Jewels Of Ireland Tour

Day 1: Arrival

Your Irish trip starts at 2:00 pm when you meet your tour director at your Dublin hotel and set out on an introductory tour of central Dublin. Visit Dublin Castle, which was the seat of power and government for many centuries. Back at your hotel enjoy a welcome drink with your tour director and fellow travelers and dine independently this evening.

Day 2: Dublin

Drive to Blessington for a guided tour around Russborough House, a Palladian mansion filled with interesting treasures, works of art and early photographic collections. Return to Dublin where the afternoon is free for an independent open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness or General Post Office Museum. Head to the Taylor's Three Rock Pub for dinner with traditional music, songs and step-dancing.

Meals : (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 3: Dublin

Pause for photos at the Rock of Cashel as you travel south to Blarney Castle. Climb the castle ramparts to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or walk through the landscaped grounds. You may like to shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills for quality Irish-made goods. Drive south to Kinsale, a delightful old fishing town, which is now renowned for sailing and gourmet food. Join a local guide for a short walk around Kinsale’s historic streets.
(B, D)

Meals : (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 4: Dublin

Journey along the rugged coastline of County Cork, via Clonakilty and Skibbereen, passing picturesque coves and beaches. Travel to Killarney for a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park to view Ross Castle. Drive along the Dingle Peninsula and sip an Irish coffee at the South Pole Inn before continuing to your charming manor-house hotel in Dingle town center.
(B, D)

Meals : (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 5: Dublin

Explore the Dingle Peninsula to enjoy mountain and shoreline views. Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the offshore Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy farming and fishing families. Return to Dingle and enjoy a light lunch, followed by a boat trip of Dingle Harbor and Bay for more great scenic views.

Meals : (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 6: Dublin

Visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which recalls air travel in the 1930s and 1940s. Drive to the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. Travel to either Bunratty or Knappogue Castle. Experience a medieval-style banquet with great food, songs and stories. Overnight in Ennis.

Meals : (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 7: Dublin

Travel through the rounded limestone hills of the Burren to Caherconnell and watch a farmer work with skilled dogs to round up sheep. Stop in the coastal village of Ballyvaughan and drive into Galway for a guided walking tour around the central attractions.
(B, D)

Meals : (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 8: Dublin

Head to Standun of Spiddal for an Irish coffee and a talk on Irish crafts. Drive through Connemara to Leenane for a catamaran cruise of Killary Harbour. At Dan O’Hara’s Homestead, see traditional farming methods as well as Connemara ponies, donkeys and chickens. Savor a farmhouse lunch before returning to Galway.

Meals : (Breakfast, Lunch)

Day 9: Dublin

Drive north through County Mayo and in County Sligo tour Lissadell House, a magnificent country estate that has strong connections with the 1916 Rising. Tour the Belleek Pottery Factory to see craftspeople create the renowned fine china. Stop in Donegal town for free time before driving to your hotel two miles outside the town.

Meals : (Breakfast, Dinner)

Day 10: Dublin

Drive along the coast to view Europe’s highest sea cliffs at Slieve League, which make a sheer drop to the wild Atlantic waves and enjoy homebaked scones with coffee or tea. Visit a woolen mill to shop and see demonstrations of spinning and knitting. In the center of Donegal town tour Donegal Castle and return to your hotel.

Meals : (Breakfast, Dinner)