This tour of Ireland is an activity level 4. Click here for terms, conditions, and cancelation policies.
Subject to change. Updated November 10, 2023.
March 2, Sunday Day 1:
Welcome to Dublin, Ireland, and the start of your Ireland Itinerary. I’ll pick you up at the airport and take you to our hotel. Your room will be ready when you get there if you wanna take a nap or freshen up. The rest of the day is all yours.
Meet in the lobby of the hotel to go over to The Guinness Storehouse for their world-famous tour and dinner in one of their onsite restaurants for our Welcome Dinner! Dinner and a drink are on me!
March 3, Monday Day 2:
After breakfast (which is included all week), I’ll be giving a walking tour from Trinity College to see the Book of Kells through Temple Bar to Christ Church Cathedral and ending at St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Audio guides will be included where they are available and you’ll be able to see these attractions at your own speed.
The rest of the day is free for your own plans. Personalized suggestions can be made for what to do with your time.
March 4, Tuesday Day 3:
Today we’ll be heading out on a guided day trip to discover the iconic Cliffs of Moher by bus. From their website: “Visit Galway and its stunning surrounding landscape and see famous landmarks, including Dunguaire Castle and Kilmacduagh Monastery.
Depart Dublin and journey through the flat open plain of the Curragh. Pass the Irish National Stud thoroughbred horse breeding facility as your guide shares a wealth of history and information.
Head to the ruins of Kilmacduagh Monastery and its roundhouse unique for the way it leans over by more than 2 feet. Spend 15-20 minutes here. Then, arrive at the Cliffs of Moher for a view of the Atlantic Ocean and explore on your own for around 1.5 hours.
Go to the visitor’s centre for the interactive Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience with a large multimedia screen displaying a bird’s eye view from the cliffs, and a video from the underwater caves.
Next, discover the lunar landscapes of The Burren with a 15-20 minute visit and hear about the many secrets of this atypical landscape, home to the warmest ground temperature in Ireland.
Arrive in the city of Galway, where you will have around 1 hour to explore on your own. Discover its old-world charm on cobblestone streets that evoke an authentic Ireland of times gone by.
Then drive along the coastal route of the Wild Atlantic Way to Kinvara, passing Dunguaire Castle and the 12 Bens mountain range along the way.
Meals will be at your own expense at various stops throughout the day.
March 5, Wednesday Day 4:
Today we’ll be heading to EPIC: The Irish Emigration Museum.
“At EPIC we believe that Irish history should never be a long list of names and dates, it should be an experience. We’ve brought history to life like never before.
Now’s your chance to get hands-on with Irish culture and its past with our fully interactive museum – swipe through video galleries, challenge yourself with motion sensor quizzes, dance in the footsteps of legends, listen to remastered audio from 100 years ago, and watch videos that bring Irish history to life. At EPIC you’ll discover the far-reaching influence of Irish history and the impact that the 10 million Irish men and women who left Ireland had on the world.”
There are genealogists onsite that you can book consultations with if tracing your roots is something you’re interested in!
The rest of the day is yours to enjoy with a ticket to a hop-on, hop-off bus so you can either relax and get a driving tour of Dublin or hop off when you see something you want to do.
Add on Excursion: Consider adding on a lovely evening at the Jameson Distillery. We’ll be doing a special whisky tasting before heading to dinner. If you’re a fan of Irish whisky, don’t miss this night out!
March 6, Thursday Day 5:
We’ll be heading out on another day trip today to Northern Ireland! From the tour company’s website:
“The first stop of the day is at the Giant’s Causeway. This UNESCO World Heritage site is truly a view to behold. With thousands of interlocking basalt columns spreading across the coastline, you will discover how the strange rock formation was formed thousands of years ago due to a volcanic eruption. Or maybe it is the legend Finn McCool himself that created the rock formation as he battled with the Scottish Giant?
Dunluce Castle is just around the corner. Spend 10 min here taking in the views from the Atlantic Ocean and hear the waves crash against the rocks. Experience the castle from a spectacular angle. Situated on the sheer cliff edge the ruins are truly majestic and have a lot of history and myths locked up in the walls. A perfect spot for a memorable photograph!
