Compare Ireland for the Family by Travelous vs Ireland Uncovered by Tours of Distinction
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 8 days | 10 days |
| Price From | $ 3,999 | $ 3,200 |
| Price Per Day | $ 500 | $ 320 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Private guided tour | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Premium |
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| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | Internal airfare and ground transport included | Airfare included |
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| Meals Included | N/A |
8 Full Irish Breakfasts | 6 Dinners |
| Description |
Get ready for an unforgettable family vacation in magical Ireland, featuring paddle boarding, city biking, jaunting cars, archery, and Michelin Star restaurants! Start your exciting privateguided journey through the Emerald Isle in Dublin, on a city bike tour. Ride by the Dublin Castle, St. Stephen’s Green, and other iconic sites. Continue through the Irish countryside to Glendalough, where you will explore ancient ruins of stone churches, towers, and cathedrals. Learn the art of scone-making before heading out to discover the Killarney National Park on a jaunting car. Stand in awe at the Ring of Kerry, rewarded with incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean, mountains, bogs, and lakes. Try your hand at archery as you master this medieval sport in Limerick and live out the traditional Irish farm life experience in County Clare. Enthusiastic local guides will ensure an exciting and comfortable family vacation that will leave you with memories for a lifetime! |
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. |
Day 1: Airport Transfer (Arrival)
Welcome to Dublin! Your Travelous representative will be awaiting your arrival at passenger pick up holding a sign with your name printed on it. Transfer in private vehicle provided to your hotel.
Overnight Accommodation: Cliff at Lyons, Cottage. Celbridge, Co. Kildare
Cliffs at Lyons:
Cliff at Lyons sits where city ends, and countryside begins. Located on a historic Irish estate, Lyons is an idyllic retreat but a short hop into the city. Ideal as your home from home, you can enjoy the privacy of either an apartment or cottage lettings here feature comfortable lounge and dining areas, with well-equipped kitchens and laundry facilities, alongside outdoor furnishings and design. The Grand Canal runs right by, where you have miles of tow path to run or walk upon or borrow a paddleboard and sail away. Relax and enjoy the spa or one of the numerous activities on-site, including a cycling or a leisurely barge journey on the canal. When you’ve built up and appetite, enjoy the fabulous 2 Michelin Star restaurant Aimsir.
Day 2: Dublin by Bike
Accommodation: Cliff at Lyons, Cottage. Celbridge, Co. Kildare
Morning at Leisure
After lunch, depart for Dublin where you will enjoy a private city bike tour.
There is no better way to explore a city like Dublin than cycling your way out to discover some of the most well-kept secrets of Dublin and its beauties. Meet your guide in Temple Bar where you will start your tour through Dublin. Your guide will share some of the interesting stories and facts of Dublin. There will be time for stops at the most iconic places in Dublin. Some attractions you will visit on this tour today: Dublin Caslte, Christ Church Castle Cathedral, St. Stephen’s Green.
Day 3: Ballyknocken Cookery School, Glendalough Walking Tour
Today after breakfast enjoy a day touring in County Wicklow. After breakfast, meet your private driver and depart for Wicklow, where you will enjoy a cooking experience at Ballyknocken Cookery School followed by a private walking tour in Glendalough.
Ballyknocken Cookery School:
Situated in the renovated Milking Parlour on the grounds of Ballyknocken House & Farm, Ballyknocken Cookery School is a haven for those seeking to learn the skills of interestingly preparing fresh local foods in a wonderful countryside setting. Ballyknocken Cookery School is is owned and managed by Irish Celebrity Chef Catherine Fulvio. Cooking in family can be such a wonderfully relaxed and pleasant affair, we all know that nothing tastes quite as good as home cooked food, we invite you to make Irish buttermilk scones. Be chef to this experience before tasting your masterpiece.
Glendalough:
The English name Glendalough originated from the Irish “Gleann Dá Locha”, which translates as "The valley of the two lakes". It was here that St. Kevin ~ son of the king of Leinster founded a monastery in the 6th century. From a simple beginning the site grew to become famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe. Standing for 600 years it was destroyed in 1398. Much of what is to be seen today dates from the 10 to 12th century. One of the most attractive features is the fine 34m high round tower. A cathedral, stone churches and decorated crosses also survived albeit as ruins. Glendalough has an excellent visitor's centre and display area, which is located at the entrance to the Valley. It houses a very comprehensive exhibition on Glendalough detailing the history, archaeology and wildlife of this area of Wicklow.
Day 4: County Kerry, Killarney National Park
Accommodation: Park Hotel Kenmare, Townhouse. Kenmare, Co. Kerry
After a full Irish breakfast, meet your private driver and depart for Kenmare in Co. Kerry. On route enjoy a jaunting car tour the Killarney National Park.
