Ireland 2025

Day 1 Mon May 12:

Today we start our journey to Ireland with a flight from Philadelphia International Airport to Dublin Airport. We will take a bus to the airport and be flying American Airlines leaving in late afternoon and arriving in Dublin in the morning.

Day 2 Tue May 13:

Following arrival at Dublin Airport, you will be met by your Driver/Guide and escorted to your awaiting motor coach. This morning, you will enjoy a tour of Dublin- Ireland's capital city on the banks of the River Liffey. you will see the Georgian Squares with their 18th Century houses, St Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College, the Phoenix Park (the biggest town park in Europe), statue filled O'Connell Street and the fashionable Grafton Street. You will also visit The Irish Emigration Museum which tells the story of the many Irish who emigrated over the centuries and how they helped to change the world. This afternoon you will check into your hotel for two-night stay. Later you will regroup with your fellow travelers and enjoy a welcome dinner in your hotel.

Day 3 Wed May 14:

This morning you will travel to Trinity College where you will visit the Long Room which houses 200,00 of Trinity College's oldest books and considered to be one of the world's most beautiful libraries. you will view the Book of Kells a 9th century Latin manuscript of the four Gospels written on vellum (prepared calfskin), it is one of Ireland's greatest cultural treasures and the world's most famous medieval manuscript. You will also visit historical site which has been at the heart of Dublin history for over 800 years. No visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Guinness Brewery founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness. Here you will enjoy a self-guided tour which concludes with a leisurely pint of Guinness in a 360-degree roof top bar while enjoying some spectacular views of Dublin City. The remainder of the day is free to soak up the atmosphere of this vibrant city. You may choose to explore its many lively streets and enjoy dinner in one of the city's charming pubs and restaurants.

Day 4 Thu May 15:

This morning you depart Dublin and travel through the horse breeding county of Kildare and the rich farmlands of county Tipperary to Cashel where you will see the amazing Rock of Cashel. This was the seat of the Kings of Munster from 370-1101 and has early associations with St' Patrick. Your journey continues to Blarney where you will visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who dare. As you make your way through the castle grounds you can also visit the Castle Gardens and Rock Close. From here you continue to beauty's home Killarney for two-night stay. This evening you will enjoy dinner in your hotel.

Day 5 Fri May 16:

Today, you embark on one of Ireland's most famous tours- The Ring of Kerry. Your first stop this morning will be the Kerry Bog Village where you can visit little thatched cottages and see how people would have lived in Ireland many years ago. Your tour continues through the wild and rugged landscape of the Iveragh Peninsula which has some breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline. You will pass through the towns of Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahirciveen and Waterville to Sneem. Your tour then winds its way through the mountains taking in some fine views of the Lakes of Killarney and the Ladies View before returning to Killarney. The remainder of the evening is free to enjoy Killarney at your leisure. You may choose to have dinner in one of its many restaurants or simply wander around its bustling streets and let the sound of Irish music draw you into one of the towns lively pubs.

Day 6 Sat May 17:

This morning you bid farewell to Killarney and travel to Tralee, capital town of County Kerry and famous for the Rose of Tralee Festival. You continue to Tarbert where you will board Shannon Ferry, which crosses the Shannon Estuary to Killimer. From here you take the coast road to the majestic Cliffs of Moher which rise to height of 600 ft over the Atlantic Ocean. Following some free time to enjoy the cliffs, you will continue to Ennis where you will check into your hotel for an overnight stay. This evening you will travel to the 15th century Bunratty Castle where you will join the Earl of Thomond for a glorious medieval banquet. The entertainment which accompanies dinner is a superb selection of Irish medieval and traditional songs and instrumental music.

Day 7 Sun May 18:

this morning you depart Ennis and travel to Galway City where you will begin you tour of Connemara. The landscape of Connemara is made up of mountains, lakes and boglands and because of its wild and rugged beauty it has been the location for many films. the scenery is magical and is a paradise for the artist and photographer alike. You will visit Kylemore Abbey, built in 1866 and from 1920 to 2008 was the home of the Benedictine Nuns. you can also visit the Abbey's Victorian Walled Garden which is completely enclosed by brink and limestone wall and the beautiful Gothic Church. built by Mitchell Henry in memory of his wife who died four years after the castle was constructed. Your tour then winds its way through the scenic Doolough Valley taking in a stretch of road known as the famine walk and follow the footsteps of the many people who left their home in search of food during the great famine. You will visit Glen Keen Farm and enjoy some freshly baked scones followed by a sheep herding demonstration. From here you continue by the foothills of Croagh Patrick, Ireland's Holy Mountain to Westport for a two-night stay. This evening you will enjoy dinner in your hotel.

Day 8 Mon May 19:

This morning you travel to Mulranny and cross the Michael Davitt Bridge to Achill, Ireland's largest off shore island and recently featured in the award-winning film The Banshees of Inisherin. As your tour follows the coastline you will get some breathtaking views of the island's spectacular Atlantic Drive. You will visit the deserted village at Slievemore which consists of 80-100 stone cottages (booley homes) on the southern slopes of Slievemore Mountain. You will also have a lunch stop on the island before returning to Westport where you will have the remainder of the afternoon free to explore the picturesque town with its cheerful, multicolored shop fronts and an attractive selection of pubs, cafes, and restaurants.

Day 9 Tue May 20:

This morning you bid farewell to Westport and travel to Knock in County Mayo. It was here on the 21st August 1879 that our Lady appeared to 15 people ranging in age from 12 to 75. Knock is now an internationally recognized Marian Shrine. Pope John Paul II visited in 1979, commemorating the centenary of the appartition and Mother Teresa of Calcutta visited the Shrine in June of 1993. One and a half million pilgrims visit the Shrine Annually. From here you travle to County Roscommon where you will visit Strokestown Park. the park comprises of Strokestown House, the Irish National Famine Museum and Stakestown Park Walles Gardens. The house was the family home of the Packenham Mahon family and preserves the original furnishings and fabric. The National Famine Museum which is housed in the old stable yards of Strokestown house was designed to commemorate the history of the great famine. Following your visit you will continue to Dunboyne, conveniently located 30 minutes from Dublin airport for an overnight stay. This evening you will enjoy a farewell dinner in your hotel.

Day 10 Wed May 21:

After breakfast you will travel to Dublin Airport for our flight home with fond memories and newly acquired accents and many stories to relate to friends and family. Our flight arrives in Philadelphia in the afternoon and we will be met by our motor coach for a ride back to home.

B=Breakfast, D =Dinner