Country Roads of Ireland (Small Groups, End Belfast, 12 Days)
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a 12-day immersive journey through the enchanting landscapes of Ireland and Northern Ireland. This multi-day tour is designed to provide an in-depth exploration of the region's rich history, vibrant culture, and stunning natural beauty. From the bustling streets of Dublin to the tranquil shores of Dingle Peninsula, and from the majestic Cliffs of Moher to the iconic Giant's Causeway, every day brings a new adventure. Enjoy a blend of guided tours with local experts, leisure time for independent exploration, and unique experiences like a Farm-to-Table dining experience in Killarney and a visit to a racehorse breeding centre. With comfortable accommodation, delicious meals, and the company of like-minded travellers, this tour promises an unforgettable Irish experience.
Included
5 Dinner with Wine (DW)
11 Breakfast (B)
Dublin: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other over a meal with wine.
Ballygalley: The Irish call it 'craic' - the warm feeling resulting from the confluence of music, drink, good food, laughter, and conversation. And after circumnavigating the Emerald Isle, there's bound to be a fair share of craic at your grand finale Celebration Dinner. Sláinte!
Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Killarney: Meet passionate restaurant owners John and Freda at their beautiful guesthouse in Killarney, where you'll hear more about their farm-to-table concept, while enjoying a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients sourced within a five mile radius. John and Freda have a policy that all food is sourced locally from farms and the coach of the Emerald Isle. On the farm they also grow and harvest all their own fruit and veg. They educate their visitors about sustainable consumption and the benefits of eating fresh homegrown produce. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
11 nights accommodation included
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
Dublin: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Brewery, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Cork: Ireland's second city - "Rebel Cork" dates back to the 7th century. Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House on an insightful orientation tour encompassing the development of the religious settlement of St. Finbarr, to Viking raiding and settlement, to the creation of the Norman city and Merchant Princes. You’ll love learning the tales and history of this port city and enjoy hearing the lilt of the Cork accent.
Cliffs of Moher: Towering cliffs and the dramatic sea, the Cliffs of Moher has inspired countless travellers. Visit the Exhibition Centre and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs that rise over 700 feet high. Gain insights from your Travel Director into the cliffs’ geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
Ballygalley: Explore this seaside town with your Travel Director.
Choose between two carefully selected activities
Killarney: Enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys as you explore the lush scenery of Killarney National Park.
Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a nature guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds. Alternatively, enjoy a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys.
Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
Dublin: A stunning combination of cobblestone walkways, emerald-green lawns and 18th-century architectural gems, Trinity College is one of Europe’s elite universities and counts poet Oscar Wilde among its alumni. See the enchanting college campus and discover insights into its impressive history. Enjoy access to view the famous Book of Kells, an exquisite manuscript of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament, renowned for the intricacy, detail and majesty of the illustrations.
Kildare:
Horse-racing is key part of Irish culture; and you'll get a rare peek into it over your visit to the Irish National Stud. Set in Kildare at the breeding ground of champions and the birthplace of legends, explore the foaling unit, museum and the stallions that continue to make racing history. As the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public, learn the insights of horse-racing at a site whose former visitors include queens and presidents.
Kilkenny: Visit Kilkenny Castle with a Local Expert. On a guided tour, learn the history of this magnificent castle and that of the powerful family that came to call it home for so many centuries. Amble through the Picture Gallery, library, drawing room, nursery and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendour as well as the rolling parkland formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and man-made lake.
Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone, the famous stone of eloquence, are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Take your turn at giving it a peck knowing that the stone was sourced from 330-million-year-old limestone.
Londonderry: There's no better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street.
Giant's Causeway: Visit the legendary Giant's Causeway, site of wonders. At the visitor centre, learn about the efforts to protect biodiversity and ecosystems, participating in habitat restoration. The National Trust charity has been undertaking replanting activities in Innisfree Farm, adjacent to the Causeway. By sowing a field of Herbal Ley seed mixes containing up to 17 different species, they have prioritized biodiversity and quality food production leaving a low carbon footprint. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 15: Life on Land.
Cahir: See one of the largest castles in Ireland.
Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands, beaches, fields dotted with sheep, rocky coastline, remote villages and historical sites, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile circular route is the best place to admire Ireland's scenic beauty and truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation.
Dingle Peninsula: Enjoy a scenic drive to Slea Head.
Galway: Fascinating stories and interesting locals take centre stage on your orientation of the historic heart of Galway. Visit the Lynch Memorial Window. Then make your way to the Church of St. Nicholas - the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square.
Carrickfergus: See the immense Castle as your drive around it.
Belfast: Meet Hilda, a true Belfast local, having lived in the same house her entire life. During your panoramic tour, hear about the history of the city and learn why Hilda is proud of its progress and current prosperity. You'll also see the City Hall, Queen's University, Parliament Building at Stormont and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents.
