2019 EMERALD ISLE 10 DAY TOUR FROM DUBLIN TO DUBLIN
When you think of a vacation to Ireland, what comes to mind? Lush, green landscape, historic and religious sites, or ancient medieval ruins? Perhaps it’s visiting farms or savoring authentic Irish food. Your amazing guided tour of Ireland includes overnight stays in Dublin, Ballina, Galway, Limerick, Killarney, and Waterford.
You will have the opportunity to see spectacular scenery, including the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast with breathtaking views of rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean. You’ll also witness sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, and a breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View as you drive the Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive. The Aran Islands offer limestone rock, rugged cliffs, and a variety of wildflowers. On the largest Aran Island, Inishmore, you’ll visit Dun Aengus, one of Europe’s most spectacular and dramatic prehistoric stone forts on a truly unique and unforgettable day.
Other historic sights you’ll see on this Ireland tour include Kylemore Abbey, a massive castle acquired by the Benedictine nuns, and King John’s Castle, dating back to the 12th century. You’ll also learn about Irish history on your visit to the Strokestown House, a restored 1740s mansion with its original furnishings and fabrics, splendid gardens, and Famine Museum.
You’ll also get a taste of Irish life when you visit a sheep farm. Learn to make scones and enjoy eating them. Sample a classic Irish Coffee at the very place where the first one was served in the 1940s after a group of Americans stepped of Pan Am flying boat in Foynes. Or how about lunch at one of the Aran Islands’ oldest and most traditional pubs? All of these are special treats offered by Globus to bring authentic experiences to your escorted Ireland vacation. So grab your camera and get ready for an amazing guided tour through Ireland!
DESTINATIONS & SIGHTSEEING
Headsets throughout the tour.
Notes:
- Due to the adventurous style of the Aran Islands excursion, we recommend you bring suitable outdoor wear and comfortable shoes.
Transportation:
Motorcoach; ferry to/from Inishmore; minibus on the Aran Island; horse-drawn jaunting car in Killarney. Free Wi-Fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.
MEALS
Full Irish breakfast daily; 1 lunch at a local pub; 4 three-course dinners with wine and choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Dublin
ITINERARY
Inside visits and special features are shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges where applicable.
DAY 1 ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND
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.
DinnerDAY 2 DUBLIN–KILDARE–STROKESTOWN–BALLINA
Horse-racing country awaits this morning. Drive across the Curragh to the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on the racecourses of the world. Then, north to Longford for a visit to STROKESTOWN HOUSE for a guided tour of the restored 1740s mansion, a stroll through its fine gardens, and insight into the circumstances of the Great Irish Famine of the 1840s at the Famine Museum. Overnight is in Ballina, famous for its hospitality and internationally renowned for its exceptional salmon fishing in the Moy River.
BreakfastDinnerDAY 3 BALLINA–KYLEMORE–GALWAY
Via Westport, head for the unspoiled region of Connemara, an area known for its hardy breed of ponies. Visit KYLEMORE ABBEY, a massive yet graceful castle acquired by Benedictine nuns as a precious heirloom for Ireland. At Moycullen, visit the Joyce family at their MARBLE WORKSHOP before arriving in the port city of Galway. Tonight’s recommendation: an optional evening at Dunguaire Castle, where the intimate banquet has an enlightening literary theme.
BreakfastDAY 4 GALWAY. EXCURSION TO THE ARAN ISLANDS
At Rossaveal, board a comfortable, modern FERRY for the 45-minute crossing to Kilronan on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands and where Gaelic is the first language of the islanders. Your fascinating day continues with a presentation about life on Inishmore by an island historian. After a light LUNCH at Tí Joe Watty’s pub, board a minibus to enjoy your driver/Local Guide’s commentary on a tour of the island, ending with a visit to clifftop DUN AENGUS, one of the most spectacular and dramatic prehistoric stone forts in Europe. Back in Kilronan, board your ferry back to the mainland. There are plenty of dining options in Galway this evening.
Breakfast
LunchDAY 5 GALWAY–CLIFFS OF MOHER–LIMERICK
A real Irish farm experience at RATHBAUN FARM this morning. 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. Take the scenic route across the desolate limestone plateau known as The Burren, and stop for photos of prehistoric Poulnabrone Dolmen. At the CLIFFS OF MOHER, rising 668 feet above the Atlantic Ocean, savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. This evening, why not take part in a unique optional dinner excursion to Bunratty Folk Park?
BreakfastDAY 6 LIMERICK–FOYNES–KILLARNEY
On this morning’s Limerick city tour, view the Treaty Stone and St. Mary’s Cathedral, and visit KING JOHN’S CASTLE in the medieval heritage precinct. Make your way to Foynes for a guided tour of the FLYING BOAT MUSEUM. Board and explore the only Boeing B314 “Clipper” full-size replica in the world, and in the flight simulator, re-enact the thrilling experience of crossing the Atlantic in a 1930s long-range flying boat. You will also be treated to an IRISH COFFEE DEMONSTRATION, complete with a sample of the tasty drink. Then, travel to the popular resort of Killarney, your destination for the next two nights. Later, maybe an entertaining optional evening in Tralee with dinner, followed by tickets for Siamsa Tire National Folk Theatre.
BreakfastDAY 7 KILLARNEY. RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Join the famed RING OF KERRY for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Plenty to focus your camera on here: sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Back in Killarney, a special treat: a fun-filled horse-drawn JAUNTING CAR RIDE through the national park with glorious vistas of the Lakes of Killarney and ancient Ross Castle.
BreakfastDinnerDAY 8 KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–WATERFORD
Across the Kerry Mountains, drive into County Cork for a visit to Blarney, renowned for its castle and 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, Youghal, and Dungarvan to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. Here, enjoy a visit to the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL.
BreakfastDinnerDAY 9 WATERFORD–AVOCA–GLENDALOUGH–DUBLIN
Today’s agenda: Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798; Ireland’s oldest HANDWEAVING MILL at Avoca; and GLENDALOUGH, the early Christian monastic site founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. See the engaging audiovisual Ireland of the Monasteries, then let your Local Guide show you the remains of this ecclesiastical settlement. Back in Dublin tonight, join your traveling companions for a fitting farewell to Ireland: an optional dinner outing to the Guinness Storehouse.
BreakfastDAY 10 DUBLIN
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
BreakfastACCOMMODATIONS
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast
TOUR DIRECTOR
With Globus, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.
CARMEL NICHOLSON
Escorting tours for more than 20 years
“Céad Míle Fáilte-a hundred thousand welcomes! Ireland is a wonderful country with a long and rich history, unique culture, beautiful green countryside, and, above all, fantastic people. It's my great privilege to be a part of that special journey our guests take when they come to explore the magical Emerald Isle.”
DUBLIN
THE GIBSON
BALLINA
BALLINA MANOR HOTEL
GALWAY
GALMONT HOTEL AND SPA
LIMERICK
LIMERICK STRAND HOTEL
KILLARNEY
KILLARNEY TOWERS HOTEL
WATERFORD
GRANVILLE HOTEL
Prices are per person, based on double room occupancy