Day 01: Arrive Dublin sightseeing
Ireland’s ‘fair’ capital kick-starts your exhilarating encounter with the ‘Emerald Isle’. After check-in, don’t resist the youthful energy of Dublin and take to its streets in search of its characteristic craic. You’ll join your Local Specialist later for a sightseeing tour which includes views of St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Trinity College, which houses the 9th-century Book of Kells, Ireland’s greatest cultural treasure. Tap into Dublin’s effervescent spirit and head to Temple Bar or Grafton Street on your own this evening. There’s a colourful pub on every corner, with happy locals and tourists spilling out on to the pavements. You could be one of them. Slinte!

Day 02: Dublin Boyle Knock Ballina
It seems almost impossible that a place as arrestingly beautiful as Ireland exists, but it does. Its famous countryside glows green and gold as you venture west, every turn in the road revealing yet another magnificent view. There’s no better way to admire this enchanting scenery than on an Optional Experience cruise along the Shannon River, the longest river in the British Isles. Later, view the ruins of the 12th-century Boyle Abbey before arriving in Knock. It was here in 1879 that villagers witnessed an apparition of Our Lady and today pilgrims the world over visit the village’s Marian Shrine. Later, head to your hotel in Ballina where you’ll dine tonight. Maybe opt to join in a chorus or two at a cosy pub with the locals.

Day 03: Belleek (Northern Ireland) County Donegal excursion
Cross the border into Northern Ireland this morning for a visit to the Belleek Pottery Centre. Its elegant fine porcelain has been gracing dining tables all over the world for over a century and you’ll have an opportunity to buy a Shamrock-adorned memento for yourself during your visit. Head to Donegal next where you’ll view its 15th-century castle, then continue past the harbour town of Mullaghmore. Next, stop at Drumcliff where acclaimed poet and playwright, W.B. Yeats was laid to rest. See the self-penned epitaph on his simple headstone urging the horseman to ‘pass by’ before returning to your hotel in Ballina.

Day 04: Ballina Westport Galway County Limerick
Discover why Westport on Ireland’s west coast justifiably earns its title as Ireland’s most liveable town. It certainly is one of the prettiest as you’ll see first-hand when you travel through it and the breathtaking coastal landscape of Connemara, captured in John Wayne’s acclaimed ‘The Quiet Man’. Visit Galway next to see the cathedral and a stroll around Eyre Square, also known as John F. Kennedy Memorial Park. Our orientation drive through Limerick includes views of the city’s medieval-era St. Mary’s Cathedral and King John’s Castle. Tonight you can dine like lords and ladies at a medieval banquet Optional Experience in the great hall of a castle. A court jester and the castle’s musicians will keep you entertained in the manner to which you’ve become accustomed. More mead, anyone?

Day 05: Cliffs of Moher excursion
Peer over the edge of the emerald-topped cliffs to the crashing waves of the Atlantic below. The rugged and wild Cliffs of Moher have been proclaimed a UNESCO World Heritage Site and for good reason. Spot the curious colourful-beaked puffins that have settled along this western coast and visit the magnificent Cliffs of Moher exhibition, before continuing to Limerick, where the rest of your day is free. Take a step back to the 19th century with an Optional Experience to Bunratty Folk Park exploring its village dotted with thatched cottages and the 15th-century castle.

Day 06: County Limerick Ring of Kerry Tralee (1 Night)
Leave Ireland’s first ‘City of Culture’ behind for a journey across dramatic landscapes in the wild west. Keep your camera at hand as your scenic drive around the ‘Ring of Kerry’ passes colourful villages, deserted beaches and quiet fishing harbours. Later arrive in Tralee in County Kerry, where the Rose of Tralee International Festival attracts Irish women from around the world to compete for the crown of ‘Rose’. You’re in for a spectacular performance of Irish music, song and dance performed by champion dancers and musicians should you choose to join this evening’s Optional Experience.

