Taste of Ireland

Our tour director Brian was very informative and funny. The tour stops were great.

Fantastic Tour

We got to see all of the main tourist attractions I’d always heard about plus some lesser known stops. There was a good balance of time with the group and alone time to explore. For a 4 day tour, they really packed it all in quite nicely!

Fantastic Experience

We had a great time in Ireland and on this trip! A few things to note:

This guided tour had 40 people on the bus - it was a good number for the bus and our guide and overall, the experience. We had thought we were going with a small group (12-16 people)- so if that is something you are looking for, be aware when booking.

Our guide: Noel. Is. Amazing. Seriously, such a fun person and entertained us with stories from his life, past and present. He provided us with historic information, and his thoughts and learned about us in the process. If you are interested in something specific, don't hesitate to let him know - he likely has that information or will get back to you! He honestly, made the trip.

Our hotels:
Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge, Dublin - This hotel is very nice! The staff is great and the food was excellent. We added a pre-night onto our trip and were able to stay here for 3 nights. Very thankful for this! We were also able to check in very early (they did not promise this! but did accommodate it!) We appreciated that a lot and were able to start our trip off with some sleep and a shower. NOTE - if they don't have a room ready, you can store your luggage and go grab some breakfast at the restaurant! That was our backup plan :) Location-wise, this hotel is about 20 minutes away from downtown Dublin. Be prepared to learn the bus system or take a car to and from. There are restaurants and things to do all within about a 10/15 minute walk. Room-wise - we shared a King bed and that was plenty of space if you need to share. The bathroom was nice but got a little humid and wet (so don't store any pajamas in there!)

Killarney Towers Hotel - NOTE - THIS HOTEL HAS A POOL, take a suit. Our room was perfectly sized for two friends. We had two twin beds, and a nice restroom and they provided robes and slippers. This hotel is perfectly situated in the tiny town, but pubs and shopping literally right outside the door. Food and a bar are available and the food/chefs are amazing. Have a cocktail, that bartender knows what they are doing :) If you are coming home late - be sure you have your key and remember your room number (I know that sounds silly, but when traveling - it's hard to keep up sometimes!) They will check your name and make sure you are a guest - which is exactly what they are supposed to do! So, that is great!

Clayton Hotel Limerick - We loved this hotel. We were provided with 1 king bed and 1 twin. When you are traveling with a friend and want a little sleeping space, this is welcome. The hotel restaurant was great with breakfast included and coffee available. There are bars within 5 minutes walking distance and nice views, depending on where your room is.

Academy Plaza Hotel, Dublin - This hotel... was our least favorite, but fine. The location was amazing, the staff was super friendly and it was clean. However, the rooms are very small. Our two twin beds, while OK, were also essentially - touching. This wasn't an issue but something to note. The location couldn't be beaten. It is a 15/20-minute walk to Temple Bar and there are coffee shops, restaurants, and pubs all located right outside. If needed, they will also store your luggage for the day while you explore Dublin.

Highlights: We had such a fun time at Blarney Castle! Go kiss the stone! However, be prepared to spend most of your time in line to do that. Also note that it requires no fear of heights, small spaces, and the ability to stand and climb some tight and funky stairs. I would go back here to explore the grounds in the future as it is BEAUTIFUL.

The Sheep Farm. WOWWWWWW. This was one of our favorite activities. The owners and workers were very kind, informative, and helpful. The real treat was the animals! We were lucky enough to be able to hold lambs and play with the sheep dogs. This was a fantastic experience. We were here on a very heavy and rainy day, but Noel guided our bus through the Ring of Kerry perfectly. The tour still took place even in the rain and it was amazing to watch the working pups and farmers. If you are lucky and an animal person, you will get to pet the dogs and make some new four-legged friends.

The Merry Ploughboy - this was our group dinner on the first night of the tour. I had originally thought it was going to be cheesy and with such a big group and likely a little awkward. I was SO WRONG. The food? Excellent. The drinks? (Specifically the dessert Irish coffee?) Amazing. The music? OMG such an experience. You will fall in love with the beautiful stories and tunes and have such a wonderful evening with new friends.

Cliffs of Moher - It is worth mentioning that I have been here before! My friend and I came for a visit and this was her first time. Be sure you wear comfy shoes, and layers and grab a snack before going on a walk! I would absolutely recommend that you safely navigate your way up the path and to the additional hike on the cliff. Be prepared for some steps, mud, and gorgeous views! Monitor the signs that are posted and do this trek safely - it is worth it!

Overall, this tour will be exactly what it says - a Taste of Ireland. This tour will have you wanting to return and plan your next trip almost immediately. We can't thank Noel and CIE enough for such a great time.

Recommendation - I would recommend getting your airfare through CIE Tours rather than on your own. We booked privately, which was fine! However, if you book through CIE - I believe they take care of your airport transfers, which is a nice added benefit when you are unsure how to get to and from the airport early and during a heavy tourist weekend.

Perfect little taste of Ireland!

I loved the trip and the way the tour was set up. It was a bit challenging to have bags ready by 7am, but it was totally worth it! I enjoyed everywhere we stayed, visited, etc. My least favorite hotel was the Academy Plaza in Dublin, but I do understand that it was all about location, no about the hotel room, so that makes up for it. It was a bit tiny for 2 single people traveling together. Transportation was amazing! I wondered if we could have spent time in the National Park near Killarney vs. the Skellig Island tour since it was March, and you can't go there anyway. But, I would never want to go to Skellig Island after hearing about the boat ride, so this really isn't a major complaint, just a thought.

From Ireland with ❤️

Easy vacation because everything was planned out for us including free time to explore. CIE packed all the must see’s into our trip.