Day 1 : Hello Dublin
A warm welcome to Dublin, a modern multi-cultural city that embraces its past and exudes an enduring sense of fun. Meet your Local Specialist this afternoon for a guided city tour to view the elegant Georgian Squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Visit Trinity College and see the Book of Kells, said to be the world's most famous medieval manuscript. This evening sees you visiting EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum, for some drinks and canapes.
Accommodation : Sandymount Hotel
Day 2 : Experience Irish history and on to Ballina Dive Into Culture
Journey through the lush green countryside before your first stop at Strokestown where we will Dive Into Culture at the Irish Famine Museum, delving into the stories of the 1840s famine. See the haunting pleas of starving tenants on the estate and the response they received, before continuing to Ballina.
Accommodation : Great National Ballina
Day 3 : Journey to Westport and Galway
Travel to Westport and meet your Local Specialist for a walking tour during which you’ll learn about the town's heritage – from its settlement 5,000 years ago to modern-day times. Later, visit the Benedictine monastery of Kylemore Abbey, set against the striking backdrop of Lake Kylemore, and stroll through its walled Victorian gardens. We continue to Galway, the 'City of Tribes', where we'll see Galway Cathedral and spend the rest of the evening at leisure.
Accommodation : Connacht
Day 4 : The Iconic Cliffs of Moher and Onwards to Killarney
Our first stop today is the Cliffs of Moher, you’ll remember for years to come as you watch the cliffs plunge dramatically into the Atlantic waters below. Beyond the endless views and the opportunity to capture on film the colonies of curious-looking puffins that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience which really brings this natural phenomenon to life in an interactive way, leaving you with a deep understanding of this special place. Later, we cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry to Killarney, our home for the next two nights. Spend a free evening soaking up some unforgettable Irish craic or delve into the town's centuries-old history.
Accommodation : Killarney Towers
Day 5 : A Day on the Ring of Kerry
Dramatic vistas are ours to enjoy as we circle the achingly beautiful Ring of Kerry – one of the most scenic drives on the 'Emerald Isle'. Meet John, a seaweed advocate and educator for a seaweed foraging walk, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. See a soul-stirring landscape that has inspired poets, artists and writers for centuries. Next, a leisurely guided walk at Torc Waterfall with a Local Specialist taking you along the lakeshore and past the farmlands of the 19th-century Muckross Estate.
Accommodation : Killarney Towers
Day 6 : Venture to Blarney and Medieval Kilkenny Connect with Locals
Kiss the famous Blarney Stone at Blarney Castle and receive the 'gift of the gab'. This afternoon we arrive in Kilkenny where we have some free time to explore, or possibly join an Optional Experience to a local pub for an afternoon of music.
Accommodation : Hotel Kilkenny
Day 7 : Return to Lively Dublin
Kilkenny holds a long history for Ireland's national sport - hurling. Meet an experienced player to gain exciting insight to this unique Irish cultural experience and have a go for yourself to pitch. Returning to the Irish capital, Connect with Locals with the Fulvio family, over a Be My Guest lunch at Glenealy House. In the evening, all that's left to say is a rousing sláinte or two while you indulge in a memorable Farewell Dinner, enjoying a fun night out at a classic public house in the city. Admire the authentic Victorian bar and walk up the original staircase from Trinity College, which was featured in the Michael Caine film 'Educating Rita'.
Accommodation : Clayton Dublin Airport
Day 8 : Farewell Ireland
It’s time to close the chapter on an unforgettable Irish holiday. We bid our newfound friends and Travel Director a fond farewell. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.