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Castles and Manors

8 Days Dublin Return
Castles and Manors
Castles and Manors
Castles and Manors

Overview

Read reviews and enjoy exclusive savings on Trafalgar's 8 Day Castles and Manors. This grand Ireland trip is fit for royalty, including stays in the homes of Irish nobility. You’ll travel to Kildare and learn all about the racehorses of Ireland, visit the Ring of Kerry and watch how delicate crystal is cut in Connemara.
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US$2,632 per person
Price shown based on twin share
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Trip Length
Trip Length

8 Days

Trip Starts
Trip Starts

Dublin

Trip Ends
Trip Ends

Dublin

Countries Visited
Countries Visited:
Operator
Operator
Trafalgar
Trip Reviews
1 Trip Review
Avg. Rating: 4/5
Trip Style
Trip Style

Country Explorer

Accommodation
Accommodation

4 Star

Budget
Budget

Premium

Age Range
Age Range

5-99 Years

Max. Group Size
Max. Group Size

52

Guide Style
Guide Style

Fully Guided

Tour Code
Tour Code

BRCM

Itinerary

Set your watch to the lively pace of Ireland's capital city – the springboard for your in-depth journey through the lush landscapes and enduring allure of Ireland. Your exploration of Dublin with a Local Specialist will see you view St. Patrick's Cathedral and Georgian Squares. Spend some time at leisure exploring Dublin's pretty streets before joining your travel companions and Travel Director for dinner celebrating traditional Irish flavours. (D) Stay: Clayton Ballsbridge

The first stop today is Europe's 'City of the Tribes', where you will have an opportunity to see Galway Cathedral and stroll through Eyre Square. Overnight at one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories on the shores of Lough Corrib. Feel like lords and ladies as you relax in the elegant country quarters of The Lodge at Ashford Castle, celebrating the heritage and hospitality of Ireland. (B) Stay: The Lodge at Ashford Castle

Leave the estate of Ashford Castle behind and travel through the rugged landscapes of County Mayo to Glen Keen Farm for your Be My Guest experience. Meet Catherine and Jim, whose family has farmed this land since the 1600s, and hear how tradition meets innovation on their award-winning sheep farm. Watch the border collies at work and enjoy a farmhouse lunch and homemade cake with tea in their home.

Continue to Clifden, where you'll stay for the next two nights at Abbeyglen Castle. This Stays with Stories experience combines historic charm with views of the Twelve Bens, offering warm hospitality and a strong connection to life in Connemara. (B/L/D) Stay: Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden

Drive through the 'savage beauty' of Connemara, as described by Oscar Wilde who was inspired by the region's craggy mountains, shimmering lakes and endless shades of green. Visit Kylemore Abbey, a magnificent castellated structure built as a family home and now inhabited by a group of Benedictine nuns. Venture into the secret nooks and crannies of its extensive walled Victorian garden. Later, stop for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at an oyster farm before returning to your castle accommodation for a delicious dinner. (B/D)

This morning, visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, where you'll Dive Into Culture and witness first-hand how their famous crystal designs are made. Picture yourself living in 1520 alongside the Dunguaire Castle when you later pass through the charming seaport village of Kinvara.

Next up is an experience you'll remember for years to come as you watch the UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Moher plunge dramatically into the Atlantic waters below. Beyond the endless views you'll have an opportunity to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience which really brings this natural phenomenon to life in an interactive way, leaving you with a deep understanding of this special place. Your home for the next two nights is one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories experience. (B) Stay: International

Enjoy a slow start to your morning, joining a Local Specialist for a leisurely guided walk at Torc Waterfall, strolling over wooded paths and lakeshore trails. Embark on an epic drive next, exploring the enduring beauty of the Ring of Kerry whose enchanting coastal landscapes have inspired writers and poets for centuries. (B)

Discover the legacy of St. Patrick when you visit the imposing Rock of Cashel, once the traditional seat of the kings of Munster. View its ecclesiastical ruins with a Local Specialist then traverse scenic landscapes to Kildare. Here you'll Dive Into Culture and learn about Ireland's thoroughbred industry at the Irish National Stud. You'll have a rare opportunity to see the foaling unit, museum and of course the magnificent stallions that continue to make racing history.

Later today, return to the Irish capital where you'll inject a bit of the craic into dinner with your new friends. (B/D) Stay: Radisson Blu St Helens Dublin

Say a fond farewell to your newfound friends and Dublin today. You will be transferred to the airport, where your journey through the 'Emerald Isle' comes to an end. (B)

Trip Inclusions

  • Explore Dublin, Killarney National Park and Cashel
  • Discover Killarney and Galway
  • Visit Kylemore Abbey, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, Cliffs of Moher, Rock of Cashel in Cashel and the Irish National Stud near Kildare
  • View Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park
  • See Dublin's Georgian Squares and Galway Cathedral
  • Scenic drive of the Ring of Kerry and through Connemara

Be My Guest

  • Cong: Join Catherine and Jim at Glen Keen Farm, owned by the same family since 1600. Hear the story of their land, meet the working border collies and watch a live herding demonstration. Discover how they've embraced sustainable farming on the Wild Atlantic Way, then sit down to a farmhouse lunch and homemade cake with tea.

