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Trip	Undiscovered Ireland - Small Group Small Group by Insight Vacations 5 \| Excellent 10947 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip Reserve	12 Day Kaleidoscope of Ireland by Gate 1 Travel 3.5 \| Average 746 Reviews Trip Details Save Trip See Offer

Duration	13 days	12 days
Price From	$ 4,695	$ 3,159
Price Per Day	$ 361	$ 263
Highlights	Choose between two carefully selected activities Westport: Travel to Ballycroy National Park for a nature walk through lush countryside with panoramic views of Achill Island and the Nephin Beg mountain range. Westport: Join a local foodie for a culinary walk through the town sampling authentic Irish delicacies. Choose between two carefully selected activities 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. Tour the enchanting college campus with a Local Expert 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. Alternatively, visit the world-famous Guinness Storehouse Brewery and learn how to pour the perfect pint. Dublin: Before it opens to the public, visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's national drink. Experience a private masterclass and learn to pour the perfect pint. : Our Well-Being Directors take a proactive approach to your welfare ensuring all well-being regulations are met (available on tours with 21 or more guests). : Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches. : Experience enhanced hygiene protocols to align with the latest guidance following COVID-19.All Travel Directors, Well-Being Directors and Drivers have completed training in enhanced well-being and hygiene protocols. : We only work with establishments we are confident will consistently adhere to our high well-being standards, which include hotels, restaurants and sight-seeing venues. : Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day. : "One person my guests love to meet is a real musician because they love Irish music and love to experience it in its own land." : "The trick to really connecting with Ireland is not taking the Irish weather too seriously. If you don't like it, give it a few minutes and it's bound to change." : "It's magical to see how a group of guests comes together over the course of our trip. I can always tell when that's happening because suddenly the enthusiasm is palpable." Ennistymon: Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner, an opportunity to get to know each other over a meal with wine at a local restaurant. Galway: Indulge in a light lunch made from fresh local produce. Westport: Join a local foodie for a culinary walk through the town sampling authentic Irish delicacies. Dublin: Before it opens to the public, visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland's national drink. Experience a private masterclass and learn to pour the perfect pint. Adare: With good food and wine, toast the culmination of your travels during a fabulous Celebration Dinner. Dining Summary: 6 Dinner with Wine (DW), 12 Breakfast (B), 1 Lunch with Wine (LW), and 1 Morning Tea (MT) Cliffs of Moher: Stop by the Exhibition Centre and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs. Galway: Enjoy an orientation tour of the many landmarks in Galway such as the Lynch Memorial, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square. Galway: See the stunning cathedral of the City of Tribes. Westport: Travel to Ballycroy National Park for a nature walk through lush countryside with panoramic views of Achill Island and the Nephin Beg mountain range. Donegal: Enjoy an orientation of the town with your Travel Director. Letterkenny: Visit Glenveagh Castle with a Local Expert, originally built as a romantic highland retreat. Letterkenny: Discover Ireland's unspoilt scenery as you travel along the Wild Atlantic Way. Dublin: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see Custom House and and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Glendalough: Join your Local Expert on a walk in the ‘valley of the two lakes’. Kilkenny: Your Travel Director will provide you with an orientation of the medieval city of Kilkenny with its majestic castle and River walk. Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence. Cobh: The Queenstown Story at Cobh retraces the steps of Irish emigration from the famine of 1845 to the great ocean line era of the 1950s. This is a must for those with Irish ancestors who crossed the Atlantic during this time. Kinsale: During your orientation with your Travel Director, see Charles Fort, one of the finest surviving examples of a 17th-century star-shaped fort. Kinsale: Take an easy and peaceful walk to the Old Head of Kinsale, to see the memorial to the crew of RMS Lusitania and the ruins of Downmacpatrick Castle. Adare: Experience a village walk through the main street lined with thatched cottages. Westport: Meet the owners of the historic Lissadell Estate, enjoy tea and delicious home-baked scones, and learn about this beautiful house, built in 1830 and immortalised by the poet W.B. Yeats. After 70 years of neglect, husband and wife Edward Walsh and Constance Cassidy have led an intensive programme of restoration, without any public funding, of the house and its gardens, restoring Lissadell again as both a place of beauty and a family home for their seven children. Tour the galleries hosting exhibitions of Yeats and The Countess Markievicz amongst others, and enjoy the exquisite Victorian walled Kitchen garden, and Alpine garden overlooking the Atlantic. 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. Tour the enchanting college campus with a Local Expert 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. Alternatively, visit the world-famous Guinness Storehouse Brewery and learn how to pour the perfect pint. Wicklow: Visit Powerscourt Estate and join a gardener for a walk through one of the world's greatest estates, with gardens covering over 47 acres. Kilkenny: Meet James, an experienced player, for a fun session to discover the skills involved in hurling. Learn about this 3,000-year-old discipline, a proud legacy of Ireland's heritage, and have a go for yourself on the pitch.	At Trinity College, view the magnificent 8th century Book of Kells Visit the imposing 12th century Kilkenny Castle, overlooking the River Nore Enjoy a visit to Jameson Whiskey Distillery Tour the storied 15th century Blarney Castle, where you will have the chance to kiss the Blarney Stone View some of Ireland's most spectacular scenery as you drive to the mighty Cliffs of Moher Marvel at the Giant's Causeway, renowned for its layered black basalt columns Tour the Titanic Experience, a nine-gallery museum in the dockyard where the ship was built †Transfers are available for purchase for land only or on alternative flight dates
Trip Style	Small group tour	Group tour
Lodging Level	Standard	Premium
Physical Level	0- Wheelchair accessible	3- Moderate
Travel Themes	N/A	Cultural 50 plus
Countries Visited	Ireland	Ireland
Cities and Attractions	Dublin Kilkenny	Belfast Dublin Galway Kilkenny
Flights & Transport	Airfare included	Ground transport included
Activities	N/A	N/A
Meals Included	N/A	N/A
Description	Setting out from Shannon, this all new itinerary charts the road less travelled in Ireland with a chance to experience the country’s favorite sport—hurling, the breathtaking views of the Clare shoreline from the 700-feet tall Cliffs of Moher and an all Irish trip to a local Pub, where you’ll be serenaded by the musicians of Kilkenny. From here it is a short way to Tipperary and Blarney Castle—home of the kissing stone, before journeying onwards to the port of Cobh, the Titanic’s final port of call before it set sail for New York. Spanning two immersive weeks, this exploration includes a stay at the Carton House, Queen Victoria’s favorite retreat in Dublin.	2 Dublin, 1 Kilkenny, 2 Cork, 1 Limerick, 2 Sligo, 2 Belfast

