Ireland Short Cruise Tours & Trip Packages

Ireland Short Cruise Tours & Trips

518 Ireland trips. Tours from 129 tour companies. 1,908 reviews. 4.5/5 avg rating.

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Short Cruise
Highlights of Scotland & Ireland
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness

Highlights

  • Edinburgh City Sightseeing Grand Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour (24 hours)
  • The Complete Loch Ness Experience (ASA)
  • Glasgow City Sightseeing Hop-on/Hop-off Bus Tour (1 Day)
  • Dublin Big Bus Essential Hop-on/Hop-off - 48-hour
  • Blarney Castle
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Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, Local Immersion & Homestays, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Great Value did an amazing job with the basic outline for the itinerary and the hotel choices were excellent."

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Game of Thrones tour of Northern Ireland
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belfast, Dublin

Highlights

  • Tours at Game of Thrones locations across Northern Ireland (These tours are not official Game of Thrones tours and are not licensed, approved, or endorsed by Home Box Office, Inc., the owner of the trade marks for Game of Thrones.)
  • Experience an evening of folklore and storytelling at Dublin’s oldest pub.
  • Marvel at the Dark Hedges on the Antrim Coast.
  • Walk in the footsteps of Jon Snow as you visit Game of Thrones filming sites.
  • Experience archery and axe throwing.
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Themes

Cultural, Nature & Wildlife, Small Ship Cruise, Train & Rail Journeys

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

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10 Day Taste Of Scotland & Ireland
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5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belfast, Dublin, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Killarney National Park, Loch Ness, Nassau

Highlights

  • Enjoy a true Scottish Evening
  • Enjoy a Dublin Canal Cruise Dinner
  • Visit Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet
  • Embark on a Loch Ness Scenic Cruise
  • Visit the Cliffs of Moher
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Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"I waited 20 years for my dream trip to Scotland and Ireland and splurged $7000 on this tour. The second half of touring Ireland was great, the first portion in Scotland was horrendous. The tour guide for Scotland made sexual advances and inappropriate comments to me and I had to cautiously avoid him and stay with the group to not have any interaction with him. I also sustained an injury on the bus, caused by the driver, which I had to report to CIE myself. I filed a complaint with a CIE customer service manager when I returned and learned that another woman also filed a complaint regarding the tour guide (2 women from the same tour!) CIE has not responded from the initial report over a month ago and have DONE NOTHING!!! This sexual predator is still working as a tour guide for them which is a screaming indicator regarding the sexual harassment investigations and policy enforcement for this company. Beware if you are a single woman and are looking to book with CIE, there are better options and I strongly recommend you avoid this company!!"

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Best of Ireland in 14 Days Tour
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1/5 Terrible
23 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Connemara, Dingle Peninsula, Dublin, Galway

Highlights

  • Dublin, learning about its rich history from the days of Viking raids
  • Enjoy scenic drive along the forests, mountains, and lakes of Killarney National Park
  • Experience walk along the local paths and lanes, hire a bicycle and pedal the scenic 30-mile Dingle Loop
  • Enjoying the beautiful Irish countryside
  • Enjoy dramatic Cliffs of Moher, where you'll find yourself leaning into the wind

Themes

Cultural, Hiking & Walking, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We purchased two backpacks from Rick Steves Europe. One of them arrived damaged and unusable. Their website says that you must contact them if you receive damaged merchandise. I have attempted to email them through their website and I have left 3 voicemails (nobody answers the phone, ever!) and nobody has contacted me back. At this point, it seems like I've been ripped off. Buyer beware. Extremely disappointed."

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Scottish Isles & Glens
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Edinburgh, Eilean Donan Castle, Glasgow

Highlights

  • Scottish Evening in Edinburgh: This fun evening starts with a 4-course dinner where you can sample the traditional Scottish dish of haggis, neaps and tatties. Then the music, dance and storytelling begins and offers you an insight into many aspects of Scottish life.
  • Eilean Donan Castle: This iconic castle is surrounded by majestic scenery. The first fortified castle was built in the mid 13th century and re-built through the centuries. Partially destroyed in a Jacobite uprising in 1719, Eilean Donan lay in ruins for the best part of 200 years. It took 20 years to restore from 1912 until its opening to the public in 1932.
  • Stay 2-Nights on Isle of Orkney: Experience island life on the largest island of the Orkneys and enjoy the majestic and historic sights throughout the island. Stay in the capital, Kirkwall, where you will have free time to browse around on your own and dine independently..
  • 5,000-Year-Old Village of Skara Brae: These 5,000-year-old ruins are of an incredibly well preserved stone settlement containing an intricate maze of dwellings. The site was revealed in 1850 by a violent storm and is now one of the most famous Neolithic sites in Northern Europe.
  • Whisky Tasting on Isle of Arran: Scotland is world-famous for its whisky, which is distilled all around the country. Walk through a working distillery to view the many steps of how whiskey is produced from the simple ingredients of malted barley and water. Try a sample “wee dram” at the end of the tour.
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Themes

