8 Day Irish Gold

Authentic Local Experiences

• Local guides will impart historic facts and local lore on walking tours of Dublin’s Trinity College, Galway and Waterford.
• Join generations of pub-goers in raising a glass at Sean’s Bar in Athlone – Featured in the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest bar in Europe, it’s been serving thirsty customers since 900 AD.

Dining Experiences

8 breakfasts (B), 2 lunches (L) and 4 dinners (D) including a traditional Irish Night in Killarney, and a Dublin restaurant.

This tour is run by CIE tours.

Irish Gold 9 Days / 8 Nights / 14 Meals

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Day 1 Dublin City Tour | Pearse Lyons Distillery

Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your hotel in Dún Laoghaire, a charming seaside suburb. Get started with a panoramic tour of Dublin, seeing historic O’Connell Street, Georgian buildings and squares, and St Stephen’s Green. Visit the historic Liberties section of the city to explore Pearse Lyons Distillery. Housed inside an old church, Pearse Lyons offers a distinctive experience; you’ll hear fascinating stories about the church and the neighborhood as well as sample the whiskey. Return to your hotel for a welcome drink with your fellow guests, and then enjoy an independent evening of dining and exploring as you wish.

Day 2 Sean’s Bar | Galway Walking Tour

Head to the vibrant, artistic city of Galway. Along the way, enjoy a drink at Sean’s Bar in Athlone. The oldest pub in Europe, Sean’s Bar has been quenching thirsts since 900 AD. Join a local guide for a walking tour through Galway and discover this thriving city of medieval winding lanes and buzzing street life. Enjoy some free time to explore Galway on your own, then join your fellow travelers for dinner at your hotel.
(B, D)

Day 3 Connemara | Catamaran Cruise | Kylemore Abbey & Gardens

Explore scenic Connemara to admire how constantly changing cloud formations give granite hills, sparkling lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Take a short catamaran cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord (seasonal). Head to Kylemore Abbey set beside a tranquil lake, and see its elegant rooms, the charming church and the Victorian Walled Gardens. Return to Galway where the evening is free to explore the city.
(B)

Day 4 Sheepdog Visit | Cliffs of Moher | Kate Kearney’s Cottage

Travel south around Galway Bay and through the stark beauty of the Burren, a distinctive limestone landscape. Immerse yourself in farm life as you watch trained sheepdogs herd their flock. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf. Ferry across the River Shannon estuary to the lovely town of Killarney. In the evening, visit Kate Kearney’s Cottage for a lively show of traditional music and dance over dinner.
(B, D)

Day 5 Jaunting Car Ride | Ring of Kerry Highlights | Kenmare

Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car through Killarney National Park to scenic Ross Castle, set on the shores of Lough Leane. See the highlights of Ireland’s most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry. The stunning coastal and mountain landscapes will provide plenty of photo opportunities. Stop in the Gap of Dunloe to visit Moriarty’s. Visit the colorful village of Kenmare and enjoy free time to explore its charming craft shops, art galleries, and cafes. When you return to Killarney your evening is free to explore as you wish.
(B)

Day 6 Blarney Castle | Marine Bar in Dungarvan | House of Waterford Crystal

Drive through the mountains into rich farming country on the way to Blarney Castle. Kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or explore the tranquil gardens. Travel along the coast to the Marine Bar in Dungarvan for some traditional music. Continue to Waterford, where you’ll watch skilled artisans create sparkling masterpieces during your visit to the House of Waterford Crystal.
(B, D)

Day 7 Waterford Walking Tour | Kilkenny | Dinner in Dublin

Join a local guide for a walking tour through the narrow streets of Waterford, discovering its fascinating past. Head to Kilkenny for free time to discover the medieval city center. Tour the beautifully restored Kilkenny Castle to see glorious 17th-century tapestries, family portraits, and sumptuous furnishings reflecting the lifestyle of the Butler family who once resided there. Travel on to Dublin, where you’ll dine with a glass of wine at The Donnybrook Gastropub.
(B, D)

Day 8 Tour Ends in Dublin

Your program ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner