A Tale of Two Irelands

Be transported back to medieval times when we travel to Kilkenny this afternoon. The city is home to narrow streets and historic buildings, a vibrant restaurant and pub scene, and friendly locals. 

We’ll start our day in Dublin learning about the city’s fascinating history and traditions. We visit Trinity College, dating back to the late 16th century and home to an impressive list of alumni including Bram Stoker, Oscar Wilde and Jonathon Swift. Inside Trinity College's renowned library we’ll walk through the famous Long Room housing the extensive collection of literary works, and see its most prized possession, the Book of Kells. We’ll also explore the fascinating Dublin Castle.

Later, we’ll continue to Kilkenny, where we enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Compact and cosmopolitan, Cork is Ireland’s second largest city. Situated on an island in the River Lee, the vibrant city’s narrow streets are bursting at the seams with traditional pubs, boutique shops, welcoming laid-back locals and more.

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This morning we’ll visit the stunning Kilkenny Castle, taking time to wander through the impressive Rose Garden and surrounding grounds. Built in the 13th century, Kilkenny Castle originally served as a defensive castle, due to its location close to the River Nore and several important trade routes. Continuously occupied until 1967, it was sold to the local council for a staggering £50! Later, we will proceed to Thomastown and explore Jerpoint Abbey, which was established in 1180. The abbey is renowned for its charming location and the remarkable stone carvings adorning its walls. Next, we have time to explore the impressive site of Kells Priory, first founded in 1193 many intact remains still exist there today.

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We will then proceed towards Cork, passing through the picturesque harborside town of Cobh. There, we will take a break to stretch our legs and have some free time. Upon arriving in Cork later in the evening, you'll have the rest of the night to enjoy at your leisure.

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(Breakfast)

Today we take the time to explore Ireland’s remarkable natural scenery as we embark on a journey to the coastal town of Glengarriff. From there, we'll board a boat to reach the enchanting Garnish Island. While on the water, we'll make a stop near the seal islands, hoping to catch glimpses of the local seals in their natural habitat.

Afterwards, we’ll head towards Muckross and the idyllic Killarney National Park. Home to Ireland’s largest forest of oak trees, Killarney National Park is situated in over 10,000 hectares of pristine, rolling countryside. This afternoon, we’ll enjoy a stroll through the national park stopping to view the scenic Torc Waterfall and explore the grounds of the Muckross House estate, before returning to Cork.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

(Breakfast)

Today's destination is Limerick, a city nestled along the banks of the River Shannon, with the magnificent King John's Castle gracing its surroundings. Limerick has a rich history, believed to have been settled by the Vikings as early as 922 AD. However, in modern times, the city is renowned for its captivating Georgian architecture and is famously recognised as the backdrop for Frank McCourt's acclaimed book, "Angela's Ashes."

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Prior to our departure for Limerick, we will embark on a walking tour this morning to explore the numerous highlights that Cork has to offer. The city's relaxed and laid-back atmosphere makes it a perfect place to discover on foot. During the tour, we will visit the English Markets, Saint Patrick's Street, Fitzgerald's Park, the Saint Fin Barres Cathedral, and the Butter Museum, immersing ourselves in the charm and beauty of Cork's landmarks.

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This afternoon, we’ll enjoy an incredible afternoon tea at Cork’s famous Imperial Hotel. This iconic location was established back in 1813 and was initially used to house city merchants, until 1816 when it became open to the public as a hotel. The Imperial Hotel boasts a long list of historical figures who have enjoyed the hotels atmosphere, a few including Frederick Douglass, Charles Dickens and Grace Kelly.

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Following afternoon tea, we'll proceed to Limerick and explore the city with a welcoming orientation tour upon arrival.

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(Breakfast)

We’ll make our way to Galway today, located on the breathtaking west coast, where the River Corrib meets the Atlantic Ocean. Galway boasts a lively music and arts scene, complemented by historic buildings and traces of its medieval history.

Special Experience

Enjoy a scenic cruise along the waterways of the River Shannon and Lough Derg Lake, followed by lunch at a local restaurant on the banks of the lake.

The afternoon is a highlight of any trip to Ireland as we drive to Clare to see the famous Cliffs of Moher and the visitor centre. These majestic cliffs, towering over 200 metres from the seabed, present a breathtaking and rugged sight along the extensive coastline.

Later, we’ll travel onwards to the vibrant city of Galway, taking the stunning coastal road. We travel through The Burren, ensuring for breathtaking scenery along the way, and perhaps getting a glimpse of the 3 Aran Islands.

Challenging Day

Today is a particularly challenging day, where there will be extended periods of walking time, often across uneven ground and in areas of high altitude or heat and humidity.

(Breakfast, Lunch)

Today holds a splendid day of exploration, commencing with a walking tour of Galway. We will uncover the city's proud heritage and vibrant culture as we venture to several fascinating landmarks.

