Castles and Manors
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Experience Overview
This grand Ireland trip is fit for royalty, including stays in the homes of Irish nobility. You’ll travel to Kildare and learn all about the racehorses of Ireland, visit the Ring of Kerry and watch how delicate crystal is cut in Connemara.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
Must-see Highlights
- Explore Dublin, Killarney National Park and Cashel
- Discover Killarney and Galway
- Visit Kylemore Abbey, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, Cliffs of Moher, Rock of Cashel in Cashel and the Irish National Stud near Kildare
- View Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park
- See Dublin's Georgian Squares and Galway Cathedral
- Scenic Drive of the Ring of Kerry and through Connemara
How You'll Travel
- Deluxe coach travel
- Selected hotel dinners plus a locally hosted meal
Iconic Experience
- Dublin: A Local Specialist will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House.
- Galway: Explore the historic heart of Galway. See landmarks such as the Spanish Arch and the cathedral, or perhaps admire the distinctive Claddagh rings.
- 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: Visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and witness master craftsmen bring these intricate crystal designs to life.
- Lahinch: Help preserve the Cliffs of Moher for generations to come and learn about its extraordinary geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
- Ring of Kerry: Admire Ireland's enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
- Torc Waterfall: Visit the Torc Waterfall with a Local Specialist.
- Kildare: Admire Ireland's finest thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud Farm.
- Cashel: View the ruins of the Rock of Cashel with a Local Specialist.
Trafalgar Difference
- Cong: Overnight on the shores of Lough Corrib in the elegant country quarters of the Lodge at Ashford Castle.
- Clifden: Romance and royalty are guaranteed on your overnight stay at historic Abbeyglen, along the famous Sky Road overlooking Clifden Bay and the spectacular Twelve Bens.
Be My Guest
- Cong: Join Catherine and Jim at Glen Keen Farm, owned by the same family since 1600. Hear the story of their land, meet the working border collies and watch a live herding demonstration. Discover how they’ve embraced sustainable farming on the Wild Atlantic Way, then sit down to a farmhouse lunch and homemade cake with tea.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
- Connemara: Oscar Wilde described Connemara as “wild mountainous country. . . in every way magnificent.” Experience this region for yourself on a visit to DK Connemara Oysters. This family run farm leads the way in sustainability, biodiversity and packaging for farming and advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production. The experience also promotes sustainable food experiences, small scale farmer interactions or responsible consumption.
Trip Details
Product Code: 34491
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Explorer, Budget
Tour Operator:
Trafalgar (CA)
Supplier Code: 240.275B
Starts: Dublin, Ireland
Finishes: Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Whats Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Ferry across the Shannon estuary
- Optional Experiences and free time
- On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4185 ($523 /day)
Itinerary
Set your watch to the lively pace of Ireland's capital city – the springboard for your in-depth journey through the lush landscapes and enduring allure of Ireland. Your exploration of Dublin with a Local Specialist will see you view St. Patrick's Cathedral and Georgian Squares. Spend some time at leisure exploring Dublin's pretty streets before joining your travel companions and Travel Director for dinner celebrating traditional Irish flavors.
Accommodation: Clayton Ballsbridge
Meals: Dinner
The first stop today is Europe's 'City of the Tribes', where you will have an opportunity to see Galway Cathedral and stroll through Eyre Square. Overnight at one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories on the shores of Lough Corrib. Feel like lords and ladies as you relax in the elegant country quarters of The Lodge at Ashford Castle, celebrating the heritage and hospitality of Ireland.
Accommodation: The Lodge at Ashford Castle
Meals: Breakfast
Leave the estate of Ashford Castle behind and travel through the rugged landscapes of County Mayo to Glen Keen Farm for your Be My Guest experience. Meet Catherine and Jim, whose family has farmed this land since the 1600s, and hear how tradition meets innovation on their award-winning sheep farm. Watch the border collies at work and enjoy a farmhouse lunch and homemade cake with tea in their home. Continue to Clifden, where you’ll stay for the next two nights at Abbeyglen Castle. This Stays with Stories experience combines historic charm with views of the Twelve Bens, offering warm hospitality and a strong connection to life in Connemara.
Accommodation: Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Drive through the 'savage beauty' of Connemara, as described by Oscar Wilde who was inspired by the region's craggy mountains, shimmering lakes and endless shades of green. Visit Kylemore Abbey, a magnificent castellated structure built as a family home and now inhabited by a group of Benedictine nuns. Venture into the secret nooks and crannies of its extensive walled Victorian garden. Later, stop for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at an oyster farm before returning to your castle accommodation for a delicious dinner.
Accommodation: Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning, visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, where you'll Dive Into Culture and witness first-hand how their famous crystal designs are made. Picture yourself living in 1520 alongside the Dunguaire Castle when you later pass through the charming seaport village of Kinvara. Next up is an experience you’ll remember for years to come as you watch the UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Moher plunge dramatically into the Atlantic waters below. Beyond the endless views you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience which really brings this natural phenomenon to life in an interactive way, leaving you with a deep understanding of this special place.
