Country Roads of Ireland
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Experience Overview
Let the luck of the Irish be with you on this 12-day guided tour across Ireland. Start the tour in Dublin, where you get up close to the Book of Kells, an ancient Gospel manuscript filled with mythical beasts and Celtic knots. In Kilkenny, visit the majestic Kilkenny Castle. A chef will share traditional Irish recipes at a farm-to-table feast in Killarney. You'll see the Ring of Kerry, a mystical, verdant peninsula dotted with seaside villages. Finally, step onto Giant's Causeway with it's basalt columns carved onto the coast by volcanic lava, or a giant's feet, if Irish myth is to be believed.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 5 Dinner (D)
- 11 Breakfast (B)
Authentic Dining
- Dublin: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner and an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers.
- Ballygally: The Irish call it 'craic' - the warm feeling resulting from the confluence of music, drink, good food, laughter, and conversation. And after circumnavigating the Emerald Isle, there's bound to be a fair share of craic at your grand finale Celebration Dinner. Sláinte!
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. See the enchanting college campus 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.
- Kildare: Horse racing is key part of Irish culture; and you'll gain a rare insight into it on your visit to the Irish National Stud. Set in Kildare at the breeding ground of champions and the birthplace of legends, explore the foaling unit, museum and the stallions that continue to make racing history. As the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public, learn the insights of horse-racing at a site whose former visitors include queens and presidents.
- Kilkenny: Visit Kilkenny Castle to learn the history of this magnificent castle and that of the powerful Ormonde family that came to call it home for so many centuries. Amble through the Picture Gallery, library, drawing room, nursery and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendor as well as the rolling parkland formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and man-made lake.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone, the famous stone of eloquence, are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Take your turn at giving it a peck knowing that the stone was sourced from 330-million-year-old limestone.
- Derry/Londonderry: There's no better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street.
Top Rated Highlights
- Dublin: With a Local Expert leading the way, discover Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. You’ll see the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and even St. Patrick's Cathedral.
- Cork: Ireland's second city - "Rebel Cork" dates back to the 7th century. Your Travel Director will show you the Grand Parade and South Mall, along with City Hall and the Opera House on an insightful orientation tour encompassing the development of the religious settlement of St. Finbarr, to Viking raiding and settlement, to the creation of the Norman city and Merchant Princes.
- Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands, beaches, fields dotted with sheep, rocky coastline, remote villages and historical sites, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile circular route is the best place to admire Ireland's scenic beauty and truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
- Killarney: Take a gentle orientation through Killarney as your Travel Director brings the town’s history to life. Streets lined with shopfronts, church spires and the curve of the surrounding mountains help you place the stories being shared.
- Dingle Peninsula: Follow the Slea Head route, a dramatic coastal drive around the Dingle Peninsula, where sheer cliffs, secluded beaches, and ancient ruins reflect centuries of settlement. Pass prehistoric ring forts, beehive huts and Ogham stones, evidence of early Gaelic communities. Offshore, see the Blasket Islands, once home to a resilient Irish-speaking population who, facing isolation and hardship, relocated to the mainland in 1953.
- Shannon: Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry, passing sites linked to smuggling and 19th-century emigration.
- Cliffs of Moher: Towering cliffs and the dramatic sea, the Cliffs of Moher has inspired countless travelers. Visit the Exhibition Center and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs that rise over 700 feet high. Gain insights from your Travel Director into the cliffs’ geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
- Galway: Fascinating stories and interesting locals take center stage on your orientation of the historic heart of Galway. Visit the Lynch Memorial Window. Then make your way to the Church of St. Nicholas - the largest medieval parish church in Ireland in continuous use, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square.
- Giant's Causeway: Visit Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site, formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Walk across thousands of interlocking basalt columns, shaped by nature and renowned for their striking geometric appearance.
- Ballygally: Take a gentle orientation walk through Ballygally with your Travel Director, following the curve of the bay where the sea brushes against a strip of pale sand. The village sits between cliffs and shoreline, with neat cottages, salty air and views that open towards the Antrim Coast.
- Carrickfergus: See the immense Castle as you drive around it.
- Belfast: Meet Hilda, a true Belfast local, who has lived in the same house her entire life. During your panoramic tour, hear about the history of the city and learn why Hilda is proud of its progress and current prosperity. You’ll explore iconic sights like the Big Fish at Donegall Quay, the Titanic Quarter, and the famous Samson and Goliath cranes. Along the way, you’ll also visit Belfast City Hall and see murals in various locations that reflect the political sentiments of the local residents.
Make Travel Matter
- Killarney: Meet passionate guesthouse owners John and Freda at their beautiful home in Killarney, where you'll hear more about their farm-to-table concept, while enjoying a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients sourced within a five mile radius. John and Freda have a policy that all food is sourced locally from farms and the coast of the Emerald Isle. They educate their visitors about sustainable consumption and the benefits of eating fresh homegrown produce. This experience advances UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.
Insight Choice
- Killarney: Explore on a horse-drawn jaunting car with local jarveys.
- Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a local guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Killarney: Explore on a horse-drawn jaunting car with local jarveys.
- Killarney: Join a gentle hike with a local guide in Killarney National Park and admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods and waterfalls. Stroll along the lake shore and past the impressive 15th Century Ross Castle and the famous Muckross Estate, a charming 19th Century mansion and grounds.
Trip Details
Product Code: 34051
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Classic, Budget
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 34.784B
Starts: Dublin, Ireland
Finishes: Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 12 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $5692 ($474 /day)
Itinerary
Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner, with the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other.
Accommodation: Clayton Burlington Road, Dublin
Meals: Dinner
Accompanied by a Local Expert, become acquainted with Dublin’s elegant squares during an orientation of the city. Discover Custom House, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Enjoy entrance to the 9th-century Book of Kells and a walk through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College.
Accommodation: Clayton Burlington Road, Dublin
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, visit one of the country’s main racehorse breeding centers, also home to the acclaimed 100 year old Japanese Gardens where you can ‘journey through life’ during a walk through the beautiful surrounds. Travel to the medieval city of Kilkenny to visit the majestic Kilkenny Castle. Learn how the castle was built in 1195 after the Norman Conquest of Ireland and admire its beautifully restored Victorian-era rooms. On arrival, your Travel Director will show you around the compact university city, with its vibrant waterfront and grand Georgian parades.
Accommodation: The Kingsley, Cork
Meals: Breakfast
Travel to the ruined Blarney Castle and Gardens. Will you hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the stone and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? Travel across the majestic Derrynasaggart Mountains to the lively town of Killarney. For your Farm-to-Table dining experience, enjoy some Irish home cooking in the kitchen of chef John Sheehan. Join John and Freda, your hosts at the 19th Green Guesthouse, and savor the delicious flavors of fresh local cuisine on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Gather together at a Farm-to-Table dinner, using responsibly sourced ingredients from the local community, and gain personal insight into classic Irish recipes that are loved throughout the world.
Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Start your day with Insight Choice. Choose a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Alternatively, join a gentle hike with a Local Expert along the lake shore and past the grounds of Ross Castle, admiring the incredible scenery of the National Park. While there aren't any mountains to climb, walkers should be fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and rain gear. Then explore around the magnificent Ring of Kerry. Here, mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is breathtaking beyond words. Journey past lush lakelands and around towering cliffs as you appreciate sweeping sea views. Continue through delightful villages like Sneem and cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap to admire Queen Victoria’s Ladies View. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Maybe take the opportunity to hire a bicycle and enjoy one of the many scenic trails around the lake or through the National Park.
Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
Meals: Breakfast
Depart Killarney and journey to the rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, following the scenic Slea Head Drive. Travel past windswept cliffs, golden beaches and ancient stone dwellings, with views stretching to the remote Blasket Islands. In the afternoon, head north to Tarbert, where you’ll board a ferry to cross the Shannon Estuary to Killimer, a historic crossing point where Ireland’s longest river meets the Atlantic. Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, often seen in these waters. Continue to Ennistymon, a charming market town known for its traditional shopfronts and cascading river falls and settle into your hotel for the evening.
Accommodation: Falls & Spa, Ennistymon
Meals: Breakfast
Travel to the Visitor Center at the 214 m (702 ft) Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Clare Coast before a delightful drive through the strange, rocky landscape of the Burren to Galway Bay. On arrival, see the Lynch Memorial and Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his voyages to America. See the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy.
Accommodation: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Spend a day at leisure to relax and enjoy Galway. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to the Aran Islands? A genuine highlight of the Wild Atlantic Way. With their cliffs and spectacular coastal views, the islands are a true Irish experience.
Accommodation: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals: Breakfast
Admire the Blue Stack Mountains of Donegal as you cross into Northern Ireland, bound for the ancient walled city. What better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls, still topped with cannons. Walk down Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall.
Accommodation: Maldron Hotel Derry, Londonderry
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Visit the iconic Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where thousands of interlocking basalt columns form one of nature’s most extraordinary landscapes. Explore this legendary setting at your own pace before continuing along the scenic Antrim Coast Road, renowned for its dramatic cliffs and coastal views. Arrive in Ballygally and settle into your hotel overlooking the bay. If you're feeling brave, perhaps venture into the Ghost Room hidden within one of the castle’s turrets. Later, gather with your fellow travelers to enjoy an evening of warm hospitality and regional cuisine.
Accommodation: Ballygally Castle
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Continue around the Antrim Coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast. Meet your Local Expert for a passionate city tour including views of the City Hall and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents.
