Magical Ireland

After you’re greeted this morning at the airport by your Tour Director, you’ll get right into touring the Republic of Ireland’s capital. On an included guided tour of the Fair City, you’ll see the walled Phoenix Park, home to the presidential residence, as well as a young Winston Churchill. We’ll stop at Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, to view a cultural treasure, the exquisitely decorated Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript dating from the ninth century. The tour concludes at your upscale, conveniently located hotel with the balance of the afternoon at leisure. Join your Tour Director this evening for a welcome dinner and orientation. D Camden Court Hotel or Gresham Hotel (or similar)

Good morning, Dublin! Your guided exploration of this charming city features two very diverse experiences. First, we’ll visit the magnificent Christchurch Cathedral and its medieval crypt which houses, among other things, Ireland’s first copy of the Magna Carta and a mummified cat and rat (known locally as Tom and Jerry). “My goodness, my Guinness!” seems like an appropriate response as we learn about the Guinness story and how to pull the perfect pint on the Guinness Storehouse self-guided tour. You’re invited to end your visit at the Gravity Bar, where you can enjoy a pint and 360-degree views of Dublin. The rest of the day is at your leisure. Dublin’s a walkable city, and your Tour Director can direct you to parks, pubs and other sights. You may also consider our optional Distillery tour.  B Camden Court Hotel or Gresham Hotel (or similar)

Today we head to the Ards Peninsula in County Down, Northern Ireland. Along the way, we’ll stop at Castle Ward House & Gardens, a National Trust property built in two contrasting architectural styles: classical and Gothic. While you may be baffled by the eccentric design, you’ll be enthralled by the walled gardens and the grounds overlooking Strangford Lough. Later, we’ll board a ferry from Strangford to Portaferry, passing charming towns and villages before arriving in historic Belfast. Highlights of your guided tour include the curious “leaning” Albert Memorial Clock, the Opera House, City Hall, Belfast’s legendary pub (Crown Bar), Queens University and the Botanic Gardens. We’ll also see Belfast’s most famous “peace wall,” where murals illustrate the 30-year conflict called The Troubles. Dinner tonight is included at your hotel. B/D Europa Hotel Belfast (or similar)

Today’s journey takes us into County Sligo, where the contrast of still lakes and rugged uplands inspired Nobel Prize-winning poet W. B. Yeats. County Sligo is also home to the largest, oldest collection of Neolithic stone circles and dolmens, and we’ll stop to see these awesome Stone Age monuments at Carrowmore when it is open (closed Nov-Mar). Alternatively, we’ll visit the world-famous Belleek Pottery, housed in an imposing Victorian building. Our destination tonight is Galway, a harbor known for narrow streets, stone-clad buildings and traditional pubs with live music. Maybe you’ll hear the popular song “The Galway Girl”! Dinner tonight is included. B/D Clayton Hotel (or similar)

By this point on the trip, we’ll have seen plenty of sheep, and today you’ll get a closer look! Our visit to the Rathbaum Farm includes sheep shearing and sheepdog herding demos, as well as freshly baked scones. Our travels continue through The Burren, a unique limestone landscape that will make you feel like you landed on the moon, and along the Wild Atlantic Way to Ireland’s most iconic sight, the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Standing 668 feet above the ground at their highest point, the cliffs boast magnificent views of the Atlantic coast and provide nesting sites for thousands of seabirds. On a clear day, you can see the Aran Islands. Later, we’ll take the Shannon Ferry over to County Kerry and proceed to the lovely town of Killarney. Dinner tonight is included at your hotel. B/D Randles Hotel (or similar)

Today we explore the Dingle Peninsula, quite possibly one of the most breathtaking spots in the world. Here, the Irish language and traditional ways are preserved, and we’ll enjoy a step back in time as we see mountains, beaches, dunes and the fishing village of Dingle. We’ll continue along the coast to Slea Head, where you may see the deserted Blasket Islands and the more distant Skellig Islands. A stop at the Blasket Islands Center (closed Nov-Mar) on the tip of the Dingle Peninsula gives us insight into the story of the Blasket Islanders, including their unique literary achievements. Alternatively, we’ll visit Gallarus Oratory, one of the Dingle Peninsula’s most impressive early Christian monuments. Our scenic drive continues along the Dingle Peninsula, bewitching us with dramatic beauty and brightly painted cottages. After returning to Killarney in late afternoon, your Tour Director will offer suggestions for a pub or restaurant for your evening meal. B Randles Hotel (or similar)

Let’s capture a few castles today! Our first is the 5th-century Blarney Castle. Its famous Blarney stone is believed to bestow the “gift of gab” on those who kiss it. We’ll certainly be chatting up a storm as we continue our day with visits to the Blarney Woolen Mills (where you can purchase one of those gorgeous heritage sweaters!) and Adare, a picture-perfect village with pretty thatched cottages. Enjoy some free time to explore Adare before stopping for the night in Limerick, which may have inspired the humorous verses of the same name. We spend our last evening together in medieval style with a farewell dinner at Bunratty Castle or Knappogue Castle. Featuring a piper in full regalia, grand period ambiance and even goblets of mead, this candlelit feast with wine and entertainment is a fitting conclusion to our magical time in Ireland. B/D Strand Hotel or Savoy Hotel (or similar)