Irish Hightlights Private Tour

Board your flight from your home destination to Dublin, Ireland.

This itinerary assumes this to be an overnight flight.

Air fare independently arranged.

Arrival in Dublin Airport, Ireland.

Meet your guide at the airport for your pick up and go to your Dublin city hotel for check in.  In the afternoon visit Dublin Castle.  Dublin Castle was the seat of power and government for many centuries.

Dublin is one of Europe´s oldest and greatest cities, one that retains its historical and cultural charms.

From humble beginnings as a Viking trading port to a walled medieval castle city and then, in a glorious century of expansion, to an elegant Georgian metropolis with wide streets, gracious squares and great houses, neatly bordered by its two canals, Dublin will capture you heart.

Tonight enjoy a welcome drink - or sip a first pint of world famous Guinness - at a local pub with your tour director followed by dinner.

>  Your tour includes: Transfer from airport to hotel, three-course welcome dinner with menu choices, one beverage, and coffee or tea after, overnight in Dublin hotel

Depart Dublin and travel through the midlands of Ireland, which has many mixed farms.  Stop for photos of the stately ruins on the Rock of Cashel, rising high above the surrounding plain.

Continue your drive south and, just a few miles outside Cork, visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence".

Drive through Macroom, built around a fine castle, and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous.  

Arrive in Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes with Ireland’s highest mountains, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, forming a backdrop.  Check in to your hotel for two nights and relax before dinner.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance to Blarney Castle and Stone, three-course dinner, hotel in Killarney

Out at the very edge of Europe, on south-west Ireland's wild Atlantic seaboard, the Ring of Kerry circles the Iveragh Peninsula.  The Ring is one of Ireland´s best known attractions, it's the contrast between the warmth of the people and the elemental nature of the place that makes it so special and worth slowing down to explore.

The ring will truly reveal itself as you take the time to stand wind-buffeted on cliff tops and wander on white sandy beaches.

Later visit a Brewery and sample some of the beer.  Return to Killarney and dine at Kate Kearney’s Cottage and watch lively music, song and dance.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrances, three-course dinner and show at Kate Kearney's Cottage, hotel in Killarney

Leave Killarney this morning and visit the Dingle Peninsula, as far west as you can go in Ireland.  As once described by National Geographic as "the most beautiful place on Earth".  A place of spectacular seascapes and landscapes shaped by the elements, a place where the mountains roll into the oceans.  It's here that you´ll find the real Ireland in the Peninsula's thriving and unbroken traditions of language and music, folklore and storytelling, arts, crafts and artisan foods.  Dingle with its bright coloured houses is known for the best food.  Leave inspired, connected and refreshed.

Continue to Limerick, your home for the next three nights.  Check into your hotel and in the evening we have dinner at Bunratty Castle, the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland.  Built in 1425, it was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendor and now contains mainly 15th and 16th century furnishings, tapestries, and works of art which capture the mood of those times.  An unforgettable evening with superb food and fabulous selection of Irish medieval and traditional songs and instrumental music.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrances, dinner at Bunratty Castle, hotel in Limerick

Spend the morning at  King John’s Castle, on "King’s Island" in the heart of medieval Limerick city.  The stunning new exhibition at King John’s Castle brings to life over 800 years of dramatic local history.

This 13th century Castle reopened only in June 2013, following a multi-million Euro investment.  Explore the brand new visitor centre with state of the art interpretive activities and exhibitions.  Have Irish coffee here with terrific views onto the castle courtyard and the Shannon River.

Free time in the afternoon to enjoy Limerick on your own.

In the evening join your tour director on a pub tour with dinner.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrance to King John's Castle, three-course dinner, hotel in Limerick

Leisurely departure this morning to County Clare – a haven of wild beauty and wonderful music – to one of Ireland’s top visitor attractions.  The Cliffs of Moher are 700 feet high and extend for 5 miles over the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare.

O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly on a headland and one can see the Aran Islands, Galway Bay and Connemara.  The cliffs are home to major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds.  Especially for you: a guided nature walk conducted by trained Cliffs of Moher Ranger.

Return to Limerick late afternoon.  Dinner tonight on your own.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrances, guided nature walk, hotel in Limerick

Today a beautiful drive back to Dublin via Glendalough through the Dublin / Wicklow mountains, steeped in history, but also where many films were shot, including Braveheart. There are ancient monasteries, a round tower, ancient mixed with modern graves, and absolutely stunning vistas.
 
Back in Dublin, enjoy more sightseeing in this lively city with your guide before checking into your hotel.

Tonight enjoy a great farewell dinner with your traveling companions.

>  Buffet breakfast, door-to-door transportation, entrances, three-course dinner, hotel in Dublin

After breakfast a transfer to Dublin airport to reach your homebound flight.

>  Buffet breakfast, transfer to airport