Special 2013 Offer: Escorted Ireland Tours

Arrive Dublin Airport where your driver guide will be waiting with a warm Irish welcome. Board the vehicle, meet the group, and set off for the West of Ireland.
• Journey through the Bog of Allen, the largest bogland in Ireland, where peat is commercially harvested, before reaching Athlone, the "Gateway to the West."
• Enjoy a photo opportunity at Athlone Castle, a 13th-century Anglo-Norman castle set on the Shannon river.
• Explore the picturesque village of Cong, used as the backdrop of the 1952 movie, The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Sullivan. Highlights include a stop at The Quiet Man Heritage Center and the medieval Cong Abbey. 
• Arrive at Ashford Castle, for an evening of leisure.

Overnight Ashford Castle.

Today explore the wonderful wilderness of Connemara, the rugged region west of the Cong. On the Connemara Loop, stops include:
• Clifden, a beautiful market town close to the site where the first transatlantic flight crash-landed
• Kylemore Abbey and Gardens, a magnificent 19th-century manor home overlooking Lough Pollacappul
• Cruise aboard "The Connemara Lady" through Killarey Harbour, Ireland's only fjord

After lunch, we'll return to Ashford Castle. Enjoy leisure time or choose from a full range of activities such as falconry.

Overnight at Ashford Castle

Travel south along the coast with sightseeing stops along the way.
• Pass through picturesque villages of Clarinbridge, Kinvara and Ballyvaughan.
• Explore the Burren region of County Clare, a karst area of explosed limestone, where megalithic tombs and fairy rings can be seen.
• Lunch at the seaside village of Doolin, the home of traditional Irish music.
• Visit the Cliffs of Moher, some of the talllest cliffs of Europe and home to 30,000 birds including Guillemots, Hawks and Puffins.
• Arrive at the splendid 19th-century Dromoland Castle with time to appreciate the grounds before enjoying an evening of relaxation.

Overnight in Dromoland Castle

Start day with a leisurely breakfast andperhaps a stroll on the grounds of Dromoland Castle. Then drive south through County Limerick to County Kerry with stops along the way. The views are spectacular!
• Enjoy Adare, one of the most beautiful villages in Ireland, containing ruins of 14th- and 15th-century abbeys and the 13th-century Adare Castle. 
• Tour the Flying Boat Museum in Foynes, housed in the original terminal building of the important seaplane port that operated during WWII. Take the opportunity to enjoy an Irish Coffee before departing the museum - this is where it was invented!!
• Enjoy a panoramic view from Aghadoe over Killarney and Lough Leane before taking time out in the town
• Killarney, a bustling tourist town in County Kerry, is situated on the edge of Killarney National Park and provides visitors with a range of bars, shops, restaurants and parkland walks.

Overnight Killarney Park Hotel.

Today we drive the famous Ring of Kerry, the internationally renowned scenic drive around the Iveragh Peninsula and Ireland’s most popular day tour. You'll see lakes, mountains, rivers and ocean at most every turn, so bring your camera!
• Enjoy a morning tour of Muckross House, a mid-19th-century mansion, before exploring the gardens.
• Marvel at the glacial features of the Gap of Dunloe before proceeding through the town of Killorglin, home of the Puck Fair - Ireland's oldest fair.
• Enjoy photo opportunities at Moll's Gap, Ladies View, Kells Bay and Coomekista Pass before driving back to Killarney.

Overnight Killarney Park Hotel.

We start our day heading east from Killarney to County Cork, ‘The Rebel County’.
• First stop today is at Gougane Barra, a stunning lake park where St. Finbarr is said to have founded a monastery in the 6th century and important place for the celebration of the Roman Catholic Mass during the time of the Penal Laws.
• Continue for a panoramic tour of Cork city, the second largest in Ireland. Take some time out to enjoy the English Market, one of the oldest markets in Europe trading since 1788.
• Visit Cobh Heritage Centre and Titanic Trail situated slightly east of the city. Cobh was the point of departure for many Irish emigrants and for the Titanic, also, before its sinking in 1912.
• Enjoy a leisurely evening at the beautiful Hayfield Manor in Cork city.

Overnight Hayfield Manor.

Travel north from Cork to Cashel in County Tipperary, a charming market town steeped in history.
• Visit the Rock of Cashel, an entirely remarkable 12th- and 13th-century monastic site built on a limestone outcrop, the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster. Enjoy a tour of this wondrous development which includes a well preserved round tower, St. Cormac’s Chapel and several high crosses.
• Northeast of Cashel you will visit the medieval city of Kilkenny before taking a tour of the beautifully restored 13th-century Kilkenny Castle, original home of the Butlers of Ormonde.
• Continue to Dublin where, after a panoramic tour of the capital city, you will proceed to the Merrion Hotel situated in Georgian Dublin close to St. Stephen’s Green and the Government buildings.
• Dinner and entertainment is on us tonight. Take time to settle in before being collected for your evening of traditional Irish music.

Overnight Merrion Hotel.

Dublin has so much to offer the visitor that it can be difficult to fit the key sights in unless you have three days to spare! We will provide sightseeing fast track passes to visit Dublin's key sights along with access to a hop on/off open top bus service. What's great about this is you can see the best of Dublin at your own pace and shop till you drop if retail therapy is needed. If you have a specific interest and would like us to assist with options for self-guiding in Dublin we would be delighted to help.

Some ideas to consider:

• Take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse, home of ‘the black stuff’!
• Learn about the 1916 Uprising in Kilmainham Gaol, one of the largest disused jails in Europe.
• Visit Viking Dublin and Christ Church Cathedral, burial place of Richard ‘Strongbow’ Fitzgilbert de Clare or enjoy one of the National  Museums.
• Relax in one of Dublin’s many bars and restaurants or enjoy some retail therapy on Grafton Street before returning to the Merrion Hotel for your final evening.

Overnight Merrion Hotel.

Depart from Dublin airport for your journey home.

Arrive at Dublin Airport where your driver guide will be waiting with a warm Irish welcome. Those who have arrived in advance of their trip will be picked up at a designated time to link up with the rest of the group. Once the introductions and boarding of the coach is complete we make our way from Dublin to Cong.

From Dublin Airport, journey through the Bog of Allen, the largest bogland in Ireland, where peat is commercially harvested,  before reaching Athlone. "The Gateway To The West." Enjoy a photo opportunity at Athlone Castle, a 13th century Anglo-Norman castle which is set at a fording point on the longest river in Ireland, the Shannon.

Then, an overview of Cong, a picturesque village situated between Loughs Corrib and Mask, famously used in the filming of the 1952 classic The Quiet Man, featuring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. Visit The Quiet Man Heritage Centre and the medieval Cong Abbey before retreating to Ashford Castle, the 19th-century castle built by the Guinness family, for an evening of leisure. If you feel up to it, enjoy one of the many estate activities including Falconry, Fishing, Golf, Walking, Shooting and Archery.

Overnight at Ashford Castle.

Enjoy the wonderful wildness of Connemara, the rugged region west of Cong, renowned for its raw beauty and well preserved, rural way of life. Stroll around the beautiful market town of Clifden, close to the site where the first transatlantic flight crash-landed. Take a photo opportunity at the magnificent Kylemore Abbey, a 19th-century manor home situated overlooking Lough Pollacappul. Relax onboard ‘The Connemara Lady’ as you cruise through Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. Perhaps follow your lunch with an Irish coffee before continuing the journey back to Ashford Castle.

The Hibernian Trail Tour is one where our guests enjoy independent time at the wonderful hotels included. The Falconry at Ashford Castle has always been popular with our guests and we recommend considering this or one of the other estate activities in the afternoon.

Overnight at Ashford Castle.

Travel north from Westport into County Sligo. Visit St. Columba's Church in Drumcliffe, final resting place of Ireland's literary hero, William Butler Yeats. Enjoy the scenery and views of Benbulben at the coastal village of Mullaghmore before continuing north to County Donegal, the most northerly part of the island.

Perhaps enjoy a tour of Donegal Castle, built by the O'Donnells in the 15th century, before making the short journey to the magnificent Lough Eske Castle where you will have time to enjoy the grounds and a relaxing evening. Note - Dinner is included tonight in Lough Eske Castle, dining at leisure in either restaurant or bar at Lough Eske Castle.

Overnight at Lough Eske Castle.

Head northeast to Derry City and enjoy a guided tour of this historical walled city. Following a photostop at the 16th-century Dunluce Castle, continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Giant's Causeway, an ancient geological feature (or a causeway built by a giant - depending on what way you think about it!!). Travel south to Belfast where, after a panoramic tour, you will spend the next two nights at the luxurious and centrally located Merchant Hotel.

Overnight at the Merchant Hotel.

Start the day with a guided city tour of Northern Ireland's capital, including Queen's University, Stormont, the Peace Wall and City Hall. Learn about and see the history of this once troubled city and, more importantly, experience the great changes that have happened in Belfast in recent years. Visit the Titanic Quarter and the old Harland & Wolff shipyard where the famous cruise ship was constructed. Enjoy leisure time to explore the city and perhaps a bit of shopping at the fantastic Victoria Square Shopping Centre.

Overnight at the Merchant Hotel.

Continuing south from Belfast, take time to enjoy Monasterboice, an early Christian monastery founded in the 5th century, containing a 10th-century round tower and the famous High Cross of Muiredach. Continue to Newgrange, a neolithic passage tomb and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn about the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 as you travel through the Boyne Valley on your way back to Dublin - Ireland's capital. Following a panoramic tour of the city, you have leisure time for an energetic or relaxing afternoon - Dublin caters for both!!

This evening, enjoy a night of entertainment, Irish style! And, hey, dinner's on us!! Before departing for your Irish night, settle in at the centrally located Merrion Hotel.

Overnight at The Merrion.

Enjoy an independent day of sightseeing in Dublin. The city has so much to offer the visitor that it can be difficult to see it all in unless you have three days to spare! We will provide sightseeing fast track passes to visit Dublin's key sights along with access to a hop on/off open top bus service. What's great about this is you can see the best of Dublin at your own pace and/or choose to shop till you drop. If you have a specific interest and would like us to assist with options for self guiding in Dublin we would be delighted to help.

Take a tour of the Guinness Storehouse, home of ‘the black stuff’! Learn about the 1916 Uprising in Kilmainham Gaol, one of the largest disused jails in Europe. Visit Viking Dublin and Christ Church Cathedral, burial place of Richard ‘Strongbow’ Fitzgilbert de Clare or enjoy one of the National Museums. Relax in one of Dublin’s many bars and restaurants or enjoy some retail therapy on Grafton Street before returning to the Merrion Hotel for your final evening.

Overnight at The Merrion.

Depart from Dublin Airport - your driver will arrange a time to transfer you. Or continue your tour with our add-on options.

Slán abhaile or "Safe Travels."