IRELAND 2025
DAY 0: Monday May 19th, Depart USA To Ireland
DAY 1: Tuesday May 20th, Welcome To Ireland
Arrive at Dublin Airport
Hotel check in
*May not be possible until 15h00.
Enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area
DAY 2: Wednesday May 21st, Dublin City
This morning meet with your tour guide and driver and enjoy visits in Dublin city centre.
Start with a tour at Epic, The Irish Emigration Museum
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum is a state-of-the-art interactive experience located in the beautiful vaults of the 1820 Custom House Quarter building in Dublin’s Docklands, the original departure point for so many of Ireland’s emigrants. It will inspire and guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day. Over the centuries, some 10 million people have left the island of Ireland. At EPIC you can step through 20 themed galleries to find out why people left, see how they influenced the world they found, and experience the connection between their descendants and Ireland today. Immerse yourself in the stories of some of the most remarkable tales of sacrifice, endurance, adventure, and discovery the world has ever known. EPIC brings these amazing stories to life in a unique and spectacular way.
Enjoy time and lunch at leisure
In the afternoon, visit the Guinness Storehouse
The Guinness Brewery in Dublin is Europe's largest stout producing brewery and home to the Guinness Storehouse. Opened in 1904, the Storehouse was an operational plant for fermenting and storing Guinness. Today it houses a very fine exhibition dedicated to the Guinness story. Visitors will discover what goes into the making a pint of Guinness - the ingredients, the brewing process, the time, the craft and the passion. The exhibition shows how the brew has been marketed and how it is today sold in over 150 countries. Once the tour has finished, the guest is invited to the Gravity Bar to enjoy their pint of Guinness. Regular demonstrations on the art of pulling a pint of Guinness also take place in the Storehouse. Launched on the fifth floor in 2011, “Five” at Guinness Storehouse, includes a small replica authentic Irish Bar, an 18th Century inspired Brewers Dining Hall, and a restaurant named Gilroy’s where guests enjoy a Guinness gastronomical experience driven entirely by the Irish tradition of wholesome local produce. Menus include local foods such as Ardsallagh goat’s cheese, Irish mussels from Carlingford and the Waterford Blaas bread supplied by MD Bakery in Waterford. This area will host from time to time live cooking demonstrations using Guinness in the recipe and it includes an interactive recipe sharing bank that allows visitors to take Guinness recipe cards home.
Return to the hotel at the end of the afternoon
Tonight you will dine at a local pub or restaurant in Dublin City
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area
DAY 3: Thursday May 22nd, Dublin to Belfast
Today, depart towards Northern Ireland.
On the way visit Trim Castle
Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland, was constructed over a thirty-year period by Hugh de Lacy and his son Walter. Hugh de Lacy was granted the Liberty of Meath by King Henry II in 1172 in an attempt to curb the expansionist policies of Richard de Clare, (Strongbow). Construction of the massive three storied Keep, the central stronghold of the castle, was begun c. 1176 on the site of an earlier wooden fortress. This massive twenty-sided tower, which is cruciform in shape, was protected by a ditch, curtain wall and moat. The castle and its grounds was used as a location in the Mel Gibson film “Braveheart”.
Continue towards Belfast and enjoy a panoramic tour upon arrival
There are just under half a million people living in Belfast today, and one of the city’s principal landmarks can be seen upon arrival –the two Harland & Wolfe Cranes –nicknamed Samson and Goliath. It was here that many great ships were built –most notably for White Star Line, whose ships included the Olympic, Britannic and –perhaps the most famous ship of all –RMS Titanic. At its peak in the early 20th century, Harland & Wolfe boasted a workforce of 35,000 and reflected the industrial nature of Ulster –Ireland’s Northern Province. However, the rest of Ireland remained predominantly agricultural and economically less well off than their northern counterparts. Coupled with religious differences; when Ireland sought independence from Britain in 1922, the six counties of Ulster “opted out” and to this day remain within the UK. The partition of Ireland was challenged by violent means from the late 1960’s onwards, and a peace process followed the ‘ceasefire’ in 1994. Today political differences are discussed at Stormont –the Northern Ireland Assembly –in the local capital, Belfast.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Belfast or area
DAY 4: Friday May 23rd, Belfast City
Today discover Belfast and visit the Titanic Belfast Experience
Located in the heart of Belfast, the Titanic Belfast recreates the story of the world’s most famous ship in an iconic, six floor building right beside the historic site of the original ship’s construction. Opened in April 2012 to coincide with the centenary of its launch, the self-guided journey begins on entering the building's giant atrium, where the visitor is surrounded by the four 'ship’s hull’ shaped wings which house the Titanic Experience. As you journey through the nine large galleries of the interactive exhibition, you will uncover the true story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900's, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.
