• 3 nights accommodation in a Bed & Breakfast (either Farmhouse or Town & Country Homes accommodation in a Farmhouse, 2 nights accommodation in 3 star Hotels and 2 nights accommodation in a Castle based on per person sharing a twin/double room with bath/shower inclusive of service charges.
• Visiting some of Ireland’s most scenic areas including the Ring of Kerry
• Explore Dublin, the capital of Ireland

Itinerary

Day 1: Dublin City (12km)
Arrive at Dublin Airport.
According to the time of arrival, enjoy a tour of the highlights of Dublin, which includes a visit to Trinity College to view the beautifully illuminated Book of Kells and visit the National Museum of Ireland (entry free of charge).
Overnight: Mount Herbert Hotel in Dublin or similar

Day 2: Dublin to Killarney (375km)
This morning see a variety of scenery as you depart Dublin and drive through rich farming areas and bustling towns. Passing through Cashel you can visit the Rock of Cashel, which rises dramatically from the flat countryside. This site has the best set of varied monuments in any Irish site. The rock is crowned by a group of buildings, both ecclesiastical and royal, including a round tower, a 13^th century Romanesque chapel and the beautifully restored Hall of the Vicar Choral. Continue to Midleton on the outskirts of Cork, Ireland’s second city and visit the Jameson Heritage Centre. A tour of the Old Midleton Distillery is a journey through the story of Irish whiskey through an audio-visual presentation; then follow the old distillery trail though mills, maltings, corn stores, stillhouses, warehouses and kilns.
Leave Cork and travel through the Cork and Kerry countryside before arriving in Killarney you home for the next two nights.
Overnight: in a Bed & Breakfast in Killarney or similar

Day 3: Ring of Kerry (160km)
A superb tour of the Ivreagh Peninsula (170 kms). Taking in spectacular scenery - mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean as one travel along the coast road. Leaving Killarney one passes through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair, then to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay.
Continuing to Cahirciveen one passes the birth place of National hero, Daniel O’Connell. Passing through the peat bogs one arrives at the sea town of Waterville. Continue to Sneem Village, famous because of its brightly coloured houses. The road continues with superb views of the famous lakes of Killarney.
Overnight: in a Bed & Breakfast in Killarney

Day 4: Dingle Peninsula and Limerick (245km)
Depart for a tour of the Dingle Peninsula, the Ireland of films such as Ryan’s Daughter and Far and Away, with an extraordinary number of ring forts, high crosses and other ancient monuments. The area west of Dingle has the greatest concentration of ancient sites in Kerry. This area is also a genuine Irish-speaking area. The landscape here is dramatic and there are striking views of the Blasket Islands from Slea Head. Continue on to Limerick for overnight.
Overnight: in a Bed & Breakfast in Limerick or similar

Day 5: Limerick, Galway & Clifden (245km)
This morning we depart Limerick and travel through the heart of County Clare Visit the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which form a 200m wall that plunges into the Atlantic Ocean and travel through the Burren Region - a geological paradise boasting over 2,000 plants and many rare flowers. Spend some time in Galway city which has long traded with Spain and the Spanish influences are many in the city. Of note is Spanish Arch, a gateway in the old city walls and the Spanish Parade, where wealthy merchants and their families enjoyed a stroll along the promenade. Depart Galway and travel west to Clifden your home for the next two nights.
Overnight: Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (4 H) in Galway (Manor House Hotels) or similar

Day 6: Connemara Region (80km – based on Clifden)
The country of the “ Quiet Man “ and “ The Purple Taxi “ - it is an area full of contrast, granite mountains populated only by sheep with hundreds of lakes forming a fisherman’s paradise. Its stone walls, small farms, thatched cottages in isolated splendour with its heather covered hills creates an unforgettable scene for all its visitors. The route takes us from Galway to the lake dotted centre of Connemara at Maam Cross. The road continues through the colourful town of Clifden. Continue through the Irish speaking low-lying part of Southern Connemara with its countless lakes.
Overnight: Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Co.Galway (Manor House Hotels) or similar

Day 7: Clonmacnoise, Belvedere House & Dublin (235km)
Leaving Galway this morning you commence your journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to Dublin. Passing through Athlone in the very centre of Ireland, you can stop at nearby Clonmacnoise, an early Christian site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6^th century, on the banks of the Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10^th – 13^th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs. Continue your journey eastwards through Mullingar where you can visit Belvedere House & Gardens. The magnificent early 18^th century stately home of Robert Rochfort, Earl of Belvedere, stands in 160 acres of parkland on the shore of Lough Ennell. Belvedere is one of the finest of Ireland’s historic houses and together with gardens and park, has been exquisitely restored. A modern visitor centre tells the tale of Rochfort’s cruel 31 year imprisonment of his second wife; Sir John Piers’ seduction of Lady Cloncurry at a picnic and the creation of Ireland’s largest man made folly – the jealous wall.
Overnight: Mount Herbert Hotel in Dublin or similar

Day 8: Depart from Dublin Airport (12km)
Departure from Dublin Airport.


Note:
All clients should check-in to their hotels/bed and breakfast accommodation no later than 6pm. If you are going to be later that 6pm, you should call your accommodation and advise of your approximate check in time. Failure to do this could result in your reservation being cancelled and rooms released.

Child Policy
Children supplements apply when a child between 3 & 12 years is sharing with 2 full paying adults to a maximum of 2 children in the room. A child sharing with a single adult is charged the normal per person rate. Children sharing 0 - 2 years are free and meals paid directly to the hotel.