Itinerary
- Day 1
Dublin
You'll arrive in Dublin at 1 p.m. and connect with your tour guide for a panoramic city tour that shows you the two sides of Dublin split by the River Liffey. The north side has busy shopping streets and the General Post Office, while the south offers elegant shops, parks, and historic cathedrals. You'll walk through Georgian architecture around Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares, then visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland's largest church. After that, you'll have dinner with your group back at the hotel.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner at hotel)
Included Activities
- Panoramic city tour of Dublin with photo stops
- Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral
Landmarks River Liffey O'Connell Street General Post Office Custom House Grafton Street St. Stephen's Green Park St. Patrick's Cathedral Christ Church Cathedral Merrion Square Fitzwilliam Square - Day 2
Dublin to Cork
This morning you'll head south from Dublin toward Kilkenny, a historically significant city shaped by the Butler family and medieval statutes. A guided tour covers its importance in Irish history. Then you'll reach the Rock of Cashel, an early Irish royal seat that rises 60 meters above the plain where St. Patrick supposedly converted the High King. You'll explore the spectacular ruins while taking in views over the golden valley. Later, you'll drive through the Blackwater River valley on your way to Cork, Ireland's second-largest city.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Tour of Kilkenny
- Visit to Rock of Cashel
- Exploration of Rock of Cashel ruins
Landmarks Kilkenny Rock of Cashel Blackwater River - Day 3
Cork
You'll get to know Cork, the Republic's second-largest city and a major university and industrial hub. Check out the city center, which sits on an island in the River Lee and was European Capital of Culture in 2005. From there, you'll head to the mountainous west coast where the landscape changes dramatically with mild climate and roadsides lined with rhododendrons and fuchsias. If you're interested, there's an optional boat trip to Garinish Island to see exotic plants and flowers. Later, you'll cross over Caha Pass and visit a working shepherd's farm to watch traditional herding dog work.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Exploration of Cork city sights
- Visit to shepherd Noel's farm
Optional Activities
- Boat trip to Garinish Island (€35 per person)
Landmarks Cork City River Lee Garinish Island Caha Pass - Day 4
Ring of Kerry
You'll travel the 180-kilometer Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland's most beautiful panoramic roads with surprising views of rugged cliffs, green mountainsides, and sandy beaches where you'll stop for photos. You'll check out an old ring fort, a mysterious Celtic relic, then move on to Killarney National Park, Ireland's oldest national park. At Ladies View, you'll stand where Queen Victoria's ladies once looked out over the lakes of Killarney in the 19th century and take in those same spectacular panoramic views yourself.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Ring of Kerry scenic drive with photo stops
- Exploration of old ring fort
- Visit to Killarney National Park
- Stop at Ladies View
Landmarks Ring of Kerry Killarney National Park Ladies View 
- Day 5
Cliffs of Moher and Burren
You'll travel north from County Kerry to County Clare, crossing the River Shannon to reach the Cliffs of Moher, which rise steeply 214 meters from the sea. Then you'll experience the dramatic landscape in the Burren region, a unique European limestone plateau with a treeless, riverless lunar landscape and distinctive karst topography. This area draws botanists because arctic, alpine, and Mediterranean plants grow together in the hollows and crevices of the plateau.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Cliffs of Moher
- Exploration of Burren limestone landscape
Landmarks Cliffs of Moher Burren River Shannon 
- Day 6
Galway
You have flexibility today. Relax at the hotel if you'd like, or spend your time exploring Galway at your own pace. There's also an optional day trip to the Aran Islands (weather permitting) where you can visit Inishmore, the largest island, and see Dun Aengus Fort, one of Europe's mightiest prehistoric defenses built majestically on the western cliffs. The island has a preserved originality where time feels like it's standing still.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Included Activities
- Visit to Galway
Optional Activities
- Day trip to Aran Islands, including Inishmore and Dun Aengus Fort (€55 per person, weather permitting)
Landmarks Galway Aran Islands Inishmore Dun Aengus Fort 
- Day 7
Clonmacnoise and Whiskey Distillery
You'll head to Clonmacnoise, the most important monastery in Ireland until the 12th century, to see early Celtic Christianity at this spiritual center on the River Shannon's banks. The site has churches, round towers, and artistically designed Celtic high crosses. On your return to Dublin, you'll stop at a well-known whiskey distillery for a tour of the historic site where you'll learn how Irish whiskey is produced. You'll finish with a tasting of the Irish 'water of life.'
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to ruins of Clonmacnoise Abbey
- Visit to distillery with whiskey tasting
Landmarks Clonmacnoise River Shannon - Day 8
Departure from Dublin
Time to say goodbye to Ireland. You'll head to Dublin Airport for your return flight to your departure airport.
- Meals
- Breakfast