Itinerary: Undiscovered Ireland - Small Group Small Group

Day 1: Welcome to Ireland

Transfers to your hotel depart from Shannon airport at 07:00 and 13:00. Relax and settle into your hotel or perhaps head for the nearby Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. At 17:30, join your Travel Director for a Welcome Dinner at a local restaurant with the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers.

Day 2: Cliffs and Delights of Galway

Journey to the incredible West Coast and the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre where you can enjoy breath-taking views of the Clare shoreline and the Atlantic Ocean. Your next stop is Galway, the City of Tribes. See the St Nicholas Cathedral, the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square on your orientation, before indulging in a delicious lunch at a local restaurant. Arrive in quaint and colourful Westport in Co. Mayo, on the Clew Bay.

Day 3: Explore Westport

Explore Westport with Insight Choice. Choose to join a Local Expert on a culinary walk through the town, sampling the best artisan dishes, craft beers and spirits. Alternatively, travel to Ballycroy National Park for a nature walk through lush countryside, with panoramic views of Achill Island and the Nephin Beg mountain range.

Day 4: Co. Donegal and the Wild Atlantic Way Relaxed Start

Visit the historic Lissadell Estate, childhood home of Irish revolutionary Constance Markievicz, who went on to becoming the first Irish Cabinet Minister. Meet the owners who have lovingly restored the house and gardens to its former glory and listen to their story as you enjoy tea and scones. Follow the Wild Atlantic Way to Donegal, then head inland for the market town of Letterkenny in the heart of the Northwest. Tonight, enjoy hearty Irish fare as your dine in the home of a local family.

Day 5: Wilderness of the Northwest

Experience the beauty and tranquillity of Ireland's northernmost wilderness as you travel through Glenveagh National Park, along the shores of Lough Veagh. Visit Glenveagh Castle, originally built as a romantic highland retreat, with a Local Expert. Spend time in the tartan-and-antler-encrusted music room and the blue room, where guests Greta Garbo and Ella Fitzgerald once stayed. Learn how the estate has played a central role in the conservation efforts of the National Park.Continue through Creeslough across the true wilds of Donegal. See Doe Castle, historical stronghold of Clan Sweeney, then on to the Atlantic Drive. Part of the Wild Atlantic Way, it is one of Ireland’s best kept secrets, offering pristine and unspoilt scenery. Continue back to Letterkenny via Mulroy Bay and Milford, and return to your hotel for an evening at leisure.

