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.

Holiday Inn (2 nights) 

Explore Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland and birthplace of the epic Titanic. Enjoy the sights of this friendly city, with views of the Grand Opera House, Linen Hall Library, Stormont Buildings and the world famous murals. Pass through the Queen’s Quarter whose namesake houses the renowned university along with the stunning Botanic Gardens. Take advantage of free time to explore on our own and perhaps to visit the Titanic Quarter. 

Departing Belfast, we follow the Marine Drive, passing the Green Glens of Antrim via Cushendall and Ballycastle 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 via Bundoran 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. Visiting the magnificent Turlough Park we discover what life was like in rural Ireland in the 1800 and 1900s at the National Museum of Country Life. Continue on to Westport on Clew Bay. 

Westport Plaza Hotel (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 break at 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. There will be time to explore the lovely town of Westport later today. 

Travelling southwards through the ever-changing countryside of County Galway, we arrive at Galway city. Known as “the City of the Tribes’’, it has a unique atmosphere and a charm all of its own. 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, our hotel located just outside of 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 nearby Doolin where we board a ferry for Inis Oirr, the smallest of the Aran Islands. Explore this beautiful little island with its stunning beaches and vistas. Enjoy a guided walking tour, and perhaps visit the arts and cultural centre to meet the islanders. On our return cruise, view the Cliffs of Moher from a unique perspective. This spectacular journey breathtakingly highlights the sheer majesty of the Cliffs and gives an insight into the remarkable wildlife of the area. 

Arriving at seaside Killimer, we take a short ferry trip across to the quaint town of Tarbert in the Kingdom of Kerry. We continue to colourful Listowel, then on to the county town of Tralee. As we travel west to the town of Dingle and Slea Head, we enjoy the picturesque towns of Anascaul and Inch and explore the wild, rugged scenery, vividly captured in the film Ryan's Daughter. We retire for the day in the delightful resort town of Killarney, close by Lough Leane and Muckross House. Later, we enjoy an evening of Irish song, music, and dance at the Celtic Roots Show. 

Randels 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 en route back to our hotel. 

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.

Newpark 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.

Camden Court Hotel (3 nights)

We will enjoy a tour of “Dublin Town” today. Our first stop this morning is the imposing St. Patrick’s Cathedral, where Swift, author of Gulliver’s Travels, was once the Dean. A highlight of our visit will be the beautifully restored Lady’s Chapel, the original of which dates from 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. This evening you might want to attend a theatre performance or a musical evening at the National Concert Hall or the Abbey Theatre.

While today has been left completely free, those interested may join a guided walking tour of Dublin’s medieval streets this morning. 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, historic Kilmainham Jail, GPO Witness History or enjoy some last minute shopping. Our special farewell dinner with traditional Irish entertainment will be at the Merry Ploughboy Pub (or similar) tonight. 

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