Irish Spirit Self-Drive

Explore Dublin with its grand Georgian buildings and squares, the River Liffey, and historic O’Connell Street. Take a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, and see all the city’s highlights with the freedom to stop off to explore further as you please. 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. Dine independently this evening.

Pick up your Hertz rental car and set off for Wexford. Along the way, you might choose to visit Glendalough in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. The picturesque ruins of this once-thriving monastery, established by St Kevin in the sixth century, include several churches, large Celtic crosses, and an iconic round tower. Your hotel In Wexford overlooks the harbor. The town was founded by Vikings and known today as a hub of culture, with medieval heritage buildings, the National Heritage Park, and the beautifully restored, Gothic-Revival Johnstown Castle nearby. Dine in your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Depart Wexford and begin your journey to Tralee. You might choose to visit the House of Waterford or Blarney Castle, where you can climb the winding staircase to kiss the famous Blarney Stone for the legendary gift of the gab, or enjoy the tranquil gardens. You’ll dine in your hotel in the friendly town of Tralee tonight. (B, D)

You might choose to visit Killarney. Killarney is at the heart of some of Ireland’s most beautiful countryside. You might take a jaunting car ride through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle for views of Lough Leane and the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, or take a spin on the Ring of Kerry, Ireland’s famed scenic drive. (B)

Depart Tralee today and head north. You might choose to stop off at Cliffs of Moher to take in the glorious views from 700 feet above the churning Atlantic below. Arrive in the buzzy city of Galway, where you’ll dine in your hotel this evening. The city is full of lively pubs, bookshops, cafes, and restaurants, and its streets are abuzz with performers and musicians. (B, D)

Enjoy the city today or perhaps take a scenic drive through the breathtakingly beautiful region of Connemara, with its mountains, lakes, and boglands. (B)

Drive east to Dublin. You might visit Clonmacnoise, the spectacular ruins of a monastery founded in the sixth century. See the splendid ruins of the cathedral, nine churches, two round towers, and three highcrosses . Imagine it all as it once was, as a flourishing center of learning that attracted students from all over Europe. Continue on to your hotel in Dublin; delight in a lively evening of traditional Irish music, song, and dance with dinner at the Abbey Tavern in the seaside suburb of Howth. (B, D)

Your tour ends after breakfast. Drive to Dublin airport and drop off your rental car (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner>