Day 1: Dublin - Galway
After your arrival at Dublin Airport, you will meet with your coach driver & guide & depart for the West of Ireland, to Galway. On arrival in Galway you will enjoy a cruise on Lough Corrib, one of the biggest lakes in Ireland, complete with tea & scones. The Corrib Princess, your vessel for this trip, journeys along the River Corrib & onto the lake, offering wonderful views of the historic monuments and scenery.
Day 2: Connemara
Today, you will enjoy a tour of Connemara a land of diverse landscapes as well as home to small villages where Gaelic is still spoken. Connemara is the largest peninsula with the Galway Bay to its south. Its coastline is filled with steep mountains & breathtaking vistas. You can also see the beautiful fjord of Killary Harbour. Next, you will visit Kylemore Abbey, located in the Kylemore Pass in Connemara. This neo-gothic 19th century home is perhaps most known for its miniature cathedral. Today, an Irish order of Benedictine nuns inhabit the abbey where they established the Kylemore International School for young girls. They established a private school for young girls, which today is the renowned Kylemore Abbey International School for young girls. This evening you may chose to take-in performance in Galway.
Day 3: Burren
You will depart Galway to head south for the Burren Region & the Cliffs of Moher. The Burren, meaning “large stones” is a unique & beautiful landscape. No trees or land cover The Burren's exposed limestone, which defines the region. However, you will discover that the cracks in the stone are home to flora & fauna of all sorts as well as caves in which to explore. This region is also home to countless castles & monastic ruins. One of the highlights of The Burren is Cliffs of Moher. From their 230m height, you can relish in the panorama that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to Connemara. You will then continue along the coast to Killimer where you will take a short ferry ride across the mouth of the river Shannon & arrive on Kerry’s shore at Tarbert.
Day 4: Iveragh Peninsula - Killarney
Today, you will follow the Ring of Kerry, a popular hiking tour that takes you around the Iveragh Peninsula. Along your trip, you will witness some of Ireland's spectacular scenery including mountains, bogs, lakes & cliffs, some of which overlook the Dingle Peninsula & Dingle Bay. You will see the home of national hero, Daniel O'Connell, who fought for Irish independence and rights the rights of Catholics in Great Britain. You will also pass by Sneem Village, famous for its brightly colored houses. The Ring of Kerry continues into Killarney National Park. As you explore the park, you will have the opportunity to visit the Muckross House and Gardens, a 19th century Elizabethan-style home and considered to be one of the most elegant in the country. This evening, you can chose to enjoy a performance in Killarney.
Day 5: Cork - Waterford
Today's first stop will be one of Ireland's most popular attractions, Blarney Castle, located in Cork City. Among the strongest fortresses in Munster, Blarney Castle has withstood the test of time. Dating back to the 15th century, it is one of the oldest castles in Ireland. The castle is also famous for being housing the Blarney stone, or The Stone of Eloquence. As the name suggests the stone is traditionally believed to have the power to give the gift of eloquence to all those who kiss it.
Following the castle, you will have time for shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills, now the largest quality craft shop in Ireland. From Wooden Mills you will continue onto Waterford.
Day 6: Waterford - Kilkenny - Wexford
This morning will begin with a walking tour of Waterford City. Waterford is the oldest city in Ireland and has a unique character as it retains many features of its Viking origins while also featuring the Georgian era as part of its 18th century expansion. Reginald's tower is at the heart of the former Viking while you can find evidence of Georgian times in the houses & commercial buildings around The Mall, George’s street & O’Connell Street. From Waterford, you will continue on to Kilkenny where you can arrange for a performance that afternoon. This afternoon, you will also visit Kilkenny Castle, one of the most iconic landmarks of Ireland. This square-shaped castle used to have towers at each corner, with only three of the four remaining today. The castle was bought in the late 14th century & served as a residence continuously until 1935. After decades of vacancy, the castle was given to Ireland in 1967 for the bargain price of 50 pounds. The castle has since been restored & is a popular destination for tourists & site of rotating art exhibitions.
Day 7: Wicklow - Dublin
Today you will head north towards the capital city of Ireland, Dublin. En route, you will travel through County Wicklow, also known as the Garden of Ireland. Visit Glendalough, which translates to "The valley of the two lakes." The area dates back to the 6th century, founded as a monastery and then grew to become known as a hub for learning thourhg outEurope. It was here that St. Kevin ~ son of the king of Leinster founded a monastery in the 6th century. From a simple beginning the site grew to become famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe. Though it was destroyed in the late 14th century, many of Glendalough's features still rest there in ruins. After arriving in Dublin, you can arrange for a performance in the city.