Compare Ireland by Under30Experiences vs Ireland Uncovered by Tours of Distinction
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Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 7 days | 10 days |
Price From | $ 1,595 | $ 3,200 |
Price Per Day | $ 228 | $ 320 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Small group tour |
Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
Physical Level |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | Airfare included |
Activities |
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Meals Included |
6 Breakfasts and 5 Dinners |
8 Full Irish Breakfasts | 6 Dinners |
Description |
Welcome to Ireland! Ireland's mild climate and bountiful rain gives this impressively green island the title of the Emerald Isle. The Irish countryside is home to castles from the Middle Ages, majestic cliffs, rich culture, and settings for movies like P.S. I Love You. With over 60 million Americans claiming Irish descent, it's only natural to have curiosity about the heritage of the old world. It's the perfect destination for group travel and your next adventure! |
Ireland’s beauty has inspired romantics, poets and dreamers for centuries. Its towns and villages exude unforgettable charm, cheer, and the rich tapestry of Gaelic culture. Explore storied pasts in magnificent castles that dot the landscape, discover mysteries along Ireland’s stunning seascapes, emerald lakes and moss covered bogs on this tour to Island. Visit Dublin voted the 3rd friendliest city on earth, marvel at Waterford Crystal, and feast on Irish hospitality – it’s a country where locals love a chat. Start your conversation on this small group tour of Ireland. |
Day 1: Arrival in Ireland & Howth Cliffs
We highly recommend booking pre-trip accommodations if you'd like to fully immerse yourself in Dublin's vibrant atmosphere.
Morning
Arrive at the Dublin International Airport (DUB) before 7:00 am and take included transportation to Howth village with your fellow group travelers (~30 min drive).
Start the day with a good Irish breakfast and go for an incredible cliff walk on the Bay of Dublin.
Spend your first morning exploring the lighthouses, shops, and cafes of Howth. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to spot some seals!
Afternoon
Travel to Kilkenny, an Irish medieval town famous for its castle, witch legends, and its outstanding hurling team (~1.5 hour drive).
Explore Kilkenny with your Trip Leader on a short walking tour before dinner.
Evening
Have dinner in an Irish pub and spend the evening listening to live Irish music and dance.
Day 2: Kilkenny Cultural Experience
Morning
Enjoy an Irish breakfast at your hotel/guesthouse.
Take a city cycling tour with an Irish guide and learn about Kilkenny's history and legends.
Afternoon
Explore Kilkenny and the surroundings with a wide range of optional activities.
Suggestions: Play Hurling, Ireland's national sport with a professional; Climb to the top of St. Canice Cathedral and the Round Tower constructed in the year 1250 for a view of the city; experience the Smithwicks Brewery; or visit the Dunmore caves.
Evening
Enjoy a delicious dinner in the historic Kilkenny.
Optional night out and experience Ireland's unique river dancing at a local pub.
Day 3: Rock of Cashel & Galway
Morning
Enjoy another full Irish breakfast right at your hotel/guesthouse.
Depart early in the morning for your next adventure in Ireland at the famous Rock of Cashel (~1 hour drive).
Spend the morning visiting the historic site, marveling at the Celtic art and experiencing the medieval architecture.
Afternoon
Take a cross country drive to beautiful the west coast city of Galway (~2.5 hour drive)
Arrive in Galway in the afternoon and take a walking tour of the city with your Trip Leader.
Evening
Have dinner in a local Galway restaurant with your group.
Optional night out in an Irish pub.
Day 4: Connemara National Park
Morning
Breakfast right at your hotel/guesthouse.
This morning, you will visit a traditional Irish Farm in the Connemara region. (~1 hour drive from Galway).
Partake in a dog herding demonstration, learn about the importance of Irish Turf cutting, and hang out with the friendly animals on the farm!
Afternoon
Have lunch in Leenane, a picturesque village that overlooks Ireland's only fjord.
After lunch you will go for a moderate hike where you'll see incredible views of the beautiful Connemara National Park.
If you're feeling extra active today you can climb to the summit of the mountain for even better views. Good footwear is recommended.
Evening
Return to Galway and have dinner in another restaurant in Galway. (Not Included)
Optional night out with your group.
Day 5: Cliffs of Moher
Morning
Breakfast at your hotel/guesthouse.
Travel to the Burren region and visit the Cliffs of Moher, rising 390 ft above the Atlantic Ocean. (~2 hour drive)
Afternoon
Spend the afternoon exploring the Cliffs of Moher and hiking around the surreal landscape.
Learn more about how the Cliffs of Moher is a place of conservation and sustainability.
Evening
In the evening, immerse yourself in Galway's famous live Irish folk music and join in for a dance!
Have dinner in a restaurant in Galway and get ready for your next adventure in Dublin!
Day 6: Explore Dublin
Morning
Depart early in the morning for Dublin, capital of the Republic of Ireland, located on the East Coast of the country. (~3 hour drive)
Arrive at your hotel/guesthouse before lunch.
Afternoon
Explore Dublin, a UNESCO City of Literature.
Enjoy a walking tour with your Trip Leader for approximately 2 hours where you'll learn about Dublin's rich history.
Make your own adventure in Dublin with the help of your Trip Leader.
Suggestions: Trinity College, Guinness StoreHouse, Old Jameson Distillery, Book of Kells, St Stephen’s Green Park, Dublin Castle...etc.
Evening
Enjoy your last dinner in Ireland with your new friends and a pint of Guinness!
