce House. Set on a large property, the gardens here are a spectacular sight.

Back on the mainland, we enjoy a scenic trip over the Cork and Kerry Mountains to the town of Kenmare. We have a brief stop here to grab a bite to eat, and if you're a seafood fan, we recommend trying the chowder!

Afterwards, we'll head towards Muckross and the idyllic Killarney National Park. Home to Ireland's largest forest of oak trees, Killarney National Park is situated in over 10,000 hectares of pristine, rolling countryside. This afternoon, we'll enjoy a stroll through the National Park, stopping to view the scenic Torc Waterfall and explore the grounds of the Muckross House Estate, before returning to Cork.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

It's time to explore more of Cork this morning, discovering the numerous highlights the city has to offer. With a laid-back atmosphere, it is the perfect place to discover on foot. During our walking tour, we will visit the English Markets, a great place to grab your morning coffee, Saint Patrick's Street and Fitzgerald's Park. Our sightseeing continues as we immerse ourselves in some of Cork's most fascinating landmarks, delving into the local history at the Butter Museum and listening to all the intriguing stories about the Saint Fin Barres Cathedral and its eccentric builder, William Burges.

This afternoon, we'll enjoy an incredible afternoon tea at Cork's famous Imperial Hotel. This iconic location was established back in 1813 and was initially used to house city merchants, until 1816 when it became open to the public as a hotel. The Imperial Hotel boasts a long list of historical figures who have enjoyed the hotels atmosphere, a few including Frederick Douglass, Charles Dickens and Grace Kelly.

Following afternoon tea, we'll proceed to Limerick, a city nestled along the banks of the River Shannon, with the magnificent King John's Castle gracing its surroundings. Limerick has a rich history, believed to have been settled by the Vikings as early as 922 AD. However, in modern times, the city is renowned for its captivating Georgian architecture and is famously recognised as the backdrop for Frank McCourt's acclaimed book, "Angela's Ashes." Upon arrival, we'll explore the city with an orientation tour.

With a later start this morning, we'll have plenty of time to relax and recharge, before making our way to the departure point for our cruise on the River Shannon.

Special Experience: Enjoy a scenic cruise along the waterways of the River Shannon and Lough Derg Lake, followed by lunch at a local restaurant on the banks of the lake.

Challenging Day: Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

We start our day with a walking tour of Galway this morning. Located on the breathtaking west coast, where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. Galway boasts a lively music and arts scene, complemented by historic buildings and traces of its medieval history. We will uncover the city's proud heritage and vibrant culture as we venture to several fascinating landmarks.

Our journey will take us through the captivating Eyre Square, the historical Lynches Castle, the charming Quay Street, and the iconic Spanish Arch, each telling a tale of Galway's past. We'll also explore the graceful Church of Saint Nicholas, which stands as a testament to the city's religious significance. It is even thought that Christopher Columbus came here to pray to Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of mariners, before setting off on his adventure to discover the New World!

We'll then enjoy the remainder of our afternoon at leisure to explore more of the city at our own pace.

This morning, we tour the delightful Kylemore Abbey and its serene Victorian gardens. From hidden nooks to secret tales, get ready to immerse yourself in the fascinating history of Kylemore Abbey. We'll visit the beautifully restored period rooms of the Abbey and learn about its history of tragedy, romance, education and spirituality.

We continue our journey making our way to the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery. Carrowmore is recognised as Ireland's oldest and most concentrated collection of Neolithic tombs. Dating back nearly 6,000 years, they are older than Egypt's pyramids! Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery boasts over 35 passage tombs, each revealing insights into past lives, rituals and cultural practices.

Our touring for the day finishes in Sligo, a coastal seaport nestled along the breathtaking west coast. Its Gaelic name, Sligeach, translates to “abounding in shells,” a nod to the wealth of shellfish found in its river and estuary. The rest of the evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

This morning begins with a short walking tour through the charming streets of Sligo, where we delve into the town's rich history and cultural heritage. We'll then make our way to the tranquil Drumcliffe Church and visit the final resting place of one of Ireland's most celebrated literary figures, W.B. Yeats.

Our next stop is Belleek Pottery, Ireland's oldest working fine china pottery. Established in 1857, Belleek Pottery has become one of Ireland's most famous brands. We'll then visit the Stone Fort of Grianán of Aileach, an ancient hillfort atop Greenan Mountain believed to have been constructed during the 6th or 7th century CE. We'll explore the fort which once served as the seat of the Kingdom of Ailech and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Upon arrival in Londonderry/Derry, we'll visit the Museum of Free Derry, a fascinating exhibition that delves into the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and the infamous Bloody Sunday. The museum narrates the events leading up to Bloody Sunday, its aftermath, and the subsequent Operation Motorman, which aimed to regain control of nationalist areas.

This afternoon we'll enjoy a walking tour, exploring the city walls, before checking into our hotel for the night.

We depart this morning, first visiting Benone Beach Viewpoint for a photo stop, before we make our way to Bushmills Distillery.

Special Experience: Step back in time with a tour of the 400-year-old Bushmills whiskey distillery, where we'll savour a taste of this iconic Irish whiskey. The oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world, we'll learn about their unique craft that has been passed down for generations.

Our next stop is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant's Causeway, a remarkable natural wonder on the north coast of Northern Ireland. According to local legends, this breathtaking natural formation was shaped by giants. Comprised of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the Giant's Causeway was formed by an ancient volcanic fissure eruption around 50 to 60 million years ago, during the Palaeocene Epoch. As we explore, we'll marvel at the tops of the columns, forming a mesmerising pattern of stepping stones that lead us to the cliff edge and out into the sea.

Finally, we continue on to Belfast, a city with a rich history, standing proudly on the banks of the River Lagan. From the early presence of the Vikings as early as 922 AD to its present-day identity, Belfast has undergone a remarkable evolution. While its past is marked by shipyards and linen mills, today it boasts a captivating ensemble of Georgian architecture that graces its streets. Once a centre of conflict, Belfast now symbolises resilience and transformation.

This morning we'll have the chance to immerse ourselves in the vibrant city of Belfast with a tour, before visiting the Titanic Museum. The striking, star-shaped museum stands proudly at the head of the slipway where the Titanic was built, charting the history of Belfast and the story of the ill-fated ship.

After diving into the history of the Titanic, we make the journey to Hillsborough, home to the royal residence which is now the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Our local guide will take us on a tour of the stunning Hillsborough Castle, including the ‘Royal Style in the Making' exhibition displaying dresses worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and HRH Princess Margaret. After the tour we'll enjoy some free time to explore the amazing gardens. They have been developed since the 1760s and offer an intriguing mix of formal gardens, woodland and meadows. Make sure to check out the unique ‘Walled Garden', a site that historically used to produce fruit, vegetables and flowers for the castle!

Tonight, we'll enjoy a delicious farewell dinner at a local restaurant, reminiscing on all the memories we've made on tour.

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning, when we'll say a fond farewell to the beautiful country of Ireland and our newfound friends.