An Irish Experience - The Best Of The West

Itinerary

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

An unforgettable Irish discovery awaits in County Clare, defined by its ancient folklore, natural beauty and cultural vibrancy. With unique visits and experiences along the Wild Atlantic Way, come along and explore the best of this breathtaking region. We admire the stunning scenery from different perspectives, from a cruise beneath the magnificent Cliffs of Moher to a pony and trap ride on the mythical island of Inisheer, and also delve into Irish history at Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. With time in Galway and Limerick plus a fantastic bar offer and entertainment at our welcoming hotel in Ennis too, this Emerald Isle escape deserves a spot on your must-do list!

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 1

We board the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and continue onwards to our hotel in the Dublin area for our overnight stay.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 2

We head across to Galway, a thriving, cosmopolitan city with the added bonus of a seaside setting. There's time for lunch at your leisure before an orientation walk with our tour manager, followed by free time to explore the city, which was named the European Capital of Culture for 2020. There is plenty to see in Galway, including the Latin Quarter with its cobblestone streets and colourful shops, Galway Cathedral, one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city, the lively Eyre Square and the scenic Salthill Promenade on the seafront, to name a but a few! Afterwards, we continue to County Clare and check in to the Treacy's Hotel in Ennis.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 3

After breakfast, we make our way to the smallest of the Aran Islands, Inisheer. Known as Inis Oírr in Irish (pronounced Inish-Ear), this charming island is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches and beautiful landscapes, peppered with ancient stone forts and traditional cottages, where the Irish language is still widely spoken. We are treated to a pony and trap tour to take in the highlights of this delightful isle the old-fashioned way.

We continue to our second location of the day for a leisurely cruise along the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, enjoying the geological wonders from below, admiring the views of the Arran Islands and listening to the onboard commentary. Stretching for eight miles along County Clare’s Atlantic Coast and 214m at their highest, the cliffs offer stunning scenery and are home to one of the major colonies of cliff-nesting seabirds in Ireland.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 4

This morning we head to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, set in 26 acres of unspoilt County Clare countryside. The most complete castle in Ireland and meticulously restored to reflect the grandeur of its past inhabitants, it's fascinating to imagine how lords and ladies once lived in this 15^th-century gem. Admire the extensive great hall, atmospheric dungeons and fairytale towers before heading to the Folk Park that surrounds the fortress, offering a glimpse into 19^th-century Irish village life with traditional cottages, rural farmhouses, little shops and characters dressed in period costumes.

We then enjoy a two-course lunch plus tea or coffee at Durty Nelly's, an atmospheric pub that dates back to 1620! Be sure to ask about the legend of Durty Nelly herself before we continue to our next location.

The afternoon is spent in historic Limerick, set on the River Shannon and overlooked by the mighty 13^th-century King John’s Castle. As Ireland's third largest city, there is plenty to discover, including a variety of cathedrals, traditional pubs, museums and art galleries such as the Hunt Museum, which houses an impressive collection of artefacts and remarkable artworks, ranging from pre-historic archaeological material to masterpieces by the likes of Picasso, Renoir and Yeats. Don't miss the Milk Market too, one of Ireland's oldest markets and full of crafts, clothes, local treats and more.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 5

Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we spend an afternoon at leisure. There are plenty of historic sites, architectural splendours and iconic monuments to see from the oldest, Dublin Castle, to one of the newest, the Spire of Dublin. Or you may like to experience one of Dublin’s traditional pubs – there are 1,000 lining the city’s cobbled streets! We also have the option to join a locally guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 6

We check out of our hotel very early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore, a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 1

We fly to Dublin airport and are transferred to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 2

We head across to Galway, a thriving, cosmopolitan city with the added bonus of a seaside setting. There's time for lunch at your leisure before an orientation walk with our tour manager, followed by free time to explore the city, which was named the European Capital of Culture for 2020. There is plenty to see in Galway, including the Latin Quarter with its cobblestone streets and colourful shops, Galway Cathedral, one of the largest and most impressive buildings in the city, the lively Eyre Square and the scenic Salthill Promenade on the seafront, to name a but a few! Afterwards, we continue to County Clare and check in to the Treacy's Hotel in Ennis.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 3

After breakfast, we make our way to the smallest of the Aran Islands, Inisheer. Known as Inis Oírr in Irish (pronounced Inish-Ear), this charming island is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, pristine beaches and beautiful landscapes, peppered with ancient stone forts and traditional cottages, where the Irish language is still widely spoken. We are treated to a pony and trap tour to take in the highlights of this delightful isle the old-fashioned way.

