Grand Tours

8 DAY GRAND TOUR OF IRELAND

DAY 1: WELCOME TO IRELAND

Arrive Dublin Airport and after clearing customs, you will be met by your Irish driver/guide in the Arrivals Terminal. Board our awaiting motorcoach and transfer to the City to commence a sightseeing tour of Dublin, during which we will see some of the more notable sights, the General Post Office, Bank of Ireland (Old Parliament House), Georgian Squares of Merrion & Fitzwilliam, Phoenix Park and the Four Courts. On route visit Trinity College (Old Library & Book of Kells) and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Dinner in hotel, OVERNIGHT: DUBLIN

DAY 2: DUBLIN – GALWAY

Full Irish breakfast

This morning we travel across the midlands of Ireland to Clonmacnoise Monastic Site, Co. Offaly, which was founded by St. Ciaran in the 6^th Century on the banks of the River Shannon. Our next stop will be Rathbaun Farm, set in the heart of rural Ireland in Ardrahan, Co.Galway. This visit gives us an opportunity to experience farm life and will include Afternoon Teain the 200 year oldfarmhouse, a wonderful insight into farming, both past and present.

Dinner in hotel, OVERNIGHT: GALWAY

DAY 3: GALWAY – CONNEMARA – GALWAY

Full Irish breakfast

Today we discover Connemara with its’ rugged beauty. Drive west through the Irish speaking village of Spiddal and onwards to Clifden, with an almost alpine setting and nestling on the edge of the Atlantic. We will visit Kylemore Abbey, a magnificent 19^th Century castle, formerly run by the Benedictine Nuns as a boarding school. Continue our drive via Maam Cross, site of the replica cottage used in the classic movie ‘The Quiet Man’ and Moycullen, stopping at Connemara Celtic Crystal.

Dinner in hotel, OVERNIGHT: GALWAY

DAY 4: GALWAY – BURREN – CLIFFS OF MOHER – LIMERICK

Full Irish breakfast

We travel southwards to Kinvara via the Burren, the most enigmatic region in Ireland with its rich diversity of flora, fauna and the history of man in this landscape. Continuing onwards stopping at the majestic Cliffs of Moher, 700 feet above sea level and stretching for almost 5 miles. Through the market town of Ennis and on to Bunratty Co. Clare. Visit Bunratty Folk Park, where Irish life at the turn of the century is tellingly recreated.

This evening enjoy a Medieval Banquet at a 15^th century castle.

OVERNIGHT: LIMERICK

DAY 5: LIMERICK – KILLARNEY

Full Irish breakfast

This morning we depart for Killarney with our first stop in Adare, one of the most picturesque villages in Ireland where there will be time to take some photos. Continuing on through the towns and villages of Newcastle West, Abbeyfeale, Castleisland and on into the town of Killarney, where we will have the opportunity to visit Muckross House a magnificent Victorian mansion and one of the leading stately homes. The elegantly furnished rooms portray the lifestyle of the landed gentry.

Dinner in hotel, OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY

DAY 6: KILLARNEY – BLARNEY – COBH – WEXFORD

Full Irish breakfast

Setting out for Wexford we journey by Macroom, a busy market town set on the banks of the river Sullane. Little remains of Macroom  Castle, except the gateway – Admiral Sir William Penn  lived here for a while, whose son founded Pennsylvania. Onwards to Blarney where we will stop to visit Blarney Castle, which has the traditional power of conferring eloquence on all who kiss the famous Stone. We continue to Cork, Ireland’s third largest City, then on to Cobh – the departure point for many of Ireland’s emigrants. Cobh’s unique origin is explained in ‘The Queenstown Story’, a multimedia presentation. After the exhibition, transfer to Wexford via Waterford and New Ross.

Dinner in hotel.OVERNIGHT: WEXFORD

DAY 7: WEXFORD – WICKLOW – DUBLIN

Full Irish breakfast

Our first stop is to visit the Irish National Heritage Park, Ferrycarrig,  Wexford. See 9,000 years of Ireland’s heritage. The Heritage Park  portrays the story of man from his arrival in Ireland.  It’s a journey back in time where the lifestyle of Early Man comes alive. Continue onwards through County Wicklow referred to as the ‘Garden of Ireland’ for its magnificent landscape of largely uninhabited countryside. On route visit Powerscourt Gardens, Enniskerry.

Dinner in hotel, OVERNIGHT: DUBLIN

DAY 8: DUBLIN – DUBLIN AIRPORT

Full Irish breakfast

Transfer from hotel to Dublin Airport in good time for our return flight home.