Irish Elegance (Small Groups, 8 Days)

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Description

Summary

Starts
Dublin
Duration
8 days
Languages
English

Description

Embark on an enchanting eight-day journey through the heart of Ireland, where history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes intertwine. This multi-day tour takes you from the vibrant city of Dublin, through the lush green meadows of the Curragh Racecourse, to the majestic Rock of Cashel and the charming town of Killarney. Experience the awe-inspiring beauty of the Iveragh Peninsula, the rugged Cliffs of Moher, and the tranquil Connemara National Park. Delight in the unique charm of the quaint village of Cong and the grandeur of Ashford Castle. This tour is a perfect blend of guided exploration and free time, allowing you to immerse yourself in the Irish experience at your own pace.

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Included

4 Dinner with Wine (DW)

7 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.

Ashford Castle: Dine on delicious Farm-to-Table fare in a stylish setting at Ashford Castle's iconic George V Dining Room.

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7 nights in twin-share rooms at hand-picked hotels

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Choose between two carefully selected activities

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.

Blarney: Your up close and personal encounter with the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate is brought to life on a guided tour with a senior gardener. On your stroll enhanced by your expert’s insights, learn about the arboretum’s rare trees, mystical Druid rock formations and the Bog Garden boasting three 600-year-old yew trees.

Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden: With a striking Victorian Walled Garden and turreted church, Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey is a sight to behold. Dig into the Abbey’s history, discovering how it was founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.

Connemara: Taste the unique flavours of DK Connemara oysters, bred in pure water that runs off the limestone hills of the Connemara National Park. Learn about the farm's sustainability initiatives in an enlightening experience. DK Connemara oysters lead the way in biodiversity and packaging for farming and advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production. Alternatively, enjoy a visit to the turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey.

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.

Kerry: Meet John, a seaweed advocate and educator for a seaweed foraging walk at Atlantic Irish Seaweed. Stroll along the shore learning about how they work to protect the fragile ecosystem of the wild Atlantic Irish coasts through their educational courses and passion for the local environment. Irish Atlantic Seaweed's environmental policy is to respect, enjoy and protect the natural wonders that surround them, and promote the sustainable use of Ireland's fragile marine ecosystems. This experience directly supports UN Global Goal 14: Life Below Water.

Cashel: See the Rock of Cashel where St. Patrick preached.

Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation.

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.

Shannon: Cross the Shannan Estuary by ferry. This large estuary is where the River Shannon flows into the Atlantic Ocean.

Galway: Visit the stunning cathedral of the City of Tribes. Admire its Renaissance style dome and unique rose shaped window.

Cong: Enjoy time as you wish to explore this delightful, quintessential Irish village, used as the location for 1952 film, 'The Quiet Man.' See the statue of the lead characters played by John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, and the ruins of the Medieval Cong Abbey.

Ashford Castle: On arrival to Ashford Castle, you are escorted over the drawbridge by a lone piper for a majestic entrance fit for royalty.

Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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Map

Attractions

Caragh Open Farm, Raheens, Caragh ED, The Municipal District of Kildare — Newbridge, County Kildare, Leinster, IrelandCaragh Open Farm
Photo of amazing Cliffs of Moher at sunset in Ireland, County Clare.Cliffs of Moher
photo of view of Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway, Ireland.Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway
Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, Pollacappul, Rinvyle ED, Conamara Municipal District, County Galway, Connacht, IrelandKylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden
Photo of Ruins of the medieval old huge cathedral among tombstones on Rock of Cashel, Ireland.Rock of Cashel
Photo of Guinness Storehouse, Popular Tourist Attraction in Dublin, Ireland.Guinness Storehouse
Miners Village, Sevenchurches or Camaderry, Brockagh ED, The Municipal District of Wicklow, County Wicklow, Leinster, IrelandMiners Village
Photo of beautiful Christ Church in the city center, Dublin.Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
photo of view of Aughnanure Castle in Ireland.Aughnanure Castle
photo of Blarney Castle, Co.Cork, Ireland, home of world famous Blarney Stone .Blarney Stone
Connemara National Park, Addergoole, Ballynakill ED, Conamara Municipal District, County Galway, Connacht, IrelandConnemara National Park
Photo of the St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland.St Patrick's Cathedral
Rathbaun Farm, Rathbaun, Skehanagh ED, Loughrea Municipal District, County Galway, Connacht, IrelandRathbaun Farm

Daily Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 – Day 1: Dublin

  • Dublin - Arrival day
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  • Trinity College Dublin
  • Guinness Storehouse
  • Miners Village
  • Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin
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Begin your Irish adventure in the bustling city of Dublin. Meet your Travel Director at 2:00pm for a guided tour of Dublin's architectural gems and rich history. Explore the River Liffey, the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral, and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Visit the 9th-century Book of Kells at Trinity College, and stroll through its cobbled courtyards. In the evening, enjoy a warm welcome dinner with your fellow travelers.

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Day 2

Day 2 – Day 2: Dublin to Killarney

  • Cashel
  • Blarney
  • Killarney
  • Dublin
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  • Rock of Cashel
  • Blarney Stone
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Leave Dublin behind and head south, passing by the renowned Curragh Racecourse. Stop at the impressive Rock of Cashel, a medieval site that dominates the surrounding countryside. Continue to Blarney, where you can choose between visiting the legendary Blarney Castle or exploring the beautiful Blarney Gardens with a senior gardener. End the day in the lively town of Killarney, famous for its traditional pubs.

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Day 3

Day 3 – Day 3: Exploring Killarney

  • Killarney
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  • Staigue Stone Fort
  • Kingdom Falconry
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Spend the day exploring the stunning landscapes of the Iveragh Peninsula, also known as the Ring of Kerry. Enjoy breathtaking views of mountains and sea, and visit a family-run seaweed farm to learn about sustainable farming practices that protect the wild Irish Atlantic coasts.

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Day 4

Day 4 – Day 4: Killarney to Galway

  • Galway
  • Killarney
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  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Cathedral of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St Nicholas, Galway
  • St Senan's Church
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Travel north, crossing the Shannon Estuary by ferry to reach County Clare. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, towering 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Continue through the stark and beautiful landscape of the Burren to Galway, the City of the Tribes. Visit the last Cathedral built in Ireland and enjoy the stunning views from your hotel, set on the Wild Atlantic Way at Galway Bay.

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Day 5

Day 5 – Day 5: Exploring Galway

  • Galway
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  • Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden
  • Aasleagh
  • Connemara National Park
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Embark on an exploration of the Connemara National Park, a wonderland of rivers, lakes, and silent hills. Choose between visiting the magnificent Kylemore Abbey or joining a sustainable oyster farm tour for a tasting and learning about their commitment to biodiversity.

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Day 6

Day 6 – Day 6: Galway to Cong

  • Galway
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  • Corrib Cruises
  • Aughnanure Castle
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Travel to the charming village of Cong, nestled on the border of County Galway and County Mayo. Explore this quintessential Irish village, see the statue from the 1952 film 'The Quiet Man', and the ruins of the Medieval Cong Abbey. Continue to the grand Ashford Castle, where a lone piper escorts you over the drawbridge. Enjoy the vast estate, spa, and falconry school, and end the day with a fine dining experience at the castle.

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Day 7

Day 7 – Day 7: Cong to Dublin

  • Dublin
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After a leisurely breakfast, leave Cong and cross the midlands to return to Dublin. Enjoy a free day for independent activities or some last-minute shopping in the city.

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Day 8

Day 8 – Day 8: Departure from Dublin

  • Dublin - Departure day
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Your enchanting Irish journey comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers will take you to Dublin airport for your onward journey.

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