Irish Elegance
Experience Overview
Experience the Wild Atlantic Way and journey from Galway to Killarney on this once-in-a-lifetime tour of Ireland. In Dublin explore the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College, before gazing upon the 9th-century Book of Kells. After an exploration of County Mayo and sojourn through picturesque Cong, indulge in a tantalizing Ashford Castle Dinner. The exquisite dining and locally sourced produce are matched only by the luxurious facilities of this vast estate, which include a falconry school, spa and an Irish Piper to signal your arrival. Look out at Galway Bay from the dramatic Cliffs of Moher and contemplate the beauty of County Clare on this weeklong, Irish experience.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Blarney: Your up close and personal encounter with the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate is brought to life on a guided tour with a senior gardener. On your stroll enhanced by your expert’s insights, learn about the arboretum’s rare trees, mystical Druid rock formations and the Bog Garden boasting three 600-year-old yew trees.
- 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.
Authentic Dining
- Dublin: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner, an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers over a meal featuring local specialties.
- Ashford Castle: Dine on delicious Farm-to-Table fare in a stylish setting at the iconic George V Dining Room.
Insight Choice
- Blarney: Your up close and personal encounter with the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate is brought to life on a guided tour with a senior gardener. On your stroll enhanced by your expert’s insights, learn about the arboretum’s rare trees, mystical Druid rock formations and the Bog Garden boasting three 600-year-old yew trees.
- 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.
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.
Make Travel Matter
- Ring of Kerry: Meet John, a seaweed advocate and educator for a seaweed foraging walk at Atlantic Irish Seaweed. Stroll along the shore learning about how they work to protect the fragile ecosystem of the wild Atlantic Irish coasts through their educational courses and passion for the local environment. Irish Atlantic Seaweed's environmental policy is to respect, enjoy and protect the natural wonders that surround them, and promote the sustainable use of Ireland's fragile marine ecosystems. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Top Rated Highlights
- Dublin: See Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
- Cashel: See the Rock of Cashel where St. Patrick preached.
- Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation.
- 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.
- Shannon: Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry. This large estuary is where the River Shannon flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
- 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: Visit the stunning cathedral of the City of Tribes. Admire its Renaissance style dome and unique rose shaped window.
- Connemara: With a striking Victorian Walled Garden and turreted church, Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey is a sight to behold. Dig into the Abbey’s history, discovering how it 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, you are escorted over the drawbridge by a lone piper for a majestic entrance fit for royalty.
Trip Details
Product Code: 28096
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Insight Vacations (CA)
Supplier Code: 104.324B
Starts: Dublin, Ireland
Finishes: Dublin, Ireland
Duration: 8 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $4,840 ($605 /day)
Itinerary
Start your exploration of Dublin with an orientation tour with a Local Expert 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. Visit the 9th century Book of Kells and enjoy a walk through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College. Back at your hotel, join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner and the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a pleasant evening.
Accommodation: Clayton Burlington Road, Dublin
Meals: Dinner
Depart Dublin, and pass the famous Curragh Racecourse and green meadows where many of the finest Irish racehorses are bred. Drive south and take a photo-stop to see the spectacular Rock of Cashel, crowned with medieval buildings that dominate the flat countryside for miles around. Then on to 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’?
Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
Meals: Breakfast
Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry and enter County Clare. Stop at the Exhibition Center 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 Tribes, and visit the last Cathedral built in Ireland. Take in the scenery from your hotel which is spectacularly set on the Wild Atlantic Way.
Accommodation: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Embark on a superb exploration of the Connemara National Park and see a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills. Visit the magnificent, turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey.
Accommodation: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals: Breakfast
Sitting on the edge of Lough Corrib and nestled on the border of County Galway and County Mayo, is the delightful Cong. You may recognize 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 or pamper yourself at the spa. Dining at Ashford Castle ranks among the finest culinary experiences in the world. Creative cooking, locally sourced ingredients and an innovative menu awaits. Gentlemen, a jacket is required.
Accommodation: Ashford Castle, Cong
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
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.
