PRIVATE DRIVER - IRISH LEGENDS 10 DAYS / 9 NIGHTS

Day 1 DUBLIN ARRIVAL & MALAHIDE CASTLE

Your driver will meet you at Dublin Airport. Head out to visit Malahide Castle, first built in 1185 and filled with medieval artifacts. Check into your hotel for the evening.

Day 2 NATIONAL STUD & KILKENNY WALK

Visit the home of equine royalty, the Irish National Stud, where you’ll see immaculately bred stallions alongside protective mares, frolicking foals and athletic yearlings. Take a walk around the grounds to see St. Fiachra’s Garden and the miniature Japanese Gardens. Later, visit Kilkenny and explore its Medieval Mile, the main thoroughfare to see historic streets and buildings. (B)

Day 3 EXPLORE WATERFORD

After breakfast, head further south to Waterford and witness the creation of crystal masterpieces during your visit to the House of Waterford Crystal. Then explore the rest of this old Viking settlement and learn about Waterford’s long history and some of its colorful characters. Later, head to New Ross to explore the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of the vessel used during the 1840s Famine to transport emigrants to North America. Return to Kilkenny for the evening. (B)

Day 4 KILKENNY TO KILLARNEY

Travel south to Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic and where many places associated with the liner still exist. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration over a number of centuries from Ireland to North America. Head to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone or stroll through the spacious parklands to view Blarney House. Stop in and treat yourself to quality Irish goods at Blarney Woollen Mills before heading to Killarney. (B)

Day 5 KILLARNEY & DINGLE PENINSULA

Spend the morning at leisure in Killarney, a little town with an ideal location beside Ireland’s highest mountains. Discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula as you’re driven along the south shore to admire views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. Plenty of photo opportunities await along the way. Stop at the South Pole Inn to learn about Tom Crean, an early Irish explorer who braved the South Pole. Browse around the town of Dingle and enjoy a drink, dinner and entertainment at Foley’s Bar and Restaurant before returning to Killarney. (B)

Day 6 KILLARNEY TO GALWAY

Depart Killarney and head north toward Galway. Embark on an optional ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. View the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs where on a clear day you can see great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Explore Galway and its Latin Quarter, or stroll down Quay Street and stop in at one the many local pubs. (B)

Day 7 SCENIC CONNEMARA

Explore scenic Connemara to admire how constantly changing cloud formations give granite hills, sparkling lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Stop at the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory where craftsmen demonstrate fine glass cutting. Travel through the picturesque scenery of hills and lakes to visit Dan O’Hara’s Homestead. Experience traditional methods of farming, see Connemara ponies, and have a light lunch. Return to Galway for the night. (B)

Day 8 GALWAY TO DUBLIN

Visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in 545 AD and set on the banks of the River Shannon. Marvel at elaborate High Celtic crosses decorated with biblical scenes, walk around the many church ruins and two round towers. Head to nearby Athlone and stop at Sean’s Bar. This pub has a documented history going right back to 900 AD. During renovations in 1970, ancient walls and old coins dating back centuries were discovered. Overnight in Dublin. (B)

Day 9 DUBLIN SIGHTSEEING

Enjoy a day of sightseeing in the heart of Dublin. Use your included voucher for a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions -- Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC Ireland or the General Post Office Museum. (B)

Day 10 DEPART FOR HOME FROM DUBLIN

Your program ends after breakfast. (B)

B: Breakfast

Suggested Authentic Local Experiences:

Visit the South Pole Inn and learn the thrilling story of its original owner – a brave early explorer of the Antarctic
Explore Irish emigration at the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of the vessel that carried Irish refugees to North America in the 1840s.

Hotels:

Dunboyne Castle Hotel, Dunboyne (1 night)
Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny (2 nights)
Killarney Towers Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
Salthill Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
North Star Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)

Private Driver Tour Includes:

Services of a professional driver and vehicle
Pick up and drop off at any location in Ireland or Britain
Pre-booked stays for 9 nights in hotels listed above
Full breakfast daily except on day of arrival
A visit to one Dublin’s prime attractions, Guinness Storehouse, General Post Office Museum, Epic Ireland or Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Ireland Insight Guide – guide with maps and suggested itineraries (one per room)
Go-To Guide – information book with basic travel facts

2019 Private Driver Irish Legends - 10 Days/9 Nights