Our journey will take us through the captivating Eyre Square, the historical Lynches Castle, the charming Quay Street, and the iconic Spanish Arch, each telling a tale of Galway's past. We’ll also explore the graceful Church of Saint Nicholas, which stands as a testament to the city's religious significance.

We’ll then enjoy the remainder of our afternoon at leisure to explore more of the city at our own pace.

(Breakfast)

We’ll make our way to Sligo today, a coastal seaport nestled along the breathtaking west coast. Its Gaelic name, Sligeach, translates to “abounding in shells,” a nod to the wealth of shellfish found in its river and estuary.

This morning we visit Westport House, an 18th-century Georgian country house that is often described as one of Ireland’s most beautiful historic homes. Here we’ll enjoy a tour of the house and gardens and have a chance to grab some lunch.

We continue our journey, stopping to see Rockfleet Castle, before making our way to the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery. Carrowmore is recognised as Ireland’s oldest and most concentrated collection of Neolithic tombs, dating back nearly 6,000 years, making them older than Egypt’s pyramids! Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery boasts over 35 passage tombs, each revealing insights into past lives, rituals, and cultural practices.

Arriving in Sligo, this evening is yours to enjoy at leisure.

(Breakfast)

This morning begins with a short walking tour through the charming streets of Sligo, where we delve into the town's rich history and cultural heritage. We’ll then make our way to the tranquil Drumcliffe Church and visit the final resting place of one of Ireland's most celebrated literary figures, W.B. Yeats.

Our next stop is Belleek Pottery, Ireland’s oldest working fine china pottery. Established in 1857, Belleek Pottery has become one of Ireland’s most famous brands. We’ll then visit the Stone Fort of Grianán of Aileach, an ancient hillfort atop Greenan Mountain believed to have been constructed during the 6th or 7th century CE. We’ll explore the fort which once served as the seat of the Kingdom of Ailech and enjoy the stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Upon arrival in Derry, we’ll visit the Museum of Free Derry, a fascinating exhibition that delves into the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and the infamous Bloody Sunday. On January 30, 1972, British soldiers opened fire on unarmed civil rights protesters in Derry, resulting in the tragic loss of lives. The museum narrates the events leading up to Bloody Sunday, its aftermath, and the subsequent Operation Motorman, which aimed to regain control of nationalist areas.

This afternoon we’ll enjoy a walking tour of Derry, exploring the city walls, before checking into our hotel for the night.

(Breakfast)

Our destination today is Belfast, a city with a rich history, standing proudly on the banks of the River Lagan. From the early presence of the Vikings as early as 922 AD to its present-day identity, Belfast has undergone a remarkable evolution. While its past is marked by shipyards and linen mills, today it boasts a captivating ensemble of Georgian architecture that graces its streets. Once a centre of conflict, Belfast now symbolises resilience and transformation.

We’ll start our day with photo stops at Benone Beach Viewpoint and Dunluce Castle before making our way to Bushmills Distillery.

Special Experience

Step back in time with a tour of the 400-year-old Bushmills whiskey distillery, where we’ll savour a taste of this iconic Irish whiskey.

Our next stop is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway, a remarkable natural wonder on the north coast of Northern Ireland. According to local legends, this breathtaking natural formation was shaped by giants. Comprised of approximately 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the Giant’s Causeway was formed by an ancient volcanic fissure eruption around 50 to 60 million years ago, during the Palaeocene Epoch. As we explore, we'll marvel at the tops of the columns, forming a mesmerising pattern of stepping stones that lead us to the cliff edge and out into the sea.

We continue to Belfast, where we’ll enjoy an evening at leisure.

(Breakfast)

This morning we’ll have the chance to immerse ourselves in the vibrant city of Belfast with a tour before visiting the Titanic Museum. The striking, star-shaped museum stands proudly at the head of the slipway where the Titanic was built, charting the history of Belfast and the story of the ill-fated Titanic.

After diving into the history of the Titanic, we make the journey to Hillsborough, home to the royal residence which is now the official residence of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. Our local guide will take us on a tour of the stunning Hillsborough Castle, including the newly opened ‘Royal Style in the Making’ exhibition displaying dressed worn by Queen Elizabeth II, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and HRH Princess Margaret. Continuing we’ll enjoy some free time to explore the amazing garden, the gardens that surround the castle have been developed since the 1760s and offer an intriguing mix of formal gardens, woodland and meadows. Make sure to check out the unique ‘Walled Garden’, a site that historically used to produce fruit, vegetables and flowers for the castle!

Tonight, we’ll enjoy a delicious farewell dinner, reminiscing on all the memories we’ve made on tour.

(Breakfast, Dinner)

Our tour concludes after breakfast this morning, when we’ll say a fond farewell to the beautiful country of Ireland and our newfound friends.

(Breakfast)