Day 1: Dublin Independent Sightseeing
Welcome to Dublin, where you will be transferred from Dublin Airport to your hotel. Begin your trip with a day of sightseeing in Dublin. Take a Hop On Hop Off bus tour, and see all the city's highlights with the freedom to stop off and explore further as you please. Your Hop On Hop Off bus ticket also gives you admission to the Little Museum of Dublin, an old Georgian townhouse with a fantastic collection of 5,000 objects telling the story of the city. Plus, you will have a voucher to admit you to one of Dublin's top attractions. Choose from Guinness Storehouse, a seven storey attraction telling the story of Dublin's iconic brew, complete with a pint in the Gravity Bar on the top floor; Teeling Distillery, the first new whiskey distillery to open in Dublin in 125 years; EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, telling the story of the people who left Ireland and how they shaped the world (winner of Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction in 2019 ; or the GPO Museum, innovatively detailing the fascinating story of the 1916 Rising, the pivotal event that led to Ireland's independence. (you might choose to save your visit voucher for Day 14). Dine independently.
Day 2: Dublin Independent Sightseeing | Taylors Three Rock
Continue your adventure on the Hop On Hop Off bus tour - or you might decide to take a train or bus out of the city to see some of Dublin's charming coastal villages and seaside suburbs, like Howth and Dalkey. Splendid ocean views, excellent seafood, and lovely streetscapes await you. This evening head out for an evening to dine on Irish specialties and take in a lively show at Taylors Three Rock Pub.
(B, D)
Day 3: Blarney Castle | Kinsale
Meet your expert Driver/Guide at your hotel and set out for Blarney Castle, climb the winding staircase to kiss it famous stone and see if the legend is true, will it give you the gift of eloquence. Stroll through the acres of gardens and parklands. Drive on to Kinsale, a picturesque old fishing town now known for art galleries and gourmet food. Take a walk around its historic street, once besieged by the Spanish Armada, before dinner in your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 4: Killarney | Dingle
Savor your morning in Kinsale, strolling along the scenic harbor or shopping in the bookshops and art galleries, or you may choose to discover the coastal beauty of West Cork as you travel to see the friendly town of Killarney via the Healy Pass. You might choose to visit Moriarty's in the Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Spend time exploring the town of Killarney before you continue on to Dingle where you will dine in your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 5: Slea Head Loop | Blasket Centre | Dingle
Set out on the Slea Head Loop, one of Ireland's most beautiful drives, through scenic ocean and mountain vistas. Visit the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands, visible off the coast. Abandoned in 1954, they were once a lively outpost of traditional culture and language. Return to Dingle and take the rest of the day to wander and dine as you wish in this quaint seaside village. You might visit Murphy's Ice Cream, known for their distinctive flavors like Irish Orange Marmalade, Brown Bread and Dingle Gin.
(B)
Day 6: Foynes Flying Boat Museum | Cliffs of Moher | Medieval Castle Banquet
Visit the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, which reveals the pivotal role a small Irish village played in the early days of transatlantic air travel. Drive to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Walk along the cliff path for wondrous views of the ocean and the miles of cliffs. Enjoy an evening at a medieval-style banquet in an authentic Irish Castle.
(B, D)
Day 7: The Burren | Galway
Travel through the rounded limestone hills of the Burren. You may wish to stop in one of its several charming villages, such as Kinvara, Ballyvaughan or Doolin to explore. Head to Galway to explore this vibrant, artistic city. Enjoy the medieval streetscape, the busking musicians, the Spanish Arch and its many shops and cafés. Dine in your hotel this evening.
(B, D)
Day 8: Killary Harbor Catamaran Cruise | Kylemore Abbey
Drive through Connemara to Leenane for a catamaran cruise (seasonal) of Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. Travel on to see Kylemore Abbey, a beautiful castle in a lakeside setting. Enjoy an evening free to explore the restaurants and lively nightlife of Galway city.
