Highlights of Ireland

Day 1: Airport – Glendalough – Cashel   232 km
On your arrival at Dublin Airport I will personally greet you before we start on our first journey towards the South into the Wicklow Mountains. These mountains make up one of the six National Parks in Ireland. Right in its heart, located in the valley of two lakes, we will visit Glendalough. It is one of the most important monastic settlements dating back to the 6th Century, when it was founded by St Kevin. Today we can admire a round tower and ruins of ancient churches, high crosses, surrounded by an old graveyard. This monastery played a major part in the development and history of Ireland and Europe. Onwards through the Wicklow Mountains we will reach Cashel further inland. At the edge of this market town is the famous Rock of Cashel, a national monument.

Overnight stay and breakfast in 4* Baileys Hotel in Cashel or similar accommodation

Day 2: Rock of Cashel – Killarney – National Park  160 km
During the morning we will walk up to the Rock of Cashel. On top of the hill are magnificent ruins and buildings relating to 1000 years of Irish history. As we walk around them you will learn much about Ireland’s past. After the visit of the Rock of Cashel we will continue on towards the West to Killarney, which is world famous for its beautiful location among high mountains and deep lakes. After walking around the town, you can choose to visit the Victorian Grand House of Muckross, surrounded by its own gardens and parklands, a walk along Muckross Lake within the mountainous Killarney National Park, or a boat trip on the lake.

Overnight stay and breakfast in the 4* Old Weir Lodge in Killarney or similar accommodation

Day 3: Ring of Kerry  160 km
Today will be devoted to travelling the ‘Ring of Kerry’, passing through Killorglin along the northern flank until we will have the first breath taking view of the Atlantic Ocean. We will then stop at Brendan’s, he will show us how he works with his Border Collie dogs and his sheep. Sheep are at home everywhere on these mountainous farms. Our journey around the Iveragh Peninsula will bring us through Waterville, across the Coomakista Pass to Derrynane. Derrynane was the home of one the most important men in Irish history, Daniel O’Connell, whose influence went far beyond Irish borders into liberation movements throughout the world. The house is a museum, open to visitors. Nearby lies a spectacular sandy beach, inviting you to a walk by the sea and you more than likely may not want to leave. Further along the Ring Road more highlights are waiting: the colourful village of Sneem, the meandering high road through Moll’s Gap and a magical descent from the height through one of the two most ancient oak woods of Ireland with a stop at ‘Ladies’ View’ to marvel at the beauty of the famous lakes of Killarney.

Overnight stay and breakfast in the 4* Old Weir Lodge in Killarney or similar accommodation

Day 4: Dingle – Slea Head Drive – Dingle Town  183 km
We will leave Killarney travelling towards the Dingle Peninsula, more exposed and wild than the Ring of Kerry. After one hour’s journey we open the day with a walk along the amazing beach at Inch: 6 km sandy beach stretching into the wild Atlantic Ocean! We will continue through the town of Dingle and around Slea Head until we reach Ireland’s most westerly point. From here you can see the Blasket Islands and the Wild Atlantic branding onto the rocks. We will follow the coastline and come back into Dingle, a very colourful small harbour town, nestled below the mountains at Dingle Bay. You will have plenty of time to explore this wonderful place before we return to Killarney.

Overnight stay and breakfast in the 4* Old Weir Lodge in Killarney or similar accommodation

Day 5: Adare – Cliffs of Moher – Oranmore  256 km
Our journey brings us to the West of Ireland today. En route we will travel through the picturesque village of Adare. It presents a row of thatched cottages and a small park. We will continue along the inland road until we meet the Atlantic again in Lahinch. The beach here with its magnificent waves is very popular with surfers from all over the world. It is but a short distance to Ireland’s no 1 attraction: the Cliffs of Moher. As steep cliffs they run for a length of 8 km up to a height of over 200 m with spectacular views over the ocean. From here we follow the coast road around Black Head and can enjoy the panorama of a moonlike limestone landscape called the Burren. On closer inspection we can see an amazing vegetation consisting of rare plants and flowers. We will travel on to Oranmore or the city of Galway depending on your choice of accommodation.

Overnight stay and breakfast in the Boutique Guest House Armorica in Oranmore or in 4* Harbour Hotel in Galway (at extra charge) or similar accommodation

Day 6: Connemara – Kylemore Abbey – Galway  193 km
On this our last day we will visit yet another kind of landscape, travelling through the moorlands of Connemara with its granite mountains, dark lakes and sheep until we reach Kylemore Abbey. It is one of the main attractions in Connemara, was originally built as a grandiose Victorian residence, home to the Mitchell family, before the Benedictine nuns made it into a convent and boarding school. A multimedia exhibition shows the history of this place and you can marvel at the Victorian splendour in various rooms. On walkways along the lakes you will find a small neogothic church, a walled garden and extensive parklands. In the afternoon we will arrive in Galway, European capital of culture 2020. Galway city is well known for its special and very alive atmosphere, comprising of its medieval centre with many pubs, cafes and shops, medieval church, as well as a 20th Century Cathedral located by the river Corrib. After our guided walking tour you will have time for your own explorations.

Overnight stay and breakfast in the Boutique Guest House Armorica in Oranmore or in 4* Harbour Hotel in Galway (at extra charge) or similar accommodation

Day 7: Return journey Galway – Dublin 10 km (ca 215 km Galway-Dublin Airport)
Today will bring your goodbyes to Galway and Ireland – departing from Galway coach station, an express coach can bring you directly to Dublin Airport.

If you would like to extend your visit and are planning to spend some more time in Galway or Dublin we are happy to organise your accommodation and city tours for you.

Services included in the tour price:

• 1x Overnight stay and breakfast in 4* Baileys Hotel in Cashel or similar
• 3x Overnight stays and breakfast in 4* Old Weir Lodge in Killarney or similar
• 2x Overnight stays and breakfast in Armorica Guest House in Oranmore or 4* Harbour Hotel (at extra charge) in Galway or similar accommodation
• Transfer from Oranmore/Galway Hotel to the bus station in Galway on your departure day
• Private chauffeur and guide throughout your stay
• Round trip according to your tour programme (Programme subject to change)
• All travels in a modern minibus
• Information materials for your tour
• Entrance fees:
  • Rock of Cashel
  • Derrynane House
  • Kells Sheepdog demonstration
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Kylemore Abbey

Services not included:
Flights, personal expenses, gratuities, food and drinks
Return journeys are organised individually. We are happy to support you with booking bus or train tickets (Booking fee per person € 10.)

Further Information:
Tour date: to be arranged

Tour Prices:
on request

Single room supplement on request
Notice: Single rooms are rare in Ireland, you will usually get a double room to use for a single booking. For that reason prices for single rooms tend to be quite high.

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