2026 The Irish Pub Tour - 8 Days/7 Nights
Day 1: Dublin City Tour & Jameson Distillery Bow St.
Your tour departs from your hotel at 2:00 PM. A local guide will bring you on a panoramic tour of central Dublin, a friendly city famed for its wit and sense of fun. Dive into the rich heritage of Irish whiskey at Jameson Distillery Bow St., where Jameson whiskey was first crafted in 1780. Savor a tasting before returning to your hotel for a welcome drink. Your evening is free to explore and dine independently.
Day 2: Kilkenny Tour & Sullivan’s Taproom
Explore historic Kilkenny on a guided walking tour of its Medieval Mile, stretching from cathedral to castle. Discover the city’s rich heritage, narrow streetscapes, and picturesque merchants’ houses. Next, soak up the atmosphere and savor the ancient craft of artisan brewing with a private tasting at Sullivan’s Taproom. Explore on your own before dinner at your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 3: Blarney Castle & Killarney
Visit the Marine Bar in Dungarvan (a CIE Tours Exclusive) and enjoy a drink with some traditional music in this centuries-old, family-run pub. Travel to Blarney Castle to explore the beautiful gardens or to kiss the famous stone, which legend promises will bestow the “Gift of Gab”. Pass through County Cork to the lively town of Killarney – a draw for visitors to Ireland since the 18th century. Dine in Hannigan’s Bar and Restaurant at your hotel, and then after dinner take free time to explore some of Killarney’s friendly pubs, many with live music.
(B, D)
Day 4: Dingle Peninsula & Celtic Whiskey Bar Experience
Visit Moriarty’s in the Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, before heading out to the Dingle Peninsula. Visit a farm for an immersion into traditional rural life and watch skilled sheepdogs demonstrate their talents at herding. Enjoy free time to explore the charms of Dingle town. 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 & Galway
Ferry across the 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. Continue on to Galway for a short walking tour and some free time in the city before dinner in your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 6: Quiet Man Museum and Walking Tour & Sean’s Bar
Drive through Connemara to Cong for a visit to the Quiet Man Museum, an exact replica of the charming, thatched cottage in the classic film. Take a stroll around the village on a guided walking tour and see the original movie locations. Next, travel on to Athlone to raise a pint at Sean’s Bar, Europe’s oldest pub, dating back to 900 AD. The sloped, often sawdust-covered floors and open fires pay nostalgic tribute to this pub’s rich history. Dine at your hotel.
(B, D)
Day 7: Guinness Storehouse & The Merry Ploughboy
Enjoy the scenery of central Ireland as you travel to Dublin. Visit the Guinness Storehouse in the heart of the city – one of Ireland’s most popular attractions – and sample Ireland’s iconic brew as you take in the panoramic view from the seventh-floor Gravity Bar. In the evening, visit The Merry Ploughboy for a hearty dinner and an evening of traditional Irish entertainment.
(B, D)
Day 8: Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Walk in the footsteps of John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara on a guided walking tour of Cong, County Mayo, where The Quiet Man was filmed.
- Treat your ears to the lively sounds of Irish music at the historic Marine Bar in Dungarvan.
Dining Experiences:
- 7 hot breakfasts (B) and 6 dinners (D)
Trip Highlights:
- Beer Tasting in Kilkenny
- Blarney Castle
- Celtic Whiskey Bar in Killarney
- Cliffs of Moher
- Dingle Peninsula
- Guinness Storehouse
- Jameson Distillery Bow St.
- Marine Bar in Dungarvan (CIE Tours Exclusive)
- Sean’s Bar in Athlone
- Sheepdog Demonstration
Hotels:
- Croke Park Hotel, Dublin (1)
- Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny (1)
- International Hotel, Killarney (2)
- Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway (1)
- Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Athlone (1)
Ashling Hotel, Dublin (1)