Irish Discovery
Resort: | Irish Discovery |
Operator: | Cosmos |
Destination: | Europe, Ireland, UK & Ireland, United Kingdom |
Price From: | Contact for latest offers |
OverviewBreathtaking, lush landscapes combined with vibrant cities and historic attractionsall of this and more await you on this guided Ireland tour, including Northern Ireland. Starting and ending in Dublin, explore Ireland in depth and hear exciting stories of its rich history, legends, and myths. *Prices shown exclude flights and transfers Flights available from most UK airportsTour prices are shown without flights: make your own arrangements, or purchase your flights with us from most UK airports. All flight-inclusive tours are ATOL-protected, so you can book with confidence. ItineraryDay 1 – Arrive in Dublin, IrelandCheck into your hotel. At 3 pm, meet your Tour Director and traveling companions for an afternoon orientation drive through statue-lined OConnell Street and elegant Georgian squares to St. Patricks Cathedral and Trinity College. End the day with an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse. Day 2 – Dublin, Downpatrick and BelfastOn your northbound route today, pass Drogheda, scene of the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, then through the fertile landscape of the Boyne Valley, known for its prehistoric passage graves. Cross the border into Northern Ireland, and drive past the Mountains of Mourne to Downpatrick, the burial place of Patrick, Irelands Patron Saint, and on to the vibrant city of Belfast, where the Titanic was built. Later, why not join a Local Guide on a living history tour, including a visit to the fascinating Titanic Experience? Todays Distance: 125 mi/ 202 km Meals included: Breakfast Day 3 – Belfast, Giant’s Causeway, Derry, Donegal and SligoFirst stop this morning is awe-inspiring GIANTS CAUSEWAY, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then, let the provinces story unfold as you head for the city of Derry before returning to the Republic to visit Donegal, the ancient town founded by Danish Vikings and home of the ODonnell Clan. Drive along Donegal Bay with its small fishing ports and hidden beaches, and stop in Drumcliff to see the grave of W.B. Yeats before arriving in Sligo. Todays Distance: 197 mi/ 316 km Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 4 – Sligo, Galway, Cliffs of Moher and LimerickTravel farther south to Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan center with colorful shops, and a busy caf and bar culture. Cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot CLIFFS OF MOHER. Tonight, you might like to join an optional medieval banquet. Todays Distance: 181 mi/ 290 km Meals included: Breakfast Day 5 – Limerick, Adare, Dingle Peninsula and KillarneyStart your day with a stroll through Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages. Then, take in the breathtaking scenery of the Dingle Peninsula, where the 32-mile Slea Head drive affords magnificent vistas of the Atlantic Ocean. See the Blasket Islands, and hear about the way of life and unique literary achievements of its inhabitants prior to their evacuation in 1953. The next two nights are spent in the popular resort of Killarney. Tonight, enjoy the optional outing to Tralee for dinner and a performance at Siamsa Tire, Irelands National Folk Theatre. Todays Distance: 156 mi/ 253 km Meals included: Breakfast Day 6 – Killarney and Ring of Kerry excrusionAt Killorglin, join the RING OF KERRY for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive featuring sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly colored farmhouses, winding lanes bordered with subtropical vegetation, and spectacular views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Back in Killarney, a special optional adventure: take a horse-drawn jaunting car along the national park lakeshore for pictures of Ross Castle. Todays Distance: 90 mi/ 146 km Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 7 – Killarney, Blarney, Waterford and TramoreMore scenic splendor as you head over the Kerry Mountains into County Cork. Stop in Blarney, famous for its Stone of Eloquence, with time at your leisure to see the castle and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. After lunch, drive past Cork, the countrys second-largest city on the way to Waterford, where a guided tour of the HOUSE OF WATERFORD CRYSTAL is included. Spend the night at the nearby seaside resort of Tramore. Later, consider an optional pub tour. Todays Distance: 132 mi/ 212 km Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner Day 8 – Tramore, Avoca and DublinOn the last leg of your journey, visit Irelands oldest HANDWEAVING MILL at Avoca, and enjoy views of the Wicklow Mountains on your way to Dublin. An optional Irish cabaret evening, including dinner, dance, song, and laughter would be an exciting finale to your vacation. Todays Distance: 130 mi/ 209 km Meals included: Breakfast Day 9 – DublinYour vacation ends with breakfast this morning. Meals included: Breakfast |