2020 FROM IRELANDS ANCIENT EAST TO THE WILD ATLANTIC WAY 9 DAYS DUBLIN TO LIMERICK
This Ireland tour—traveling from its east coast to its west coast—features Ireland’s most popular cities, small towns, and scenic highlights. Your tour starts in Dublin, ends in Limerick, and overnights also in Waterford, Kinsale, and Killarney. Scenic highlights include the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher on Ireland’s west coast, where you’ll savour the breath-taking views of these rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean, and part of the Ring of Kerry, a panoramic drive through rugged and magnificent landscapes. Also take a private boat to Garinish Island, renowned for its gardens and seal colonies.
Visit some of Ireland’s charming small towns, including Adare, developed in medieval times and with the original thatched cottages built in the 1820s still lining the streets; Kilkenny, where you’ll enjoy a guided tour of Smithwick’s Experience to learn about Ireland’s oldest beer brand; New Ross, where you’ll visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship to learn about the famine emigration in the 1840s; Kinsale, a historic port and picturesque fishing town k; Youghal, a walled seaport town preserved from the 13th century; and the charming village of Blarney.
Also enjoy guided tours of the GPO Witness History, where you learn about the tumultuous events of the Easter Rising in1916, the House of Waterford Crystal, where you’ll see the highly skilled artisans at work in the production of this famous crystal, and the Irish National Stud in Kildare, home to thoroughbred champions. You’ll ride on the Waterford & Suir Valley Railway, a heritage narrow-gauge train that runs along the Suir River through rolling farmlands and woodland gardens.
Plus, throughout this Ireland tour, Globus has included some unique experiences: a traditional Irish coffee demonstration in Waterford and a traditional farmhouse dinner at Rathbaun Farm, where you’ll learn to make scones and hear about sheep shearing from the farmer.
These are just some of the many highlights of this tour through Ireland. It’s a wonderful vacation!
DESTINATIONS & SIGHTSEEING
Headsets throughout the tour.
Free Wi-Fi available on your motorcoach and in most hotel lobbies.
Transportation:
Motorcoach; Waterford & Suir Valley Railway; private boat to Garinish Island.
MEALS
Full Irish breakfast daily; 3 three-course dinner with wine and choice of menus, including a welcome dinner in Dublin plus 1 dinner at a traditional Irish farm
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 with the rest of the day free to relax in the Irish capital. This evening, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.
DinnerDAY 2 DUBLIN
This morning’s orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares with their tall, red-brick townhouses, colorful doors, and wrought iron-decorated windows, Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Then, the tumultuous events of the Easter Rising in 1916 will come to life as you visit the GPO WITNESS HISTORY and experience how Ireland’s future dramatically changed. The afternoon is at leisure for you to enjoy the vibrant city. Tonight, why not join an optional cabaret evening with dinner, followed by dance, song, and laughter?
BreakfastDAY 3 DUBLIN–KILDARE–KILKENNY–NEW ROSS–WATERFORD
Horse-racing country awaits this morning. Drive across the Curragh to the IRISH NATIONAL STUD at Kildare, whose thoroughbreds command respect on racecourses around the world. Then, south to Kilkenny for a guided tour of SMITHWICK’S EXPERIENCE and Irish ale tasting. Your guide will show you how over 300 years, the art of mixing four simple ingredients produced the ruby-red ale enjoyed all over the world. Next, at the DUNBRODY FAMINE SHIP, hear the story of famine emigration from those who left Ireland—the brave, desperate, and, above all, ordinary people who chose to leave everything they knew for an uncertain future abroad. Spend the next two nights in Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. After dinner this evening, enjoy an IRISH COFFEE DEMONSTRATION.
Today’s Distance: 134 mi / 216 km
BreakfastDinnerDAY 4 WATERFORD
Start your day with an exciting ride on the WATERFORD & SUIR VALLEY RAILWAY, a heritage narrow-gauge train that runs along the Suir River through beautiful, rolling farmland and woodland gardens. Then, your Local Guide will take you on a walking tour covering the Waterford Treasures: the massive stone fortress, Reginald’s Tower houses Waterford’s Viking treasures; Ireland’s only MEDIEVAL MUSEUM featuring spectacular treasures from the Middle Ages; and the elegant 1743 BISHOP’S PALACE, the home of the treasures of the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. In the afternoon, enjoy a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL and watch as craftsmen transform glowing balls of molten crystal into elegant shapes. Later, you’ll have time at leisure to discover the town on your own. For your optional dinner experience, drive to Dunmore East, a popular tourist and fishing village. Spend some time with the locals over a drink at the village pub, followed by dinner.
BreakfastDAY 5 WATERFORD–YOUGHAL–BLARNEY–KINSALE
This morning, follow the scenic road known as the Copper Coast to the ancient port town of Youghal. On to Blarney, where you will have time to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts, or perhaps walk up to the castle. This afternoon, arrive at your overnight destination of picturesque Kinsale. Be captivated by its long waterfront, yacht-filled harbor, winding streets, and brightly painted galleries, shops, and houses.
Today’s Distance: 110 mi / 172 km
BreakfastDinnerDAY 6 KINSALE–GARINISH ISLAND–KILLARNEY
This morning, board a private boat for the short crossing to GARINISH ISLAND in Bantry Bay, whose warm waters attract colonies of seals. Follow the meandering paths between the fragrant flowering trees and shrubs of this lush, tropical island garden. Afterwards, head over the mountains into County Kerry. At Kenmare, join part of the RING OF KERRY and stop for spectacular photos of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View before arriving in the popular resort of Killarney.
Today’s Distance: 92 mi / 148 km
BreakfastDAY 7 KILLARNEY–ADARE–LIMERICK
There is time this morning to explore on your own, or to take a jaunting-car ride through the national park. Then, drive to quaint Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, beautifully set in woods along the Maigue River, and with thatched cottages lining its wide main street. In Limerick, an orientation drive acquaints you with St. Mary’s Cathedral, King John’s Castle, and the stone where the Treaty of Limerick was signed in 1691. A suggestion for a very special night out: an optional medieval banquet at an historic castle. After your three-course meal, sit back and let the hosts entertain you with music and storytelling during an unforgettable evening.
Today’s Distance: 69 mi / 111 km
BreakfastDAY 8 LIMERICK. WEST COAST EXCURSION
The last day of your vacation brings you to the 668-foot CLIFFS OF MOHER, with breathtaking views of the Clare coast. Then, travel across the glacial-era limestone plateau of The Burren to the port city of Galway for a walking tour through this popular seaside destination and buzzing cosmopolitan center. Next, experience Irish country life at RATHBAUN FARM. Try your hand at SCONE BAKING, and learn from the farmer about sheep shearing and herding. To complete your Irish journey, enjoy a traditional FARMHOUSE DINNER.
Today’s Distance: 163 mi / 263 km
BreakfastDinnerDAY 9 LIMERICK
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
BreakfastACCOMMODATIONS
DUBLIN
CLAYTON CARDIFF LANE
WATERFORD
GRANVILLE HOTEL
KINSALE
TRIDENT
KILLARNEY
SCOTTS HOTEL
LIMERICK
CLAYTON HOTEL LIMERICK
Sunday 19 Apr 20
Monday 27 Apr 20
$2,501
Sunday 26 Apr 20
Monday 04 May 20
$2,501
Sunday 03 May 20
Monday 11 May 20
$2,582
Monday 18 May 20
Monday 25 May 20
$2,582
Monday 01 Jun 20
$2,869
Sunday 31 May 20
Monday 08 Jun 20
$2,582
Monday 15 Jun 20
$2,582
Sunday 14 Jun 20
Monday 22 Jun 20
$2,582
Monday 29 Jun 20
$2,582
Monday 06 Jul 20
Sunday 05 Jul 20
Monday 13 Jul 20
$2,869
Sunday 12 Jul 20
Monday 20 Jul 20
$2,582
Monday 27 Jul 20
$2,582
Sunday 26 Jul 20
Monday 03 Aug 20
$2,582
Monday 10 Aug 20
$2,582
Monday 17 Aug 20
$2,582
Monday 24 Aug 20
$2,582
Monday 31 Aug 20
$2,582
Monday 07 Sep 20
$2,582
Sunday 06 Sep 20
Monday 14 Sep 20
$2,582
Sunday 13 Sep 20
Monday 21 Sep 20
$2,582
Sunday 20 Sep 20
Monday 28 Sep 20
$2,582
Monday 05 Oct 20
$2,582
Sunday 04 Oct 20
Monday 12 Oct 20
$2,501
Single room supplement:
$634
No Triple room reduction
Additional accommodations before or after your tour may be available.
6 guests in a party: $2,104*
18 guests in a party: $507*
Dates & Prices do not include international air travel.