The Irish Pub Tour

Your tour starts at 2:00 PM at your Dublin hotel. A local guide will bring you for a panoramic tour of central Dublin, a friendly city famed for its wit and sense of fun. Enjoy a welcome drink and dinner with your group at The Church Café Bar and Restaurant; this converted building is where brewer Arthur Guinness was married, playwright Sean O’Casey was baptized, and where Handel practiced the organ before the first-ever public performance of his “Messiah” in 1742. (D)

Head to historic Kilkenny for a guided walking tour along its Medieval Mile, stretching from cathedral to castle. Discover the rich heritage, narrow streetscapes, and picturesque merchants’ houses of this small, historic city. Next, enjoy a special beer-tasting experience. Spend some time browsing as you please before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Visit the Marine Bar in Dungarvan in a CIE Tours Exclusive, and enjoy a drink with some traditional music in this centuries-old, family-run pub. Travel on to visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone, which legend promises will bestow the “Gift of the Gab” or explore the beautiful gardens. Pass through County Cork to the lively town of Killarney – a draw for visitors to Ireland since the 18th century – where you will have free time after dinner to explore some of its friendly pubs, many with live music. (B, D)

Visit Moriarty’s in the Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, before heading out to the Dingle Peninsula. You may know this beautiful region from films like “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away”. Visit a farm for an immersion into traditional farming life and watch skilled sheepdogs demonstrate their talents at herding. Take some free time to explore the charms of Dingle town. In the evening, head to the Celtic Whiskey Bar in Killarney for a tasting, chocolate pairing, and dinner. (B, D)

Embark on a ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Take in the spectacular beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic surf. Walk along the top of the cliffs for views across Galway Bay to Connemara and the Aran Islands. In the evening, have an early dinner at your hotel, then head out for a CIE Tours Exclusive: You’ll visit the nearby seaside suburb of Salthill for a special evening of storytelling at O’Connor’s Famous Pub. (B, D)

Spend a leisurely morning exploring vibrant, artistic Galway as you please. Travel to Athlone, where you’ll enjoy a choice of Irish coffee, whiskey, or beer as you cruise Lough Ree in a replica Viking longship. Then head to Sean’s bar in a CIE Tours Exclusive. Sean’s Bar is not only the oldest in Ireland; dating back to 900 AD, it’s the oldest in Europe, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The sloped floors (often covered with sawdust), candlelight, and turf fire pay nostalgic tribute to this pub’s rich history. Enjoy dinner in your Athlone hotel this evening. (B, D)

Enjoy the scenery of central Ireland as you head to Dublin on the east coast. Visit the Guinness Storehouse in the heart of the city – one of Ireland’s most popular attractions – and sample Ireland’s iconic brew as you take in the panoramic view from the seventh-floor Gravity Bar. In the evening, head to the Irish Whiskey Museum for a private tour and a tasting. In a CIE Tours Exclusive, enjoy a special after-hours experience: a traditional band will play lively tunes for your group as you relax over a drink and finger foods. (B)

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