(B)
Day 9: Belleek Pottery | Donegal Castle
Travel north through County Mayo. Stop in County Fermanagh and visit Belleek Pottery to see craftspeople create their renowned fine china. Visit Donegal Castle, built by the O'Donnell chieftains in the 15th century and restored in the 1990s after falling into ruin for centuries. Enjoy free time in Donegal town before dinner in your hotel this evening.
(B, D)
Day 10: Slieve League Cliffs | Triona Design
Enjoy a coastal drive to experience the dramatic vistas and visit Slieve League, Europe's highest sea cliffs. You might choose to visit CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, Triona Design in Ardara where you will sometimes see a demonstration of spinning, weaving, and knitting. Explore as you wish and dine in your hotel this evening.
(B, D)
Day 11: Derry | Giant's Causeway
Drive to the historic city of Derry and explore. The city has had a turbulent history, but today is a thriving cultural hub. Check out the Peace Bridge, uniting two communities once in conflict. See the medieval walls and St. Columb's Cathedral, as well as the many murals of the Bogside. Drive on to see the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns arising out of the ocean. Science tells us they were formed over 60 million years ago, but legend says local giant Finn MacCool built them as a bridge to reach a Scottish foe. Travel along the scenic Nine Glens of Antrim before arriving in Belfast, where you will dine in your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 12: Titanic Belfast | Hillsborough Castle
Explore Belfast and see a city filled with grand Victorian buildings. Visit Titanic Belfast and discover the city's rich maritime history including the shipyards where the RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit Hillsborough Castle, the residence of the Secretary of State of Northern Ireland. Drive to Kingscourt to Cabra Castle Hotel, built in 1760, where you will dine this evening.
(B, D)
Day 13: Cabra Castle | Cross Guns Gastropub | Dublin
Spend some free time this morning exploring your hotel, the neo-Gothic Cabra Castle, and its 100 acres of parkland and gardens. Enjoy lunch at Cross Guns Gastropub before heading to Dublin, where you are free to explore this evening. You will say farewell to your dedicated Driver/Guide when you arrive at your hotel in Dublin.
(B, L)
Day 14: Independent Dublin Sightseeing
If you have not used your vouchers, you may use them today to do the Hop On Hop Off bus tour and choice of attractions. Otherwise, this vibrant city is yours to discover as you like - or venture outside the city to the seaside suburbs of Howth or Dalkey. You might even go through the Wicklow mountains to discover Glendalough, with its romantic ruins of a sixth century monastery, see ornately carved stone crosses, picturesque stone church ruins, and a splendid round tower. Dine independently this evening.
(B)
Day 15: Tour ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast, when you will be transferred from your hotel to Dublin Airport
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Visit Belleek Pottery to discover how the distinctive fine china, beloved by collectors worldwide, has been made since 1857.
- Stroll the streets of historic Kinsale, a picturesque harbor town that is a haven for foodies and art lovers.
Dining Experiences:
- 14 breakfasts (B) 1 lunches (L) and 9 dinners (D)
Trip Highlights:
- Irish Night in Dublin
- Blasket Center
- Kylemore Abbey
- Medieval Castle Banquet
- Donegal Castle
- Giant's Causeway
- Slieve League Cliffs
- Titanic Belfast
- Belleek Pottery
- Dingle Peninsula Drive/Slea Head Loop
- Giants Causeway
- Slieve League Cliffs
Titanic Belfast
Hotels - 14 Nights:
- The Gibson Hotel | Dublin (2 nights)
- Actons Hotel | Kinsale (1 night)
- Dingle Skellig Hotel | Dingle (2 nights)
- Oakwood Hotel | Shannon (1 night)
- Galway Bay Hotel | Galway (2 nights)
- Mill Park Hotel | Donegal (2 nights)
- Jurys Inn | Belfast (1 night)
- Cabra Castle Hotel | Kingscourt (1 night)
- Croke Park Hotel | Dublin (2 nights)