Accommodation: Riu Plaza The Gresham, Dublin
Meals: Breakfast
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers 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
Izabel W. - Traveled, April 2025
I loved every aspect. Learned a lot about ireland. On my itinerary it mentioned oyster farm. We didn't go but would have liked.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/29/2025
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2024
Top notch and organized. I like that we had people handling our luggage so we didn’t have to haul it around with us to our rooms and to the bus, etc. It was fantastic!!! visited so many great things, especially castles! Ashford was the ultimate!!! Needed a day or two more there though. Was fun climbing up the Barney castle! Kylemore Abbey is so gorgeous!! The scenery on the bus was beautiful, love the sheep and the horses and the cows. Hotels were great very beautiful and the music and dance was very cool! Cliffs of Moher we’re not clear because of rain and fog, but so it goes. It was also well put together with a stop at a tea house. Stop at scenery spots, Toured a couple cathedrals, shopping time and so much more!! great driver & did a terrific job as a tour guide with lots of information, etc.!!!?? loved every minute every day!!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/29/2024
Thomas W. - Traveled, August 2024
It was nice that our bags were put out into the bus instead of us hauling them everywhere. It was fabulous! The timing on everything was good. Our tour guide was organized and interesting. the bus driver did a great job. Every day was so fun! Hotels were beautiful! Ashford Castle at the end was amazing!! No complaints.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2024
Every detail is looked after so you can just enjoy. The pace was perfect , lovely little restaurants for lunch Lots of choices for optional experiences versus free time.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/18/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, August 2024
We had a great trip. Got to see many highlights of Ireland and had an awesome tour director and driver and tour guide.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 08/29/2024
Celine K. - Traveled, September 2024
Got to see so much in a short time. We were lucky to have a great group, and our tour guide was really great! Highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, December 2024
Everything about the trip was wonderful! We enjoyed every stop we made and the amount of time for each stop was appropriate. The hotels were great and of course the castle was the highlight. A special shout out to our director Karin. She was so helpful and caring. She was always there to assist and make sure we were taken care of. I can't say enough about her. Thanks for a wonderful experience!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/28/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
It was very first class and very accommodating. Our every need was fulfilled. It was great… lots to see and do! Feel like we covered a lot of territory and saw much of southern Ireland.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
All tour members need to adhere to schedule rather than always being the last ones back to motor coach.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Excellent. The tour guide was great. Elegance is correct. A great vacation.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Jo M. - Traveled, October 2024
The tour guide was really good had so much knowledge and kept us entertained. The sites were amazing with the highlight arriving by boat and staying at a magnificent castle.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Our tour operator Charles was outstanding. He went above and beyond to make sure we had a fantastic trip. He took care of our individual needs. He is very personable and friendly. He is an asset to Insight. Our bus driver John was so skilled driving that bus through the small country roads. He was also funny and very friendly. They made a great team! The itinerary was very comprehensive. We saw quite a bit of Ireland and enjoyed some of its highlights. We also got to enjoy local fare in small pubs along with elegant dinners. The highlight for me was Ashford castle. It was a 10plus!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2024
Robert K. - Traveled, October 2024
Everything was as advertised. I enjoyed the trip.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
I would recommend Irish Elegance for anyone visiting Ireland for the first time or again. Only thing I would change is Taylor's Cabaret - I would prefer traditional Irish song and dance event.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
Excellent vacation We travelled across Ireland with an awesome guide! The castle was the highlight All food and accommodations were 5 stars.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Great /very accommodating. Perfect.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2024
James M. - Traveled, November 2024
Great tour guide great driver.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
The guide was incredibly organized and knowledgeable. He was a wonderful resource for any question you could have. Filled itinerary that takes the stress off of you to figure out what to do next and all the little details. Not a sit around vacation if that’s what you’re looking for. Not much time for self exploration which does save you from spending too much money. Would’ve been nice to have some time to yourself to explore but I understand as it’s a very full trip. Bus driver and tour guide were truly amazing and the trip would not have been the same without them. Bus is very comfortable and kept very clean. Next time I would bring a mask to wear on the bus because I got a cold at end of trip but you can’t avoid being around an entire group. Would’ve liked to have a true pub night experience but that might be a different tour haha.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024
The Insight Vacation was a first for us. Definitely would recommend it to everyone. So many details were taken care of for us that our trip abroad was so relaxing and seamless. A tour guide is great, knowledge, humor and professionalism were so appreciated. Our coach driver was truly amazing on the winding country roads. The places we stopped were awesome.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/29/2024
Dawn C. - Traveled, September 2024
Wonderful trip with and excellent host and an amazing driver.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
We received all pertinent information beforehand our host also reached out to us before the trip. She also ensured that everyone’s needs were met during the trip and luggage and keys were transferred in a timely manner. Unfortunately my daughters room (single supplement) was sometimes not ready along the the others so had to adjust accordingly. We got to see a lot in such a short time. our host, tour guide and our driver were both amazing. I wish we could have spent more time at each location but the trip was well worth it. Ireland was beautiful. It was a great tour.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/29/2024
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