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.

2020 Irish Gold 9 Days / 8 Nights / 14 Meals

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Day 1 Dublin City Tour | St. Patrick’s Cathedral

Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your hotel in Dún Laoghaire, a charming seaside suburb. Head out for a panoramic tour of Dublin, seeing historic O’Connell Street, Georgian buildings and squares, and St Stephen’s Green. Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, an 800-year-old Gothic church built on the site of an ancient well believed to have been used by St. Patrick himself. 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 City Tour

• Head to the beautiful harbor city of Galway, stopping off for a welcome drink and an experience at Sean’s Bar in Athlone, the oldest bar in Europe; Sean’s Bar has been serving customers since 900 AD. Take a guided walking tour through Galway center to view its iconic 18th-century Eyre Square and the surrounding stone-clad buildings and medieval winding lanes. 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 Demonstration | Cliffs of Moher | Shannon Ferry | Killarney

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. Head to the friendly town of Killarney, taking a ferry across the River Shannon Estuary. In Killarney, take in an evening of traditional Irish entertainment, with a lively show of music and dance as you dine.

(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 & Traditional Music Session

• Drive through farming country on the way to Blarney
• Climb to the top of Blarney Castle’s tower to kiss the famous Blarney stone or, take a stroll through the colourful gardens.
• Visit the Blarney Woollen Mills to shop for Irish-made goods
• Next drive along the coast to the Marine Bar in Dungarvan for an Irish coffee and some traditional music.
• The next stop is Waterford for the night. Check into your historic hotel, located on the waterfront of this ancient port city.
• A city famous for its exquisite crystal, tour the House of Waterford Crystal to watch how the crystal is formed through the different stages of glass blowing, cutting and polishing by master craftspeople. At the end of the tour, you will have an opportunity to purchase the expertly crafted tableware and gift items.
  (B, D)

Day 7: Waterford Walk & Kilkenny

• In the morning, join a local guide for a walking tour through the narrow streets of the old city to discover Waterford’s long history and some of its colorful characters. Later, stop in Kilkenny for a look around the medieval city center and have lunch on your own. Partake in the Smithwick’s Experience and enjoy a tasting paddle of their famous ales. Travel to Dublin and in the evening head to Cleaver East, a popular Dublin restaurant for a glass of wine and farewell dinner. (B, D)

Day 8: Tour Ends in Dublin

Your program ends after breakfast.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner