2026 Jewels of Ireland - 13 Days/12 Nights

2026 Jewels of Ireland - 13 Days/12 Nights

Day 1: Dublin City Tour & Pearse Lyons Distillery
Depart from your hotel at 2:00 PM for a panoramic tour of Dublin. Visit Pearse Lyons Distillery, an independent, family-owned distillery in the historic Liberties district. Taste the whiskey and hear tales dating back to the 12th century as you tour the lovingly restored church that houses the distillery.  

Day 2: Powerscourt Estate and Whiskey Distillery & Taylors Three Rock
Visit the breathtaking Powerscourt Estate in County Wicklow, to explore the stunning gardens and discover the art of traditional whiskey-making at the Powerscourt Distillery, famous for its award-winning Fercullen Irish whiskeys. Enjoy a traditional Irish dinner with a lively show at Taylors Three Rock pub.
(B, D)

Day 3: Blarney Castle & Kinsale Walking Tour
Travel to Blarney Castle; climb the winding staircase to kiss its famous stone or enjoy the gardens. Go to Kinsale, a picturesque old fishing town known for art galleries and gourmet food. Join a local guide for a fascinating walk around its historic streets, once besieged by the Spanish Armada, before dinner at your hotel.
(B, D) 

Day 4: Killarney, Jaunting Car & Dingle
Drive to Killarney, where you’ll take a classic jaunting car ride to Ross Castle, then enjoy free time to explore the town and have an independent lunch. Next, visit Moriarty’s in the Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Continue on to Dingle, where you will dine at your hotel.
(B, D) 

Day 5: Slea Head Loop, Blasket Centre, Murphy’s Ice Cream & 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. These islands were a lively outpost of the Irish language before being abandoned in 1954, and their legacy lives on. You’ll learn a few words or “cúpla focal” for yourself! Return to Dingle and visit Murphy’s Ice Cream; taste their distinctive flavors like Irish Orange Marmalade, Brown Bread, and Dingle Gin. Take the rest of the day to wander and dine as you wish in this quaint seaside town.
(B) 

Day 6: Cliffs of Moher & Medieval Castle Banquet
Visit the Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, which recalls air travel in the 1930s and 1940s. Drive to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. In the evening, visit a castle for a medieval-style banquet with traditional songs and stories.
(B, D) 

Day 7: Sheepdog Demonstration & Galway
Travel through the rounded limestone hills of the Burren to Caherconnell and watch skilled dogs round up sheep. Stop in a charming Burren village to explore independently. Continue on to lively Galway for a walking tour with a local guide – check out the medieval history evident in the city walls, the narrow streetscape, and Lynch’s Castle. Explore the charming shops and listen to street musicians before dinner at your hotel.
(B, D) 

Day 8: Killary Harbour 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 vibrant, artistic 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 at your hotel.
(B, D)

Day 10: Slieve League Cliffs & Triona Design Demonstration
Enjoy a coastal drive to view Slieve League, Europe’s highest sea cliffs. Continue on to CIE Tours’ preferred shopping partner, Triona Design, in Ardara; see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting. Enjoy free time to explore and dine independently this evening.
(B) 

Day 11: Derry Walk & Giant’s Causeway
Meet with a local guide for a walking tour to see Derry’s medieval walls, the Diamond, and St Columb’s Cathedral. Explore the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. Travel along the scenic Nine Glens of Antrim before arriving in Belfast. Your evening will be free to explore and dine independently in this vibrant city.
(B) 

Day 12: Titanic Belfast, Glyde Inn & Dublin
Take a panoramic tour of Belfast, then visit Titanic Belfast to explore the story of the doomed ocean liner, which was built in the neighboring shipyards. Next visit the Glyde Inn for an entertaining lunch featuring traditional Irish music and songs. Continue on to Dublin for a free evening.
(B, L) 

Day 13: Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)

Authentic Local Experiences:

• Visit Belleek Pottery and discover how the distinctive fine china, beloved by collectors worldwide, has been made since 1857.
• Stroll the streets of historic Kinsale with a local guide. This picturesque harbor town is a haven for foodies and art lovers. 

Dining Experiences:

• 12 hot breakfasts (B), 1 lunch (L) and 6 dinners (D)

Trip Highlights:

• Belleek Pottery 
• Blasket Centre
• Dingle Peninsula
• Drive/Slea Head Loop 
• Donegal Castle 
• Giant’s Causeway 
• Irish Night in Dublin 
• Kylemore Abbey 
• Medieval Castle Banquet 
• Pearse Lyons Distillery 
• Slieve League Cliffs
• Titanic Belfast 
   

Hotels:

• The Gibson Hotel, Dublin (2)
• Kinsale Hotel & Spa, Kinsale (1) 
• Dingle Skellig Hotel, Dingle (2)
• Oakwood Hotel, Shannon (1) 
• Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill (2) 
• Abbey Hotel, Donegal (2) 
• Grand Central Hotel, Belfast (1)  
• Croke Park Hotel, Dublin (1)