Cead mile failte – a hundred-thousand welcomes! Your Small-Group Discovery Begins!

At 6:00pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Ireland’s Capital City

Take a morning orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time this afternoon. This evening, discover the history, traditions, and brewing techniques behind one of the world’s most popular beers on a fascinating tour, tasting and dinner at the legendary Guinness Storehouse.

Sheep and Scones

This morning head to Athlone, a bustling town by the River Shannon and at the center of Ireland’s Hidden Heartlands. On to Rathbaun Farm where you’ll try your hand at scone baking, learn about sheep herding, and enjoy coffee and scones. Mid-afternoon arrival in Galway gives time to explore this colorful city this afternoon and evening.

Views and Villages

Your day begins with a drive to the 668-foot Cliffs of Moher, where you savor the breathtaking panorama of the Clare coast. A scenic route across the limestone plateau of The Burren takes you to Bunratty Folk Park, where 19th century Ireland comes alive in the thatched cottages and farmsteads of a re-creation of a “living” village. Time to explore before a memorable and entertaining medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle.

Beauties of Counties Clare and Kerry

This morning, hear all about the origins of famed Irish Coffee at the start of the drive around part of Ireland’s southwestern peninsula, the spectacular Ring of Kerry. Along the way pause for a guided seaweed discovery and tasting walk with a local expert on the beautiful Atlantic shoreline. On to your overnight in charming Killarney.

Explore the Park

A full day to relax and enjoy the diverse delights of Killarney, from walks, hikes or cycling to famed jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park. So much to explore.

Island Life

Head to County Cork this morning and to Baltimore, a village whose heritage revolves around sailing and fishing. From here take the short ferry ride to remote Cape Clear Island where an islander describes life for the 110 residents on a walking tour. Overnight in the village of Blarney.

Emigration and Whiskey

In Cobh visit the “Queenstown Story” that tells the history and heritage of this small port including the famine, emigration from Ireland, the story of the coffin ships, the Titanic, and the sinking of the Lusitania. At The Old Midleton Distillery join the Jameson Experience Tour, a guided tour of the original distillery that produced the famous Jamesons Irish Whiskey. Learn about the hard-working people and processes responsible for the whiskey that bears John Jameson’s name. Back in Blarney, time to visit the castle and maybe kiss the Blarney Stone, which is supposed to give the “gift of the gab,” and the ability to communicate with eloquence and wit.

The Apple of Life

First stop today is Highbank Orchards and see first-hand the legacy that the Calder-Potts family created in the 17th century right up to the present day. Learn about the fantastic properties of their home-grown apples as you wander through the orchards. Later stop in Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s most quaint towns with medieval cobbled lanes and secret alleys. Return to Dublin and this evening enjoy an unforgettable evening of Irish song dance and laughter at Taylors Irish Cabaret. The perfect way to round off your time on the Emerald Isle.

Safe travels until we meet again!

Your tour ends with breakfast this morning.