Accommodation: International Hotel Killarney
Meals: Breakfast
Enjoy a slow start to your morning, joining a Local Specialist for a leisurely guided walk at Torc Waterfall, strolling over wooded paths and lakeshore trails. Embark on an epic drive next, exploring the enduring beauty of the Ring of Kerry whose enchanting coastal landscapes have inspired writers and poets for centuries.
Accommodation: International Hotel Killarney
Meals: Breakfast
Discover the legacy of St. Patrick when you visit the imposing Rock of Cashel, once the traditional seat of the kings of Munster. View its ecclesiastical ruins with a Local Specialist then traverse scenic landscapes to Kildare. Here you’ll Dive Into Culture and learn about Ireland's thoroughbred industry at the Irish National Stud. You'll have a rare opportunity to see the foaling unit, museum and of course the magnificent stallions that continue to make racing history. Later today, return to the Irish capital where you’ll inject a bit of the craic into dinner with your new friends.
Accommodation: St. Helens
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Say a fond farewell to your newfound friends and Dublin today. You will be transferred to the airport, where your journey through the 'Emerald Isle' comes to an end.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Trafalgar (CA)
Family owned and run since 1920, The Travel Corporation (TTC) is the world leader in immersive travel experiences across an extensive range of travel categories. Each year TTC's 40 award winning hospitality and travel brands connect over 1 million happy travellers to the world. We give you access to the 12 DMC’s behind these brands, so you can build your business by capitalizing on the extensive experience, local expertise, and financial assurance of TTC. LOCAL EXPERTISE The world leaders in travel for over 100 years, we offer unparalleled local expertise with a global footprint. Our 12 DMCs, led by experienced in-destination teams, deliver experience rich travel solutions in more than 80 countries. Additionally, our market based teams are on hand to support across our 40 offices worldwide
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Judith Andrews - Traveled, May 2024
Take this tour if you have the opportunity. Spring time was perfect! Trafalgar provided on going communication from booking to start of trip. Travel tips were helpful. Ireland is beautiful. This itinerary took us through hours of beautiful country side each day. Well rounded with history of Ireland, from Vikings to modern times, met several locals who shared generations of stories, High Tea at a beautiful Manor House, gorgeous hotels, delicious meals every day, and *Personal information removed by Feefo* was the most wonderful Tour Director. Every detail was covered, special requests handled and every need met.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/23/2024
Thomas Hewett - Traveled, July 2024
Castle's and Manors - an AMAZING Experience! *Personal information removed by Feefo* and *Personal information removed by Feefo* are a great team and did an amazing job!!! This was a WONDERFUL experience! The tour was laid out very well with us getting to see so many of the beautiful places in Ireland. Our tour director, *Personal information removed by Feefo* was amazing. Her knowledge of the history that we visited was wonderful. *Personal information removed by Feefo* is also a very kind and caring woman that went out of her way to make sure each person on the tour was taken care of and their needs met. We're sold on Trafalgar and will be back, trust me!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/16/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, July 2024
Great Beautiful Time! We had *Personal information removed by Feefo* as our tour guide and she was phenomenal. Could not have asked for a better one. She was educated about Ireland and showed incredible enthusiasm for it every single day. It was really fun and you get to see a lot of things we wouldn’t see unless we were specifically on this trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/20/2024
Richard Ong - Traveled, July 2024
Great places to visit and stay. Very exotic. The tour director was fantastic. *Personal information removed by Feefo* took care of each and every one of us and made sure that we had the best experience possible.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/27/2024
Susan Breeding - Traveled, October 2024
Excellent service! Really enjoyed the tours. Very knowledgeable and gracious guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, May 2024
The trip was fantastic and well worth the money. Also booked my air travel through Trafalgar and while they handled my dietary needs on the tour, they did not handle it for the air travel. Found out the hard way when I got on the 7-hr flight, emailed to get it fixed for the return flight, and was told to contact the airlines myself...not super easy to do in a foreign country with spotty wifi. So, packed snacks for my 7-hr flight back. That was disappointing, so book your own air travel, but definitely take this tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/19/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, April 2024
Loved most of the hotels especially the Great Southern Hotel. One of the hotel's room temperature was hot but we were there when the weather was warm!! The coach was comfortable. The itinerary was full of great activities & optional excursions. I wanted to see a few more castles but overall very satisfied.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/22/2024
Trusted Customer - Traveled, July 2023
The lodge at Ashford Castle was great, however we would have loved to have been offered an upcharge to stay at Ashford Castle instead of the Lodge. The Abby Glen Castle was musty.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 07/19/2023
Barbara Thomas - Traveled, October 2023
Stayed at 4 different locations. Saw a lot of great points of interest.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/22/2023
Marjorie Addison - Traveled, June 2023
Ashford Castle was spectacular and accommodations at the Lodge was top notch. There was enough variety in the castles and manners to keep it interesting. The outdoor experiences were sufficient and beautiful. Connemara Crystal demonstration was impressive. Food was excellent some places and so-so at others.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/25/2023
