On arrival in Dublin Airport, reclaim your baggage and enter the Arrivals Hall. Here, you will meet your tour guide (who is also your driver). There will be three group transfers this morning between 7:00 am and 1200 noon. To ensure a smooth start to your tour, it is advisable to aim for an arrival time in Dublin Airport before 11:00 am, as clearing immigration and reclaiming baggage typically takes around 1 hour.
Board your luxury coach and transfer to the Dunboyne Castle Hotel.
3:00 PM Check-in time. Hotel reception will store your luggage prior to Check-in.
You are then at your leisure to enjoy the grounds of Dunboyne Castle Hotel.
At 6:00 PM this evening, all participants will gather for a welcome drink where you will become acquainted with your fellow travellers and the coming days can be discussed at leisure with your tour guide.
Tonight you will overnight at Dunboyne Castle Hotel. Located in a grand estate dating back to 1764. This is one of Ireland's most sought-after hotels, just 12 miles from Dublin City.
| Time | Arrival Transfer details |
|---|---|
| Between 07:00 and 12 (noon) | Dublin Airport There are 3 group airport transfers this morning, between 7am and 12 noon, from Dublin Airport to Dunboyne Castle Hotel. |
Journey south via Kildare, Tipperary and Cork to the world-famous Killarney Town, on the edge of Killarney National Park.
On leaving Dublin you will enter Kildare and travel on via "The Curragh" a flat open plain of common land, the home of the Irish Defence Forces and world-renowned for Irish horse racing, breeding and training.
Visit The Rock of Cashel. Rising dramatically from the grassy plains of county Tipperary. This was the seat of kings and medieval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. Brian Ború was crowned King of Munster here in 977, before becoming High King of Ireland in 1002.
Stop off for lunch at Mikey Ryan's Bar & Kitchen. With a focus on local and traditional fare, this distinctly Irish bar and restaurant is a treat in the town of Cashel, County Tipperary.
Enjoy the breathtaking views of the Golden Vale, the name given to some of Ireland's finest rolling pastureland, and the Galtee Mountains on the Tipperary/Limerick border. Cross the River Blackwater and you are now in County Cork, known as "The Rebel County".
Visit Blarney Castle. Built on this site in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy. You will have the chance to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone. You will also have an opportunity to shop at Blarney Woollen Mills, boasting a huge selection of Irish arts, crafts and produce.
Continue on via the valley of the River Lee as you make your journey west to the “county bounds” through the wild Derrynasaggart Mountains, sometimes referred to as the Cork/Kerry Mountains and made famous in the ballad – “Whiskey in the Jar”.
Tonight you will overnight and dine at the Killarney Towers Hotel. This four-star hotel offers all the magic of Killarney Town on your doorstep.
Tour the Ring Of Kerry. Officially known as the Iveragh Peninsula, it is a captivating journey of spectacular mountain and coastal scenery dotted with colourful small towns and villages. You will travel via Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Coomakesta Pass with its magnificent views over Derrynane, home of Daniel O' Connell, known as "The Liberator", to Caherdaniel.
Visit Blind Piper Pub. Here you will have a traditional Irish Pub Lunch. Located in the village of Caherdaniel, locals and visitors alike have been drinking here since 1865. Who is the Blind Piper, you may ask? The Blind Piper is Mici Cumba O'Sullivan, who was born nearby in 1835 and became one of Ireland's most famous pipers.
Travel on via the hamlet of Castlecove, the colourful village of Sneem and on via Moll's Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park and along the Lakes of Killarney to Killarney Town.
Tonight you will overnight and dine in the Killarney Towers Hotel.
This morning, after breakfast, you will begin one of the great coastal scenic routes of the world up the Atlantic west coast of Clare to Galway City, a vibrant bustling harbour town with medieval origins and with a long tradition of Irish language, music, song, and dance.
Your journey will take you through North Kerry before crossing into Limerick to visit the beautiful, thatched village of Adare, considered by many as Ireland's prettiest village and home to the 2027 Ryder Cup.
