Irish Tradition Day-by-Day Itinerary
12 Day Irish Tradition Tour Itinerary
Day 1: Shannon Arrival & Ennis Walking Tour
Your tour starts at Shannon Airport with a transfer between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon to your hotel in the charming marketing town of Ennis. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a walking tour around the main points of interest. Meet your tour director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip before dinner in your hotel. (D)
Day 2: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Travel to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers. See the rounded limestone hills of the Burren and the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a huge stone monument marking a Neolithic burial place. Stop in the attractive village of Ballyvaughan and continue around Galway Bay and into the city of Galway. Relax or take a walk before dinner. (B, D)
Day 3: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Today explore Connemara, a scenic region of misty hills and shimmering lakes. At Leenane embark on a catamaran cruise through Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord. See steep hills where ridges of potato fields, reminders of the 1840's Famine, are still visible. Stop for photos at the Kylemore Abbey Visitor Centre and take a short walking tour around Cong, location of the 1952 movie of “The Quiet Man.” Visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, which creates intricate designs in crystal. (B, D)
Day 4: Country Life Museum & Belleek China
Outside Castlebar tour the Museum of Country Life to see collections of domestic goods, used when most people lived by farming. Stop at Knock Shrine to see the church where locals saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Cross into County Sligo and stop at the grave of W. B. Yeats before continuing to the Belleek Pottery Factory to watch skilled craftspeople making delicate china. Continue your journey past the hazy Blue Stack Mountains to Stranorlar. (B, D)
Day 5: Glenveagh Castle & Donegal
Travel into the heart of Donegal to Glenveagh National Park where Captain Adair evicted 225 tenants to build Glenveagh Castle in 1870. Learn about the history of the mansion, owners and guests as you tour the rooms and walk around the extensive gardens filled with exotic plants. Then experience the glorious natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive, which winds through Downings and Rosapenna and around the coastline. Return to Stranorlar in time for dinner. (B, D)
Day 6: Medieval Derry & Giant's Causeway
In Derry join a local guide for a walking tour to see medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Drive along the north coast, pausing for photos at Dunluce Castle. Explore the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful scenery along the coastal “Nine Glens of Antrim” route. Drive into Belfast where you will have free time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 7: Belfast & Dublin's Merry Ploughboy Pub
Tour central Belfast with a local guide to see Victorian buildings, the Harland & Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built, Shankill and the Falls Road. Visit Down Cathedral to see the reputed burial place of St. Patrick, Ireland's patron saint. Also visit the St. Patrick Centre to learn about his life and times. Travel to Dublin and in the evening head to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner, which is followed by a traditional music and step-dancing show. (B, D)
Day 8: Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
Tour Dublin city to see elegant Georgian squares with brightly-painted doorways; pass the peaceful St. Stephen's Green and the bustling shopping areas around Nassau Street; cross the River Liffey to O'Connell Street and view the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Walk through the campus of Trinity College to view the 8th century manuscript of the Book of Kells. In the afternoon use your independent vouchers for an open-top bus tour all around central Dublin and a visit to either Guinness or Jameson. (B)
Day 9: Farmhouse Tea & Blarney Castle
Drive through prime agricultural country and pause at the impressive Rock of Cashel with its medieval ruins. Visit a nearby sheep farm for freshly-baked scones with tea and find out about country living. Continue south to climb Blarney Castle and kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Shop at the Blarney Woollen Mills or take a look around the village green. Continue to Killarney, famous for its beauty and check in to your deluxe hotel overlooking the mountains and lakes. (B, D)
Day 10: Killarney & Ring of Kerry Tour
Travel by traditional horse-drawn jaunting car to Ross Castle for views of Killarney's largest lake, Lough Leane. Head off on the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland's most popular scenic drives with amazing scenery. Visit the Skellig Experience to learn about early Christian monks who lived on the rocky offshore islands and about the prolific bird life today. Drive through the villages of Waterville and Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney before returning to Killarney. (B, D)
Day 11: Foynes Irish Coffee & Bunratty Banquet
After a leisurely breakfast and late departure from Killarney, drive to the Foynes Flying Boat Museum to learn about the early days of flight, during the 1930's and early 1940's. This is the birthplace of Irish coffee so watch a demonstration before sipping one. Drive to Bunratty and spend free time in Durty Nelly's Pub or the Bunratty Folk Park. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle's Great Hall for a medieval-style banquet with wine and music to carry you to the Middle Ages in spirit. (B, D)
Day 12: Tour Ends Shannon Airport
Your tour ends with a transfer to Shannon Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon, in good time to check in for onward or return flights. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner
Your Hotels
Stay at the following (or similar):
- Old Ground Hotel, Ennis (1 night)
- Galway Bay Hotel, Galway (2 nights)
- Kee's Hotel, Stranorlar (2 nights)
- Europa Hotel, Belfast (1 night)
- Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Dublin (2 nights)
- Brehon Hotel, Killarney (2 nights)
- Bunratty Castle Hotel,
