Ireland – September 2024

Our journey begins at Newark International Airport... traveling beyond the pond to the amazing country of Ireland. We'll leave Sunday, September 15, 2024 on an overnight flight.

Arriving Monday morning at Shannon Airport we will be greeted by our coach for a short ride to Ennis. After dropping off our luggage at the Old Ground Hotel we will enjoy a short, guided tour of Ennis followed by the rest of the afternoon on your own to explore. Ennis, the county's major city, is a workaday Irish place with a medieval history, a great traditional Irish music scene, and a market bustle — ideal for anyone tired of crowds. Visit the 13th century Ennis Friary or enjoy a pint at any one of the many traditional pubs.

Tuesday, we depart the hotel at 8:30 am and head to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. Here you will experience a window to Ireland’s past and explore the acclaimed 15th century Bunratty Castle as well as the best-preserved 19th century village in Ireland. Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at that time according to their social standing, from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House a fine example of a Georgian residence built in 1804.

Next, we'll stop in Adare where you will be able to stroll thorough one of Irelands 'prettiest villages' and have lunch on your own. Following lunch we will tour Desmond Castle, situated on the banks of the River Maigue this castle controlled any traffic heading to or from the Shannon Estuary. Following our tour, we will return to Ennis for the rest of the day/night.

Breakfast Included

Departing the hotel at 8:00am we will travel to Ireland's famous Cliffs of Moher. Rising 700ft above the Atlantic, you'll be astonished by the breathtaking views of Ireland's most visited natural landscape. Hike along the Cliff's narrow pathways or go even higher by catching a view from a top of O'Briens's Tower.

Leaving the cliffs we journey north through the Burren, a unique, windblown limestone moonscape that hides an abundance of flora, fauna, caves, and history. Along the drive we'll stop at Poulnabrone Dolmen. A 5000-year-old portal tomb comprising of a long slab of rock placed horizontally on top of several upright slabs. This tomb is situated on one of the most desolate and highest points of this limestone plateau. It marks the site of a mass grave containing the remains of ancient people buried here between 3800 and 3200 BC. We should return to the hotel in the early afternoon.

Tonight, we dine like medieval kings and queens... Meeting in in the Hotel lobby at 7:30pm we will transport via coach to Bunratty Castle for our evening's medieval banquet. For more information, please click on the link below:
https://www.bunrattycastle.ie/medieval-banquet/

Breakfast and Dinner Included

Departing the hotel at 7:30 am we will make our way through the picture-perfect landscapes of Connemara, a rugged area of bogs, lakes, and endless mountain vistas dotted with sheep, cows, and horses.
Our first destination today is Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine Monastery founded in 1920 on the grounds of Kylemore Castle for Benedictine nuns who fled Belgium in World War 1. Here you can explore the 6-acre Victorian Walled Garden with its delightfully restored garden buildings, formal flower, vegetable and herb gardens as well as the beautifully restored period rooms in the Abbey and learn about its history and tales of tragedy and romance.

Following the Abbey we'll board our coach and travel to the Village of Cong, famously featured in the classic "The Quiet Man". Enjoy a quiet stroll down its Main Street and be sure to stop in at Pat Cohan's Bar, the pub from the movie, or visit the statue of John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Following our tour we will return to Ennis for the night.

Breakfast Included

Friday morning we transfer to County Kerry, stopping at Muckross House. Set against the stunning beauty of Killarney National Park, take time to explore this 65 room Victorian mansion and stroll through its beautifully manicured gardens and along the shores of Muckross Lake.

Following the tour of Muckross House we'll head into the town of Killarney, dropping off our luggage at our hotel, Scotts Hotel Killarney. You'll have the rest of the day to explore. Surrounded by the magnificent McGillycuddy Reeks, Ireland’s highest mountain range, Killarney is a buzzing hub of visitors from all over the world. The gateway to the Killarney National Park – if not County Kerry itself. Here you can take time to shop or take the short stroll down to Ross Castle - the remainder of this day is yours to have.

Breakfast Included

Saturday we set out on the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal route that covers some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery. Pass the pristine Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park and gaze across Dingle Bay. Enjoy unsurpassable views of mountains, beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean. Explore the picturesque villages that line the Ring of Kerry including the village of Sneem, “The Knot in the Ring”. The Ring is home to Ireland’s tallest mountain (Carrauntoohil, at 3,406 feet), to spellbinding lakes and forests, to the rain-ravished Torc Waterfall. Little wonder Kerry is known as "The Kingdom". This is roughly an 8 hour coach tour with stops along the way.

Breakfast Included

Sunday morning we leave Killarney for the medieval city of Kilkenny. Along our journey we'll stop at Blarney Castle, a 15th century castle built on the site of a 10th century wooden structure, the castle grounds are filled with wooded hollows, strange rock formations and a glistening flowing river. At the heart of Blarney Castle lies one of its quirkiest attractions. Kissed by world statesmen, literary giants and films stars, the huge Blarney Stone is said to impart the gift of eloquence or “the gift of the gab”. Explore the castle, its grounds and garden but be sure to save time for the Woollen Mills.

In the village of Blarney, we'll also find the famous Blarney Wollen Mills. Housed in one of Ireland's oldest and most authentic Irish woollen mills, here you'll be able to shop for Irish Gifts, Wool & Aran sweaters, Irish Crystal and Celtic Jewelry and much more. The Mill also has a full cafe where lunch can be purchased.

Departing Blarney we'll head toward the iconic Rock of Cashel, a commanding group of stone buildings that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries. Constructed on top of an outcrop of limestone these ruins were once the ancient seat of the kings of Munster. Here you can see one of the country’s finest examples of Romanesque stone carving, which dates back to 500 B.C., at Cormac’s Chapel.

Upon arriving in Kilkenny, we will check into our hotel, Langtons Hotel Kilkenny, the remainder of the day/night is yours.

Breakfast Included

Today we wake up in Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval town with a 12th century castle, a bustling crafts scene, time-honored traditional pubs, cobbled lanes and secret alleys – Kilkenny mixes small-town charm and big-city buzz to perfection. Tour the imposing 12th-century Kilkenny Castle (tickets provided), take a stroll down the butter slip, stop by the Smithwick's Brewery, explore the Medieval Mile Museum, visit the Rothe House (1594) and Gardens, or enjoy one (or more) of Kilkenny's famous pubs. Set within Ireland’s Ancient East and just 90 minutes from Dublin, this is a place packed with colorful characters, amazing music and an electric atmosphere.

Breakfast Included

Monday, we say goodby to Kilkenny and hello to Dublin, the capital and largest city of Ireland. After leaving our luggage with the hotel everyone will be provided with a 48-hour hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus ticket. Discover 25 of Dublin’s spectacular sights and listen to entertaining commentary from your live guide as you cruise around the capital. Whenever a landmark captures your attention, simply disembark to explore further; see attractions like the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College, and St. Patrick's Cathedral and then simply rejoin your bus tour at a time and stop that suits your schedule. Entry to the Little Museum and a Dublin walking tour are included with the bus ticket. Other sites may require an entry fee.

Read more about Dublin Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Bus Tour with Live Guide at the below link:
https://city-sightseeing.com/en/50/dublin/60/hop-on-hop-off-dublin

Breakfast Included

A free day in Dublin and final full day on this tour. Continue your sightseeing viva the hop-on hop-off bus or schedule a tour to any number of sites that lay outside of Dublin. Wicklow and Glendalough or a half-day bus trip along the coast to the fishing village of Howth, this day is yours to explore in whichever direction your heart takes you!

Breakfast Included

Today we board our coach and leave Ireland to return back to (insert airport).

Breakfast Included