Stay in the Titanic Quarters and enjoy a tour of the Titanic Distillers
Based in Belfast, in the very shipyard where the Titanic and many of its sister vessels were built, every day we walk in the footsteps of the shipyard workers, the air’s thick with history.
Today, visitors to Thompson Dock can view the workings of our distillery and hear the story of Belfast's whiskey tradition, why it disappeared and how it has returned with the city's first working whiskey distillery in almost 90 years.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in the city
Tonight you will dine at a local pub or restaurant in Belfast City.
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Belfast or area
DAY 5: Saturday May 24th, Belfast to Donegal
Today, travel West towards Donegal via the Antrim Coast.
Make a stop at the Giant's Causeway
Encounter Northern Ireland’s favourite giant Finn McCool at the new Giants Causeway Visitor centre on the North Antrim coast which opened in the summer of 2012. According to legend Finn McCool created the Giants Causeway by building stepping stones to Scotland to challenge the Scottish giant Benandonner! The new Visitor centre explores the major themes of mythology, geology, landscape, ecology, culture and social history based on the UNESCO World Heritage site that consists of 40,000 basalt polygonal columns formed 60 million years ago after a volcanic eruption. There are various interactive exhibits and short video presentations within five designated interpretive exhibition areas and the self guided visit will culminate with a spectacular two minutes audio-visual projection of a volcanic eruption flowing over the walls and onto the floor. Other services and facilities include a large craft and souvenir shop, Tourist Information and restaurant. To enhance the wider visitor experience around the site, a hand held audio guide is available in a range of languages which will bring the wider World Heritage Site to life and inform visitors of unique features to look out for across this amazing landscape. Guided tours of the site are also available. The walks and trails around the World Heritage Site have been upgraded, with the addition of a new accessible cliff top walk for families and people with disabilities. In 2015, Conde Nast Traveler magazine included hopping the stones of the Giant's Causeways one of the '50 things to do in Europe before you die'.
Continue to your hotel and check in
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Donegal or area
DAY 6: Sunday May 25th, Glenveagh National Park
Today explore the fabulous region of Donegal. The main attraction will be Glenveagh National Park where you can walk, cycle or take the minibus
A spectacular 16,500 hectares (40,000 acres) of scenic mountains, lakes, glens and woods, with a herd of red deer, Glenveagh is one of Ireland's protected natural parks managed by the State. A Scottish style castle within the estate is surrounded by one of the finest gardens in Ireland, which contrast with the rugged surroundings. The Visitor Centre houses exhibitions and an audio-visual show on the area.
The Visitor Centre is accessible for visitors with disabilities and has a cafe / restaurant. A return shuttle minibus service is available to bring clients from the visitor centre to the area of the castle and the gardens.
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Donegal or area
DAY 7: Monday May 26th, Donegal to Galway
Today, travel to Galway and will visit Belleek Pottery on the way.
The world famous brand of Belleek pottery has its home in an imposing Victorian building in the village of Belleek on the river Erne. Awarded a 4 star visitor attraction grading in 2013 and 'Best Visitor Experience Of The Year 2014'at the Northern Ireland Tourism Awards, it features a museum, tearoom, video theatre and a showroom. The guided tour covers all of the production areas offering guests the possibility of meeting with the craftspeople, observing their craftmanship working on the different handmade pieces (no production on Sundays). As you walk through the museum you will experience the journey through the life of the Pottery from the early earthenware days to the present day fine translucent Parian China.
Continue to Galway via counties Sligo and Mayo
Continue to your hotel and check in
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Galway or area
DAY 8: Tuesday May 27th, Connemara Day Tour
Today, enjoy a day tour to Connemara !
Connemara, is a land of lakes and rivers, bogs and mountains. A land of small villages where Gaelic is still the spoken language and where little has changed little since the beginning of time. It is without a doubt the wildest and the most romantic part of Ireland. Connemara is a vast peninsula bordered by the arid and rocky coastline of Galway Bay in the south ~ a land characteristic for its stone walls and thatched cottages. On its northern shore the land is harsher and more secret, with spectacular views of the Ocean and the beautiful fjord of Killary Harbour, as well as the steep mountains overlooking numerous lakes and large bog areas. Connemara is a real paradise for Nature lovers and those in search of strong emotions.
Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure in the city centre
You will also visit Kylemore Abbey
Kylemore Abbey is stunningly located in the Kylemore Pass in Connemara. Mitchell Henry built the House in 1868, after having spent his honeymoon in the area. The architecture is best described as neo-gothic and the house still displays all the characteristics of that period. One of Kylemore Abbey's most famous features is its miniature cathedral, built in 1870 and known locally as the Gothic church. Today, the abbey is home to the Irish order of Benedictine nuns. They established a private school for young girls, which was the renowned Kylemore Abbey International School. The school eventually closed in 2010. Facilities at Kylemore include a visitor centre, an exhibition housed in the main reception rooms of the house and a video which takes the visitor through the history of the house and its occupants. The Gothic church is available to visit and as a venue for choir groups to sing in. If time allows guests can also visit the Kylemore Abbey Victorian Walled Garden was laid out in 1867 and took three years to complete. A bus service provided from the front door of the Abbey directly to the garden and is the only permitted means of access.
Tonight you will dine at a local pub or restaurant in Galway City (transfer included)
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Galway or area
DAY 9: Wednesday May 28th, Galway to Kerry
This morning, continue your tour traveling South towards County Kerry. On the way, stop at the Cliffs of Moher and discover the Burren Region.
The Cliffs of Moher are the most popular tourist attraction outside of Dublin; attracting over 1 million visitors in 2015. Rising to over 6oo feet (200 metres) in places, they are among the highest sea cliffs in Western Europe, and stretch for about for 2 miles (3km) along the Atlantic coast. From its exceptional vantage position, you will enjoy spending views over Galway Bay; including the Aran Islands –a group of three small islands, where the Irish language is the primary means of communication.
The Burren is the smallest of Ireland’s national parks and has been described as a lunar landscape; mirrored nowhere else in Ireland or Western Europe! Often described as a natural landscape, it is most likely that in pre-historic times, removal of the natural woodland induced soil erosion, enlarging the exposure of the underlying limestone. More than 700 different flowering plants and ferns have been recorded in the Burren. Thus, although the Burren represents only 1% of the land-mass of Ireland, 75% of the Irish native species are contained in the area. In the Burren, plants from northern (“Arctic”) regions reach their southern limits, those from southern (“subtropical”) regions attain their northern limits, while plants from high mountains (“alpines”) can be found growing at sea-level; all three groups grow side by side - and in profusion - in the Burren.
Cross into the Kerry region using the Shannon Car Ferry
Continue to your hotel and check in
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Kerry or area
DAY 10: Thrusday May 29th, Ring of Kerry
Today explore the beautiful Ring of Kerry !
The Ring of Kerry (166km) is the most famous and panoramic route in Ireland. The astonishing beauty of this large peninsula, Iveragh, comes from the great diversity of its scenery, which offers incessant contrasts. En route around the Ring, take in spectacular scenery - mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean as one travels along the coast road. Leaving Killarney pass through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair, then to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay. Continuing to Cahirciveen, you’ll pass the birthplace of our National hero, Daniel O’Connell. Next, continue on through peat bogs to the town of Waterville. Continue to Sneem Village, famous for its brightly coloured houses. The road then continues through the mountains to Molls Gap and Ladies View with superb views of the famous Lakes of Killarney.
This evening, you will enjoy dinner and an Irish show at Kate Kearney's Cottage. Nestled at the entrance to the world famous Gap of Dunloe, Kate Kearney's Cottage is a 150 year old family-run establishment. Kate Kearney's Cottage hosts a traditional Irish night which consists of dinner, traditional music and costumed dancers. The night is presented for groups either in the restaurant or specially customised 'barn'.
Overnight, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Kerry or area
DAY 11: Friday May 30th, Kerry to Dublin
Depart Kerry and travel through Ireland's Midlands. On the way stop at the Rock of Cashel for a visit. Possibly the most photographed site in Ireland, the Rock of Cashel towers over the town of Cashel from its perch on a 200-foot high outcrop of limestone. Once the seat of the Kings of Munster. St. Patrick visited the rock in 450 AD, while Brian Boru was crowned the first high King of Ireland here in the tenth century. Granted to the church in the twelfth century, by the O'Brien clan, today the impressive stone walls enclose a round tower, a cathedral, a twelfth century Romanesque chapel and high crosses. The Vicars Choral has been recently restored and its basement houses a small museum of artefacts found on the site. One of the leading visitor attractions in Ireland, in 2011 it was visited by Queen Elizabeth II on her historic first visit to the Republic of Ireland.
Continue to your last hotel, a nice castle hotel and enjoy some time !
Farewell dinner at the hotel
Overnight, dinner, bed and breakfast at your hotel in Dublin/Kildare or area
DAY 12: Saturday May 31st, Farewell
Departure for USA
We hope you enjoyed your tour!
