2019 The Irish Pub Tour - 9 Days/8 Nights

2019 The Irish Pub Tour 9 Days / 8 Nights / 16 Meals

Day 1: Dublin Tour & Guinness Storehouse
Tour starts 2:00 pm at your Dublin hotel. Set out on an introductory tour of central Dublin. Drive along the wide O’Connell Street and view the General Post Office where the 1916 Uprising started. Visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland’s most famous brew and after pulling your own pint enjoy views of Dublin from the rooftop bar. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your group at The Church Café Bar and Restaurant. (D)

Day 2: Glasnevin Cemetery Museum & Smithwick’s Experience
Explore Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, Ireland’s national necropolis, which is a who’s who of modern Irish history. Head to Kilkenny for a walking tour through Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile to view merchants’ houses and a stop at one of its historic pubs. Visit Smithwick’s Experience for a brewery tour and enjoy a sample. Spend some free time browsing the charming city before dinner.
(B, D)

Day 3: Dungarvan Brewing Company & Blarney Castle
Visit the Dungarvan Brewing Company and learn about their bottle-conditioned beers. Next, travel on to visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or explore the tranquil gardens. Treat yourself to quality Irish-made goods at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Pass through County Cork to Killarney where you’ll have free time to explore some lively pubs.
(B, D)

Day 4: Dingle Peninsula & The Irish Whiskey Experience
Head to the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies, “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away,” which showcased the wonderful scenery. Visit the South Pole Inn for an Irish coffee and learn about Tom Crean, an explorer who bravely journeyed to the South Pole. Immerse yourself in farm life and watch skilled dogs herd sheep. Enjoy some time and lunch on your own in the town of Dingle. In the evening, head to the Celtic Whiskey Bar in Killarney for a tasting, chocolate pairing and dinner.
(B, D)

Day 5: Cliffs of Moher & Spanish Point
Embark on a ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Take in the spectacular beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic surf. Walk along the top of the cliffs for views across Galway Bay to Connemara and the Aran Islands. A short drive will bring you into Doolin for lunch at McGann’s Pub. Travel to Spanish Point, named after the ships of the 1588 Spanish Armada that were wrecked there. Enjoy a drink at Johnny Burke’s and dinner at your hotel.
(B, L, D)

Day 6: Galway & Westport Walk
Drive around the shores of Galway Bay and stop in Galway for some leisure time to explore independently. Continue through Connemara with its hills, lakes, and open country where sheep roam freely. Stop in Leenane, where the movie “The Field” was made. Continue to Westport and enjoy a pub walking tour of this attractive estate town built in 1780, with buildings steeped in history and traditional pubs, many with live music.
(B, D)

Day 7: Teelings Distillery & 12th Century Brazen Head Pub
Enjoy the scenery of central Ireland as you head to Dublin on the east coast. Visit the Teeling Distillery in the heart of the city, and sample the aged whiskey. Head to the Brazen Head, Dublin’s oldest pub, dating back to 1198, for an evening of “Food, Folk and Fairies” where storytelling will reveal the myths and beliefs of times past.
(B, D)

Day 8: Independent Bus Tour in Dublin
Enjoy an independent Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour and a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions – EPIC Ireland, the GPO Museum, or the Book of Kells.
(B)

Day 9: Tour ends in Dublin
Your program ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

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Authentic Local Experiences

• Enjoy an Irish coffee at the South Pole Inn where you’ll learn about Tom Crean, an Irish explorer who bravely journeyed to the South Pole.
• Discover the rich history of Kilkenny’s Medieval Mile as you explore with a local guide.
• Happen upon live music on a Pub Crawl through Westport, a beautiful planned town from the 18th century.

Dining Experiences

• 8 breakfasts, 1 lunch (L)at McGann’s Pub in Doolin and 7 dinners(D) including The Church Café Bar and Restaurant, Celtic Whiskey Bar (including a Tasting and Chocolate Pairing), and the 12th century Brazen Head Pub folk dinner

Trip Highlights

• Blarney Castle
  
  

  Blarney Castle

  Built nearly 600 years ago by one of Ireland’s greatest chieftains, Cormac MacCarthy, this stronghold has been attracting attention ever since. Millions have flocked to Blarney to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence, found at the top of the tower, making it one of Ireland’s greatest treasures.

• Cliffs of Moher
  
  

  Cliffs of Moher

  One of Ireland’s top visitor attractions, the cliffs are 700 feet high and extend for 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland and one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and Connemara. The cliffs are home to major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds.

