The Best of Ireland

Rocky coasts, animated pubs, a storied past, and endless green hills – where else but Ireland? Experience the country like never before, visiting the traditional sites you’d expect as well as a few off-the-beaten-path spots you couldn’t find on your own. Connect with the locals, connect with your roots, and connect with the Emerald Isle.
Hotel Name: Hyatt Centric The Liberties

Your Irish adventure starts in Dublin, built upon layered history and featuring a lively local culture. This evening, toast the start of your journey with dinner at a local restaurant.
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Dublin
Dublin is the capital and the largest city in Ireland. Dublin is located on Ireland’s east coast, and sits at the mouth of the River Liffey. Dublin was founded in 841 by the Vikings. Today, Dublin is the economic center of Ireland and the historical and contemporary center for industry, education and the arts.

Start your morning with an Impact Moment and walk with an expert from Secret Street Tours, a non-profit organization that encourages and supports citizens formerly affected by homelessness to be guides in their own city. See the city through their eyes and gain insight into their life story as you discover Dublin’s Liberties district. Visit EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, and trace how so many Irish fled to foreign lands. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. Later you may join an optional tour to the Guinness Storehouse, followed by dinner at a traditional pub.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Europa Hotel

Admittance: EPIC Immigration Museum

This morning, cross the border into Northern Ireland and arrive in Belfast. Ride through town in a traditional black taxicab with a guide, taking in different murals and iconic buildings along the way. Pause at the Peace Wall, which separates the Catholic and Protestant communities, adorned with political graffiti. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure in Belfast before joining your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Belfast
Belfast is the capital and largest city in Northern Ireland. Belfast is known as the city where the Titanic was built. Due to the ship's construction here, a popular attraction to see in Belfast is the Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience.

Visit the ethereal Giant’s Causeway, walking in the footsteps of mythical legends. Marvel at the hexagonal basalt slabs, that according to legend, were formed by gargantuan beasts crossing the crashing waves.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Mill Park Hotel

Visit Area: Giant's Causeway
At the foot of the basalt cliffs on the coast of Northern Ireland’s County of Antrim lies the stunning Giant’s Causeway. Travelers flock to this UNESCO World Heritage site to experience the 40,000 massive dark columns rising from the sea. The natural phenomena has sparked legends of giants and magic, but its unique geology points to volcanic activity from over 50 million years ago. Walk along the gorgeous sea coast…step on the hexagonal formations of the sea-level Causeway itself…and behold the Giant’s Boot and Chimney Stacks. Just don’t forget your camera. The Giant’s Causeway is one of the most beautiful sights in all of Ireland and the experience of a lifetime.

Make your way to Derry, a growing artistic and cultural hub, and site of the infamous Bloody Sunday massacre. Delve into the city’s local history on a guided tour before continuing on to the pretty town of Donegal. Embark on an expert-led tour of castle ruins, right in the heart of the town. In County Donegal tonight, connect with an age-old heritage when an esteemed seanchaí – a traditional Gaelic storyteller – joins you for dinner.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Derry
Derry, officially Londonderry, is the second largest city in Northern Ireland. Derry is an old walled city that lies on the banks of the River Foyle. Derry is the only remaining completely intact walled city in all of Ireland. The walls were built between the years 1613 and 1619 by the Honorable Irish Society.

Set out to explore the Wild Atlantic Way. Visit the Slieve League Cliffs, offering stunning views over the Sligo Mountains and Donegal Bay. Three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher, these iconic cliffs are amongst the highest and most scenic in Europe. Afterward, travel back in time to 18th century Ireland when you visit the thatched cottages of Glencolmcille, a folk village maintained by the local community of southeast Donegal. Continue on to Donegal Town and enjoy time to shop and explore at your leisure.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Lough Erne Resort

Admittance: Seanchai Experience

Enjoy a morning with free time to explore before departing Donegal for Fermanagh, a county blanketed by lakes and waterways. Take in pastoral surroundings as you cruise* toward Devenish Island, a 6th century monastic site. Explore the ruins of this picturesque island, including one of the finest high towers in Ireland. This afternoon, arrive at your beautiful resort on the banks of Lough Erne.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included
Hotel Name: The Connacht Hotel

