| 7 Days ~ Ireland
Tour
Pace
Well paced with two nights in Tralee &
overnight stays in Galway & Waterford. The driving days are of a reasonable
length with frequent and often scenic stops with photo opportunities.
DAY 1 – SUN –
ARRIVE DUBLIN
Welcome to a land of
legends, of misty mountains, lovely lakes and a warm friendly greeting
wherever you go. There are complimentary transfers from Dublin
Airport to your Insight tour hotel. In the afternoon, a sightseeing tour
of Dublin takes you past the Customs House, along O’Connell Street and
through Phoenix Park. Travel along the river Liffey to see the Guinness
Brewery and visit Dublin Castle (when open) before admiring the 18th
century buildings of the Georgian section of the city. Later join your
Tour Director for a Welcome Drink and a Highlight Dinner in a traditional
venue. Hotel: Burlington. (Speciality Highlight Dinner)
DAY 2 – MON –
DUBLIN – GALWAY
Drive through the
‘forty shades of green’ landscape of the Emerald Isle. Cross the Boyne
River, its name a reminder of the battle which saw William of Orange sow
the seeds of future strife in his defeat of the Catholic King James. Pass
by the former fortress town of Athlone, built to defend the strategic
crossing of the Shannon, before crossing the river. The destination:
historic Galway. Join your Tour Director to see St Nicholas Cathedral
(where Columbus reputedly heard Mass before sailing for America), the
Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late President John F
Kennedy. Hotel: Corrib Great Southern. (Full breakfast)
DAY 3 – TUE –
GALWAY – TRALEE
Take the scenic route
through the mysterious rocky landscape of the Burren before arriving at
Bunratty Folk Park, where old Ireland comes to life in the thatched
cottages and cobbled streets of the museum. In nearby Limerick, famous for
rhymes, lace and elegant Georgian houses, see King John’s impressive
castle and the 800-year-old St Mary’s Cathedral. Continue past the
charming thatched cottages of Adare, through the land of song and legend,
to your hotel in Tralee.
Hotel: Abbey Gate
(Full Breakfast, dinner)
DAY 4 – WED –
RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Take a leisurely
excursion along the magnificent Ring of Kerry to enjoy its breathtaking
views over mountains and sea. Follow the narrow road as it winds along the
cliffs and through delightful villages like Sneem. Cross the peat bogs of
the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap and admire Queen Victoria’s
‘Ladies View’. In Killarney, enjoy a memorable Highlight ride on a
jaunting car with the local ‘Jarvies’ before returning to Tralee .(Full breakfast)
DAY 5 – THU –
TRALEE – WATERFORD
Cross the rugged
Derrynasaggart Mountains and make your way to the ancient castle of Blarney;
will you dare to hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the Blarney
Stone, and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? Visit the Blarney Mills to enjoy
enticing displays of crystal and other Irish crafts. Continue through Cork,
Ireland’s second city, before enjoying a coastal drive via the port of
Dungarvan. In Waterford, tour the famous crystal works before arriving at
your hotel. Hotel: Dooleys.( Full Breakfast, dinner)
DAY 6 – FRI –
WATERFORD – DUBLIN
See Waterford’s ruined
city walls and Reginald’s Tower before a beautiful drive takes you through
the Vale of Avoca to see the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ memorial to
Ireland’s poet laureate Thomas Moore. Continue to the loughs and glens of
Glendalough to visit the ruined 6th century monastery of St Kevin, nestled
in a setting of total tranquillity. Finally, return to Dublin: consider
enjoying a farewell dinner and Irish cabaret to round off your tour. Hotel:
Burlington. (Full breakfast)
DAY 7 – SAT –
DUBLIN
Sadly, our tour comes to
an end this morning. There are complimentary transfers to Dublin Airport.
(Full breakfast)
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