Day 1: Sightseeing in Dublin
Explore Dublin with its grand Georgian buildings and squares, the River Liffey and historic O'Connell Street. Take a Hop On Hop Off bus tour and see all the city's highlights with the freedom to stop off to explore further on your own. 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 the Guinness Storehouse, a seven storey attraction telling the story of Dublin's iconic brew, complete with a pint at the Gravity Bar on the top floor, Teeling Whiskey 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 lead to Ireland's independence. Dine independently this evening.
Day 2: Glendalough | Wexford
Pick up your Hertz rental car and set off for Glendalough in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. Tour the picturesque ruins of this once-thriving monastery, established by St Kevin in the sixth century, including several churches and an iconic round tower. Then, head to Wexford, where your hotel overlooks the harbor. The town was founded by Vikings and known today as a hub of culture, with medieval heritage buildings, the National Heritage Park and the beautifully restored Gothic-Revival Johnstown Castle nearby. You are free to explore Wexford as you wish and dine independently.
(B)
Day 3: Blarney Castle | Killarney
Depart Wexford and head to Waterford, where you will visit the House of Waterford Crystal, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, witness the creation of crystal masterpieces by skilled craftsmen on a factory tour. Next visit Blarney Castle, where you can climb the winding staircase to kiss the famous Blarney Stone for the legendary gift of the gab, or enjoy the tranquil gardens. Head to the friendly town of Killarney where you will dine in your hotel tonight.
(B, D)
Day 4: Jaunting Car Ride | Ring of Kerry Highlights | Kenmare
Take a jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane and the Macgillycuddy's Reeks. Head out to see the highlights of the Ring of Kerry, Ireland's famed scenic drive. You might choose to stop in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe to visit our CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, Moriarty's. Stop for lunch in the charming town of Kenmare. The rest of the day and evening is at your leisure, so you are free to explore before returning to Killarney.
(B, L)
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher | Kilronan Castle
Depart Killarney today and head north to the Cliffs of Moher. Visit the Cliffs, taking in the glorious views from 700 feet above the churning Atlantic below. Arrive at your accommodation for the next two nights, the fairy-tale Kilronan Castle, sitting on 40 acres of parkland. Lovingly restored in 2006, this beautiful castle hotel dates back to the 18th century and was home to the same family for three centuries. Dine tonight in the splendid dining room.
(B,D)
Day 6: Arigna Mining Experience | Sligo
Visit the Arigna Mining Experience to explore the fascinating, arduous work of coal miners and discover the impact of the industry on the local area from the 1700s through the closure of the mine in 1990. The rest of the day is free to explore and dine as you wish. Perhaps you might visit the town of Sligo or the charming village of Carrick-on-Shannon, or just relax in your castle accommodation.
(B)
Day 7: Slane Castle | Slane Distillery | Irish Night
Visit Slane Castle and learn the colorful history of this estate, home to the Coyningham family since 1703, and how it has been the setting for legendary rock concerts by world-famous artists. Next, walk next door to Slane Distillery, housed in a 250-year-old farm building, for a tour and a tasting of their signature triple-casked whiskey. The Coyninghams teamed up with a historic American whiskey family to establish the distillery in 2016, with the goal of creating the most environmentally-friendly distillery in the world. Head to Howth to delight in a lively evening of traditional Irish music, song and dance with dinner at the Abbey Tavern.
(B, D)
Day 8: Tour ends
Your tour ends after breakfast. Drive to Dublin Airport and drop off your rental car.
(B)
B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner
Authentic Local Experiences:
- Visit Glendalough, ruins of a once thriving monastery in a beautiful location. Learn all about this hallowed place in the Visitor Center before exploring the site yourself.
- Visit Cliffs of Moher, which are 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. The cliffs are part of the UNESCO Global Geopark, a special region with outstanding geology.
Dining Experiences:
- 7 breakfasts (B) 1 lunch (L) and 3 dinners (D)
Trip Highlights:
- Glendalough
- Blarney Castle
- Ring of Kerry Highlights
- Cliffs of Moher
- Arigna Mining Experience
- Slane Castle & Distillery
- Kilronan Castle Stay
- Irish Night in Dublin
Hotels - 7 Nights:
- Ashling Hotel | Dublin (1 night)
- Clayton White's Hotel| Wexford (1 night)
- Killarney Towers Hotel | Killarney (2 nights)
- Kilronan Castle Hotel | Ballyfarnon (2 nights)
- Grand Canal Hotel | Dublin (1 night)
