2025 - Grand Tour Of The Emerald Isle

Itinerary

Highlights

• Hotels for 7 nights with breakfast and dinner (one breakfast aboard the ferry)
• Overnight hotel for 1 night with breakfast
• Local guide on Ring of Kerry day 
• Entrance fees included as stated in itinerary
• All excursions as stated

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - After boarding your holiday coach head westwards to Wales. Ample stops for refreshments will be made before arriving at your overnight hotel, the Beaufort Park Hotel, Mold in North Wales. Overnight with dinner.

Day 2 - Wicklow Mountains & Avoca - An early start, to Holyhead for the morning crossing to Dublin with breakfast included on the ferry. Arrive in Ireland around midday and continue through the Wicklow Mountains and onto Avoca, the setting for "Ballykissangel" and home of Ireland's oldest working mill Avoca Handweavers. Continuing on via Arklow and Enniscorthy to Waterford for an overnight stay at the friendly 3* Dooley's Hotel. DBB

Day 3 -Waterford & Cobh - Start the day with a visit to the Waterford Crystal manufacturing facility (entrance included), retail outlet and visitor centre situated in the heart of the city. Travelling westward to Cobh previously known as Queenstown and was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic which sailed from here on 14 April 1912. Relive the experience at The Cobh Heritage Centre (entrance included). Is there anywhere in Ireland more full of poignant memories than this embarkation point for America? From here hundreds of thousands of mostly hungry and penniless Irish men and women left to build a new life, especially in the Famine years of 1844-48. Many thrived and prospered, but many died on the journey in the terrible travelling conditions of the time. Continuing to Killarney for a 2 night stay at the 4* Killarney Towers Hotel. DBB

Day 4 –Ring Of Kerry - Together with a local guide enjoy a day out around The Ring of Kerry, dominated by the mountain range known as Macgillycuddy’s Reeks. The journey begins at Killorglin, home of the famous Puck Fair (the world’s oldest market), before a stop at the Kerry Bog Village, which portrays the tough existence of Irish life in a typical 19th Century peat cutting settlement (entrance included). Onward through Glenbeigh, Rossbeigh and Kells, with their beautiful golden beaches, pausing for a lunch opportunity. This afternoon, continue along the shores of Ballinskelligs Bay to Caherdaniel. At Sneem, head inland onto the Moll’s Gap, a dramatic cutting between the peat bog and the mountains. The winding road passes Ladies View and then into the Killarney National Park on your return to Killarney Towers.

Day 5 –Killarney to Ennistymon - Free time in Killarney before heading north via Listowel to the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, birthplace of the Irish Coffee (entrance included). In 1942, the chef at Foynes airbase, Joseph Sheridan, served whiskey in his coffees to help revitalise a group of weary passengers delayed by bad weather. A legend was born! Enjoy a guided tour of the museum, which includes a full size replica of the magnificent Boeing B-314, the quintessential Clipper Flying Boat. On to Tabert for the 30 minute ferry journey across the River Shannon to Killimer before checking in for your 2 night stay at the 3* Falls Hotel, Ennistymon. DBB

Day 6 –Cliffs of Moher & the Burren - From the sheer drop of the Cliffs of Moher into the Atlantic to the stark moonscapes of the Burren, northern County Clare is a must for all visitors to this region. We call at the visitor's centre in Kilfenora for an introduction to the Burren (entrance included), a large limestone cap stretching for miles. The Burren is an anomaly in the Irish landscape and home to all manner of flora and fauna. Onto the Cliffs of Moher (entrance included) where you can stand in awe at the sheer might of the Atlantic Ocean.

Day 7 - Galway Bay - Today travel with fabulous views of Galway Bay to Galway. Famous for its Oyster Festival, it has enjoyed a renaissance in recent years. Perhaps take a walk along the Old Quays to visit the Spanish Arch and the Claddagh, which pay testament to Galway's maritime history. Spend time in Eyre Square, a relaxing spot, amongst the maze of streets offering a variety of stores, pubs and restaurants. Continue towards Dublin for your overnight stay at the 4* Talbot Hotel Stillorgan. DBB

Day 8 - Dublin Sightseeing - Following breakfast enjoy a short tour of Dublin's sights, including Christ Church Cathedral, Phoenix Park and Customs House with free time allowed before taking the mid- afternoon sailing back to Holyhead. We recommend having a meal on board as it will be a mid- evening arrival at your overnight hotel (North Wales / Cheshire region). BB

Day 9 - After a leisurely breakfast retrace your steps, with ample stops for refreshments. Continue back to your local joining points arriving back mid/late evening.

Accommodation

Various Hotels

- Various 3 and 4 star hotels as shown in the holiday itinerary
- Beaufort Park Hotel – Mold (overnight outbound)
- Dooley’s Hotel, Waterford
- Killarney Towers Hotel – Killarney
- Falls Hotel – Ennistymon 
- Talbot Hotel – Stillorgan (formerly the Stillorgan Park Hotel) 
- North Wales / Cheshire area (return overnight - Hotel TBA)

All hotels offer comfortable rooms with en-suite facilities, TV and tea/coffee making facilities. Please note that named hotels are subject to change but with similar or higher rated accommodation.