10 Day Leisurely Ireland Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Dublin Arrival & Russborough House
Start your tour at Dublin Airport with a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon.
If your flight arrives later than noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense.
At 2:00 pm take a short ride through the Wicklow Gap to admire the delightful scenery of the
Wicklow Mountains. In Blessington take a guided tour around the stately Russborough House, a
Palladian mansion filled with interesting treasures as well as noted works of art and early
photographic collections. In the evening meet your tour director over a welcome drink to
discuss your trip and he will help you choose a restaurant to dine independently.
Day 2 : Dublin Tour & Abbey Tavern
Relax on a half-day guided tour of Dublin to view elegant Georgian townhouses and
brightly-painted doors and cross the River Liffey to view the wide thoroughfare of O’Connell
Street with the General Post Office. Pause to view the gaunt figures at the Famine Memorial before visiting
Trinity College’s campus and the Old Library to view the illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells.
The afternoon is free so that you may use your independent open-top bus tour voucher with a visit to
Guinness or Jameson. Drive to the Abbey Tavern in Howth for a traditional dinner followed by a great
show with Irish music and intricate step dancing.
(B, D)
Day 3 : Strokestown Park House & Westport
Visit Strokestown Park House in County Roscommon. There are three parts to see – the 18th
century mansion with its original furnishings; the four-acre walled Victorian garden, restored to
look as it would have during the heyday of the estate; and the Famine Museum, which explains
the circumstances of the 1840’s Great Irish Famine through a combination of original documents
and images. Arrive in Westport and enjoy free time to browse around the town.
(B, D)
Day 4 : Westport House & Achill Island Excursion
Visit Westport House, an 18th century mansion, set in superb parkland with magnificent views overlooking
Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. See stunning rooms with priceless furnishings, paintings, books, silver and
Waterford Crystal. Drive around Clew Bay and cross by bridge to Achill Island. Follow the Atlantic Drive to
capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains and the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Stop at the Beehive
Restaurant in Keel for lunch and see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages abandoned
around the time of the 1840’s Famine. Return to Westport for free time and dinner on your own.
(B, L)
Day 5 : Croaghpatrick & Catamaran Cruise
Travel south past the pilgrimage mountain of Croaghpatrick and around the lovely Atlantic shoreline via Louisburgh.
Take a short catamaran cruise to see pristine mountain areas, unspoiled by roads and development
(Apr 06 – Nov 02 departures). You can see traces of ancient potato fields on some of the hilly slopes and
also view the thriving salmon and mussel farms that create employment for local people. Return to Westport
and spend an afternoon at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities or explore the Georgian town, full of charming
stores and cozy pubs.
(B, D)
Day 6 : Connemara & Cliffs of Moher
Today drive via Maam Cross in the heart of the scenic region of Connemara.
Here the constantly-changing cloud formations give granite hills, sparkling lakes and peat bogs an added dimension.
Take a panoramic tour around the main areas of Galway city and enjoy a browse around on your own. View the dramatic
Cliffs of Moher, which rise to almost 700 feet above the wild Atlantic breakers and stretch along the coast for five miles.
Then head south for a short ferry ride across the River Shannon. In Killarney check in to your old-world hotel for a
3-night stay and explore the town or relax before dining in the hotel.
(B, D)
Day 7 : Killarney’s Jaunting Car & Ring of Kerry
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park to the lovely 19th
century Muckross House. Tour the house to learn about the history of the owners and their illustrious guests and
walk around the gardens. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are brightly painted.
Join the Ring of Kerry route at the vantage point of Moll’s Gap for great views of mountains and valleys. Pause at Ladies??
View to see the Three Lakes of Killarney with the town in the background. Return to Killarney for a free afternoon and
dine independently.
(B)
Day 8 : Dingle Peninsula & Killeen House Restaurant
Discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula with heathery mountains and sandy beaches.
Drive to Slea Head at the westernmost tip of the peninsula to view more lovely vistas and early
Christian monastic beehive huts. Back in Dingle watch brewing processes at the Dingle Brewing
Company and sample some of the local brew. Drive to the South Pole Inn for an Irish coffee and
learn about the Antarctic explorer, Tom Crean. In the evening enjoy wonderful atmosphere and
cuisine at the award-winning Killeen House Restaurant.
(B, D)
Day 9 : Blarney Castle & Clontarf Castle Stay
Drive through County Cork to Blarney Castle to climb to the ramparts and kiss the famous stone.
Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where quality Irish-made products are gathered under one roof.
Drive north to pause for photos at the stately Rock of Cashel, a limestone outcrop containing 12th
century church ruins and continue to Dublin. Check in to your luxurious castle hotel, the origins of
which date back to the 12th century, and enjoy a farewell dinner with your travel companions.
(B, D)
Day 10 : Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Take a group transfer from your hotel to Dublin Airport in plenty of time for the journey home.
(B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner; L: Lunch