Itinerary Details
The Heart Of Ireland
Day 1 ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND Céad mile fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes! This evening, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for a welcome dinner at your hotel. (D)
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Day 2 DUBLINIreland’s Capital City DUBLIN Take a morning orientation drive to see O’Connell Street, Georgian squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College. Free time this afternoon.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty,” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and the legendary library of Trinity College.
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Day 3 DUBLIN–FRESHFORD–KILKENNY–WATERFORDHit the Sliotar! FRESHFORD [LF] Learn from an expert about hurling, one of Ireland’s native Gaelic games.
KILKENNY Time to explore one of Ireland’s most quaint towns. (B,D)
122 mi / 196 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
CULTURE & TRADITION Hurling is a game of stick (caman) and ball (sliotar), recognized as being the oldest and fastest field sport in the world, going back 3,000 years. Today it is played around the world but is an integral part of Irish life and culture. Hear all about it from an expert and take the opportunity to give it a go!
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Day 4 WATERFORD–BLARNEY–ROSSCARBERYSpend Your Day Your Way in Waterford
WATERFORD Explore Waterford on an included YourChoice Excursion.
TAKE YOUR PICK
Explore your way today with your choice of excursions:
WALK THE VIKING TRIANGLE Join a Waterford local on a guided walk through Ireland’s oldest city. Enjoy two cathedrals, four national monuments, and eleven centuries of rogues and rascals along the way, delivered in a witty, entertaining style, by a master storytellers.
OR:
CRYSTAL CLEAR Waterford is synonymous with the luxury crystal manufacture that bares its name. At the House of Waterford Crystal you are guided through the mould room and the blowing, cutting and engraving departments to see how the highly skilled master craftsmen create majestic Waterford Crystal.
BLARNEY Visit the village known for its magical Kissing Stone.
ROSSCARBERY Free time. (B,D)
125 mi / 202 km
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Day 5 ROSSCARBERY. EXCURSION TO CAPE CLEAR ISLANDIsland Life BALTIMORE Visit the village whose heritage revolves around sailing and fishing.
CAPE CLEAR ISLAND [LF] Take a ferry to the remote island where a local islander describes life for the 110 residents on a walking tour. (B)
57 mi / 91 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
A FERRY GOOD DAY Cape Clear Island is just 3 miles long by 1 mile wide. Situated 8 miles off the coast of West Cork, it is the southernmost inhabited part of Ireland with its own distinct culture and history. An islander guide will talk about life on the island as you take you on a stroll from North to South Harbour. On the ferry journey to and from Cape Clear, watch for whales, leatherback turtles, dolphins, and even sharks. A truly memorable experience!
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Day 6 ROSSCARBERY–KILLARNEY–ADARE–LIMERICKA Jaunting Good Time RING OF KERRY Panoramic drive around part of Ireland’s spectacular southwestern peninsula.
KILLARNEY Take a jaunting car ride through the national park, followed by free time.
ADARE Stop in the quaint village to see its thatched cottages. (B)
139 mi / 224 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS County Kerry is home to the exquisite natural beauty of a rugged and mountainous expanse in Killarney National Park. A horse-drawn jaunting car ride is a great way to experience this natural wonderland, including the 1,000-foot Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland. Nestled at the foot of these mountains, the Lakes of Killarney’s shores and woodlands share this magical place with waterfalls and dramatic skies above Ross Castle.
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Day 7 LIMERICK–CLIFFS OF MOHER–RATHBAUN FARM–GALWAY–BIRRSheep and Scones CLIFFS OF MOHER Visit the 668-foot-high cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean.
RATHBAUN FARM [LF] Try your hand at scone baking, learn about sheep herding, and enjoy coffee and scones at an Irish farm.
GALWAY Free time. (B,D)
165 mi / 266 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Someone’s in the kitchen in Rathbaun Farm, just outside of Galway. You can don an apron and whip up your own delicious home-made scones, served with fresh preserves and whipped cream. Learn about the long-time tradition of sheep farming in this beautiful Irish landscape.
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Day 8 BIRRWhiskey and Waters AHASCRAGH Visit Ahascragh distillery.
SHANNONBRIDGE Enjoy lunch in a local pub.
BIRR Free time this afternoon. (B)
63 mi / 102 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
WHISKEY GALORE! Ahascragh Distillery a historic old mill building has been brought back to life by careful restoration to become Ireland’s first zero emissions distillery, powered completely by renewable energy and cutting-edge technology. On your guided tour you’ll hear all about their award-winning passion for sustainability, from the heat pump technology to sustainable packaging, heritage preservation and community engagement. And the whiskey’s good too!
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Day 9 BIRR–KILDARE–DUBLINThe Winner’s Circle KILDARE Visit the world renowned Irish National Stud.
DUBLIN Free time this afternoon. (B)
98 mi / 157 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION The Irish National Stud is home to the long tradition of Ireland’s love of horses. This horse breeding facility in County Kildare, considered the beating heart of Ireland's thoroughbred industry, continues to inspire all who visit. Hear about some of the world’s most magnificent champion stallions that have made racing history since the turn of the 20th century.
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Day 10 DUBLINSafe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
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extensive gardens, which are open to the public; as is the Main House. There is a lovely restaurant in the house, overlooking the gardens and Wicklow Mountains, which offers the finest in Irish artisan, home cooked cuisine. The 34,000 acres of this estate extend along both shores of the River Dargle . Powerscourt is one of the finest properties in Europe, designed and laid out by Daniel Robertson between 1745 and 1767. This property is filled with splendid Greek and Italian-inspired statuary, decorative ironwork, a petrified-moss grotto, lovely herbaceous borders, a Japanese garden, a circular pond and fountain with statues of winged horses, and an occasional herd of deer. Opportunity for shopping at Avoca Handweavers now located in Powerscourt House. Enjoy lunch here at Powerscourt or at a traditional Irish pub in the city centre.
number of city parks, such as St. Stephen’s Green and indeed Merrion Square. The highlights of any tour in Dublin may include a visit to Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse… and –if time permits –St. Patrick’s Cathedral. 
Castle which stands majestically beside the River Nore on the south side of the city.