• Guinness Storehouse Tour
  
  

  Guinness Storehouse Tour

  This building was constructed in 1904 to house the fermentation process. In November 2000 it opened as a tourist attraction where you can follow the various stages of producing Guinness on five floors before ending in the rooftop Gravity Bar to sample a pint of draft Guinness.

• Smithwick’s Experience
  
  

  Smithwick’s Experience

  This new experience will take you on a journey through the medieval origins of brewing and right up to the present day. Visitors will be fully immersed in the history of Smithwick’s, Ireland’s oldest beer brand.

• South Pole Inn with Irish coffee
  
  

  South Pole Inn with Irish coffee

  This landmark building, located in Annascaul, County Kerry, Ireland, contains a collection of Tom Crean memorabilia. As well as paying tribute to Tom, the South Pole Inn now commemorates the village’s other famous son: Jerome Connor, a major Irish-American sculptor. A purpose-built gallery exhibiting his work was opened in April 2014.

• Dingle Peninsula
  
  

  Dingle Peninsula

  The Dingle Peninsula stretches 30 miles into the Atlantic Ocean from Ireland’s south-west coast and is dominated by the Slieve Mish Mountains and Mount Brandon, Ireland’s second highest peak. The steep sea-cliffs and sandy beaches provide spectacular views.

• Sheepdog Demonstration
  
  

  Sheepdog Demonstration

  Sheep farming is an important part of country life and watch a farmer with his working dogs control a flock of sheep. See how agile dogs obey various commands to round up sheep, especially useful in mountainous regions.

Hotels

• Hilton Garden Inn Hotel or Croke Park Hotel | Dublin (1)

  
  

  Croke Park Hotel | Dublin | 4*

  This modern hotel offers 232 spacious and comfortable guestrooms, all of them offer a tranquil environment in which you can unwind and relax. Dine in the Sideline Bistro and Bar where guests can enjoy stylish surroundings and a tempting choice of unique cuisine. The hotel also offers a fully equipped gymnasium where guests can maintain their usual fitness regime. You can walk to local shops and pubs. Located right beside Croke Park Stadium and close to city bus service to central Dublin. Only a 20-minute drive to Dublin Airport. Hotel parking.

• Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel | Kilkenny (1)
  
  

  Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel | Kilkenny | 4*

  This hotel offers cozy rooms with crisp bedding, rich furnishings and little touches to create a sense of relaxed luxury. A light-filled and inviting space, Savor Restaurant offers award-winning standards of food and service for breakfast, lunch or dinner while O'Reilly's Bar & Restaurant provides a relaxed ambience, for a drink and some excellent food. Great leisure facilities. Located in the center of this compact medieval city within easy walking distance of Kilkenny Castle, Rothe House, shops and pubs. 75 miles SW of Dublin city. Parking nearby.

• International Hotel | Killarney (2)
  
  

  International Hotel | Killarney | 4*

  One of Killarney's long-established and traditional hotels, it blends the charm of times past with the warmest of welcomes to guests. 90 bedrooms provide everything for a comfortable stay. Hannigan’s award-winning restaurant offers great food and the cozy bar often features live music. Located right in the center of Killarney town within easy walking distance of shops, restaurants and pubs. Also close to the jaunting car stand and Killarney National Park. Hotel parking.

• Armada Hotel | Spanish Point (1)
  
  

  Armada Hotel | Spanish Point | 4*

  This hotel is located on the west coast, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Stylish guest rooms feature dark wood furnishings and subdued decor include flat-screen TVs. There's a high-end restaurant serving dinner and also full buffet breakfast. Enjoy the traditional Irish pub, often featuring live music, and an oceanside bar with terrace seating.

• Wyatt Hotel | Westport (1)
  
  

  Wyatt Hotel | Westport | 3*

  This charming boutique hotel offers a great base for a stay in Westport. All 52 guest rooms are restful and provide great amenities. Enjoy tea or coffee at JW’s Brasserie, a relaxing drink in the traditional Cobblers Bar & Courtyard, or fantastic food and service in the welcoming dining room. Located on the Octagon, in the heart of Westport town. Great location for people-watching or browsing around the town. Hotel parking.

• Ashling Hotel | Dublin (2)
  
  

  Ashling Hotel | Dublin | 4*

  This contemporary property offers 225 spacious and well-equipped guest rooms as well as stylish, modern restaurants, bar and public spaces. The hotel offers a wide range of services and amenities. Located on the north bank of the River Liffey near Phoenix Park, the hotel is well placed for exploring Dublin. It’s a 20-minute walk to the city center and Temple Bar or just 5 minutes by Luas tram which stops close to the hotel. Hotel parking.