Best of Ireland
See the jewels in Ireland's crown on this country explorer trip, passing through Dublin, Limerick and more.
Members from: $2,895 P.PNon-members from: $2,993 P.P
Type
Escorted Touring
Destination
Europe
Supplier
Trafalgar
Booking Code
IRBO
Departs
Multiple departures available. Enquire for more details.
Nine nights accommodation, 15 meals – 9 breakfast, 1 lunch (be my guest), 5 dinners
Transport as shown
Connect with locals: Enjoy a traditional 'Be My Guest' High Tea hosted in the Drawing Room of a stately 16th-century home near the charming town of Westport
Local specialist - For included sightseeing in Dublin
Dive into culture - Explore the tragic history of Ireland's famine emigration at the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience, a replica of one of the original famine ships used in the 1800s. Learn how delicate Irish crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour
Make a difference - Visit the Glasnevin Cemetery Museum in Dublin, where an expert historian will reveal the cemetery's importance to Irish history and explain how your visit helps fund its preservation
Orientation of Waterford, Killarney, Limerick and Galway
Scenic drive of the Ring of Kerry
See Galway Cathedral and St. Mary's Cathedral in Limerick
Day 1: Arrive Dublin – afternoon sightseeing
Write your own lively tale of legends and iconic landscapes during this epic encounter with Ireland's treasures. We begin our journey in the whimsical capital of Dublin, joining a 'Local Specialist' to see the sights. Irish history takes centre stage this evening as we visit Glasnevin Trust for an informative and poignant tour with a 'Local Specialist'. Our visit will 'Make A Difference' to its efforts to preserve Irish history and we'll hear stories about some of the country's bravest characters and enjoy a welcome reception with our fellow travellers and Travel Director.
Hotel: Maldron Parnell Square/Clayton Ballsbridge
Included meals: Welcome reception
Day 2: Co. Wicklow – New Ross – Waterford
Journey through the scenic countryside of County Wicklow, The Garden of Ireland, and on to New Ross - the ancestral home town of John F. Kennedy. 'Dive Into Culture' and gain insights into the plight of the starving Irish emigrants who boarded the Dunbrody Famine Ship to flee the potato famine. We continue to Waterford, where we'll stay overnight. This afternoon, we celebrate the centuries-old craft of flint glass creations, as we 'Dive Into Culture' at the House of Waterford Crystal and witness talented master craftsmen at work.
Hotel: Fitzwilton/Dooley's
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 3: Waterford – Youghal – Blarney – Killarney (two nights)
Journey via the historic seaport town of Youghal, once home to Sir Walter Raleigh, and pursue the 'gift of the gab' at Blarney Castle, where you'll have a chance to kiss the famous stone. Arrive in Killarney for a two-night stay.
Hotel: Killarney Towers/Hotel Killarney
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 4: Ring of Kerry excursion
Ireland's soul-stirring Ring of Kerry takes centre stage today as we embark on a scenic drive past its mountains, lakes and lush green countryside - unquestionably one of the most scenic routes in Ireland. We'll see Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, Moll's Gap and Black Valley, whose remoteness saw it become the last area in Ireland to receive electricity.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Killarney – Adare – Bunratty – Limerick
We continue through the windswept countryside, arriving in Adare, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland. On arrival in Limerick, where we'll enjoy views of St. Mary's Cathedral, the Treaty Stone and the 13th-century King John's Castle during an orientation tour. Delve into an Ireland of old, as you discover the day-to-day life of the Irish during the 18th and 19th centuries on your included visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park this afternoon.
Hotel: Maldron/Greenhills
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 6: Limerick – Cliffs of Moher – Galway (two nights)
We journey to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, which plunge over 200 metres into the Atlantic waters below. Gain insights into the history of these imposing sheer cliffs during a visit to the 'Atlantic Edge' exhibition. Later, we arrive in Galway with some time at leisure to see its beautiful stone Cathedral or stroll through Eyre Square.
Hotel: Connacht/Maldron Oranmore/Maldron Sandy Road
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 7: Connemara excursion
Connemara's 'savage beauty' is yours to explore today as we tread in the footsteps of Oscar Wilde who described its "wild and mountainous splendour" as magnificent. Admire the views on the scenic drive to Kylemore Abbey, now a Benedictine monastery, where we will embark on an included visit to the country's most romantic castle and walk through its exquisite Victorian Walled Garden.
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 8: Galway – Knock – Sligo
Our journey takes us to Westport House where we'll 'Connect With Locals' and indulge in a memorable 'Be My Guest' morning tea with tales of the Pirate Queen, and enjoy Banoffee and Baileys flavours in the Drawing Room of this stately 16th-century home. Heading north, we stop in the pilgrimage town of Knock to view the Marian Shrine where villagers witnessed an Apparition of Our Lady in 1879. We arrive in Sligo this evening, our home for the night.
Hotel: Clayton
Included meals: Breakfast, Be My Guest
Day 9: Sligo – Dublin
Our journey continues south to Dublin. Here we'll enjoy some free time to take a walk down Grafton Street or stroll along the Liffey. This evening, we close the chapter on an epic journey through Ireland, joining our fellow travellers for a memorable Farewell Dinner.
Hotel: Clayton Dublin Airport
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell Dinner
Day 10: Depart Dublin
After a hearty Irish breakfast, we bid our Travel Director and fellow travellers a fond farewell as our Irish holiday comes to an end. Transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Included meals: Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel.
*Advertised date is April 2020 departures. Saving is based on maximum 7.5% Early Payment Discount. Early Payment Discount is on the land-only portion of selected holidays and can be combined with other brochure discounts where applicable, does not apply to extra nights’ accom¬modation, optional extensions, airfares, flight supplements and surcharges, taxes and fees and airport transfers. A deposit is required on booking and the full amount must be paid by 27 February 2020 or no later than 60 days prior to departure from Australia for land only guided holidays or 90 days prior for guided holidays including train, cruise or internal flight (whichever comes first) to qualify for the 10% Europe and Britain Early Payment Discount. Subject to availability at time of booking and may be withdrawn at any time. ^ *Save 5% with (VIT) Very Important Travellers Discount is avalible to guest who have travelled with Trafalgar and Costsaver previously. Valid for new bookings created 60 days from the brochure launch date, for travel in 2020. Savings limited to one per trip and applied to the higher priced of two trips, if you book two at once. Discounts apply to the land-only portion of the trip, are subject to availability and can be withdrawn or amended at any time without notice. Not valid for trips featuring Oberammergau. Please contact Trafalgar or your Travel Agent for further details.**To qualify for this exclusive offer, the Trafalgar guided holiday must be booked and deposited within 7 days of the event. Valid for new bookings only. This voucher has no cash value, is valid for Trafalgar guided holidays from the following brochures: 2020 Asia, 2020 Africa, 2020 Australia & New Zealand, 2020 Asia, 2020 Latin America, 2020 USA & Canada, 2019/20 Autumn, Winter, Spring, 2020 Europe & Britain Pre-Sale. This offer is not combinable with any other promotional offer or optional extensions. Quote promotion code: PP100FILM20 for guided holidays 14 days or less or PP200FILM20 for guided holidays 15 days or more. Discount varies by itinerary and date, is not available on all itineraries & is subject to availability at time of booking. Ask your travel agent for confirmation of discount available