Irish Legends Self-Drive

Pick up your rental car at the airport upon your arrival. Your tour begins at Dunboyne Castle Hotel, a Georgian mansion built in 1764, with 21 acres of gardens in historic County Meath. The local area is rich in historic activities to choose from, or just relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Dine in your hotel this evening. (D)

Travel to the small city of Kilkenny. Discover its fascinating architectural heritage by taking a walk down the Medieval Mile along the city’s main street; see its 13th-century cathedral and its grand castle, built by the Anglo-Normans in 1195. (B)

You might choose to visit Waterford or you might like to visit New Ross in County Wexford to explore the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of the vessel used during the 1840s famine to transport emigrants to North America. One notable fact about the port of New Ross is that it’s the port from which Patrick Kennedy, the great-grandfather of President John F. Kennedy, departed for America; JFK returned to New Ross and gave a memorable address from the quay in 1963. Return to Kilkenny to dine in your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Set out for Killarney. Along the way you might stop in Cobh, a charming harbor town that was the last port of call for the Titanic in 1912. Condé Nast recently named it as one of the 25 most beautiful small towns in Europe, praising “its rows of candy-colored homes along the water and towering cathedral standing sentry over the harbor.” Millions of emigrants left that harbor in the 19th and 20th centuries, when it was the main point of embarkation for ships going to America. Perhaps you’ll visit the Cobh Heritage Centre to explore this fascinating history. You might then choose to proceed on to visit Blarney Castle to climb the winding staircase to kiss the famous stone and earn the legendary gift of the gab, or simply stroll through the gardens. Head on to the friendly town of Killarney, where you will dine in your hotel. (B)

You might choose to visit Moriarty’s, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe. Then go to discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula as you drive along the south shore to admire views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. Browse around the town of Dingle. Or you may choose to explore the Ring of Kerry, Ireland’s best-known scenic drive. Dine independently this evening, and return to your hotel in Killarney. (B, D)

Begin driving north; you might choose to stop at the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above churning Atlantic swells. On a clear day you can see great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Continue on to Galway, where your hotel is on the promenade in the seaside suburb of Salthill; there are many lively pubs nearby or you may choose to explore the buzzing city of Galway, with its street performers, medieval buildings and charming shops. Dine in your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Today is a good day to visit the Aran Islands, should you choose. Drive through Connemara to Rossaveal, where you can leave your car and take a ferry across Galway Bay to get to Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. These austere, rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintain traditional fishing and farming methods, and who still speak the Irish language. You might choose to hike or hire a bike at the pier to cycle to Dun Aengus, a huge Iron Age fortress perched on sheer cliffs above the Atlantic; it was described by a 19th-century archaeologist as “the most magnificent barbaric monument extant in Europe”. There are a variety of tours available if you’d prefer to be driven around the island. Explore Kilronan, the island’s small main village – it’s a good spot to enjoy a casual lunch before returning by ferry, and then on back to Salthill for the evening. (B)

Drive to Dublin today. Along the way, you might stop in Athlone, where you might choose to have lunch in one of the many restaurants and cafes in the center of town and perhaps visit Sean’s Bar for a drink, as thirsty patrons have for centuries. This pub has a documented history going back to 900 AD – and is featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest pub in Europe. During renovations in 1970, ancient walls and old coins dating back centuries were discovered. Head on to Dublin for the evening, where you will enjoy dinner and a lively show of traditional entertainment at the Abbey Tavern in the seaside suburb of Howth. (B, D)

Explore Dublin on a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, seeing all the city’s highlights with the freedom to stop off to explore further as you please. Your Hop-On, Hop-Off bus ticket also gives you admission to the Little Museum of Dublin, an old Georgian townhouse with a fantastic collection of 5,000 objects telling the story of the city. Plus, you will have a voucher to admit you to one of Dublin’s top attractions: the Guinness Storehouse, a seven-story attraction telling the story of Dublin’s iconic beverage, complete with a pint at the Gravity Bar on the top floor; Teeling Distillery, the first new whiskey distillery to open in Dublin in 125 years; EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, telling the story of the people who left Ireland and how they shaped the world; the GPO Museum, innovatively detailing the fascinating story of the 1916 Rising, the pivotal event that led to Ireland’s independence; or Jameson Distillery Bow St., the original home of Jameson Irish Whiskey since 1780. Your evening is free to explore Dublin’s many bustling pubs and restaurants as you wish. (B)

Your tour ends after breakfast. Return your rental car at Dublin Airport. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner >