Hotels

The five hotels on this tour range from the modern Abbey Gate in Tralee and Dublin’s Burlington to the scenically located Corrib Great Southern in Galway and the traditional, family–run Dooleys in the heart of Waterford.

Fellow Passengers

This tour attracts both experienced and first–time travellers who are looking for an introduction to Ireland. It also often attracts passengers with an Irish background who are interested in exploring their ancestry.

Highlights

Exploring the living museum at Bunratty, taking the ride on a jaunting car in Killarney, enjoying the beautiful green countryside and listening to the ‘lilt’ of Irish voices are all tour highlights.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

• See the Customs House and Phoenix Park in Dublin
• See Galway’s St Nicholas Cathedral, Spanish Arch & Eyre Square
• See King John’s Castle & St Mary’s Cathedral in Limerick
• Visit the picturesque town of Adare, its main street lined with thatched cottages
• Climb Blarney Castle and dangle from the ramparts to kiss the famous ‘Blarney Stone’
• Drive through Cork and the scenic port of Dungarvan
• See the old city walls, Reginald’s Tower and visit the Waterford Crystal Factory
• Visit St Kevin’s ruined monastery at Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains
• Travel along the Vale of Avoca to the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ & Thomas Moore memorial

Guided City Tours

• Indepth sightseeing tour in Dublin
• Orientation tours in Galway, Limerick, Killarney, Cork, Waterford and Tralee

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air–conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
• First–class hotels with all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Travel bag, document wallet, map book journal and information pack

Quality Dining

DAY 1 – SAT – DEPART USA

Overnight flight to Dublin.

DAY 2 – SUN – ARRIVE DUBLIN

Welcome to Dublin!. There are complimentary transfers from Dublin Airport to your Insight tour hotel. In the afternoon, a sightseeing tour of Dublin takes you past the Customs House, along O’Connell Street and through Phoenix Park. Travel along the river Liffey to see the Guinness Brewery and visit Dublin Castle (when open) before admiring the 18th century buildings of the Georgian section of the city. Later join your Tour Director for a Welcome Drink and a Highlight Dinner in a traditional venue. Hotel: Burlington. (HD)

DAY 3 – MON – DUBLIN – GALWAY

Drive through the ‘forty shades of green’ landscape of the Emerald Isle. Cross the Boyne River, its name a reminder of the battle which saw William of Orange sow the seeds of future strife in his defeat of the Catholic King James. Pass by the former fortress town of Athlone, built to defend the strategic crossing of the Shannon, before crossing the river. The destination: historic Galway. Join your Tour Director to see St Nicholas Cathedral (where Columbus reputedly heard Mass before sailing for America), the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late President John F Kennedy. Hotel: Corrib Great Southern. (B)

DAY 4 – TUE – GALWAY – TRALEE

Take the scenic route through the mysterious rocky landscape of the Burren before arriving at Bunratty Folk Park, where old Ireland comes to life in the thatched cottages and cobbled streets of the museum. In nearby Limerick, famous for rhymes, lace and elegant Georgian houses, see King John’s impressive castle and the 800–year–old St Mary’s Cathedral. Continue past the charming thatched cottages of Adare, through the land of song and legend, to your hotel in Tralee. Hotel: Abbey Gate. (B,D)

DAY 5 – WED – RING OF KERRY EXCURSION

Take a leisurely excursion along the magnificent Ring of Kerry to enjoy its breathtaking views over mountains and sea. Follow the narrow road as it winds along the cliffs and through delightful villages like Sneem. Cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap and admire Queen Victoria’s ‘Ladies View’. In Killarney, enjoy a memorable Highlight ride on a jaunting car with the local ‘Jarvies’ before returning to Tralee. (B)

DAY 6 – THU – TRALEE – WATERFORD

Cross the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains and make your way to the ancient castle of Blarney; will you dare to hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the Blarney Stone, and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? Visit the Blarney Mills to enjoy enticing displays of crystal and other Irish crafts. Continue through Cork, Ireland’s second city, before enjoying a coastal drive via the port of Dungarvan. In Waterford, tour the famous crystal works before arriving at your hotel. Hotel: Dooleys. (B,D)

DAY 7 – FRI – WATERFORD – DUBLIN

See Waterford’s ruined city walls and Reginald’s Tower before a beautiful drive takes you through the Vale of Avoca to see the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ memorial to Ireland’s poet laureate Thomas Moore. Continue to the loughs and glens of Glendalough to visit the ruined 6th century monastery of St Kevin, nestled in a setting of total tranquillity. Finally, return to Dublin: consider enjoying a farewell dinner and Irish cabaret to round off your tour. Hotel: Burlington. (B)

DAY 8 – SAT – RETURN TO USA

Bid farewell to Ireland, as your memorable tour comes to an end after breakfast. There are complimentary transfers to Dublin Airport. (B)