Overview
Itinerary
Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from Dunboyne Castle Hotel. Start your vacation with a visit to Malahide Castle, first built in 1185 and filled with medieval artifacts. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner at your hotel. (D)
Visit the home of equine royalty: the Irish National Stud in Kildare, the heart of Irish horse racing. Some of the world's finest thoroughbreds live in these beautiful surroundings. Walk through the gardens before traveling on to Kilkenny, where you'll enjoy lunch in the Kilkenny Design Centre. Take a walking tour with a local guide to see the gems along the Medieval Mile, a stretch of city streets from cathedral to castle, with buildings dating back as far as the 13th century. Dine independently and explore as you wish this evening. (B/L)
Visit the House of Waterford Crystal, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner; see skilled artisans create crystal masterpieces on a factory tour. Then join a local guide for a walking tour of Waterford; discover the history of this port city, the oldest in Ireland, and its many colorful characters. Take time to explore independently. In New Ross, you'll visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of a vessel that in the 1840s brought desperate emigrants fleeing famine to new lives in North America. (B/D)
Travel south to Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic and where many places associated with the liner still exist. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration over a number of centuries from Ireland to North America. At Blarney Castle, kiss the famous stone or stroll through the spacious parklands to view Blarney House before traveling to your hotel. (B/D)
Visit Moriarty's, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe. Then discover the glorious south shore of the Dingle Peninsula with views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. At the South Pole Inn, learn about Tom Crean, an early Irish explorer who braved the Antarctic. Browse around the town of Dingle and enjoy a drink, dinner and entertainment at Foley's Bar and Restaurant. (B/D)
Ferry across the River Shannon before driving to the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs; on a clear day you can see great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Take in a sheepdog demonstration to see highly skilled dogs work with farmers to herd their flock. Savor homemade scones with tea before heading to Galway for a panoramic city tour. (B/D)
Set out on a ferry across Galway Bay for Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. The hardy islanders still speak the Irish language and maintain traditional fishing and farming methods. Visit Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs above the Atlantic. Relax with a casual lunch in Kilronan, the island's main village, followed by free time for exploring before returning by ferry. (B/L)
Visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in 545 AD and set on the banks of the River Shannon. Marvel at elaborate high Celtic crosses decorated with biblical scenes, and walk around the many church ruins and two round towers.
Continue on to Dublin for free time before an evening at the Abbey Tavern, featuring a lively show of traditional entertainment over dinner. (B/D)
Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Foley's Bar Dinner & Entertainment: Savor dinner with some traditional entertainment in this cozy, family-run pub on the Dingle Peninsula.
- Aran Islands: These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintain traditional fishing and farming methods.
- Dunbrody Famine Ship: Explore a replica of the vessel used during the 1840s famine to transport emigrants to North America.
- Clonmacnoise Monastic Site: Discover the intricate Celtic crosses at this ancient monastic site.
- Irish National Stud & Gardens: Visit the home of equine royalty to see some of the world's finest thoroughbreds.
- Cliffs of Moher: Take a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary and view the Cliffs of Moher, a spectacular wall of sandstone that reaches high above the Atlantic.
- Cobh Heritage Centre: Discover the stories behind the Great Famine and Irish emigration in the 18th and 19th centuries — and the fates of the Lusitania and the Titanic.
- Dun Aengus Fort: This spectacular cliffside fort on the island of Inishmore is over 3,000 years old - and one of Europe's most magnificent prehistoric structures.
- Irish Night at The Abbey Tavern: Visit Abbey Tavern pub for an authentic Irish experience filled with live music, hearty food, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
- 8 Breakfasts (B), 2 Lunches (L) and 6 Dinners (D), including a welcome dinner at Dunboyne Castle Hotel.
- Dunboyne Castle Hotel (4 Stars)
- Newpark Hotel (4 Stars)
- Killarney Towers Hotel (4 Stars)
- Manor West Hotel (4 Stars)
- Salthill Hotel (4 Stars)
- Radisson Blu Royal Hotel - Dublin (4 Stars)
- Airport transfers at your arrival and departure destination are not included in the price of the tour.
- Itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Price is for land, cruise and specified internal flights. International flights not included.
Each of our vacations are stress-free, with no surprise hidden fees, and plenty of fun for all ages. Read more
CIE Tours could not exist without our great locally employed tour directors - they are the envy of the travel industry. Read more
CIE Tours uses three classes of hotels – first class, superior first class & deluxe properties. Read more
Dates & Pricing
USD
A definite departure means minimum numbers have been reached for this departure to operate. Your Global Journeys Travel Advisor will check the availability of your departure date when you Inquire. Additional savings may apply. T&C’s apply.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by CIE Tours. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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