IRISH HIGHLIGHTS
EXPLORE IRELAND, FROM DUBLIN AND BACK, STOPPING AT LIMERICK AND THE SCENIC RING OF KERRY ALONG THE WAY.
About this trip
What's included 6 NIGHTS Accommodation, 9 MEALS,6 breakfasts, 3 dinners (including Be My Guest)
The Trafalgar difference
CONNECT WITH LOCALS
Traditional Irish fare with an Italian twist is served up at Ballyknocken Farmhouse near Dublin with the charming Fulvio family on hand to share their story. (Day 6)
DIVE INTO CULTURE
Explore the tragic history of Ireland's famine emigration at the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience, a replica of one of the original famine ships used in the 1800s. (Day 6)
Learn how delicate Irish crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour. (Day 6)
LOCAL SPECIALISTS
For included sightseeing in Dublin
Sightseeing highlights
ORIENTATION of Galway, Limerick and Waterford
VISIT Bunratty Folk Park, the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney to kiss the stone and gain the 'gift of the gab', the Crystal Showroom at Waterford and the famine ship in New Ross
VIEW St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin and King John's Castle in Limerick
SEE the Cathedral of Galway and St. Mary's Cathedral in Limerick
SCENIC DRIVE of the Ring of Kerry
Travel highlights
Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
Daily breakfast and up to half your evening meals
Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
Ferry across the Shannon Estuary
Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
Optional Experiences and free time
All porterage and restaurant gratuities
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Handcrafted Highlights
VIP entry to many sights
Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive Dublin – Afternoon Sightseeing
Tread in the footsteps of James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, through the lyrical streets of Dublin - your launch pad to a memorable encounter with Ireland's iconic highlights. After a leisurely morning, meet a 'Local Specialist' for a sightseeing tour with views of Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the stately Georgian Squares. Indulge in a little Irish craic this evening, joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Reception.
Hotel - Ballsbridge/Maldron Parnell Square
Included Meals - Welcome Reception
Day 2
Dublin – Galway – Bunratty – Limerick
We journey to Galway, the 'City of Tribes', where we'll see its stone cathedral on the banks of the Corrib and spend some free time exploring its colourful façades. Irish traditions and heritage are explored next, during a visit to Bunratty Castle and its Folk Park, a living history museum that reveals insights into life in Ireland during the 18th and 19th centuries. Be sure to drop into Mac's for a pint and meet the Bean an Tí, in one of the thatched cottages, and try to spot a fairy. Continue on to Limerick, for an orientation tour to view the 13th-century King John's Castle overlooking the Shannon.
Hotel - Greenhills/Castle Oaks
Included Meals - Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Irish Ceilidh Evening
Come along and experience the craic at a special ceilidh evening. Enjoy a drink and some local specialities, watch some traditional Irish dancing, and sing along to some familiar Irish melodies.
Adult Price: €64.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Medieval Castle Banquet
Enjoy a banquet and medieval entertainment in the great hall of the castle. The court jester will make an appearance, as will the castle’s musicians and the ladies and gentlemen of the medieval court – giving you an evening you won’t forget.
Adult Price: €73.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
Limerick – Cliffs of Moher – Killarney (2 Nights)
We leave Limerick and stop at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher to visit to the 'Atlantic Edge' exhibition. After a scenic drive, we take a short ferry journey across the Shannon estuary. Our home for the next two nights is the colourful little town of Killarney.
Hotel - International/Innisfallen
Included Meals - Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Experience a Jaunting Cart Ride
Enjoy a traditional pony and trap ride through the beautiful Bourn-Vincent National Park. During your journey, your Local Specialist will share fascinating anecdotes about the area and Ireland.
Adult Price: €22.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Celtic Steps
Enjoy a spectacular evening of Irish music, song and dance performed by champion dancers and musicians and showcasing the music of Kerry and beyond.
Adult Price: €36.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Irish Folk Theatre and Dinner
Join us as we embrace the folklore and spirit of old Ireland’s life and times, when even the most everyday chore would be celebrated. Siamsa Tire players will cast a charm you'll remember forever. Beforehand, enjoy a hearty Irish meal in a local restaurant. This experience will be offered for those trips that stay at Tralee.
Adult Price: €69.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 4
Ring of Kerry Excursion
Circle the spectacular Ring of Kerry - its emerald green hills, centuries-old stone villages and vivid blue seascapes provide a soul-stirring backdrop for our leisurely drive around a beautiful coastline that has inspired writers and poets for centuries. We'll see Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the coastal village of Waterville, Moll's Gap and the Black Valley, renowned for being the last place in Ireland without electricity and telephone networks.