Admittance: Choice on Tour: Kilkenny Castle or Jerpoint Excursion
In Kilkenny, you have the choice between two activities. Your first option is to enjoy time on your own, spending the morning in Kilkenny however you please. You will be provided complimentary entrance into Kilkenny Castle, one of the city’s top visitor attractions, to tour at a time of your choosing. Your second option is to experience the wonder of monastic Ireland with a visit to the ruins of Jerpoint Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century. Visit the Romanesque church and admire intricately carved tombs and pillars from centuries past. While in Jerpoint, you will also attend a captivating demonstration at a family-owned glass company and learn about the important role Kilkenny plays in Irish design and craftsmanship. Kilkenny Castle and Time at Leisure - NEO Day 13 Activity Level: 1 Travelers can enjoy a day at leisure in Kilkenny and will be provided complimentay entrance into Kilkenny Castle, the city's top visitor attraction. This is a self-guided experience. Your Tour Manager will not be with you during this time. Jerpoint Excursion - NEO Day 13 Activity Level: 2 Travel just outside of town to visit the ruins of Jerpoint Abbey. You should wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate attire as the abbey is open to the elements. There is a visitors center on site. Your Tour Manager will be with you.

Arrive in Galway, a lively city of medieval relics and modern flare. Join a local guide to explore stories about the city, from its days as a medieval trading center through to the present. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Galway
Galway is a city in western Ireland in the province of Connacht. Galway lies on the River Corrib and is surrounded by County Galway. Galway is known as Ireland’s cultural heart and for its numerous festivals, events and celebrations. The area of Galway is famous for its association with the Claddagh ring, a traditional Irish ring featuring two hands, a heart and a crown which represent friendship, loyalty and love.

The day is yours. Perhaps you’ll pop into a pub for a drink with the locals, or peruse one of the city’s many museums, or go shopping along bustling Quay Street. Consider taking an optional tour to Kylemore Abbey, where you’ll drive through Connemara National Park before embarking on a tour of the monastery.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Dingle Harbour Lodge

Visit Area: Cliffs of Moher
The Cliffs of Moher are a series of cliffs located on the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland. They are 5 miles/8 kms long and 702 feet/213 meters tall at their highest point. On a clear day one can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. These cliffs are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction with up to 1 million visitors every year.

Peek into Irish culture at a sheep farm, where you’ll watch a dog-herding demonstration and meet the friendly canine workers. Experience the Ireland you’ve always imagined at the Cliffs of Moher, where mossy cliffs plunge 700 feet into the ocean. After visiting one of the country’s most beloved sites, arrive in the colorful town of Dingle, located on the Dingle Peninsula. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a pub.

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Visit Area: Dingle
Dingle is a town in County Kerry Ireland and the only town on the Dingle peninsula. It is located on the Atlantic coast and sits 40 miles northwest of Killarney. Tourism, agriculture and fishing are the principle industries in Dingle, as Dingle is a major fishing port.

This morning, explore the spectacular scenery of the Dingle Peninsula, visiting Slea Head, where the locals will remind you that beyond the water, “the next parish over is Boston.” After returning to Dingle, the rest of the day is yours to explore how you choose.

Breakfast Included
Hotel Name: Lyrath Estate

Visit Area: Kilkenny
Kilkenny is a city located in the southeast part of Ireland in the county town of County Kilkenny. It is built on the banks of the River Nore. Killkenny is rich in history as it was the seat for political power in the Middle Ages. Much of the city's architecture dates back to the 17th century.

Today, enjoy a lunch at a traditional Irish pub, owned by the same family for 200 years. Listen to stories about the family ancestors, and the social role that pubs play within rural communities. Afterwards, watch a hurling demonstration, a traditional sport of Ireland, with the opportunity to participate yourself! Continue to Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s most charming cities.

Breakfast Included
Lunch Included

Admittance: Hurling Experience

This morning, it’s your choice! Enjoy a leisurely day to explore the town and Kilkenny Castle on your own -OR- travel just outside of town to the ruins of Jerpoint Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century. You will also attend a captivating demonstration at a family-owned glass company and learn about the important role Kilkenny plays in Irish design and craftsmanship. No matter what activities fill your day, come together in the evening for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Sláinte!

Breakfast Included
Dinner Included

Wish the Emerald Isle goodbye as you depart for home.

Breakfast Included