Country Roads Tour of Southern and Northern Ireland

Highlight visits on this Ireland tour include visits to an equine stud and its famous Japanese gardens and there is an interesting selection of accommodation. This is a well-paced coach tour with two- night stays. The driving days are of a reasonable length, with frequent stops.

Suggested Itinerary:

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN DUBLIN AND SIGHTSEEING

Your sightseeing tour of Dublin includes its elegant squares and a visit to the impressive Dublin castle. There is a welcome function with your tour director and fellow guests after your arrival.

DAY 2: WATERFORD (B)
Drive to Kildare for an informative visit to Ireland’s National Stud, one of the country’s main racehorse breeding centres. Visit the Japanese Gardens, laid out by Eida, a Japanese landscape artist invited to Ireland at the turn of last century. Move on to visit the 13th century Kilkenny Castle, before continuing to on this special Ireland tour to your hotel in historic Waterford.

DAY 3: WATERFORD TO BLARNEY (B,D)
View the 9th century Reginald’s Tower and the remains of the old city walls. Tour the Waterford Glass Factory before a coastal drive brings you to Ireland’s second city of Cork. Then continue to your hotel in Blarney, a golf resort.

DAY 4: BLARNEY TO KILLARNEY (B,D)
Next on this Ireland coach tour you visit the ancient Blarney castle of in the morning. Admire displays of Waterford Crystal at Blarney Mill before driving up the valley of the River Lee into the Derrynasaggart Mountains. This new landscape is the beautiful scenery of the Dingle Peninsula, the spectacular setting for the film Ryan’s Daughter. From dramatic Slea Head at the peninsula’s far end, you travel on to the town of Killarney.

DAY 5: RING OF KERRY EXCURSION (B,D)
An excursion takes you around the Ring of Kerry on one of the world’s greatest scenic tours: towering cliffs, lush lakelands, remote villages and, above all, Ireland’s highest mountain range, and view the three peaceful Lakes of Killarney. Return to Killarney and enjoy a highlight ride with the locals on one of the famous jaunting cars. Tonight on this Ireland tour there is the option of dinner at a selection of local restaurants.

DAY 6: KILLARNEY TO GALWAY (B,D)
Drive via Adare to the city of Limerick and see St Mary’s Cathedral and medieval King John’s Castle. Then visit Bunratty Folk Park, which recreates the homes and lifestyle of rural Ireland over the centuries before a delightful drive takes you to the Burren, a strange, rocky landscape rich with wild orchids, to Galway.

DAY 7: CONNEMARA EXCURSION (B)
In Galway, the next stop on this Ireland tour, you will see St Nicholas Cathedral, the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US president John F Kennedy. The beautiful rugged landscape of Connemara reveals a wonderland of rivers, lakes and silent hills. Visit palatial Kylemore Abbey before returning to your hotel.

DAY 8: GALWAY TO LONDONDERRY (B,D)
You drive to Galway and Connemara, drive past Tuam to Clonalis House.This estate is the home of the O’Connor family, descendants of the last High Kings of Ireland. Meet the resident family and tour their home before driving through County Sligo to visit the Belleek Pottery Centre. Continue to Donegal town and head north through the Blue Stack Mountains into Northern Ireland.

DAY 9: LONDONDERRY TO BALLYGALLY (B,D)
Sightseeing with a local guide takes you inside the well-preserved walls, still topped with cannons, and down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall. Then continue on this Ireland tour along the coast to the spectacular Giant’s Causeway, created by the cooling of lava which burst through the Earth’s crust millions of years ago. You travel along the scenic Antrim coast to arrive in Ballygally for an overnight stay.

DAY 10: BALLYGALLY TO BELFAST (B)
Continue around the coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Meet your local guide for a panoramic tour of this unique city.

DAY 11: BELFAST TO DUBLIN (B)
Travel alongside the Mountains of Mourne to Drogheda, taking a short drive along the historic Boyne Valley, site of the Battle of Boyne where William of Orange defeated the forces of Catholic King James. Return to Dublin for the conclusion of this Ireland tour and spend a leisurely evening.

DAY 12: DEPART DUBLIN (B)
Departure transfers arrive at Dublin Airport at 07:30, 09:30 & 11:30

Prices and departures may vary please contact your Concierge Traveller Advisor for more information.

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