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Irish Elegance
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Irish Elegance
Operated by: Insight Vacations
8 Days from $2,876 per person
Locations Visited
Dublin, Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Connemara National Park, Cong ...more Dublin, Cashel, Blarney, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Connemara National Park, CongBOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE
✓ Lock in this trip with $250 deposit
✓ Refund Guarantee within 30 days of booking
✓ Flexible changes up to 60 days before your tour departs
✓ Lock in this trip with $250 deposit
✓ Refund Guarantee within 30 days of booking
✓ Flexible changes up to 60 days before your tour departs
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Day 1
In Dublin’s Fair city
Welcome to Dublin. On arrival at Dublin airport, your airport transfer shuttle service leaves for your hotel at 08:30, 11:00 and 13:00. Meet your Travel Director at 14:30 for an orientation tour that brings to life Dublin’s architectural treasures and history, stretching back more than 1,000 years. Travel along the River Liffey, see Custom House, Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. See the 9th century Book of Kells and a walk through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College, accompanied by a Local Expert who will share their insights into modern life and the establishment’s impressive history. Back at your hotel, join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner with drinks and the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening of dinner and wine.
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Day 2
Cashel and Blarney, heading for Killarney
Depart Dublin, and pass the famous Curragh Racecourse and green meadows where many of the finest Irish racehorses are bred. Explore Blarney with Insight Choice. Choose to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the magical stone to ensure a lifetime of eloquence. Alternatively, meet a senior gardener for a tour of Blarney Gardens.Head to Killarney, where you may fancy a ‘pint of porter.' This town on the lakes is famous for its lively pubs so in the evening why not join in the ‘craic’?
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Day 3
Ring of Kerry Experience Relaxed Start
In the morning, marvel at spectacular mountain and sea views as you travel the road that winds around the beautiful Iveragh Peninsula, better known as the Ring of Kerry. Meet John for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as you visit his family-run seaweed farm to learn about sustainable farming practices that protect the wild Irish Atlantic coasts.
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Day 4
The Cliffs of Moher and on to Galway
Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry and enter County Clare. Stop at the Exhibition Centre and enjoy a walk along the Cliffs of Moher, raised approximately 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic waves. Then travel north across the Burren, a suddenly stark and barren landscape, scarred with interesting limestone creases. Journey to Galway, the City of the Tribes, and visit the lovely cathedral. Take in the scenery from your hotel, which is spectacularly set on the shores of Galway Bay.
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Day 5
Captivating Connemara Relaxed Start
Embark on a superb exploration of the Connemara National Park and see a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills.Explore Connemara with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the magnificent, turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey. Alternatively join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience and visit one of Ireland’s oldest oyster farms for a tasting. Learn about their commitment to biodiversity and work promoting sustainable packaging.
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Day 6
Majestic Ashford Castle Relaxed Start
Sitting on the edge of Lough Corrib and nestled on the border of County Galway and County Mayo, is the delightful Cong. You may recognise much of the town as it was used as the location in the 1952 film, 'The Quiet Man.' With free time to explore this quintessential Irish village, see the statue of the lead characters played by John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, and the ruins of the Medieval Cong Abbey. Then a short drive down the road leads you to Ashford Castle, the highlight of your travels. As you arrive a lone piper escorts you over the drawbridge.Your exquisite hotel provides a romantic backdrop in superior surroundings, offering both relaxation and comfort. There are many opportunities to explore the vast estate, pamper yourself at the spa, or get to know the hawks and woodland surroundings at the hotel's falconry school. Dining at Ashford Castle ranks among the finest culinary experiences in the world. Creative cooking, locally sourced ingredients and an innovative menu await at your Celebration Dinner. Gentlemen, a jacket is required.
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Day 7
Across the Emerald Isle to Dublin Relaxed Start
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast in the morning and perhaps a stroll on the estate? Then cross the midlands to Dublin where the rest of the day is free for independent activities and maybe some last minute shopping.
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Day 8
Depart Dublin
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Dublin airport at 07:00, 09:00 and 10:30.
Price Includes
Additional Included Highlights
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Blarney: Visit the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate with a senior gardener.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden: Visit the turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey. This monastery was founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.
- Connemara: Taste the unique flavours of DK Connemara oysters, bred in pure water that runs off the limestone hills of the Connemara National Park. Learn about the farm's sustainability initiatives in an enlightening experience. DK Connemara oysters lead the way in biodiversity and packaging for farming and advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production. Alternatively, enjoy a visit to the turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey.
Well-being
- : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests).
- : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols.
- : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues.
- : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Travel Director
- : "One person my guests love to meet is a real musician because they love Irish music and love to experience it in its own land."
- : "One of the places I love to take our guests to that they would likely not find on their own or when travelling with anyone else is Nafplion, Greece. It's a beautiful seaside town with traditional Neoclassical buildings. I think it's the most charming town on the mainland of Greece."
Top Rated Highlights
- Dublin: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Brewery, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
- Cashel: See the Rock of Cashel where St. Patrick preached.
- Blarney: Visit the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate with a senior gardener.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
- Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation.
- Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands and remote villages, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry.
- Shannon: Cross the Shannan Estuary by ferry. This large estuary is where the River Shannon flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
- Cliffs of Moher: Stop by the Exhibition Centre and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs.
- Galway: Visit the stunning cathedral of the City of Tribes. Admire its Renaissance style dome and unique rose shaped window.
- Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden: Visit the turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey. This monastery was founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.
- Cong: Enjoy time as you wish to explore this delightful, quintessential Irish village, used as the location for 1952 film, 'The Quiet Man.' See the statue of the lead characters played by John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, and the ruins of the Medieval Cong Abbey.
- Ashford Castle: On arrival to Ashford Castle, you are escorted over the drawbridge by a lone piper for a majestic entrance fit for royalty.
Insight Experiences
- Dublin: A stunning combination of cobblestone walkways, emerald-green lawns and 18th-century architectural gems, Trinity College is one of Europe’s elite universities and counts poet Oscar Wilde among its alumni. Tour the enchanting college campus with a Local Expert and discover insights into its impressive history. Enjoy access to view the famous Book of Kells, an exquisite manuscript of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament, renowned for the intricacy, detail and majesty of the illustrations.
Authentic Dining
- Dublin: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other over a meal with wine.
- Ashford Castle: Dine on delicious Farm-to-Table fare in a stylish setting at Ashford Castle's iconic George V Dining Room.
- Dining Summary: 4 Dinner with Wine (DW), and 7 Breakfast (B)
Make Travel Matter
- Ring of Kerry: Visit a local seaweed farm striving to protect the fragile ecosystem of the wild Atlantic Irish coasts.
- Connemara: Taste the unique flavours of DK Connemara oysters, bred in pure water that runs off the limestone hills of the Connemara National Park. Learn about the farm's sustainability initiatives in an enlightening experience. DK Connemara oysters lead the way in biodiversity and packaging for farming and advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production. Alternatively, enjoy a visit to the turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey.
Dates & Prices
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Online Booking Process
Financing from $/month
Optional Add-Ons
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Killarney
Available on Day 2
Gaelic Roots
A tour de force of traditional Irish song, music and dance, Gaelic Roots showcases Ireland at its best. Using traditional instruments, Irish dance and time-honored folk songs, this energetic show will have you tapping your feet and singing along in no time.
Adult Price: € 34
Available on Day 3
Jaunting Car Ride
Clip-clop your way through Killarney National Park, the first Irish National Park and a land of lakes and lore. A local "jarvey" will inform us of the history, legends and folklore of this beautiful setting while aboard one of these famous carts.
Adult Price: € 22
Galway
Available on Day 5
Medieval City Walk With Pub Supper
Join our local expert for an entertaining and informative stroll through this medieval jewel of the West. Dine this evening in one of Galway's best-loved taverns and raise a glass with our West of Ireland traditional musicians.
Adult Price: € 48
Available on Day 6
Lough Corrib Cruise
Step aboard and embark on a journey through time with one of our local historians, often the captain. Cruise on the Republic of Ireland's largest lake, reputed to have an island for every day of the year. Leaving Lisloughrey, where passenger steamboats once operated, you'll experience breathtaking scenery and hear the history and folklore of the lake while listening to a local musician. Returning, the landscape will unfold before our eyes before arriving at Ashford Castle.
Adult Price: € 25
Dublin
Available on Day 7
Dublin Dinner and Drive
We'll enjoy a scenic drive through the leafy outskirts of Dublin, continuing South along Dublin Bay, viewing the changing eras of architecture en route. Then, it's fine cuisine with a glass of wine in one of Dublin’s well-known stylish restaurants.
Adult Price: € 64
Dinner & Irish Show
Over an excellent dinner of quality Irish food, enjoy an evening of comedy, dance, song and music, as Ireland’s musical history unfolds. The show will delight you long after the night has ended. You’ll be tapping your toes and joining in the fun, and it’s all wrapped up in the spirit of Irish humor. At the end of your meal, cap off one of Ireland’s best nights out with an Irish Coffee.
Adult Price: € 72
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