Compare Ireland Uncovered by Tours of Distinction vs Dublin, Killarney and the Ring of Kerry by Audley Travel
Compare details and see what other travelers are saying.
Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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Duration | 10 days | 7 days |
Price From | $ 3,200 | $ 2,385 |
Price Per Day | $ 320 | $ 341 |
Highlights |
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Trip Style | Small group tour | Private guided tour |
Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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Travel Themes |
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Countries Visited | ||
Cities and Attractions |
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Flights & Transport | Airfare included | Ground transport included |
Activities |
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Meals Included |
8 Full Irish Breakfasts | 6 Dinners |
N/A |
Description |
Ireland’s beauty has inspired romantics, poets and dreamers for centuries. Its towns and villages exude unforgettable charm, cheer, and the rich tapestry of Gaelic culture. Explore storied pasts in magnificent castles that dot the landscape, discover mysteries along Ireland’s stunning seascapes, emerald lakes and moss covered bogs on this tour to Island. Visit Dublin voted the 3rd friendliest city on earth, marvel at Waterford Crystal, and feast on Irish hospitality – it’s a country where locals love a chat. Start your conversation on this small group tour of Ireland. |
Renowned for its warm welcome, literary genius, live music and green fields, Ireland is a small isle with enormous character. It's compact enough to explore easily, yet also incredibly diverse. Our Ireland specialists have a deep affinity with the island — north and south — and can bring you closer to the landscapes and the Irish people even at its most famous attractions. Try kayaking to romantic ruins on the Lakes of Killarney, take a literary pub crawl around Dublin or gain an introduction to Northern Ireland’s political history on a black taxi tour of Belfast. We also recommend getting well off the beaten path in places like the little-visited Beara Peninsula or along the stone-walled roads of the island of Inis Mór. Wherever you go, you'll be welcomed with that legendary Irish charm, regaled with stories and persuaded that the only way to do this place justice would be to plan a return visit. |
Day 1 - Depart for Dublin, Ireland
Today, transfer to the airport for your tour of Ireland and board your overnight flight to Dublin.
Day 2 - Arrive Dublin
Arriving at Dublin International Airport, you will be met by your local guide and escorted to your awaiting motor-coach. This morning, you will enjoy a tour of Dublin City; originally founded as a Viking settlement, Dublin has been home to the Irish Parliament since the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922. On your tour, witness Georgian Squares with their 18th Century houses, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College with the Book of Kells, Phoenix Park (biggest town park in Europe), statue filled O’Connell Street and the fashionable Grafton Street. Later, no visit to Dublin would be complete without a visit to the Guinness Brewery founded in 1759 by Arthur Guinness. Here, you will enjoy a guided tour which concludes with a leisurely pint of Guinness in the 360-degree roof top bar while enjoying some spectacular views of Dublin City. After, check-in to the Camden Court Hotel for our overnight stay and Welcome Dinner.
Day 3 - Waterford
After breakfast, we depart Dublin and travel south to County Wicklow, known as The Garden of Ireland. Your first stop will be Powerscourt House and Gardens. Powerscourt House which was badly damaged by fire in 1974 has been refurbished and opened to the public. The gardens at Powerscourt were laid out when the house was rebuilt in 1731. From here, you continue to Glendalough (Valley of Two Lakes) where you travel back in time to the 7th century with a guided tour of this remarkable early monastic settlement. Your tour continues through the beautiful Vale of Avoca to the Avoca Hand Weavers (the oldest in Ireland). We tour the weaving cooperative and get our own chance to try weaving!
Day 4 - Killarney
House of Waterford Crystal awaits today! See highly skilled local craftsmen demonstrate crystal blowing and cutting in the new state of the art visitor center. After, continue along the southern coastline to Blarney where you will have an opportunity to visit and kiss the famous Blarney Stone - said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who dare. Following this adventure, continue to Killarney for a two-night stay in the Killarney Towers Hotel.
Day 5 - Dingle Peninsula
Today, you will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, once cited as the most beautiful place on earth by National Geographic. You will stop at the Brian de Staic studio in Dingle which specializes in Celtic jewelry. This jewelry is handcrafted and engraved with ancient Celtic symbols and the letters of the ogham alphabet, an ancient Irish form of writing. As you continue around Slea Head, you will get some breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline and see some beehive huts (early monastic settlements) dating back over a thousand years. Plus, we visit the westernmost point in Ireland where you can view the Blasket Islands. You will also see the locations for such films as Ryan’s Daughter and the more recently filmed Far and Away which starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. You will have some free time in Dingle for lunch before returning to Killarney.