Day 7: Relaxation & Departure
Morning
Depart at any time of the day with instructions from your trip leaders on how to take taxis, busses, or even Uber to the airport.
Be sure to ask your Trip Leaders for suggestions on what to do if you choose to spend more time in Dublin.
Day 1 - Depart for Dublin, Ireland
Today, transfer to the airport for your tour of Ireland and board your overnight flight to Dublin.
Day 2 - Arrive Dublin
Arriving at Dublin International Airport, you will be met by your local guide and escorted to your awaiting motor-coach. This morning, you will enjoy a tour of Dublin City; originally founded as a Viking settlement, Dublin has been home to the Irish Parliament since the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922. On your tour, witness Georgian Squares with their 18th Century houses, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College with the Book of Kells, Phoenix Park (biggest town park in Europe), statue filled O’Connell Street and the fashionable Grafton Street. Later, no visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Guinness Brewery founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness. Here, you will enjoy a guided tour which concludes with a leisurely pint of Guinness in the 360-degree roof top bar while enjoying some spectacular views of Dublin City. After, check-in to the Camden Court Hotel for our overnight stay and Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 - Waterford
After breakfast, we depart Dublin and travel south to County Wicklow, known as The Garden of Ireland. Your first stop will be Powerscourt House and Gardens. Powerscourt House which was badly damaged by fire in 1974 has been refurbished and opened to the public. The gardens at Powerscourt were laid out when the house was rebuilt in 1731. From here, you continue to Glendalough (Valley of Two Lakes) where you travel back in time to the 7th century with a guided tour of this remarkable early monastic settlement. Your tour continues through the beautiful Vale of Avoca to the Avoca Hand Weavers (the oldest in Ireland). We tour the weaving cooperative and get our own chance to try weaving!
Day 4 - Killarney
House of Waterford Crystal awaits today! See highly skilled local craftsmen demonstrate crystal blowing and cutting in the new state of the art visitor center. After, continue along the southern coastline to Blarney where you will have an opportunity to visit and kiss the famous Blarney Stone - said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who dare. Following this adventure, continue to Killarney for a two-night stay in the Killarney Towers Hotel.
Day 5 - Dingle Peninsula
Today, you will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, once cited as the most beautiful place on earth by National Geographic. You will stop at the Brian de Staic studio in Dingle which specializes in Celtic jewelry. This jewelry is handcrafted and engraved with ancient Celtic symbols and the letters of the ogham alphabet, an ancient Irish form of writing. As you continue around Slea Head, you will get some breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline and see some beehive huts (early monastic settlements) dating back over a thousand years. Plus, we visit the westernmost point in Ireland where you can view the Blasket Islands. You will also see the locations for such films as Ryan’s Daughter and the more recently filmed Far and Away which starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. You will have some free time in Dingle for lunch before returning to Killarney.
Day 6 - Galway
This morning, you bid farewell to Killarney and travel to Tralee, capital town of County Kerry and famous for The Rose of Tralee Festival. You continue to Tarbert where you board the Shannon Ferry and cross the Shannon Estuary to Killimer. From here, you travel the coast to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which rise to a height of 600 ft. over the Atlantic Ocean. Following some free time to view the cliffs, your tour continues through the ‘lunar’ type landscape of the Burren, from the Irish word ‘bhoireann’ meaning, ‘a stony place’ or ‘a rocky place.’ This is the perfect description for this 350 sq. kilometer limestone plateau in North Clare. Later, you continue along the shores of Galway Bay to Galway City and check-in to the Galway Harbour Hotel where we have dinner.
Day 7 - Westport
Today you depart Galway and travel through Connemara with an abundance of mountains, lakelands and boglands. Because of its wild and rugged beauty, it has been the location for many films - “The Quiet Man” with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara and, in more recent times, “The Field,” starring Richard Harris. Kylemore Abbey is our next stop. Built in 1866, it was home to Benedictine Nuns from 920 to 2008. You can also visit the Abbey’s Victorian Walled Garden which is completely enclosed by a brick and limestone wall and beautiful Gothic Church. From here, continue through the scenic Doolough Valley taking in a stretch of road known as the famine walk and follow in the footsteps of the many people who left their home in search of food during the great famine. You will visit Glen Keen Farm and enjoy some freshly baked scones followed by a sheep herding demonstration. From here you continue by the foothills of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain to Westport. We unpack here for our two-night stay at the Hotel Westport.
Day 8 - Achill Island
After breakfast, travel to Mulranny and cross the Michael Davitt Bridge to Achill, Ireland’s largest offshore island. We follow the coastline and experience breathtaking views on the island’s spectacular Atlantic Drive and visit the deserted village at Slievemore. This village consists of 80 - 100 stone cottages (booley homes) on the southern slopes of Slievemore Mountain. There is a pub stop on Achill Island for lunch before returning to Westport, where you will have the remainder of the afternoon free. Take time to explore this picturesque town with its cheerful, multi-coloured shop fronts and an attractive selection of pubs, cafés and restaurants.
Day 9 - Dublin
Bid farewell to Westport this morning as we travel to the town of Knock, where Our Lady appeared in 1879, and has since become a great place of pilgrimage with thousands of people visiting each year. Then, continue to Dunboyne Castle Hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.
Day 10 - Depart Dublin
After breakfast, we transfer to Dublin International Airport with fond memories, newly acquired accents and many stories. Upon arrival in the USA, transfer home.