Visit Cliffs of Moher. Braced against the ocean, on the coast of County Clare. Here you will stand on the dramatic 702ft (214m) high and 9 miles (14km) long cliffs, a Wild Atlantic Way signature discovery point, to gaze out on the vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.
See The Burren, which is Gaelic for rocky land—an apt name for this vast limestone plateau. In the 1640s, Cromwell's surveyor described it as "a savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury".
Continue up the Atlantic seaboard via Lisdoonvarna and Ballyvaughan to Dunguaire Castle (This is a drive-by only and only noted for its scenic location overlooking Galway Bay) at Kinvarra.
Visit Hazel Mountain Chocolate Factory. This quaint and delicious attraction has been creating waves in the Irish and international chocolate scene ever since it first opened its doors in 2014.
Continue on to Galway City, known as the “City of the Tribes”.
Tonight you will overnight and dine at Park House Hotel. This grand Victorian-style hotel is located in the heart of Galway City, a two-minute walk from Eyre Square.
Tour the wilds of Connemara, a vast expanse of mountains, bogs, heathlands, and lakes dotted with small fishing villages west of Galway City.
Your journey today will take you via the villages of Oughterard, Maam Cross, and Recess before travelling up the spectacular Inagh Valley, with the 12 Bens of Connemara on your left and the Maumturks Mountains on your right as you travel to the village Leenane on the shores of Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord.
Visit Kylemore Abbey. An historic building nestled at the base of Duchruach Mountain, on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul — in the heart of the Connemara Mountains. It is regarded as one of Ireland's most romantic buildings.
Travel on via Letterfrack to Connemara National Park, where you will have the opportunity for spectacular views of Connemara's hills, bays and inlets.
Return east to Galway City.
Tonight you will overnight & dine in Park House Hotel.
Depart for Dublin City across the centre of Ireland through the counties of Westmeath, Offaly, Meath and Kildare.
Visit Clonmacnoise. A medieval monastery on the banks of the River Shannon, founded by St. Ciaran in the 6th century. Clonmacnoise lay at a crossroads of medieval Ireland, linking all parts of the island. Sacked time and again by the Vikings, it nevertheless flourished for over 600 years.
Afternoon free in Ireland's capital city also known as "Fair City". Dublin City is a treasure trove of historic buildings and famous landmarks, including the Ha'Penny Bridge, the General Post office and the modern addition to O'Connell Street; The Spire of Dublin.
Tonight you will overnight and dine at The Samuel. A chic and contemporary 4-star hotel nestled in the vibrant heart of Dublin. With its prime location, this stylish establishment serves as the ideal base to discover all that the city has to offer.
Enjoy a visit to EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum. Voted, recently, as "Europe's Leading Tourist Attraction", this museum tour tells the story behind the millions of people who fled, or were forced from, Ireland over the past three centuries. Located in Dublin's Docklands.
Visit St Patrick's Cathedral. This is the National Cathedral of the Church of Ireland. Founded over 800 years ago and dedicated to Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. Today, Saint Patrick's stands as Ireland's largest cathedral and is the venue for many public national ceremonies, including Ireland's Remembrance Day.
Visit Guinness Storehouse. With an address at the world-famous St. James's Gate. Here you will tour the world-renowned brewery and enjoy a perfect complimentary pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar — located at the top of a glass tower that commands spectacular views of Dublin City.
Visit Taylors Three Rock. Take in an evening of traditional Irish song, music, laughter, and dance while also indulging in a wide variety of mouthwatering Irish dishes. The audience is treated to breath-taking performances by their resident band and traditional Irish dancers, who never fail to entertain.
Tonight you will overnight at The Samuel.
Today marks the end of the 8-Day Iconic Tour of Ireland.
After a final great Irish breakfast this morning, there will be 3 group airport transfers between 0500 and 1100 to get you to Dublin Airport for your return flight home. The confirmed transfer times will be advised 10 days prior to the tour start date. Turas sàbhailte dhuibh (safe journey).
| Time | Departure Transfer details |
|---|---|
| Between 05:00 and 11:00 | The Samuel There are 3 group airport transfers this morning, between 5am and 11am, from The Samuel to Dublin Airport. |