Dublin, Powerscourt & The Valley Of The Kings

Itinerary

Tour price includes

• Hotel for 4 nights in Trim with breakfast & dinner 
• Glass of house wine with first night dinner
• Porterage in Ireland
• 1 overnight hotel with dinner (breakfast on the ferry)
• 1 overnight hotel with breakfast
• 3 included excursions as stated
• Entrance to Powerscourt Estate
• Scenic drive through the Wicklow Mountains National Park
• Guided tour of Dublin
• Entrance to Brú na Bóinne including Newgrange, Knowth & Dowth (shuttle bus) 
• Entrance to the Battle of the Boyne Visitor Centre

So much to discover

Day 1 - After joining your luxury coach, journey westwards to Wales with ample stops for refreshments before arriving at your overnight hotel, 3* Celtic Royal in Caernarfon where an evening meal is included. Dinner & overnight

Day 2 - An early start today as you head to Holyhead for the morning crossing to Dublin wth breakfast on board the ferry. Arrive in Ireland around mid-day with just a short drive to Trim on the River Boyne in County Meath. Check in to 4* Trim Castle Hotel mid-afternoon for your 4-night stay. DBB with a glass of house wine with the first evening dinner. 

Day 3 - 5 - At leisure in Ireland with 3 included excursions

The hotel is centrally located in the town, directly opposite Trim Castle, the largest Norman castle in Ireland. The castle is noted for the part it played in the filming of Mel Gibson's film Braveheart when it was presented as the walled city of York. It is open daily (10.00 - 17.00) with access to the ground free of charge. Tours of the keep are chargeable (please enquire locally). It is a short walk into the little town centre with its inviting shops and cafes and there is a lovely riverside walk.

INCLUDED EXCURSIONS
Powerscourt Estate & Wicklow Scenic Drive
Wicklow's most popular attraction is this magnificent estate at the heart of which is a grand Palladian mansion (not open to the public), completed in 1741 for the 1st Viscount Powerscourt. But it is the formal gardens with carefully designed walks that are the real draw here, combined with the absolutely stunning views framed by the gentle beauty of the Wicklow Mountains. Voted No. 3 in National Geographic's Top 10 Gardens of the World, Powerscourt offers 47 acres of sublime gardens to explore with cascading terraces, formal landscapes, pavilions, ornamental lakes, secret hollows and fine tree-lined arbors. There is an excellent café as well as several shops housed within part of the ground floor of the house. There is an accessible route around the grounds although some areas may be more difficult to access die to steps and heritage features. Enjoy a scenic drive this afternoon through beautiful County Wicklow, heading south through Roundwood and Laragh to Glendalough, a glacial valley famous for its ancient monastic settlement established by St Kevin. Enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Wicklow Mountains National Park passing through the Wicklow Gap, a 475m pass, as you wend your way back to the hotel.

Dublin for the Day (may operate with a local coach)
Enjoy a day in Dublin to explore Ireland's intimate little capital on the River Liffey, with its affable mix of heritage and hedonism.  A guided city tour is included this morning before time at leisure to explore under your own steam. Take a stroll through Dublin's Georgian squares with their impressive townhouses, bustling Grafton Street, St Stephen's Green, Trinity College with its glorious Book of Kells and the famous Ha'Penny Bridge over the Liffey. No visit is complete without experiencing Dubliners at their most convivial in one of the city's many pubs, perhaps in lively Temple Bar. 

Ireland's 'Valley of the Kings'
A short drive north east takes you to the incredible Newgrange, the prehistoric passage tomb in the Boyne Valley which is over 5,000 years old. Older than the Great Pyramids and Stonehenge, monumental Newgrange dates back to c.3,200BC and the large mound is approximately 80m in diameter. Situated within a bend in the River Boyne, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Brú naBóinne is Ireland's richest archaeological landscape and is famous for the spectacular prehistoric royal burial site and passage tombs of Newgrange and the smaller tombs of Knowth and Dowth which were built circa 3200BC. These ceremonial structures are among the most important Neolithic sites in the world and contain the largest collection of megalithic art in Western Europe. The visitor centre features a café, toilets and an interactive exhibition which explores the Neolithic culture, landscape and monuments and includes a full-scale replica of the Newgrange chamber (NB a shuttle bus operates from the Visitor Centre to the actual sites. The chambers are not wheelchair accessible, and the passages can be uneven underfoot, low and narrow). Sturdy footwear and weather appropriate outwear recommended. The last stop of the day is at the site of the Battle of the Boyne, the location of one of the most pivotal battles in Irish history between Catholic King James II and Protestant King William III. Both kings commanded their armies in person. At stake were the British throne, French dominance in Europe and religious power in Ireland. Entrance to the Visitor Centre is included.

Day 6 - Enjoy a relaxed morning in the hotel or take a last look around Trim before heading to Dublin for the afternoon crossing to Holyhead. It is recommended to have a meal on board as it will be mid-evening before you arrive at your last overnight stop at the 3* Holiday Inn Chester South. BB

Day 7 - Head home today with ample stops for refreshments. Continue back to your local joining points arriving back mid/late evening.

Deposit required £100
Full payment required 90 days before departure

Cancellation Charges for this tour
Cancellation prior to 90 days                    Loss of deposit
Cancellation 89 - 0 days                            100% Back to top

Accommodation

Trim Castle Hotel opposite historic Trim Castle

The family-owned 4* Trim Castle Hotel is an elegant, modern hotel with wonderful views of historic Trim Castle, especially from the Rooftop Garden Terrace.

It is centrally located in the town of Trim, directly opposite historic Trim Castle.

Guestrooms are designed with a contemporary palette, modern furnishings and are fitted with flat screen TVs, electronic safe, hair dryer, WiFi and tea / coffee making facilities.

There are spa facilities on the open-air rooftop area with hydrotherapy pool and jacuzzi (charges may apply).

There are several dining outlets including a brasserie-style lounge-bar restaurant, an all-day café and a rooftop bar.

There is a lift. Back to top