12-Day Tour
Day 1
Meet and greet at Dublin airport, and take the short journey into the city where we will be able to check into your city centre hotel. The attractions on offer will be Trinity college, and the Book of Kells, St. Patrick's Cathedral, and a stroll through the cobbled streets of Temple Bar is a must. A visit to the Guinness Storehouse can also be arranged for those who would like to do that. An evening of entertainment will be arranged also.
Day 2
We shall leave Dublin, and travel southwards to county Wicklow, also known as the Garden of Ireland, and you will see why. A visit to Glendalough 6th century monastic settlement will be a highlight of many beautiful sights. Glendalough means "valley of the two lakes" and is a glacially formed landscape, so there will be many photo opportunities. In the afternoon we will travel further south to county Tipperary, the Golden Vale, where you will be based for the next three nights. A hotel in the historic town of Clonmel will await.
Day 3
First day in Tipperary, and our guide, who is a local of the area will take you to all the hidden gems along with the well known sites. St. Patrick'e well, Rock of Cashel, Holycross Abbey, Cahir castle, will all be on the list. A personal walk through Clonmel will also be on the schedule and a history of the area will always be available from our guide.
Day 4
We will go to the coast, the Copper Coast of Waterford, and on route take in the Comeragh mountain drive, which has some special attractions, waterfalls and beautiful vistas. We can drop off at some of the many lovely little coves and beaches along the way, until we reach Ireland's oldest city, Waterford. We will finish of this trip around the south east with a visit to the replica Dunbrody Famine ship in New Ross county Wexford.
Day 5
Leaving Tipperary, and onto the county Cork and Kerry region. The port town of Cork, Cobh will be on route. Cobh was the last port of call of Titanic, and is home to the ever wonderful Saint Colman's Cathedral. A two night stay in the Kerry town of Killarney will enable us to visit places like Ross Castle, and Torc waterfall. A ride in a horse drawn jaunting car will be an option to view the lakes of Killarney up close, around the National park and Muckross house.
Day 6
No visit to Killarney is complete without doing the world famous Ring of Kerry, a beautiful drive which will take us along the Iveragh peninsula, and into some of the small villages and towns along the way.
Day 7
On leaving Killarney, we can take a route through another town of Kerry, Dingle. The Slea Head drive and Conor pass will add to the photo collection which by now will be packed. A ferry ride across the Shannon estuary will take us into county Clare, where we will stay for two more nights.
Day 8
We will begin the day by taking a boat trip to Inis Oirr, of the Aran Islands. A unique experience of island life on Ireland's west coast. See the beautifully arranged stone walls divide the roads and fields and roam with the local people as they go abut their daily lives in this Irish speaking part of the country. In the afternoon we will visit one of Ireland's most prominent and naturally beautiful areas, The Cliffs Of Moher.
Day 9
We will take the journey up the coastal drive of the Burren, another natural phenomenon, where over 70% of Irelands species of flowers are found growing through the cracks in the Limestone rocks.
Galway will be our destination and stay for the next two nights. No shortage of shopping and nightlife in Galway, a vibrant cultural city. Or for those who prefer the quiet serenity, the famous Galway bay will be right on your doorstep too.
Day 10
Go west, and into Connemara, to see a different side of Ireland, more mountainous, and much more rock, bogs, lakes, and remoteness. See how turf is cut from the bog and used as a source of heating for the local people in their homes. Kylemore Abbey will be visited, and again there will be a lot of photo opportunities on this journey.
Day 11
One final chance to do the last of the shopping in Galway, before hitting eastwards across country, to Cabra castle in county Cavan. This will be where we will spend our final night. There will some stops along the route to give you some lasting memories of this wonderful country.
Day 12
Sadly, it's time to say goodbye, and go to
Dublin airport.
The sun has now set on your Ireland trip. Lifelong friends have been made and you now have lots of wonderful memories of the Emerald Isle to take home with you.