Irish Gold

Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your hotel in Dún Laoghaire, a charming seaside suburb. Get started with a panoramic tour of Dublin, seeing historic O’Connell Street, Georgian buildings and squares, and St Stephen’s Green. Visit the historic Liberties section of the city to explore Pearse Lyons Distillery. Housed inside an old church, Pearse Lyons offers a distinctive experience; you’ll hear fascinating stories about the church and the neighborhood as well as sample the whiskey. Return to your hotel for a welcome drink with your fellow guests, and then enjoy an independent evening of dining and exploring as you wish.

Head to the vibrant, artistic city of Galway. Along the way, enjoy a drink at Sean’s Bar in Athlone. The oldest pub in Europe, Sean’s Bar has been quenching thirsts since 900 AD. Join a local guide for a walking tour through Galway and discover this thriving city of medieval winding lanes and buzzing street life. Enjoy free time to explore Galway on your own, then join your group for dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Explore scenic Connemara to admire how constantly changing cloud formations give granite hills, sparkling lakes and peat bogs an added dimension. Take a catamaran cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord (seasonal). Tour Kylemore Abbey, set beside a tranquil lake, and see its elegant rooms, the charming church, and the Victorian Walled Gardens. Return to Galway where the evening is free to explore the city. (B)

Travel south around Galway Bay and through the stark beauty of the Burren, a distinctive limestone landscape. Immerse yourself in farm life as you watch trained sheepdogs herd their flock. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, rising 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf. Ferry across the River Shannon estuary to the lovely town of Killarney. In the evening, visit Kate Kearney’s Cottage for dinner and a lively show of traditional music and dance. (B, D)

Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car through Killarney National Park to scenic Ross Castle, set on the shores of Lough Leane. See the highlights of Ireland’s most popular scenic drive, the Ring of Kerry. The stunning coastal and mountain landscapes will provide plenty of photo opportunities. Visit Moriarty’s, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, in the Gap of Dunloe. Visit the colorful village of Kenmare and enjoy free time to explore its charming craft shops, art galleries and cafes. Return to Killarney where your evening is free to explore as you wish. (B)

Drive through the mountains into rich farming country on the way to Blarney Castle. Kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or explore the tranquil gardens. Travel along the coast to the Marine Bar in Dungarvan, a CIE Tours exclusive venue, for some traditional music. Continue to Waterford, the oldest city in Ireland, where you’ll join a local guide for a walking tour through the narrow streets to discover its fascinating past. Spend free time before dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Visit the House of Waterford Crystal, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, to watch skilled artisans create sparkling masterpieces on a guided factory tour. In Kilkenny, you’ll have free time to explore the medieval city center and tour the beautifully restored Kilkenny Castle. Here you will see glorious 17th-century tapestries, family portraits, and sumptuous furnishings reflecting the lifestyle of the Butler family who once resided there. Travel on to Dublin, where you’ll dine with a glass of wine at The Morehampton. (B, D)

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner>