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 your fellow travelers over a pleasant evening.
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 Brendan 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’?
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.
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 214 m (702 ft) 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.
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, nestled at the base of a Connemara mountainside. Commissioned by industrialist Mitchell Henry for his wife in the 19th century, the abbey was later transformed into a Benedictine monastery by nuns fleeing Ypres during World War I—linking this remote Irish valley to the upheaval of the Western Front.
Set beside Lough Corrib and the border of County Mayo, Cong combines quiet charm with a storied past. On arrival at The Lodge at Ashford Castle, follow a traditional piper up the estate’s drive - an age-old custom once used to honor visiting dignitaries. This stirring welcome connects you with Ireland’s cultural heritage from the moment you arrive. Best known as the filming location for The Quiet Man, the village is also home to the 12th-century Cong Abbey, a former Augustinian monastery with intricate stone carvings and Ireland’s only surviving monastic fishing house. During your free time, walk woodland trails through the grounds of Ashford Estate, visit the Quiet Man Museum or browse local craft shops showcasing Irish woollens and pottery. Later, dine in a private room at The Lodge at Ashford Castle. Enjoy a seasonal Farm-to-Table menu curated by Executive Chef Jonathan Keane, reflecting Ireland’s regional produce and culinary traditions.
After a Relaxed Start, travel east to Dublin, founded by the Vikings over 1,000 years ago at the mouth of the River Liffey. Your afternoon is free to explore the capital’s rich cultural scene—perhaps visit the National Gallery, home to works by Jack B. Yeats and Caravaggio, or stroll through St Stephen’s Green, laid out in 1880. Literary fans may opt for the James Joyce Center, while Grafton Street offers a final chance for local finds.
Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Dublin airport.