Day 6: Dublin, the capital

Journey across the Emerald Isle to Dublin, see the Custom House, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and travel along River Liffey on your orientation with your Travel Director. Explore Dublin with Insight Choice. Choose to visit the world-famous Guinness Storehouse Brewery and learn how to pour the perfect pint. Alternatively, join a Local Expert to visit Trinity College and see the Book of Kells. Arrive at the historic Carton House Hotel, a favourite retreat of Queen Victoria, newly renovated. Tonight, enjoy a cooking demonstration and savour a delicious dinner at the hotel’s gastropub.

Day 7: A Day at Leisure Relaxed Start

Today take advantage of the activities available at your hotel. Stop on the estate grounds and look out for rare birds. Take your chance at fishing, play a round of golf or pamper yourself at the spa. Transfers are also available for guests wishing to further explore Dublin.

Day 8: Gardens of Ireland

Your first stop this morning is at the Powerscourt House, in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, where you join a gardener for a walk through one of the world’s greatest estates. Your next stop is at Glendalough where a Local Expert takes you on a walk in the ‘valley of the two lakes’. This evening, arrive in Kilkenny, where your Travel Director shows you the medieval city, with its majestic castle and river walk. The evening is at your leisure.

Day 9: Active Kilkenny Relaxed Start

Kilkenny holds a long history for Ireland’s national sport – hurling. Meet an experienced player to gain an exciting insight into this unique Irish cultural experience, and have a go for yourself on the pitch. Tonight, enjoy a pub dinner where local musicians entertain you in true Irish tradition.

Day 10: Castles on the way to Cork

Cross County Tipperary as you travel to 15th-century Blarney Castle, home of the famous Stone of Eloquence ! In Cobh, visit the Queenstown Story exhibition, offering a glimpse into the hardships of the early emigrants to British overseas colonies. The ill-fated Titanic also called to the port on its voyage to New York, and the ocean liner Lusitania was struck by a torpedo just off the shore of the town.

Day 11: Walks in Nature

Explore Kinsale, one of the most picturesque towns on the southwest coast of Ireland. Visit Charles Fort, one of the finest surviving examples of a 17th-century star-shaped fort. Overlooking the town and the mouth of the Bandon River, it provides breath-taking views of the county. An easy and peaceful walk takes you to the Old Head of Kinsale, to see the memorial to the crew of RMS Lusitania and the ruins of Downmacpatrick Castle.Enjoy the freshest seafood this evening on your Sea-to-Table dinner.

Day 12: County Tipperary and Adare

Travel across County Tipperary to Brookfield Farm and join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Meet Ailbhe Gerrard, a passionate farmer and beekeeper, who shares her secrets to crafting the most delicious honey of the island, crafted sustainably, vital for the preservation of biodiversity in the region.Continue to Adare, Ireland’s prettiest village, for a walk among thatched cottages.Tonight, toast to your travels and memories made at your Celebration Dinner.

Day 13: Farewell Ireland

Your journey comes to an end after breakfast. Departure transfers arrive at Shannon airport at 05:30 and 09:00.

Itinerary: 12 Day Kaleidoscope of Ireland

DAY 1, Saturday - Depart for Ireland
Depart for Ireland

DAY 2, Sunday - Arrive in Dublin
Upon arrival in Dublin, transfer to your hotel. Most flights arrive in the early morning and your room may not be ready for you. In this case, leave your luggage with the concierge and your Tour Manager will provide suggestions for you to explore the city on your own. Your tour will begin with an orientation meeting with your Tour Manager at approximately 6 PM, followed by a light dinner
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: Dinner

