This tour provides a panoramic view of Ireland and Northern Ireland; not just a visit to a couple of places but the whole island; an island rich in history and culture, complete with stunning landscapes. The tour is filled with castles, lush- green countryside, spectacular cliffside views, and warm, friendly people anxious to share their culture with you.  Along the way we will visit a few pubs and tap our feet to the tunes of live Irish music.  We will do our best to avoid banshees while keeping an eye out for leprechauns.  But most of all, we will have lots of fun. Ireland is one of those places that tugs at your heart and just makes you happy to be there and is more than a destination—it’s an experience that will capture your heart!  Consider joining us for this exciting journey.

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“I feel more and more the time wasted that is not spent in Ireland.”

 Lady Gregory

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ITINERARY

 

Day 1:
Overnight flight from Charlotte to Dublin Ireland
 
DAY 2:
Upon arrival in Dublin, we will be met by our guide and private coach.  We will drive to a small fishing village where you can have an Irish breakfast or perhaps lunch.  From here we will take a driving tour of Dublin stopping at Phoenix Park.  Following our visit to Phoenix Park we will check into our hotel and rest for a short while.  Overnight Dublin
 
DAY 3:
Dublin, Ireland’s capital, is one of the friendliest cities in the world. Founded in the 9th century, the city is proud of its Viking past and its streets and buildings are living museums of its history, complete with castles and cathedrals.   Today you will get to know Dublin as we visit these buildings, O’Connell Street, St Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, Christ Church Cathedral, statue of Molly Malone, Kilmainham Jail and the phenomenal Epic Museum, the winner of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards 2019 & 2020.   The Tonight, we will enjoy an included dinner and show featuring Irish music and dance. Overnight Dublin
 
DAY 4:
Today we continue our tour of Dublin beginning with a tour of the Guiness Storehouse, walk through Temple Bar, and entrance to Dublinia Museum. This is a place that lets visitors step into Medieval, Viking Dublin and find out about the city’s rich and tumultuous past. It offers a new perspective of Dublin’s history, and the city landscape as well, with the view from St Michael’s tower at the end of the tour.
Dinner on our own.  Overnight Dublin
 
DAY 5:
This morning, we will leave Dublin on our private coach heading to Glendalough.  (one of my favorite sites in all of Europe) The crumbling city, founded in the 6th century by Saint Kevin, is situated between the rolling green hills and lush vegetation of Glendalough.  After we leave Glendalough, we drive to the Rock of Cashel which possesses the most impressive cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland.  Among the monuments to be found there is a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House. overnight County Tipperary
 
DAY 6:
Today is a fascinating and fun-filled day as we drive to Killarney.   While on our way we will stop at Blarney Castle where you will have the opportunity to kiss the “Blarney Stone.” Also, on site is Blarney Woolen Mills. It is a wonderful store filled with crafts, food, and fashion. Google, "Blarney Woollen Mills" for peek at this very unique, Irish landmark.   Overnight Killarney
 
DAY 7:
The Ring of Kerry is known worldwide for its 100 miles of outstanding natural beauty and rugged coastline and is our treat for today.  Along the way we will visit Kerry Bog Village, to see how people lived and worked in Ireland in the late 19th Century. The village is the only one of its kind in Europe.  In addition to this awe-inspiring ride, we will visit Ross Castle, and Torc Waterfall.  Overnight Killarney
 
DAY 8:
Today we will drive along Dingle Peninsula with spectacular seaside views and watch a working sheepdog demonstration. Visitors can view a local sheep-farmer skillfully working his sheepdogs in gathering and controlling sheep movement. The commands are in native Irish with the skill being handed down from generation to generation as sheep have been kept here on Mount Eagle for hundreds of years. Next, we proceed to Limerick, check into the hotel and then visit historic Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.   We will attend a delightful medieval banquet in the Great Hall of Bunratty Castle and enjoy song and dance by the world famous Bunratty Castle singers while we dine. click on this link and then click on Folk Park and Medieval Banquet www.bunrattycastle.ie/bunratty-castle/ 

Overnight Limerick 
 
DAY 9:

We depart Limerick this morning and drive to Burren National Park, an iconic area of Ireland renowned for its remarkable display of plants, animals, and landscape. Following a casual drive through Burren National Park we will continue onto the Cliffs of Moher, for its absolutely breathtaking views overlooking the North Atlantic Ocean. Overnight Galway
 
DAY 10:

Today is a very relaxed day as we board a boat to view the Cliffs of Moher from the sea and visit the Aran Islands.   We will return early in the afternoon, which will give you plenty of time to explore Galway and do a little shopping. Overnight Galway

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DAY 11:

This morning, we drive to Londonderry, also known simply as Derry.  We’ll explain this very interesting difference in names upon our arrival.   In Londonderry we will walk the city walls which still surround the city.  On our way to Londonderry however, we will visit an oyster farm in Sligo and visit Donegal Castle, in Donegal.   Overnight Letterkenny

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DAY 12:

Today we visit Giants Causeway. An amazing array of 40,000 interlocking basalt rock columns formed as a result of ancient volcanic eruptions.  The Causeway was declared a World Heritage Site in 1986.  Before arriving at Giants Causeway, we will tour Dunluce Castle where the castle’s history, scenery and views will make this a memorable visit.   After leaving Giant’s Causeway we will briefly stop for a tour of Bushmills Whiskey Distillery, the oldest licensed whiskey distillery in the world and then continue onto Belfast, arriving late afternoon.  Overnight Belfast

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DAY 13:

A driving tour of Belfast will reveal the complexity of this city, its culture, architecture, history and modernization.   Belfast was the centerpiece of the conflict between the Irish Republican Army (IRA) and protestants, loyalist to Great Britain.  The conflict raged from the late 1960’s until the signing of the Good Friday Agreement in 1998.  While tensions have disappeared reminders of the conflict can be seen in murals on “walls of peace” built years ago to separate the catholic and protestant neighborhoods.  After our tour of the city we will visit the Titanic Museum, built on the same site where the Titanic was built.  Overnight Belfast

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DAY 14:

Drive to Dublin airport for flight home at either 11:45 AM
 
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  May the road rise up to meet you.  May the wind be always at your back.  May the sun shine warm upon your face, the rains fall soft upon your fields and until me meet again may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

 

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