Grand Tour Of Ireland 2024
- Duration: 11 days
- Board Basis: Half Board
- Tour Ref: D2TGLE9083
Holiday Summary
- Travel Type: Coach
11 days
11 Day Select Holiday
Rose of Innisfree Cruise ∙ Sligo ∙ King House ∙ Carrick-on-Shannon ∙ Westport House ∙ Galway ∙ Birr ∙ Kilkenny land train trip ∙ Bishop’s Palace ∙ Irish Museum of Time ∙ Irish Silver Museum ∙ Dunbrody Famine Ship ∙ Dublin ∙ The GPO Museum
Treat yourself to a wonderful adventure on the idyllic island of Ireland discovering its natural beauty along with visits to stately homes, exciting cities, well-preserved historic towns, world-class attractions and even a fun land train trip! Enjoy a cruise aboard the Rose of Innisfree then time at leisure in picturesque Sligo which straddles the River Garavogue where it merges with Sligo Bay. Explore King House, a lovingly restored Georgian mansion, then wander around scenic Carrick-on-Shannon’s modern marina. Delve into history with a guided tour of Westport House, stretch your legs on a guided walking tour of gorgeous Galway, and relax with a free day in beautiful Birr. Sing along to old favourites as you take in the sights aboard the tourist land train in enchanting Kilkenny. Enjoy a triple helping of intriguing museums, all located within Waterford’s Viking Triangle, and experience life as a famine emigrant aboard the Dunbrody Famine Ship. Uncover Dublin’s delights on a guided tour before being enthralled at The GPO Museum – one of the city’s newest museums, and a superb end to our Irish adventure!
PLEASE NOTE: Price is per person and based on two people sharing a twin/double room. Single room supplements and upgrades are not included.
Itinerary
Select (Ireland)
- Dinner, Bed & Breakfast
- Door to Door* Service
- Luxury coach travel throughout
- Return Irish ferry crossings (Cairnryan to Belfast)
- Morning coffee & pastry on outward journey
- Guided tour on one day of the holiday
- Excursions as stated
- Select welcome pack
Holiday Highlights & Inclusions
• Guided tours of Westport House, Galway, Bishop's Palace & Dublin• Rose of Innisfree cruise on Lough Gill
• Kilkenny land train ride
• Entry to King House, Dunbrody Famine Ship, Irish Museum of Time, Irish Silver Museum and the GPO Museum
• Excursions to Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, Westport, Birr & Dublin
• Ten nights dinner, bed & breakfast
• Select extras: Door to Door* service, Morning coffee & pastry on outward journey, Guided tour on one day of the holiday, Select welcome pack
• Luxury coach travel throughout
• Return ferry crossing to Ireland
• ABTA bonded for your peace of mind
Your Holiday Itinerary
Day One. After our ferry crossing, we continue to the outstanding Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone for our two night stay.
Day Two. We head to historic Parke’s Castle to board the Rose of Innisfree tourist boat for a sail on Lough Gill, taking in the spectacular scenery described by poet, W B Yeats, while listening to commentary. Lough Gill is an eight kilometre long limestone lake, steeped in myths and legends. The Rose of Innisfree is a majestic vessel featuring an enclosed cabin with a café-bar as well as an outdoor viewing platform. Afterwards, free time in historic Sligo, home to a thirteenth century abbey, contemporary art gallery and museum charting Sligo’s Stone Age past.
Day Three. Check out then we make our way to King House, a unique architectural treasure that was built circa 1730 as a symbol of status then later became a military barracks. From here, we continue to Carrick-on-Shannon. This attractive riverside town is home to the tiny ornate Costello Chapel, believed to be the smallest chapel in Europe. Perhaps visit St George’s Heritage & Visitor Centre where the story of the local area unfolds or head to The Dock – a nineteenth century former courthouse that houses art galleries. Later, we continue to the Ellison hotel in Castlebar and check in for two nights.
Day Four. A guided tour of Westport House, one of Ireland’s best loved heritage attractions with sumptuously furnished period rooms and incredible tales encompassing kings, queens, pirates, slave emancipators and even Greek sarcophagi! Outside, you’ll find formal gardens, an aviary, mini railway and sparkling lake. Afterwards, free time in Westport, home to a heritage centre.
Day Five. Check out and travel to Galway for a guided walking tour of this handsome, compact city. Landmarks include eighteenth century Eyre Square and a Latin Quarter with medieval buildings. The impressive cathedral is located on Nun’s Island, accessed by a bridge and featuring a mighty dome, artwork and stained-glass windows. From here, we head to the County Arms Hotel in Birr for two nights.
Day Six. A day at leisure to perhaps wander around the hotel’s grounds, enjoy the top notch leisure facilities or explore the heritage town of Birr. Perhaps visit Birr Castle Demesne, one of Ireland’s top attractions. The award winning grounds of this fortress are a tranquil oasis with a storybook moat, rare plants and waterfalls.
Day Seven. Check out before we travel to Kilkenny for some fun sightseeing aboard the Kilkenny land train, taking in the landmarks, listening to commentary and singing along to favourite songs. Once you’ve got your bearings, enjoy free time. Perhaps step behind the walls of the twelfth century stone castle or visit sixteenth century Rothe House & Garden. Elsewhere, you’ll find the Kilkenny Design Centre with its Irish handicrafts, and St Mary’s Church, which houses the Medieval Mile Museum, filled with artefacts. We then journey to the Viking Hotel in Waterford for two nights.
Day Eight. Today’s treats take in a hat trick of museums, all located within Waterford’s Viking Triangle, and kicking off with a guided tour of the Bishop’s Palace. This fascinating re-enactor led visit brings to life the scandals and treasures of eighteenth century Waterford along with the beginnings of the town’s glass making industry. A few minutes stroll from here is the Irish Museum of Time which is housed in a gothic church and home to a collection of timepieces including antique grandfather clocks and watches. Also within easy reach is the Irish Silver Museum where opulent artefacts tell Ireland’s story from the days of the Vikings.
Day Nine. Check out then we’re off to nearby New Ross where we explore the Dunbrody Famine Ship experiencing life as a famine emigrant through costumed characters. This premier tourist attraction is an authentic full-scale reproduction of an 1840’s emigrant vessel and presents a world class interpretation of life onboard. Later, we move on to the Roganstown Hotel near Dublin for a two night stay.
Day Ten. A guided tour of the Fair City this morning. Afterwards, look forward to an exciting visit to the multi award winning GPO Museum on O’Connell Street. This unmissable interactive experience is located within the historic General Post Office and recounts the story of the Easter Rising and modern Irish history. Afterwards, time at leisure.
Day Eleven. We check out and head for our ferry home after our sightseeing extravaganza!Sligo
Kilkenny
Dunbrody Famine Ship
Dublin
Dublin
Kilkenny
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Select by Glenton
ALL GLENTON SELECT HOLIDAYS INCLUDE:
Luxury travel in GLENTON Select coaches, extra leg room, reclining seats, climate control, panoramic windows, satellite navigation and USB charging points.
- Door to Door* service
- Select welcome pack
- Guided tour on one day of your holiday
- Coffee and pastry on outward journey
Collect 1000 Coach Miles
COACH MILES is our fantastic reward scheme, allowing you to save money the more you travel with us. On this holiday you can collect 1000 coach miles.
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