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Welcome to Dublin
- Dublin - Arrival day
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Your journey begins in Dublin, where you'll meet your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner. Enjoy a delightful meal with wine as you get to know each other and prepare for the exciting days ahead.
Day 2 – Day 2: Exploring Dublin
- Dublin
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- The Book of Kells Experience
- Trinity College Dublin
- The Custom House
- Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
- St. Patrick's Cathedral Park
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Today, a Local Expert will guide you through Dublin's elegant squares and historic sites. Discover the architectural beauty of Custom House, Christchurch Cathedral, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Enjoy a visit to the 9th-century Book of Kells and take a leisurely stroll through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College.
Day 3 – Day 3: Dublin to Cork via Kilkenny and Cahir
- Dublin
- Cork
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- Kilkenny Castle
- Irish Workhouse Centre
- Cahir Castle
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Start your day with a visit to one of Ireland's main racehorse breeding centres. Then, explore the acclaimed 100-year-old Japanese Gardens. Travel to the medieval city of Kilkenny to visit the majestic Kilkenny Castle and learn about its history. Continue through Cahir, where you'll see the imposing 13th-century castle, before arriving in Cork. Upon arrival, your Travel Director will guide you around this vibrant university city.
Day 4 – Day 4: Cork to Killarney via Blarney Castle
- Killarney
- Cork
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- Blarney Stone
- Garinish Island (Oileán Garinish)
- The Ewe Experience
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Today, travel to the ruined Blarney Castle. If you're brave enough, hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the stone and ensure a lifetime of eloquence. Travel across the majestic Derrynasaggart Mountains to the lively town of Killarney. In the evening, enjoy a unique Farm-to-Table dining experience, savouring the delicious flavours of fresh local cuisine.
Day 5 – Day 5: Exploring Killarney and the Ring of Kerry
- Killarney
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- Ross Castle
- Blackstones Bridge
- Kingdom Falconry
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Start your day with a choice of a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car or a gentle hike along the lake shore and past the grounds of Ross Castle. Then, explore the magnificent Ring of Kerry, where mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a breathtaking landscape. Journey past lush lakelands and towering cliffs, through delightful villages like Sneem, and across the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll's Gap to admire Queen Victoria's Ladies View.
Day 6 – Day 6: Killarney to Dingle via Dingle Peninsula
- Killarney
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- Cill Maoilchéadair
- Dingle Distillery
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Today, enjoy a scenic drive along the Dingle Peninsula, the setting for the film Ryan's Daughter. Drive to the dramatic Slea Head at the peninsula's far end, before reaching your hotel on the shores of Dingle. Spend the evening at leisure, perhaps unwinding at the hotel's spa after a busy day of exploring the coast.
Day 7 – Day 7: Dingle to Galway via Cliffs of Moher
- Galway
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- Cliffs of Moher
- Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway
- Cliffs of Moher Walking Trail
- Eyre Square
- Lahinch Golf Club
- Spanish Arch
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Journey to the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre and enjoy breathtaking views of the Clare Coast. Then, drive through the strange, rocky landscape of the Burren to Galway Bay. Upon arrival in Galway, see the Lynch Memorial and the Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his voyages to America. Also, see the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F. Kennedy.
Day 8 – Day 8: Free Day in Galway
- Galway
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Spend a day at leisure to relax and enjoy Galway. You may choose to join an Optional Experience to the Aran Islands, a genuine highlight of the Wild Atlantic Way. With their cliffs and spectacular coastal views, the islands offer a true Irish experience.
Day 9 – Day 9: Galway to Derry
- Galway
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Admire the Blue Stack Mountains of Donegal as you cross into Northern Ireland, bound for the ancient walled city of Derry. Join one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, for a tour inside the city walls, still topped with cannons. Walk down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall.
Day 10 – Day 10: Derry to Ballygally via Giant's Causeway
Day 10: Derry to Ballygally via Giant's Causeway
Journey to the iconic Giant's Causeway for a unique experience. Learn how the National Trust is enabling farming and biodiversity to work together, supporting both wildlife and quality food production. Next, prepare yourself for miles of breathtaking beauty as you travel along the road clinging to the Antrim Coast. Continue onto your hotel, overlooking Ballygally Bay. In the evening, join us for a finale Celebration Dinner, where old-fashioned hospitality is blended with good food and wine.
Day 11 – Day 11: Ballygally to Belfast via Carrickfergus
- Belfast
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Continue around the Antrim Coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast. Meet your Local Expert for a passionate city tour including views of the City Hall, Queen's University, the Parliament Building at Stormont and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents.
Day 12 – Day 12: Departure from Belfast
- Belfast - Departure day
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Your memorable journey through Ireland and Northern Ireland comes to an end. Departure transfers arrive at Belfast George Best City Airport and Belfast International Airport. Safe travels!
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