Trips and tours     England - Wales - Scotland     

 

IRELAND

 

 

Day 1: Dublin ‐ Belfast ‐ Derry ‐ Letterkenny

After landing, driving north, specifically to the capital of Northern Ireland, Belfast. We’ll visit the city's attractions ‐ Town Hall, the famous Crown Liquor Saloon Pub, Opera, Albert Memorial clock tower, Queen's University ... and of course Falls street, which is synonymous for the Irish division between Catholics and Anglicans. Lunch in between. We will continue to the tip of the north, where lies a remarkable piece among the nature’s wonders. It bears an unusual name – The Giant’s Causeway, a fantastic formation of basaltic stones, that formed an enigmatic structure of tens of thousands of columns, displayed on the seashore as extravagant patterns. What can you really see? You’ll have to use your imagination. We’ll continue in the direction of Londonderry, towards the Republic of Ireland. We stop, take a walk through the city and the surrounding city walls. A city that was marked heaviest by the The Troubles. Dinner and overnight in the attractive town of Letterkenny in County Donegal, Republic of Ireland.
 

Day 2: Letterkenny ‐ Sligo ‐ Galway

After breakfast continue the journey through county Sligo towards Connemara, which is considered one of the most unspoilt and picturesque parts of Ireland. This is the land of W.B. Yeats. We’ll admire the green meadows, where sheep graze freely, wild landscape, dotted with many small lakes, stone walls, small isolated farms, thatched huts and hills overgrown with heather, adjacent to the beautiful wild sandy beaches of the Atlantic Ocean. The Connemara is among the natives maintaining the traditional colorful national costume and ancient traditions and people here still speak the difficult to understand old Irish. Lunch on the way. We will see Kylemore Abbey, the last active female Benedictine monastery in Ireland and visit the heart of the national park Connemara, where two mountain chains, rich with forests and peat lands, offer excellent opportunities for trekking. Continuing driving southeast, passing Joyce country, to the university town of Galway. Accommodation in the hotel, dinner. After dinner, we can all have a
nice stroll to the lively city center. Overnight in Galway.
 

Day 3: Galway ‐ Burren and the Cliffs of Moher ‐ Killarney

Morning departure towards County Clare, where we will visit the Cliffs of Moher (coastal cliffs) and the Burren area. Burren National Park is an area the size of 250 km², known for its Karst like terrain. In typical hollows bloom wild flora blends of the Mediterranean and the Arctic and there are numerous caves and underground rivers. There are also dozens of megalithic tombs and Celtic crosses as well as the remains of Cistercian abbey from the 12th century. We will stop at one of the best reconstructed graves – the Polnabrone Dolmen. We will see small abandoned villages, which were abandoned during the famine of the mid 19th century. From here it is not far to Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland's most spectacular sights. Up to 230 meters above the sea level rise the cliffs in an astonishing length of 8 kilometers! On a beautiful day there are beautiful views of Galway Bay and even the hills and valleys of the Connemara landscape and the Arran Islands. For a spectacular view you can climb O'Brien's Tower. Lunch in a local restaurant. The route will continue south, passing the mightiest river in Ireland, River Shannon stopping at Bunratty Castle, which is one of the best preserved Irish castles. Built in 1425 it was plundered several times, but it was completely restored after World War II. Outside the castle one can admire an outdoor museum, Bunratty Folk Park. The reconstructed medieval village gives the visitor an idea of rural Ireland in the 19th century. Then forward towards the most industrialized Irish town of Limerick, which was already in the 9th century settled by the famous Vikings. It served as a strategic stronghold from where they went on courageous conquests against the surrounding Celtic fortifications. Later, it was colonized by the Anglo‐Normans, and at this point in 1210 a castle was built. The city was divided into Irish and English part, which, even then, meant continuing clashes and riots between the two ethnic groups. Today, it is the capital city of Limerick County and with its 90,000 inhabitants the third largest Irish city. Finish the day in Killarney. Dinner in a local restaurant. Accommodation in the hotel and overnight.
 

Day 4: Killarney ‐ Ring of Kerry – Cork

After breakfast we head towards the south, into the heart of the county Kerry. A few kilometers west of Killarney starts a 180 kilometers long scenic road on the famous peninsula ‐ Ring of Kerry, where we will admire the wild Atlantic coast, varied vegetation and picturesque villages. It is probably one of the finest examples of how Ireland actually looks like and how the visitor feels and experiences it ... Lunch in one of the villages. Through the highlands, where the highest "mountain" of Ireland rises, the famous Carrantuohill, up to Molls Gap and Ladies View, a lookout point from where you are offered beautiful views of the famous Killarney lakes. In the afternoon, if time allows we can still walk through the unspoiled Killarney National Park with the beautiful forest scenery, waterfalls and lakes. Continue towards Midleton, a small town with an exquisite taste – The Jameson whiskey distillery. We will have the chance to try the Irish fire water. The day will end in Ireland’s second largest city – Cork. Dinner in a local restaurant and overnight.

 

Day 5: Cork – Rock of Cashel ‐ Dublin

Morning departure from Killarney due north across the county Tipperary to Dublin. Along the way you will visit the impressive Castle Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick's Rock of Cashel. According to a legend, the devil and St. Patrick clashed on this specific place. The devil threw an enormous rock at St. Patrick, he jumped off and the rock and fell to the ground. On its place they built the Cashel Castle, now in ruins .. lunch in a local restaurant. Continuing towards Dublin with a panoramic drive thru the city center. We will admire the city's main attractions, which you will see later in detail. Captivating is the famous "Georgian Square", famous for its architecture and unusual doors, "Trinity College", where the Irish store one of their greatest treasure, "Book of Kells", which is one of the oldest written books in Ireland. You will be captivated by the Anglican Church of Christ Church. Through the most beautiful urban park "St. Stephen's Green" and "Phoenix Park" passing numerous monuments and "Quays", we’ll reach O'Connell Street, with its the famous Post office, which was in the middle of the action during the Easter Uprising in 1916. Accommodation in the hotel. Dinner will be served with traditional Irish music and dancing in one of the most visited venues in Dublin. Return to the hotel and overnight.

 

Day 6: Dublin

After breakfast we go and admire the other sights that we missed the day before. We will have enough time to visit the world‐famous brewery "Guinness". Of course, we will take this opportunity to taste this excellent porter. Lunch in the city. There will be enough time for a couple of hours in the capital for some last souvenirs and shopping. Then it will be time to say farewell to the Irish meadows and head to the airport in Dublin.

 

End of tour

Tour inclusions: ·         transfer to and from the airport ·         bus services throughout the program in Irelan ·         5x bed and full Irish breakfast in 4**** hotel  in twin/double sharing ·         lunches and dinners as per program ·         sightseeing and entrance fees according to the program: Giant’s Causeway, Kylemore Abbey, Cliffs of Moher, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, real Irish coffee on the Ring of Kerry, Burren – Polnabrone Dolmen, Trinity College Dublin ‐ Book of Kells, Rock of Cashel, Midleton Jameson distillery, Guinness brewery ·         dinner with traditional Irish music and dancing in Dublin ·         English speaking guide throughout the tour ·         VAT, taxes and fees.   Possible Extras: ·         Single supplement  ·         Additional day in Dublin: After breakfast we will search for the mystic of the Irish capital, explore the undiscovered places, enjoy a glass or two in the famous Temple Bar district and have some time on our own for shopping or just plain leisure. We’ll have lunch in a nice Irish restaurant and dinner in the hotel. Overnight in Dublin. Tour highlights: ·         Giant’s causeway ·         Kylemore abbey ·         Westport