As we travel through the Glens of Antrim we will visit the Dark Hedges. Made famous (Not that it was needed) by the hit TV series “ Game of Thrones” as the King Road you will have the opportunity to walk along the avenue of Beech trees. Planted over 200 years ago as a stunning entrance to James Stuart’s new house it still lives on and still impresses visitors today.
Reaching Belfast we have one last stop and definitely another highlight of the day. The world-renowned Belfast Titanic Exhibition extends over nine galleries, with multiple dimensions to the exhibition. From special effects, rides, full-scale reconstructions and interactive features you will explore the Titanic story in a fresh and insightful way from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise.
The journey goes beyond the aftermath of the sinking, to the discovery of the wreck and continues into the present day in the Ocean Exploration Centre. With the entrance ticket included in the price of the tour this is truly a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this attraction. When time allows we will stop in Belfast City to have a quick break before heading back to Dublin.”
March 7, Friday Day 6:
We’ll be venturing out into the southern part of Ireland today on a day trip to Blarney Castle. From their website: ‘Set off on board a luxury, air-conditioned bus and watch Dublin’s urban cityscape give way to the rolling, green hills of the Irish countryside.
Drive through several areas of interest, including the Galtee Mountains and the Curragh in County Kildare, which is home to Ireland’s National Stud Farm.
First, arrive at Blarney Castle which is known around the world for its famous Blarney Stone. Kiss the stone and receive the “gift of the gab.” Be sure to explore the rest of Blarney Castle as well as its lush grounds and woodland walks. Discover the scenic Rock Close by taking the Wishing Steps. Depart Cork and arrive at one of Ireland’s 7 Wonders, the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary.
Explore the Hall of Vicars, Cormack’s Chapel, the Celtic Cathedral, the Round Tower, and the surrounding grounds filled with ancient high crosses. Admire one of Ireland’s oldest Romanesque wall paintings inside this world-famous historical landmark. For your final stop of the day, visit one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles, Cahir Castle. The Castle was built in the 13th century, to house the Butler family. Built as a defensive castle it still boasts a lot of the original structure.”
After our day trip, we’ll go to the Old Storehouse Bar & Restaurant for our Farewell Dinner, where we can exchange stories and pictures and listen to live Irish music. Dinner and a drink are included as we enjoy our final night in Dublin!
March 8, Saturday Day 7:
Sadly, we will all go our separate ways today but I’ll get you back to the airport so you can start your trip home.
Slainte (cheers) and safe travels as you head home! Until we meet again!
Included in your Ireland Itinerary 7 Days:
- Airport transfers to/from the hotel
- Six nights hotel
- Included Meals
- 6 hot breakfasts at the hotel
- 2 dinners at local restaurants
- * 1 entree, a side, and one alcoholic beverage or dessert
- Tickets and Audio Guides (where applicable)
- Guinness Storehouse Tour
- Book of Kells at Trinity College
- Christ Church Cathedral
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- EPIC Emigration Museum
- Hop on/off Bus 24hrs
- Any entry tickets needed on day trips
- Three full-day guided day trips
- The Cliffs of Moher
- Blarney Castle
- Northern Ireland
- Walking tour of Dublin
- One guide who is a text away if you need her (that’s me!)
- Brighter Things Amenity Kit mailed to you before the trip to make your flight more comfortable
- A pre-trip group Zoom call to say hey to everyone and go over any details you may be uncertain about.
- For example: flying internationally if this is your first
time.
- For example: flying internationally if this is your first
- A swag bag waiting for you in your hotel room full of fun stuff.
NOT Included in your Ireland Itinerary 7 Days:
- Flights
- Public transportation or cabs used during free time
- Meals not included:
- Any meal not listed above
- Meals and snacks during day trips
- Entry tickets to places suggested for free time
- Genealogy consultation at EPIC museum
- Shopping
This tour is an activity level 4. Click here for terms, conditions, and cancelation policies.
Subject to change. Updated on May 17, 2023.