About Co. Kerry:
County Kerry, traditionally known as the 'Kingdom', is situated in the extreme South-west of Ireland. Kerry has two contrasting types of terrain - the mountainous south with the Beara, Iveragh and Dingle peninsulas, and the smaller 'plains' area that stretches as far north as the Shannon estuary. No matter from which direction the county of Kerry is approached, the great central spine of mountains draws the eye of the traveller. The relatively high mountains and narrow peninsulas conjure weather patterns, which change the face of the mountains, the surface of the water and the texture of the landscape by the minute. The fretted coastline and deep bays created by the mighty Atlantic play tricks with the light and produce a magical quality, which intoxicates the senses.
Killarney National Park:
Step aboard a jaunting car and discover areas of the National Park that you might not otherwise visit. Relax aboard a jaunting car as your Jarvey [driver] takes you through the magnificent scenery of Killarney National Park. The scenery is stunning, and the trap will bring you as far as the Ross Castle, by lough Leane. After your jaunting car, resume your journey to Kenmare for overnight.
Park Hotel Kenmare:
The Park hotel has one of the best hotel locations in Ireland. Nestled peacefully in an idyllic setting overlooking Kenmare Bay, this 5-star hotel is at one with nature. Dating from 1897 each of the 47 Bedrooms enjoy a spacious sitting area furnished with antiques and objects d’art while most have a full water view or private veranda.
Day 5: Ring of Kerry
Accommodation: Park Hotel Kenmare, Townhouse. Kenmare, Co. Kerry
After breakfast, meet your private driver and depart for a day touring around the breath-taking Ring of Kerry.
The Ring of Kerry:
The Ring of Kerry (166km) is the most famous and panoramic route in Ireland. The astonishing beauty of this large peninsula, Iveragh, comes from the great diversity of its scenery, which offers incessant contrasts. En route around the Ring, take in spectacular scenery - mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean as one travels along the coast road. Leaving Killarney pass through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair, then to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay. Continuing to Cahersiveen, you’ll pass the birthplace of our National hero, Daniel O’Connell. Next, continue on through peat bogs to the town of Waterville. Continue to Sneem Village, famous for its brightly coloured houses. The road then continues through the mountains to Molls Gap and Ladies View with superb views of the famous Lakes of Killarney.
Day 6: Adare Manor (Limerick), Falconry & Archery Experience
Accommodation: Adare Manor, Manor Lodge. Adare, Co. Limerick
Today after breakfast, meet your private driver and depart for Adare Manor in Co. Limerick. After check-in enjoy the amazing falconry experience in the Adare Manor estate.
Falconry Experience:
A suitable experience for all of the family to enjoy together, and a marvellous opportunity to create memories that will last forever. We invite you to participate in an adventure that will allow you to meet several species on a free fly to you gloved hand.
Archery Experience:
Travel back in time and reincarnate in a medieval character while you shoot different types of bows at the same time you test your skills and strength. This experience will be totally tailored to your family ability.
About Adare Manor:
The luxurious Adare Manor was built in 1862 on the banks of the banks of the River Maigue - one of Ireland's best trout rivers. Set amid 840 acres of sweeping parklands and cultivated gardens, the Manor is an architectural masterpiece of towers, turrets and stonework ornamentation. Formally the family seat of the Earls of Dunraven, today Adare Manor is a deluxe resort hotel offering its guests 63 spacious bedrooms, 11 Clubhouse rooms, 18 two-bedroom townhouses and 7 four-bedroom townhouses. The hotel has an excellent dining room and there is also dining facilities at the golf club. Facilities at the hotel include a leisure centre with swimming pool and a large variety of indoor and outdoor sports - including golf on the hotel’s 18 holes championship course.
Day 7: County Clare, Burren Farm Experience
Accommodation: Adare Manor, Manor Lodge. Adare, Co. Limerick
Today after breakfast, meet your private driver and depart for a tour in Co. Clare, where you will have the opportunity to discover the landscapes of the Burren while enjoy a tour of a traditional Irish farm.
About Burren Farm Experience:
Serenely located in the Burren National Park, this husband and wife privately owned farm invites guests to experience traditional Irish farm life. Cathal and Bronagh are 5th generation farmers on this land and will share their experience of working on the farm with you. You will have a tour of the farm including the history of it, before taking a tractor tour of the famine village, cashel round field, and Shantaghphubble chapel. You’ll also have the opportunity to view the livestock and feed the calves before hiking through the ancient forest and limestone karst pavement that the Burren is known for. Your experience will end with tea/coffee and biscuits reflecting on your time at the farm.
Day 8: Airport Transfer - Shannon (Depart)
Unfortunately, we say goodbye to you today. Transfer in private vehicle with full assistance to Shannon airport for your flight home. Keep the memories alive and we hope to see you in Ireland again soon. Stay Travelous!
Included in the tour:
Dublin Cycling Tour
Ballyknocken Cookery School
Glendalough
Killarney National Park
Ring of Kerry
Falconry
Archery
Burren Farm Experience
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.