50 plus, Culinary & Wine, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"I waited 20 years for my dream trip to Scotland and Ireland and splurged $7000 on this tour. The second half of touring Ireland was great, the first portion in Scotland was horrendous. The tour guide for Scotland made sexual advances and inappropriate comments to me and I had to cautiously avoid him and stay with the group to not have any interaction with him. I also sustained an injury on the bus, caused by the driver, which I had to report to CIE myself. I filed a complaint with a CIE customer service manager when I returned and learned that another woman also filed a complaint regarding the tour guide (2 women from the same tour!) CIE has not responded from the initial report over a month ago and have DONE NOTHING!!! This sexual predator is still working as a tour guide for them which is a screaming indicator regarding the sexual harassment investigations and policy enforcement for this company. Beware if you are a single woman and are looking to book with CIE, there are better options and I strongly recommend you avoid this company!!"

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England, Scotland and Ireland
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4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh, Galway, Glasgow, Inverness, Kilkenny, Killarney National Park, Liverpool, Loch Ness, London, Oxford, Scottish Highlands, York

Highlights

  • Explore this charming medieval town full of life which has a wonderful cathedral right in front of the castle.
  • Visit Stratford upon Avon, Shakespeare’s hometown.
  • Visit Caernarfon, a World Heritage site by the sea overlooked by an impressive castle.
  • Enjoy the stunning landscapes of the Scottish Highlands with a coffee and stroll in Pitlochry.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

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England, Scotland and Ireland end Dublin
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4.6/5 Excellent
66 reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Belfast, Cork, Dublin, Edinburgh, Galway, Glasgow, Inverness, Kilkenny, Killarney National Park, Loch Ness, London, York

Highlights

  • Visit the impressive Cliffs of Moher which overlook the ocean, those who wish can walk to O’Brien’s Tower.
  • Visit the ruins of the Royal Abbey and walk around Ashford Castle.
  • Explore Monastic ruins in Clonmacnoise.
  • Visit its magnificent gardens, designed in the 18th century and considered the most beautiful gardens in Ireland.

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"No travel with then completely desaster First and last Hotel accommodations really cheap, they mix you with 40 people in the same bus"

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The Ireland - County Kerry Untour
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5/5 Excellent
100 reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Cork, Dingle Peninsula, Killarney National Park, Ring of Kerry

Highlights

  • Visit Skellig Islands
  • Explore Dingle Peninsula
  • Visit Killarney National Park
  • Discover Blarney Castle, Cork and Beara Peninsula

Themes

Cultural, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"Rented two bikes in May 2019. Excellent service from Xavier from start to finish. He was extremely responsive and delivered the (brand new Orbea) bikes to our villa and recommended some great cycling routes around the beautiful Basque Country. Will definitely use Bike Basque again - highly recommended."

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Irish Highlights (Summer)
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By Trafalgar
preferred
4.6/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their travelers enjoy 24/7 travel expertise and dedicated service throughout the trips - everything is taken care of.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Highlights

  • 1 Welcome Reception (WR)
  • 6 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Dinner (D)
  • 1 Be My Guest (BMG)
  • Wicklow: Traditional Irish fare with an Italian twist is served up at Glenealy House near Dublin with the charming Fulvio family on hand to share their story.
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Themes

Cultural, Education / Learning

What travelers are saying

"Great time and great tour guide."

