Country Roads of Ireland from Insight
11 NIGHTS /12 DAYS FROM $3,823Experience one of the world’s wildest, most enchanting and culturally rich coastal routes as you circumnavigate the Emerald Isle. Along the way you’ll encounter ruined castles, quiet lakes, natural wonders and some legendary characters.
Top Rated Highlights:
- Dublin– Enjoy- fast track entry, on a student led visit to Trinity College. See the Library and the 9th century Book of Kells
- Killdare: Experience a behind-the-scenes look at the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens
- Killarney– An exciting insight into this unique Irish cultural experience, the ancient Celtic game of Hurling.
- Blarney– Dangle from the ramparts to kiss the Stone of Eloquence, and never be lost for words again!
- Killarney– Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands and remote villages, as you tour the magical Ring of Kerry,
- Cliffs of Moher: Stop by the Exhibition Centre and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs.
- Belfast– Explore the former shipyard and uncover the true legend of the ‘unsinkable’ Titanic.
DAY 1 - ARRIVE DUBLIN
On arrival at Dublin Airport, transfers leave for your hotel at 08:30, 11:00 & 13:00. Later, join your Tour Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Reception with drinks and the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.
Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton – Burlington Road, Dublin.
Welcome Reception and Dinner.
DAY 2 - IN DUBLIN
Become acquainted with Dublin’s elegant squares during an orientation tour. See famous Custom House, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Walk through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College and experience a student-led insight into its history. Then, enjoy fast-track entry into its famed library and the 9th century Book of Kells exhibition. The afternoon is free to explore.
Hotel: Doubletree by Hilton – Burlington Road, Dublin.
Full Breakfast.
DAY 3 - DUBLIN TO CORK
Visit one of the country’s main racehorse breeding centres and acclaimed 100 year old Japanese Gardens where you can ‘journey through life’. Move on to the medieval city of Kilkenny where you will learn about the ancient Celtic sport of ‘Hurling’ which is over 3,000 years old. Continue on past the imposing 13th century Cahir castle, featured in the film Excalibur, to your spa resort hotel in Cork. Enjoy an orientation tour around the compact university city of Cork, with its interesting waterways and grand Georgian parades.
Hotel: Maldron Hotel South Mall, Cork City.
Full Breakfast, Dinner.
DAY 4 - CORK TO KILLARNEY
Continue to ruined Blarney Castle. Will you hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the stone and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? Or enjoy a sensory walk in extensive and varied Estate Gardens. Now cross the majestic Derrynasaggart Mountains to the peaceful town of Killarney. At night, your Dine-Around evening offers you Farm-to-Table dining Experience, enjoy a selection of Irish home cooking in the kitchens of chef John Sheehan. Meet John and Freda, hosts at the 19th Green Guesthouse and tastes the delicious flavors of fresh Local cuisine on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER Experience. At Farm-to-Table, offers you authentic dining sourced ingredients from the local Community and get personal insight into classic Irish Recipes that are loved throughout the world.
Hotel: Killarney Plaza Hotel/Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney.
Full Breakfast, Dine-Around.
DAY 5 - RING OF KERRY EXPERIENCE
Enjoy a leisurely excursion around the magnificent Ring of Kerry. Here, mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is often breathtaking beyond words. Journey past lush lakelands and around towering cliffs affording sweeping sea views. Continue through delightful villages like Sneem and cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap to admire Queen Victoria’s ‘Ladies View’. Return to the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney for a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local ‘Jarveys’. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Maybe take the opportunity to hire a bicycle and enjoy one of the many scenic trails around the lake or through the National Park?
Hotel: Killarney Plaza Hotel/Killarney Avenue Hotel, Killarney
Full Breakfast
DAY 6 - AROUND THE DINGLE PENINSULA
In the morning, take to the wide skies, peaceful towns and coastal scenery of the Dingle Peninsula – the setting for the film Ryan’s Daughter. Drive to dramatic Slea Head at the peninsula’s far end, before reaching your hotel on the shores of dingle Harbor.in Evening, why not treat yourself to a relaxing experience at the hotel’s spa? Offering Holistic and therapeutic Treatments, the peninsula spa is the best place to unwind after a busy day of exploring the coast.
Hotel: Skellig Hotel, Dingle
Full Breakfast
DAY 7 - DRIVE TO THE CLIFFS OF MOHER THEN ON TO GALWAY
Move on to the Visitor Centre at the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Clare Coast before a delightful drive through the strange, rocky landscape of the Burren to Galway Bay. On arrival, see the Lynch Memorial and Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his discovery of America. Also see the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F Kennedy.
Hotel: Connemara Coast/Pillo Hotel, Galway
Full Breakfast, Dinner
DAY 8 - FREE DAY GALWAY OR ARAN ISLANDS EXPERIENCE
Spend a day at leisure to relax and enjoy Galway. Perhaps, join an optional experience to the Aran Islands, a true highlight on the Wild Atlantic Way. With its Cliffs and spectacular coastal views, the islands are a true Irish experience.
Hotel: Connemara Coast/Pillo Hotel, Galway.
Full Breakfast.
DAY 9 - TO LONDONDERRY
Continue on to County Sligo, stopping at a peaceful churchyard in Drumcliffe to visit the final resting place of Ireland’s famous poet, William Butler Yeats. Admire the Blue Stack Mountains of Donegal as you cross into Northern Ireland bound for the ancient walled city of ‘Derry’. On arrival, sightseeing with a Local Expert takes you inside the city walls, still topped with cannons. Walk down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall.
Hotel: Maldron Hotel, Londonderry.
Full Breakfast, Dinner.
DAY 10 - WALK IN THE GIANT’S STEPS ON THE WAY TO BALLYGALLY
Journey to the legendary Giant’s Causeway, a geological masterpiece created by the cooling of lava which burst through the earth’s crust millions of years ago. Now prepare yourself for miles of breathtaking beauty as the road clings to the Antrim Coast. Your hotel overlooks the golden sands of Ballygally Bay. Those brave enough can check out the ‘ghost room’, in one of the castle’s turrets. In the evening, please join us for a finalé Celebration Dinner, where old-fashioned hospitality is blended with good food and wine for an experience that delights the senses.
Hotel: Ballygally Castle Hotel
Full Breakfast, Celebration Dinner
DAY 11 - FOLLOW THE ANTRIM COAST TO BELFAST
Continue around the Antrim Coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast. Meet your Local Expert for a panoramic tour seeing the City Hall, Queen’s University and the parliament Building at Stormont and murals in Different Locations indicating Political Sentiments of Local Residents.
Hotel: Europa Hotel, Belfast
Full Breakfast
DAY 12 - DEPART BELFAST OR DUBLIN
Departure transfers arrive at Belfast George Best City Airport at 07:45 and Belfast International Airport at 08:00. An additional transfer will arrive at Dublin Airport at 08:45.
Full Breakfast