Included Meals - Breakfast
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Visit Muckross House and its Gardens
Come with us to Muckross House and its beautiful gardens. With a backdrop of oak-clad mountains, enjoy taking in the towering azaleas and rhododendrons as you meander along the shores of the lakes. The 18th century house contains some wonderful examples of furniture and paintings, including a portrait of King James VI, for whom Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.
Adult Price: €21.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 5
Killarney – Blarney – Youghal – Waterford
Cross the rugged Kerry Mountains and travel to Blarney Castle to kiss the stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab'. En route to Waterford, we stop in the historic seaport town of Youghal, once home to Sir Walter Raleigh. This evening we dine in our hotel.
Hotel - Fitzwilton
Included Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Irish Folk Fun
During this evening of entertainment, you'll get the chance to experience Irish hospitality in the best folk tradition. Enjoy a drink while locals sing and play music for you.
Adult Price: €27.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 6
Waterford – New Ross – Co. Wicklow – Dublin
'Dive Into Culture' and witness the centuries-old tradition of crafting fine glass at the House of Waterford Crystal. Here we will watch the talented master craftsmen in their workshop creating exquisite pieces. Our next stop is in the town of New Ross, where we'll see the monument to John F. Kennedy who travelled to his ancestral family hometown in 1963. We'll visit the three-masted famine ship Dunbrody and 'Dive Into Culture' yet again, gaining insights into the tragic plight of the Irish emigrants who fled the potato famine during the 1800s. Continuing through County Wexford and the lush countryside of County Wicklow, we journey to Dublin stopping en route at Ballyknocken Farmhouse, where we'll 'Connect With Locals' over a 'Be My Guest' dinner and meet the Fulvio family.
Hotel - Clayton Dublin Airport
Included Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCE
Explore Waterford's History
Join us in Waterford, where the history dates back as far as the Vikings. Your Local Specialist will bring the historic area to life through stories and anecdotes; one guest even described the trip as the "best history lesson ever".
Adult Price: €17.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 7
Depart Dublin
For now, it's time to say a fond slán abhaile to your fellow travellers as you close the curtain on an unforgettable journey through the Emerald Isle. Airport transfers are available. Conditions apply.
Included Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
AVAILABLE ON DAY 2
IRISH CEILIDH EVENING
Come along and experience the craic at a special ceilidh evening. Enjoy a drink and some local specialities, watch some traditional Irish dancing, and sing along to some familiar Irish melodies.
Adult Price: €64.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
AVAILABLE ON DAY 2
MEDIEVAL CASTLE BANQUET
Enjoy a banquet and medieval entertainment in the great hall of the castle. The court jester will make an appearance, as will the castle’s musicians and the ladies and gentlemen of the medieval court – giving you an evening you won’t forget.
Adult Price: €73.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
AVAILABLE ON DAY 3
EXPERIENCE A JAUNTING CART RIDE
Enjoy a traditional pony and trap ride through the beautiful Bourn-Vincent National Park. During your journey, your Local Specialist will share fascinating anecdotes about the area and Ireland.
Adult Price: €22.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
AVAILABLE ON DAY 3
CELTIC STEPS
Enjoy a spectacular evening of Irish music, song and dance performed by champion dancers and musicians and showcasing the music of Kerry and beyond.
Adult Price: €36.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
AVAILABLE ON DAY 3
IRISH FOLK THEATRE AND DINNER
Join us as we embrace the folklore and spirit of old Ireland’s life and times, when even the most everyday chore would be celebrated. Siamsa Tire players will cast a charm you'll remember forever. Beforehand, enjoy a hearty Irish meal in a local restaurant. This experience will be offered for those trips that stay at Tralee.
Adult Price: €69.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
AVAILABLE ON DAY 4
VISIT MUCKROSS HOUSE AND ITS GARDENS
Come with us to Muckross House and its beautiful gardens. With a backdrop of oak-clad mountains, enjoy taking in the towering azaleas and rhododendrons as you meander along the shores of the lakes. The 18th century house contains some wonderful examples of furniture and paintings, including a portrait of King James VI, for whom Shakespeare wrote Macbeth.
Adult Price: €21.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
AVAILABLE ON DAY 5
IRISH FOLK FUN
During this evening of entertainment, you'll get the chance to experience Irish hospitality in the best folk tradition. Enjoy a drink while locals sing and play music for you.
Adult Price: €27.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
AVAILABLE ON DAY 6
EXPLORE WATERFORD'S HISTORY
Join us in Waterford, where the history dates back as far as the Vikings. Your Local Specialist will bring the historic area to life through stories and anecdotes; one guest even described the trip as the "best history lesson ever".
Adult Price: €17.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.