Day 07: Tralee Blarney Dublin
Kiss the Blarney Stone and acquire the ‘gift of the gab’ on your visit to Blarney Castle this morning. Then it’s time to return to Dublin where you’ll put your silver tongue to good use during an evening optional dinner and cabaret evening that will have your toes tapping and taste buds craving another round of Irish coffee. It will be time well spent with new friends after a memorable holiday.

Day 08: Depart Dublin
Transfer to airport transfer for flight back to home.

Day 01: Welcome to Ireland
Write your own lively tale of legends and iconic landscapes during this epic encounter with Ireland’s treasures. We begin our journey in the whimsical capital of Dublin, joining a Local Specialist to see the sights. Irish history takes centre stage this evening as we visit Glasnevin Trust for an informative and poignant tour with a Local Specialist. Our visit will Make Travel Matter to its efforts to preserve Irish history and we’ll hear stories about some of the country’s bravest characters and enjoy a Welcome Reception with our representative.

Day 02: Through the Scenic County Wicklow to Waterford
Journey through the scenic countryside of County Wicklow, ‘The Garden of Ireland’, and on to New Ross – the ancestral home town of John F. Kennedy. Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the plight of the starving Irish emigrants who boarded the Dunbrody Famine Ship to flee the potato famine. We continue to Waterford, where we’ll stay overnight. This afternoon, we celebrate the centuries-old craft of flint glass creations, as we Dive Into Culture at the House of Waterford Crystal and witness talented master craftsmen at work.

Day 03: Journey to Blarney and on to Killarney
Today, we travel through County Cork and pursue the ‘gift of the gab’ at Blarney Castle, where you’ll have a chance to kiss the famous stone. Arrive in Killarney for a two-night stay.

Day 04: A Day on the Ring of Kerry
Ireland’s soul-stirring Ring of Kerry takes centre stage today as we embark on a scenic drive past its mountains, lakes and lush green countryside – unquestionably one of the most scenic routes in Ireland. We’ll see Daniel O’Connell’s Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, Moll’s Gap and the Black Valley, whose remoteness saw it become the last area in Ireland to receive electricity.

Day 05: Onwards to Lively Limerick
We continue through the windswept countryside, arriving in Adare, one of the prettiest villages in Ireland. On arrival in Limerick, we’ll enjoy views of St. Mary’s Cathedral, the Treaty Stone and the 13th-century King John’s Castle during an orientation tour. Delve into an Ireland of old, as you discover the day-to-day life of the Irish during the 18th and 19th centuries on your included visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park this afternoon.

Day 06: Admire the Cliffs of Moher and Onwards to Galway
We journey to the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, which plunge over 200 metres into the Atlantic waters below. Gain insights into the history of these imposing sheer cliffs during a visit to the ‘Atlantic Edge’ exhibition. Later, we arrive in Galway with some time at leisure to see its beautiful stone Cathedral or stroll through Eyre Square.

Day 07: A Day Exploring Stunning Connemara
Connemara’s ‘savage beauty’ is yours to explore today as we tread in the footsteps of Oscar Wilde who described its ‘wild and mountainous splendour’ as magnificent. Admire the views on the scenic drive to Kylemore Abbey, now a Benedictine monastery, where we will embark on an included visit to the country’s most romantic castle and walk through its exquisite Victorian Walled Garden.

Day 08: A Pilgrimage to Knock and on to Sligo
Our journey takes us to Westport House where we’ll Connect With Locals and indulge in a memorable Be My Guest experience with tales of the Pirate Queen, and enjoy Banoffee and Baileys flavours in the Drawing Room of this stately 18th-century home. Heading north, we stop in the pilgrimage town of Knock to view the Marian Shrine where villagers witnessed an apparition of Our Lady in 1879. We arrive in Sligo this evening, our home for the night.

Day 09: Return to Lively Dublin
Our journey continues south to Dublin. Here we’ll enjoy some free time to take a walk down Grafton Street or stroll along the Liffey. This evening, we close the chapter on an epic journey through Ireland, joining our fellow travellers for a memorable Farewell Dinner.

Day 10: Farewell Ireland
Airport transfer to airport for flight back to home.