Day 6 - Galway
This morning, you bid farewell to Killarney and travel to Tralee, capital town of County Kerry and famous for The Rose of Tralee Festival. You continue to Tarbert where you board the Shannon Ferry and cross the Shannon Estuary to Killimer. From here, you travel the coast to the majestic Cliffs of Moher, which rise to a height of 600 ft. over the Atlantic Ocean. Following some free time to view the cliffs, your tour continues through the ‘lunar’ type landscape of the Burren, from the Irish word ‘bhoireann’ meaning, ‘a stony place’ or ‘a rocky place.’ This is the perfect description for this 350 sq. kilometer limestone plateau in North Clare. Later, you continue along the shores of Galway Bay to Galway City and check-in to the Galway Harbour Hotel where we have dinner.
Day 7 - Westport
Today you depart Galway and travel through Connemara with an abundance of mountains, lakelands and boglands. Because of its wild and rugged beauty, it has been the location for many films - “The Quiet Man” with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara and, in more recent times, “The Field,” starring Richard Harris. Kylemore Abbey is our next stop. Built in 1866, it was home to Benedictine Nuns from 920 to 2008. You can also visit the Abbey’s Victorian Walled Garden which is completely enclosed by a brick and limestone wall and beautiful Gothic Church. From here, continue through the scenic Doolough Valley taking in a stretch of road known as the famine walk and follow in the footsteps of the many people who left their home in search of food during the great famine. You will visit Glen Keen Farm and enjoy some freshly baked scones followed by a sheep herding demonstration. From here you continue by the foothills of Croagh Patrick, Ireland’s Holy Mountain to Westport. We unpack here for our two-night stay at the Hotel Westport.
Day 8 - Achill Island
After breakfast, travel to Mulranny and cross the Michael Davitt Bridge to Achill, Ireland’s largest offshore island. We follow the coastline and experience breathtaking views on the island’s spectacular Atlantic Drive and visit the deserted village at Slievemore. This village consists of 80 - 100 stone cottages (booley homes) on the southern slopes of Slievemore Mountain. There is a pub stop on Achill Island for lunch before returning to Westport, where you will have the remainder of the afternoon free. Take time to explore this picturesque town with its cheerful, multi-coloured shop fronts and an attractive selection of pubs, cafés and restaurants.
Day 9 - Dublin
Bid farewell to Westport this morning as we travel to the town of Knock, where Our Lady appeared in 1879, and has since become a great place of pilgrimage with thousands of people visiting each year. Then, continue to Dunboyne Castle Hotel and enjoy a farewell dinner at the hotel.
Day 10 - Depart Dublin
After breakfast, we transfer to Dublin International Airport with fond memories, newly acquired accents and many stories. Upon arrival in the USA, transfer home.
Day 1 Dublin
Dublin
On arrival you're met by your private driver and driven to your hotel. Later that evening enjoy a musical pub crawl exploring Dublin's vibrant nightlife scene.
Day 2 Dublin
Dublin
Today your private guide takes you on a walking tour of the city exploring some of the city's highlights, including Trinity College and St Patrick's Cathedral. Later that day visit the Guinness Storehouse for a tour and a taste of Dublin's best known tipple.
Day 3 Killarney
Dublin , Killarney
This morning, collect your rental car and head out of Dublin and down to Killarney. In the evening head to a local pub for Irish whiskey and cheese tasting.
Day 4 Killarney
Killarney
Today, take your car and drive around the Ring of Kerry admiring the stunning scenery.
Day 5 Killarney
Killarney
Explore the wild landscape of Beara Peninsula by yourself, stopping at the rural towns and villages you stumble upon along the way.
Day 6 Killarney
Killarney
Begin the day with a guided kayak tour across to Innisfallen Island, immersing yourself in the beauty of Killarney National Park. Later on, sip some whiskey at a local distillery with some delicious cheese pairings.
Day 7 Return home
Killarney
Drive to Cork airport and drop off the rental car before your flight home