Dive Into Culture

  • Connemara: Visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and witness master craftsmen bring these intricate crystal designs to life.
  • Kildare: Admire Ireland's finest thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud Farm.

Iconic Experience

  • Dublin: A Local Specialist will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House.
  • Galway: Explore the historic heart of Galway. See landmarks such as the Spanish Arch and the cathedral, or perhaps admire the distinctive Claddagh rings.
  • Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden: Visit the turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey. This monastery was founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.
  • Lahinch: Help preserve the Cliffs of Moher for generations to come and learn about its extraordinary geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
  • Ring of Kerry: Admire Ireland's enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
  • Torc Waterfall: Visit the Torc Waterfall with a Local Specialist.
  • Cashel: View the ruins of the Rock of Cashel with a Local Specialist.

Make Travel Matter®

  • Connemara: Oscar Wilde described Connemara as “wild mountainous country... in every way magnificent.” Experience this region for yourself on a visit to DK Connemara Oysters. This family run farm leads the way in sustainability, biodiversity and packaging for farming and advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production. The experience also promotes sustainable food experiences, small scale farmer interactions or responsible consumption.

Trafalgar Difference

  • Cong: Overnight on the shores of Lough Corrib in the elegant country quarters of the Lodge at Ashford Castle.
  • Clifden: Romance and royalty are guaranteed on your overnight stay at historic Abbeyglen, along the famous Sky Road overlooking Clifden Bay and the spectacular Twelve Bens.

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Ferry across the Shannon estuary
  • Optional Experiences (Additional Cost) and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised

  • 4 Dinners (D)
  • 7 Breakfasts (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)

  • Itinerary and inclusions are subject to change
  • Price is for land, cruise and internal flights as specified. Flights not specified are not included

Operator

Trafalgar
 (1,001) Reviews
Total No. of Tours & Cruises262
We are the world’s leading and most awarded travel brand spanning all 7 continents of the globe. From the iconic to the unexpected our guests connect to the real depth of the places we go. They will break bread with the locals at our exclusive Be My Guest experiences and unlock local secrets of our Travel Directors and more Local Specialists. Everything is taken care of, so they travel with true ease and get the real thing without worrying about a thing.

We consider how we can positively impact the communities we engage with. Through our JoinTrafalgar initiatives powered by TreadRight, guests don’t just leave footprints on the ground, but leave a lasting legacy for the betterment of locals and the future of their communities.

It’s 72 years of destination experience and feedback from over 5 million happy guests that fuels our innovation to continually delivery simply the best holidays.
Must-sees to Local Secrets
Must-sees to Local Secrets

You’ll enjoy the icons and hidden gems with a Local Specialist by your side. Read more

Connect with Locals
Connect with Locals

With one on every itinerary, Be My Guest ensures your journey is truly one-of-a-kind, wherever it takes you. Read more

Stay With Stories
Stay With Stories

Find yourself overnighting in accommodations with stories as rich as the destinations you’re exploring. Read more

Trip Reviews (1)

Trafalgar Reviews
Reviews 1 Review
Average Rating 4 out of 5
5 Star
4 Star
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3 Star
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1 Star
Overall, this was a delightful tour 1 , QLD, Australia, May 2015
Overall, this was a delightful tour with flowers and gardens all the way. The Chelsea Flower Show was certainly an unforgettable experience in itself and not to be missed. The gardens that were showcased were at their Springtime best and a credit to those who tend them. The Optional Tours were somewhat disappointing in that we didn't get to Alfriston, read more Leeds Castle or Chartwell. There was also some initial confusion about the inclusion of Sissinghurst Gardens, but we eventually fluked a visit there as Chartwell was closed for a Public Holiday. The problems of navigating London traffic meant we were two hours late for a dinner in Picadilly, and that those who had elected a theatre dinner and show had to attend straight after the day's touring with no chance to freshen up or change. Obviously, there is little that can be done about this and the driver/director did the best they could under the circumstances. Yvonne from Global Journeys was her usual efficient self in organising the travel and tour arrangements for myself and my daughter who were in different parts of Australia. (Ed: Review based on slightly different itinerary. Trip name and itinerary updated this season)
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Trafalgar UK & Ireland (2025-26)

Embark on an unparalleled UK adventure with Trafalgar. Discover the essence of England, from its historic castles to bustling London streets. Ireland unveils its poetic Emerald Isle allure with sweeping landscapes, vibrant culture, and joyful encounters. Scotland, a "wee" country steeped in Viking and Royal history, offers dramatic coastlines, medieval more Edinburgh, and misty glens. Trafalgar's expertly curated tours immerse you in the heart of these captivating destinations.

Dates & Pricing USD USD

Saturday 09 May 2026 09 May 26 Dublin
Saturday 16 May 2026 16 May 26 Dublin
Details
Definite Departure
Big Travel Sale
Exclusive Savings
Was: $3,475
US$2,836
Save $639
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Saturday 23 May 2026 23 May 26 Dublin
Saturday 30 May 2026 30 May 26 Dublin
Details
Definite Departure
Big Travel Sale
Exclusive Savings
Was: $3,475
US$2,836
Save $639
Twin Share (Per Personpp)
Note
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.
Note
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 Trafalgar. 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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