Accommodation: Titanic, Belfast
Meals: Breakfast
An early departure transfer will arrive at Dublin airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Insight Vacations (CA)
Part of The Travel Company (TTC) family of brands, Insight Vacations began operations in 1978 and is based in Cypress, CA. Journeys are featured to destinations, such as the U.S. and Canada, Europe, Latin America, North Africa, Asia, the UK and Ireland. The company offers are a variety of tours under the classifications of Regional Journeys, Country Roads, Discovery Journeys, Easy Pace trips, and Special Interest tours. Insight is the ideal name for the tour operator, as the journeys provided by Insight Vacations allow travelers to gain further insight into whatever destination they wish to explore. For example, Discovery Journeys are the ideal choice for first-time visitors to Europe. Itineraries include Dine-at-Home or Farm-to-Table experiences so travelers can learn more about how locals live and dine. Regional Journeys allow trip-goers to see a specific location in Europe that they have always wanted to see – Poland, Switzerland, Italy, etc. The carefully planned trips enable customers to immerse themselves in one specific region or country and to become acquainted with its culture, traditions, and people. For anyone seeking travel off the beaten track, Insight Vacations offers Country Roads – trips that lead travelers off the well-tread tourist trail to explore hidden gems where visitors can savor the local produce with Farm-to-Table dining. Some trips are offered under the Easy Pace travel style – the ideal trip choice for trip-goers who wish to slow their pace during their vacation. During these tours, vacationers stay at least 3 nights at each destination, giving them some additional time to explore a place and enjoy it. Regardless of the travel style, many of the vacations offered by Insight Vacations begin with Relaxed Starts – giving travelers time to sleep in a little, spend more time at breakfast, or explore an area on their own. The tour company prides itself on providing business class tours that features luxury coaches with 40 seats. While most coach touring operators provide vehicles with 53 seats, Insight Vacations has re-configured its motor coaches to hold up to 40 guests. This gives passengers extra leg room while traveling and offers them more space and privacy.
In Business Since 1978
Reviews
Alan - Traveled, June 2024
Great guide and drive . Could not ask for better service. Would travel with them anytime anywhere! Hotel in Derry not up to the standard pf all the other hotels. Not clean, musty smell. noisy.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/21/2024
Brian - Traveled, June 2024
Tour Director and our Bus Driver were both excellent. Hotels were did not meet expectations such as no a/c and located middle of nowhere so if not going on an optional excursion there was nowhere to go. Tour involved more walking than we were led to believe.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/21/2024
Ian - Traveled, November 2024
Great Service by our guide and our driver. assisted me during the trip, as I left a wallet in the safe of a previous hotel. He retrieved this wallet and returned it to me two days later. He wouldn't take anything for this 'great service', as I placed my trust in him and he didn't let me down and made our experience that much better through their professionalism. Great Team! Our travels included many of the highlights of Ireland; not only the sights but the experiences. In addition, we were fortunate to have exemplary weather with no rain. Our guide and our driver enhanced our experience through their knowledge, experience and professionalism.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/21/2024
Jerome - Traveled, October 2024
Insight is excellent. The hotels are near areas to tour if you decide to adventure out on your own. was always available to help with any needs & made both my wife & I feel special as we were celebrating our 50th anniversary. The tour guide is amazing! She makes each person on her tour feel like a friend! The itinerary is complete & Ireland is beautiful. An excellent driver getting us through so many tight & narrow spaces.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Our tour Director was wonderful! She was extremely knowledgeable and had a wonderful sense of humor, intertwining stories, and anecdotes to really enhance the experience. Was such a wonderful ambassador. Thank you. Well organized. The itinerary provided a nice flavor of a Comprehensive, variety of cities and towns.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/21/2024
Ray - Traveled, August 2024
Very professional, friendly and attentive tour director and driver who looked after us well. We arrived late to the orientation dinner at the start due to a cancelled flight but greeted us and ensured we had a meal and drinks when we got there. Only negative comment we emailed Insight Vacations well before the tour to clarify luggage restrictions but got no response. However we did ring the European Service Team when we were going to arrive late and they clarified the luggage issue and were flexible with it. Comprehensive tour covering key cities and towns, historic buildings, places of interest and natural areas at a leisurely pace. Good quality hotels used. Our tour director was extremely knowledgeable and gave a detailed account of the history of Ireland and the various places we visited. Local tour guides were used in various places to give detailed local history and knowledge. Very enjoyable tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2024
Marjorie - Traveled, September 2024
Yes it was great, saw all the great cities and towns and lots of things were going on in these places. Our Guide was so great and would do anything for us. The Botels were great except the one in Derry which was noisy at nite as it was on a main street. Food was great and we loved the Hurling championship watching it in a pub. The driver and coach was great also.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/21/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2024
Our tour director was outstanding and same for our bus driver .The people of Ireland are all about 'service. I just completed Country Roads of Ireland a week ago -- I loved that it toured both the Republic and Northern Ireland (though I would have tacked on an extra day in Belfast which is full of interesting history) There were so many highlights for me -- but the main ones were The Giants Causeway, The Titanic Experience and the Aran Islands. Where else in the world would a local come up to you and ask "are you ok love do you need some help' (to me - camera in hand walking and looking all around).. Great food, great people...if you are on the fence about Ireland - jump off and just go!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/21/2024
Mark - Traveled, June 2024
An excellent tour guide. He brings innate wisdom, humor and thoughtfulness to the wonderful experience. An amazing driver and conscientous person.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/21/2024
Philip - Traveled, June 2024
Ireland is simply gorgeous! The excursions were well-planned and very enjoyable. The people were warm and welcoming everywhere we went. Our tour director was excellent...very knowledgeable and quite funny! Our driver was the best!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/21/2024
