Best of Ireland

Intrepid travellers gather in Toronto for our flight to Dublin.

We are met on arrival by our driver / guide. Heading north, we enjoy a picturesque drive via Dundalk and Newry, sitting snugly amidst the natural splendour of the Mourne Mountains before reaching Belfast to check in to our hotel. This evening, gather with your fellow group members to enjoy your welcome dinner. 

Clayton Hotel Belfast (2 nights)

Explore Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland and the birthplace of the epic Titanic. Enjoy the sights of this historic city, with views of the Grand Opera House, Linen Hall Library, Stormont Buildings and the world-famous murals. Explore the ten interactive galleries of the Titanic as well as the SS Nomadic on self-guided visits.

Departing Belfast, we follow the Marine Drive, passing the Green Glens of Antrim via Carrickfergus and Carnlough all the way to the Giant’s Causeway, one of Ireland’s most famous and dramatic sites. Marvel at this remarkable natural rock formation, a virtual cascade of geometric basaltic columns descending into the sea. We venture on to Northern Donegal, passing the eerie ruins of Dunluce Castle and the walls of Derry, before arriving in Letterkenny.

Radisson Letterkenny (2 nights)

The Ulster American Folk Park tells the story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th Centuries. Visit this iconic site in Omagh, then return to the historic city of Derry with some free time for lunch. This afternoon, take a guided walking tour along Derry’s Walls to learn about its history, followed by a visit to the award-winning Tower Museum. Time permitting, we may also visit Derry’s historic Guildhall and the new Heritage Centre dedicated to St. Columba.

We travel to Belleek Pottery for a guided tour, then continue to the picturesque county of Sligo. Enter the romantic domain of poet W.B. Yeats as we travel through areas associated with his life and works, including Drumcliffe. We pass through the charming towns of Collooney and Tobercurry. At the National Museum of Country Life in the magnificent Turlough Park, we discover what life was like in rural Ireland in the 1800s and 1900s. We then continue to Westport on Clew Bay.

Castlecourt Hotel Westport (2 nights)

Connemara remains the wildest and most romantic place in Ireland. We round the Murrisk Peninsula to Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only true fjord. Enjoy a visit to Kylemore Abbey on the shores of Kylemore Lough before circling Connemara and crossing the picturesque Maam Valley where black-headed sheep make up a large part of the population. Explore the lovely town of Westport later today. 

We’re in for a delightful experience today with a one-hour cruise on Lough Corrib, offering stunning views of the Connemara Mountains, Ashford Castle, and Lord Ardilaun’s Obelisk. We’ll also visit the historic Old Steamers Quay. As we travel through the ever-changing countryside to arrive at Galway City, known as “the City of the Tribes’’, we discover its unique and charming atmosphere. The bustling streets leading down from Eyre Square to the busy harbour and the Latin Quarter where portions of the medieval city walls still remain, offer great areas to explore in your free time. A visit to St. Nicholas’ Cathedral is also well worthwhile. Be sure to hit up a local pub for lunch before we continue towards Limerick and our hotel, located just outside the city. This evening we join in on the fun of a medieval banquet at a 15th-century castle.

Greenhills Hotel (2 nights)

Travel along the Wild Atlantic Way to Doolin, where we board a ferry to Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands. Explore its stunning beaches and vistas on a guided walking tour, and perhaps visit the arts and cultural centre to meet the islanders. On the return cruise, enjoy a unique view of the Cliffs of Moher, followed by a stop at the Visitor Centre, pathways, and viewing areas. This breathtaking journey showcases the majesty of the Cliffs and offers insight into the area's remarkable geology.

As we travel to the town of Dingle via Tralee, we enjoy the picturesque towns of Anascaul and Slea Head and explore the wild, rugged scenery of Dingle Peninsula, vividly captured in the film Ryan's Daughter. Get ready for a traditional culinary experience - watch a live cooking demonstration of local dishes, and then savour a delicious sample of the final masterpiece! We end the day in the resort town of Killarney, near Lough Leane and Muckross House. After dinner, we enjoy an entertaining evening of Irish storytelling. 

Randles Hotel Killarney (2 nights) 
 

Enjoy Ireland's most scenic drive today as we travel via Killorglin and Glenbeigh with views of Dingle Bay and onto the fishing village of Cahirciveen. As we reach the outer end of the Ring, we have views of the Atlantic and the isolated Skellig Islands, 12 km off the coast. The larger of the islands was a monastic settlement for over 600 years starting in the 6th century. Enjoy the Skellig Experience, offering an introduction to life on the islands. Rocky headlands, isolated island clusters, and spectacular seascapes, each compete for attention whilst journeying to the scenic town of Sneem. Turning inland, we descend through the heart of the Kerry Mountains, through Molls Gap, to view the legendary Lakes of Killarney. 

We travel via delightful Macroom to Blarney where we stop for handicrafts and an opportunity to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence”. This afternoon we visit the historic city of Waterford, founded by the Vikings some 1,100 years ago and the exceptional Waterford House of Crystal with free time in the gift shop. We overnight in the medieval city of Kilkenny.

River Court Hotel (1 night) 

Only a town in size, Kilkenny has the status of a city having vied with Dublin to become the capital in the 17th Century. Explore the quaint city centre and visit the Castle at your leisure, the principal seat of the Butler Family since the 12th century. En route to Dublin, we travel through the Curragh of Kildare with a guided tour of the Irish National Stud, home to some of Ireland's finest thoroughbred horses. Visit the Horse Museum and both the Japanese and Saint Fiachra's Gardens. We end our day in the capital city of Dublin.

Trinity City Hotel (3 nights)

We will enjoy a tour of “Dublin Town” today. Our first stop is the imposing St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, was once the Dean. A highlight is the beautifully restored Lady's Chapel, dating back to 1270. Relive the history of the city and enjoy the elegant architecture of Dublin’s Georgian Squares. Later, we move to Epic Ireland in Dublin’s Docklands, which tells the stories of Irish emigrants and their influence globally. Perhaps trace your ancestry at the Irish Family History Centre. In the afternoon, we are free to explore and enjoy Dublin’s “Fair City”, an ancient city that is as intimate as a village and as friendly as a pub. In the evening, consider attending a theatre performance or concert at the National Concert Hall or Abbey Theatre.

We will immerse ourselves in world-class beauty in Powerscourt Gardens’ 47 acres of carefully curated and maintained gardens this morning. Upon returning to Dublin, enjoy free time to explore on your own. Consider a visit to the National Art Gallery, the National Museum, or even the impressive City Hall. Other options that you might consider include Trinity College, or perhaps some last-minute shopping. Our special farewell dinner with traditional Irish entertainment will be at the Merry Ploughboy Pub.    BD
 

Regretfully our Irish journey must draw to a close as we say farewell to our Irish friends and fly home to Canada.