For those seeking a tour that serves as a perfect first impression, Introduction to Ireland, as the name implies, is the only way to see this amazing country. You’ll visit famous Irish cities like Dublin, Killarney, Waterform and Ennis to absorb the scenery made famous in movies and magazines enjoyed around the world. This tour includes exclusive experiences that give guests a local perspective on these celebrated Irish destinations.
7 Days • fr. $2,299
Céad míle fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes! Check into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and past St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Tonight, enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Dinner
HILTON DUBLIN KILMAINHAM
Horse-racing country awaits this morning. Drive across the Curragh to visit the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose fine thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world.
Lots more to see including the Rock of Cashel, where St. Patrick preached.
Continue to Tipperary, made famous in a wartime marching song; and Limerick, where an orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691.
Tonight’s suggestion for a very special night out: attend an optional medieval banquet at an historic castle.
Breakfast
TEMPLE GATE HOTEL
Your day excursion along Ireland’s spectacular Atlantic coastline begins with a drive to the 668-foot CLIFFS OF MOHER, where you savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast.
A scenic route across the limestone plateau of The Burren takes you to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops and a busy café and bar culture.
This afternoon, a special treat at Rathbaun Farm: try your hand at scone baking, and learn from the farmer about sheep shearing and herding. Afterwards, enjoy coffee and your scones, fresh from the oven.
Breakfast
TEMPLE GATE HOTEL
After a short drive via Clonderlaw Bay to Killimer, cross the Shannon estuary by ferry. Continue on to Killorglin on Dingle Bay to join the spectacular Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip.
Take photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View, then spend the night in the popular resort of Killarney. Before dinner at your hotel, why not take a horse-drawn jaunting-car ride along the national park to Ross Castle?
Breakfast, Dinner
KILLARNEY TOWERS HOTEL
Travel across the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, renowned for its magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts.
In the afternoon, proceed via Cork to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings, for a guided tour of the House of Waterford Irish Coffee Demonstration.
An exciting agenda today: First we will visit Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798.
We will also visit Ireland’s oldest handweaving mill at Avoca, where you watch the weavers at work.
We will travel to the Wicklow Mountains; and Glendalough, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. See the engaging audiovisual Ireland of the Monasteries, then join your Local Guide to see the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement.
Back in Dublin tonight, a fitting farewell to Ireland would be an optional cabaret evening with dinner, followed by dance, song, and laughter.
Breakfast
HILTON DUBLIN KILMAINHAM
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
All rates listed are per person based on double occupancy and are subject to change without notice. Your land package pricing will be confirmed and guaranteed once your deposit is received and applied to the booking, except where price increases may result from increases in government taxes or fees. Room configurations are subject to availability. Guests added to your party after the booking are priced at the prevailing rate at the time they are added.