Trip dates & details
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Shades of Ireland featuring Northern Ireland - 2024
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
With a history that spans back to 1918, they have unparalleled expertise in the guided tour industry and can cater to all types of travelers.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belfast, Derry, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny

Highlights

  • Choose from a "menu" of Derry’s best restaurants.
  • Savor a hearty dinner and night of traditional Irish entertainment.
  • Enjoy a whiskey tasting and dinner at a whiskey distillery.
  • Overnight on the grounds of a historic manor house.
  • Experience the daily life of an Irish family during a visit to a local farm.
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Themes

Cultural

What travelers are saying

"It was a wonderful trip and experience! We are still sorting all the pictures and memories about it, and some of them I would like to share with you - read my diary about this trip! My Diary about our trip to South Dakota shorturl.at/efoX1"

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Northern & Southern Ireland
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Belfast, Dublin, Galway

Highlights

  • Walk through Ireland’s unspoilt natural wonders of the Rings of Kerry and see shepherds in action, with a sheep farm visit and herding demonstration for your small group.
  • Scramble about the clustered pillars of Giant's Causeway and decide for yourself if it’s a natural phenomenon, or the work of giants, as legends may say.
  • Explore the rugged coastline of the Aran Islands, with time to explore ruins and remains from the Bronze and Iron Age with your local leader.
  • Stroll through Belfast's city centre and learn about recent historical events brought to life in their monuments and buildings – one most notably being the story of the Titanic.
  • Revel in Dublin's energetic nightlife – it’ll feel like there’s a pub on nearly every corner, and its creative neighbourhoods are teeming with hip bars and eateries.

Themes

Cultural, High Adventure, Local Immersion & Homestays

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

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Ireland: Galway & Connemara Coast
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Why we love them
Their unique emphasis on immersive cultural experiences combined with active exploration with personalized cycling experiences.
Lodging level
Premium - 4 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Connemara, Cork, Dublin, Galway

Highlights

  • Delight in the lilt of an Irish brogue as a local expert leads you on a guided tour of The Burren.
  • Explore the medieval churches, Neolithic tombs, and sacred sites of Noughaval.
  • Marvel at the rugged and magical countryside of Connemara, whose mountains, lakes, and peat bogs have inspired poets for centuries.
  • View Kylemore Abbey, the oldest Benedictine abbey in Ireland.
  • Listen to crashing surf as you trace the coastline of the unspoiled, tranquil Renvyle Peninsula.

Themes

Cultural, Cycling & Biking, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"This tour was one of our favorites. The tour leaders (Claudio and Tiziana) were great. The Dolomites and Italian Alps were breathtaking and the bike paths and towns were well chosen to give us a great appreciation of this Alpine countryside. Once out of Venice you really feel like you are in the country with beautiful mountains, alpine chalets and in some areas mostly German speaking residents. The biking was mostly flat with some crazy fun downhill rides. Almost all of the cycling was on bike paths, so very safe and quiet riding. As expected, VBT delivered a great tour with very good accommodations, good food and a really great group of travellers."

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Walking Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
With a huge range of trip styles and themes, they cater to basically every type of traveler out there- even those with super specific interests.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Highlights

  • Walk the Cliffs of Moher and take a boat ride along the coast
  • Hike to the top of Torc Mountain in Killarney National Park
  • Experience the ancient oak forest and pristine beaches of the Ring of Kerry
  • Meet a seaweed forager and discover the secrets of the Derrynane Beach region
  • Hike Inishmore island and discover a seal sanctuary and the prehistoric fortress of Dun Aonghasa
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Themes

Hiking & Walking

What travelers are saying

"Discover Costa Rica is a great itinerary, covering varied habitats around the country and staying 2 nights each at 6 centres. Their birdwatching specials are led by local experts who really know their stuff."

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

Generous cancellation

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12 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected. We are displaying some similar trips.
My selections:
Short Cruise

Ireland Reviews & Ratings

4.5/5  Excellent
1,908  Reviews
See all Ireland tour reviews
Excellent
729
Great
359
Average
84
Disappointing
16
Terrible
10
A

Anonymous

Jan 2018

Provided byExodus Travels

Walking in Kerry

The Ring of Kerry is one of the most beautiful parts of Ireland and doing a walking trip is one of the best ways to see it. This trip gets you well away from the t...

P

Patrice Demski

Oct 2023

Written on

Wonders of Britain and Ireland

This itinerary gave us a wonderful taste of both Great Britian and Ireland. We were part of big city, and small town cultures. The itinerary kept us hopping, but w...

G

Glenna Lee

Oct 2023

Written on

Wonders of Britain and Ireland

We enjoyed this tour, but realized while taking part that we would not choose another tour that required 2 days of "ferry". We originally wanted a tour that showed...

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2023

Written on

Wonders of Britain and Ireland

The tours was everything I had planned for and then some. However, some not all hotels were subpar for what I had expected. As for the coach read my previous commen...

