Itinerary
Day 1 Shannon Airport Newmarket-on-Fergus
On arrival at Shannon airport, your English-speaking driver is waiting to meet you.
You will be escorted to your private vehicle and transferred to your hotel, where you will be assisted with check-in and go through your program for your stay in Ireland.
The remainder of your day is at leisure.
Overnight stay in Newmarket-on-Fergus at Dromoland Castle Estate in a deluxe king.
Day 2 Newmarket-on-Fergus Cliffs of Moher Newmarket-on-Fergus
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before embarking on a journey to the towering Cliffs of Moher, at over 600 feet tall, these sandstone cliffs are exposed to the fiercest of Atlantic storms, and large colonies of birds can be spotted here.
Venture through The Burren, the largest karst landscape in Europe, offering a dramatic drive with a lunar-like backdrop and unusual rock formations. Time permitting, you may wish to stop in Galway, a lively and picturesque city with an avant-garde culture. (8 hours, driver-guide)
Overnight stay in Newmarket-on-Fergus at Dromoland Castle Estate in a deluxe king.
Day 3 Newmarket-on-Fergus Dingle Peninsula Killarney
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
Take a scenic drive through the Dingle Peninsula to Dingle Town, a historic fishing village.
Explore the culture and heritage of this enchanting Gaelic-speaking region at the Blasket Islands Heritage Centre. Continue past Mount Brandon, the second highest peak in Ireland, before arriving at your accommodation in Killarney, which overlooks the lakes. (Duration: 8 hours, with a driver-guide).
Overnight stay in Killarney at the Europe Hotel & Resort in a superior lake view king.
Day 4 Killarney Ring of Kerry Killarney
Explore the Ring of Kerry today, one of the best-loved coastal drives in Europe.
The road follows the shoreline of the Iveragh Peninsula, passing some of the most beautiful mountain and moorland scenery in the whole of Ireland. To the south of Portmagee runs the Ring of Skellig, a quiet, scenic, though often steep, route around the most westerly point of the Iveragh Peninsula, via wild and exposed St Finian's Bay. This is the unlikely home of the small but high-quality, family run Skelligs Chocolate Factory where you may wish to enjoy a sample or two and watch the chocolates being made in their 'open plan' production area.
Your tour will take in the charming town of Kenmare, famous for its lace making, before you travel through the beautiful Molls Gap and Ladies View that offers breath-taking scenery all the way to Killarney's National Park. Return to your hotel from here. (8 hours, driver-guide)
Overnight stay in Killarney at the Europe Hotel & Resort in a superior lake view king.
Day 5 Killarney Cork Dublin
This morning you leave County Kerry and travel northeast to Dublin.
The journey starts off by taking you over the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains with its stunning vistas. You then drive through Cork City, continuing to nearby Blarney Castle for a visit. In the parapet of this ruined tower house lies the Blarney Stone, said to bestow the 'gift of the gab' on all who kiss it. (Please note: the ascent to the castle is not recommended for anybody who has difficulty climbing stairs).
Travel on into County Tipperary, where you can visit the Rock of Cashel. The ruined cathedral and the round tower of the early archbishops of Munster perch dramatically on top of this outcrop, and you can learn about its history in the interpretative centre.
Finally, drive through the Leinster countryside to your hotel in Dublin. (Up to 10 hours, driver-guide)
Overnights stay in Dublin at the Merrion Hotel in a deluxe double.
Day 6 Dublin
Embark on a city adventure this morning accompanied by your expert guide and driver.
Your private tour of Dublin begins with the impressive Trinity College, Ireland's oldest university. Explore the Old Library, which houses 200,000 antiquarian texts and the oldest surviving harp in Ireland. Here you will see the world-famous Book of Kells, a fabulous example of early Irish manuscript illumination. Hand-crafted by monks, it contains the four gospels and has been resident at Trinity College since the 17th century. Continue to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, where you have the opportunity to see a memorial to Jonathan Swift, the author of 'Gulliver's Travels', who became Dean of St. Patrick's in 1713. (4 hours, driver and guide)
Overnights stay in Dublin at the Merrion Hotel in a deluxe double.
Please note: The Old Library and Book of Kells exhibition will remain open until the end of 2025, but due to a redevelopment project, only the first eight bays of books remain, which represents 10% of the complete collection.
Day 7 Dublin Belfast
This morning, head to Northern Ireland with your driver-guide.
En-route to Belfast, you may wish to stop at Strangford Lough, a spectacular sea lough studded with islands and boasting miles of hidden coves, sandy beaches, and rocky outcrops. With its picturesque villages, rare wildlife, and stunning views of the Mourne Mountains, the lough is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
This afternoon, enjoy a panoramic tour of the Belfast city centre with your local guide. While touring, you’ll see City Hall, St Anne’s Cathedral, and Queen’s University. Your guide will take you to the Titanic Quarter, named after the most famous ship built in the city’s dockyards.
Throughout the afternoon, your guide will outline the political and sectarian divides that have shaped the society of this city in recent decades. (Up to 8 hours, driver-guide, 4 hours local Belfast guide)
Overnight stay in Belfast st the Merchant Hotel in a deluxe double.
Day 8 Belfast
Enjoy a breakfats at the hotel and the remainder of the day is at leisure.
Overnight stay in Belfast st the Merchant Hotel in a deluxe double.
Day 9 Belfast Dublin Airport
After breakfast, you'll be transferred to Dublin Aiport for your onwards destination.