We continue to our second location of the day for a leisurely cruise along the magnificent Cliffs of Moher, enjoying the geological wonders from below, admiring the views of the Arran Islands and listening to the onboard commentary. Stretching for eight miles along County Clare’s Atlantic Coast and 214m at their highest, the cliffs offer stunning scenery and are home to one of the major colonies of cliff-nesting seabirds in Ireland.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 4

This morning we head to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, set in 26 acres of unspoilt County Clare countryside. The most complete castle in Ireland and meticulously restored to reflect the grandeur of its past inhabitants, it's fascinating to imagine how lords and ladies once lived in this 15^th-century gem. Admire the extensive great hall, atmospheric dungeons and fairytale towers before heading to the Folk Park that surrounds the fortress, offering a glimpse into 19^th-century Irish village life with traditional cottages, rural farmhouses, little shops and characters dressed in period costumes.

We then enjoy a two-course lunch plus tea or coffee at Durty Nelly's, an atmospheric pub that dates back to 1620! Be sure to ask about the legend of Durty Nelly herself before we continue to our next location.

The afternoon is spent in historic Limerick, set on the River Shannon and overlooked by the mighty 13^th-century King John’s Castle. As Ireland's third largest city, there is plenty to discover, including a variety of cathedrals, traditional pubs, museums and art galleries such as the Hunt Museum, which houses an impressive collection of artefacts and remarkable artworks, ranging from pre-historic archaeological material to masterpieces by the likes of Picasso, Renoir and Yeats. Don't miss the Milk Market too, one of Ireland's oldest markets and full of crafts, clothes, local treats and more.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 5

Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we spend an afternoon at leisure. There are plenty of historic sites, architectural splendours and iconic monuments to see from the oldest, Dublin Castle, to one of the newest, the Spire of Dublin. Or you may like to experience one of Dublin’s traditional pubs – there are 1,000 lining the city’s cobbled streets! We also have the option to join a locally guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

Day 6

We transfer to Dublin airport for our return flight home.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

• Return coach travel & ferry crossings
• 2 nights at a selected hotel in the Dublin area (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast*
• 3 nights at the Treacy's West Country Hotel, Ennis (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
• Breakfast on the return ferry home
• Entertainment every evening (Treacy's Hotel only)
• Free bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks (Treacy's Hotel only)
• Excursions to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park & Limerick
• En-route visit to Galway
• Pony & trap trip on Inisheer
• Cliffs of Moher cruise
• Lunch at Durty Nelly's
• Services of a tour manager

Optional guided city tour of Dublin (£19pp)

*Please note: due to our early departure, breakfast on the final morning will be taken on the ferry.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

• Return flights to Dublin
• Airport taxes & luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)
• Airport transfers in Ireland
• 2 nights at a selected hotel in the Dublin area (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast*
• 3 nights at the Treacy's West Country Hotel, Ennis (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
• Breakfast on the return ferry home
• Entertainment every evening (Treacy's Hotel only)
• Free bar (6pm-9pm) on selected drinks (Treacy's Hotel only)
• Excursions to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park & Limerick
• En-route visit to Galway
• Pony & trap trip on Inisheer
• Cliffs of Moher cruise
• Lunch at Durty Nelly's
• Services of a tour manager

Optional guided city tour of Dublin (£19pp)

*Please note: due to our early departure, breakfast on the final morning will be taken on the ferry.

An Irish Experience - the Best of the West

• Excursions to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park & Limerick
• En-route visit to Galway
• Cliffs of Moher cruise

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Accommodation

Treacy's West Country Hotel, Ennis, Republic of Ireland JG3

A warm Irish welcome awaits at Treacy's West Country Hotel on the edge of Ennis, one of County Clare's most popular hotels. The hotel has everything needed for a relaxing stay, including a leisure centre with three swimming pools, sauna, steam room and gym, plus a restaurant, traditional sports bar and bedrooms with tea and coffee-making facilities, a hairdryer, satellite TV and free Wi-Fi.

Hotel Rating

Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.

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