T

Trusted Customer

Sep 2023

Written on

Wonders of Britain and Ireland

Visited many many places and had a great experience

Write a Review

Ireland Tour Selection Trips

  • Walking and biking tours of Ireland can be wonderful, taking you through forests, across pastures and down small country roads you otherwise wouldn’t know existed.
  • One good reason for Americans to take a guided tour of Ireland: driving (on often narrow roads with standard transmission cars) is on the left.
  • Come prepared for rain (“liquid sunshine”) at any time, keeping in mind that this is what keeps Ireland so green.
  • While Ireland is a bit smaller than the U.S. state of Indiana, it’s rich in culture, scenery, and history, so don’t feel you have to see it all in one trip – though a number of tours do hit many of the highlights.
  • Dublin has the youngest population in Europe, making it a good choice for millennials.

Additional details

CORONAVIRUS UPDATE

Ireland is open to foreign travelers.

Upon arrival, visitors must undergo a mandatory 14-day quarantine and fill out a COVID-19 Passenger Locator Form to indicate where they intend to self isolate.

Read more about Countries Reopening for Tourism 


Ireland tours are available all year round, but it does get quite chilly. Often tours in Ireland feature a lot of time outdoors along the coast, so be sure to dress warmly!

Walking is a very popular activity on many Ireland trips. It is advised to bring a pair of warm, sturdy walking shoes or broken in hiking boots to protect your feet from blisters.

What to expect from a tour in Ireland

Touring Ireland is a wonderful experience, full of jovial fun, fascinating history, and of course a pint or two. If you enjoy beer, it’s safe to say you will enjoy traveling in Ireland. If you don’t enjoy beer, don’t worry, but be prepared for a few pub visits. You may like the taste of beer by the end of your trip!

American travelers in particular may be surprised by the pub atmosphere in Ireland and the wider UK. The Irish pub experience is far more family friendly than a typical bar or pub in the United States. Going by yourself to hang out with a book is perfectly acceptable.

But if you’re a more outgoing person, and enjoy meeting and hanging out with locals, the pub is the place to be; and you will be considered a local by the end of your trip if you go consistently. This is one reason why Ireland tours for singles are so popular.

Other than whiskey and beer, Ireland has much to offer in the way of history. Guided tours of Ireland will definitely touch on some of this, in varying degrees depending on which tour you choose.  

Ireland Tour Routes

You may be wondering whether your trip in Ireland will visit both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. In most cases, Ireland tours do visit both. The Republic of Ireland is dramatically larger than Northern Ireland, so you will spend most of your time in this area.

Some likely stops on this part of your tour include the Ring of Kerry, a stunning scenic route dotted with various historical sites. The Cliffs of Moher, which are only a short distance from Dublin, are another popular spot. The only thing that makes these breathtaking cliffs more stunning is the powerful, heart-stopping wind that blows in off the sea.

Northern Ireland is home to the Titanic Museum in Belfast, a very popular tour attraction. Giants Causeway is also a main attraction in Northern Ireland, especially for being a Game of Thrones filming location. Finally, your small group tour in Northern Ireland will likely include some historical components about recent conflicts between Catholics and Protestants in this part of Ireland.

Ireland Walking Tours

Because of Ireland’s natural beauty, relative accessibility and general safety, going on hiking and walking tours is one popular way of visiting the country. Going on a walking tour around Ireland is a great way to remove yourself from the routine, and place yourself in an otherworldly landscape.

If you decide to visit the Western coast of the country, you will be confronted with contrasting, dramatic stone landscapes and beautiful mountains. This region is known for  both its rough seas, and its population of wildflowers.

If you want to experience the entire island, consider a coast-to-coast walk. On this route, you are sure to experience many more cultural landmarks, including the some of the earliest Christian landmarks.

If the call of England and Scotland are too irresistible to you, you are in luck, as many tours combine visiting the three, similar locations. This way you can get triple the dosage of intense historical drama, jaw-dropping natural landscapes, and good drink and pub food.

What is the weather like in Ireland?

As it is nearly surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Ireland’s climate is both kept temperate by the water, and also made irregular because of it. As a result, Ireland’s weather is relatively unpredictable -- but not extreme.

When traveling to Ireland in the winter, you should dress warmly, but don’t worry about freezing temperatures. It rarely drops much below 46 degrees, and a result, don’t expect any heavy snows either.

In the summer, temperatures are in generally in the upper 50’s, and reach highs of around 66 degrees. Unlike in Scotland, you never have to worry about extremely long rain spells, nor will it rain consistently enough to make you wish you had your own pair of wellies. Either bring a light rain jacket just in case, or use every drizzle as an excuse to grab a Guinness in a cozy pub -- the choice is up to you!

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