DAY 3, Monday - Dublin City Tour
Begin the exploration of Dublin with a drive through Phoenix Park, one of Europe's largest walled city parks. More than green space, it is home to numerous monuments. You might also see fallow deer grazing in the fields. Continue on to view St. Patrick's Cathedral, the National Cathedral of Ireland founded in 1191. Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels, was dean of the cathedral from 1713 to 1745. On O'Connell Street, admire the handsome buildings that line the city's main thoroughfare. Next, at Trinity College, one of the oldest gospel books grabs your attention, the Book of Kells. This illuminated manuscript was created in the year 800 by Celtic monks. The afternoon is at leisure in the Irish capital. Perhaps visit the Guinness Storehouse, follow in the footsteps of your favorite writer, or browse the shops and museums
Overnight: Dublin
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 4, Tuesday - County Wicklow, Travel to Kilkenny
Drive south from Dublin to Glendalough in County Wicklow, for a short stop at the mystical 6th century monastic site with its round tower before driving through the hilly rolling countryside of County Kildare. Arrive in Kilkenny, a small city located on the banks of the River Nore and visit the 12th-century Kilkenny Castle. Enjoy dinner at the hotel this evening
Overnight: Kilkenny
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 5, Wednesday - Waterford, Jameson Distillery
This morning, drive to Waterford, where you will have an orientation tour of the city. Continue along the coast through the seaside resort of Youghal. Next, tour the Jameson Whiskey distillery and enjoy a tasting session, before arriving in Cork. Dinner together tonight is at the hotel
Overnight: Cork
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 6, Thursday - Kinsale, Cork
Start the day visiting Kinsale, a fishing port of great significance in Irish history. A former trading post, the town is known for its 800 year old church, and Georgian houses. The maritime and military history will come to life on a guided walking tour with a local guide. Return to Cork, where the remainder of the day is at leisure
Overnight: Cork
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 7, Friday - Blarney, Home Hosted Lunch, Limerick
Start out today with a stop at Blarney Castle, dating from the 15th century, though earlier fortifications were built on the same spot. Visit the grounds and maybe kiss the stone of eloquence. Next, visit a farm, where the family will host a delicious lunch. Continue to Limerick where you will see the imposing King John's Castle. This castle was built in the 13th century on the banks of River Shannon to safeguard the city. Tonight, perhaps participate in the optional Medieval Banquet* dinner for a lively evening of music, singing, and storytelling
*For Mar & Nov departures, the Knappogue Medieval Banquet will be substituted with Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
Optional: Knappogue Medieval Banquet (PM)
Overnight: Limerick
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

DAY 8, Saturday - Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Travel to Sligo
First stop is at the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. This rock wall towers 700 feet over the crashing surf of the Atlantic. It's sure to be one of the most spectacular meetings of land and water you're likely to see. Then head to Galway, a seafaring town steeped in tradition. Enjoy free time to discover the historic squares and pubs of this colorful town and to view Galway Cathedral. Later, travel to Sligo for overnight. This lovely town was home to a young William Butler Yeats. The poet died in 1939 in France, and ten years later his remains were re-interred here by the Irish navy. Savor dinner together at your hotel this evening
Overnight: Sligo
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 9, Sunday - Donegal, Slieve League
Begin a full day excursion with a drive to the gravesite of William Butler Yeats at Drumcliff. Continue into County Donegal, with its soaring sea cliffs, white sandy beaches, jaw-dropping landscapes and welcoming atmosphere. Visit the towering Slieve League cliffs, that stretch towards the horizon and admire the stunning panorama before you. At almost 2000 feet, they are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. Later, drive back to Sligo
Overnight: Sligo
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 10, Monday - Derry City Tour, Giant's Causeway
First stop today is Derry (Londonderry) in Northern Ireland. Your local guide will give you a walking tour around the 17th century city wall. View the Guildhall, Apprentice Boys Memorial Hall and St. Columb's Cathedral. Proceed to the Bogside district and the symbolic Peace Bridge. Local legend and lore make visiting Ireland especially unique and there is no shortage of tales to accompany Giant's Causeway, your next stop. The giant Finn McCool is said to have created this geological wonder so he could walk to Scotland to confront another giant. From there, the story varies. Today, a massive floor of 40,000 hexagonal stones stretches into the sea. Later, continue to Belfast
Overnight: Belfast
Meals: Breakfast

DAY 11, Tuesday - Belfast City Tour
Today, embark on a morning sightseeing tour of Belfast*. The city is located on the western shores of Belfast Lough, at the mouth of the River Lagan. To the northwest, mountains rise to the Antrim Plateau. This lovely setting has given the city a microclimate that nurtures its green spaces. Its location on calm waters has made it ideal for shipbuilding; the most famous vessel christened here was the Titanic. Start the half day tour by exploring the Titanic Experience, a nine-gallery museum in the dockyard where the ship was built. It's a city rich in history, architecture, and culture, and its share of political upheavals. Visit a neighborhood in West Belfast, where buildings are still scarred from The Troubles, which came to an end with the 1998 Good Friday Agreement. Then, view the hallowed quads of the university district and botanic garden, and visit the Ulster Museum. Finish at the colonnaded façade and towering dome of the Edwardian City Hall. Tonight, enjoy dinner and bid farewell to your Tour Manager
*For Jul 2, sightseeing may be altered due to local events
Overnight: Belfast
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

DAY 12, Wednesday - Depart Ireland
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your departure flight
Meals: Breakfast