8 Day Enchanting Emerald Isle – Trafalgar

Itinerary

Trafalgar Guided Tour starting in Dublin and finishing in Dublin

Old-world Ireland comes to life as you travel around the country, from hearing the ‘upstairs, downstairs’ story of Strokestown Park to tasting fresh-baked scones at a traditional Irish Farm.

Day By Day

Day 1 Arrive Dublin – Afternoon Sightseeing

Welcome to Dublin. Meet your Local Specialist this afternoon for a guided city tour. See the colourful doors in elegant Georgian Squares, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and more. Later gather for a Welcome Reception and exclusive visit to the Crypt at Christ Church Cathedral. Built in 1172 the underground chambers house memorials, artefacts, and altar-pieces. (WR) Stay: Clayton Ballsbridge

Day 2 Dublin – Strokestown – Ballina

Admire the rolling green countryside as you cross from Dublin to Ballina. Stop for a visit to magnificent Strokestown Park House, an 18th century mansion with original furnishings. In the old stables is the Irish Famine Museum, one of the world’s best private archives dedicated to the potato famine of the 1840s, where you gain a Cultural Insight into the plight of the Irish people. After time to view the exhibits, continue to Ballina set on the River Moy. (FB/D) Stay: Ballina

Day 3 Ballina – Connemara – Galway

Travel to the pretty town of Westport, then on to Connemara. Visit Kylemore Abbey, once a family home. Strikingly situated on Lake Kylemore, this 19th century neo-Gothic wonder now serves as a Benedictine monastery. After time to see the walled Victorian gardens, continue to Galway, the ‘City of Tribes’. (FB) Stay: Connacht

Day 4 Galway – Cliffs Of Moher – Killarney (2 Nights)

View Galway Cathedral, an impressive stone church dating back only to 1965. Then gain a Cultural Insight into the life of a traditional sheep farmer on a stop at a traditional Irish farm. Sip a cup of morning tea and enjoy a freshly baked scone, then watch the farmer herd sheep with the help of his dog. Afterward head to the coast and the rugged Cliffs of Moher. There’s time to take in the endless ocean views before taking the ferry across the Shannon estuary and on to Killarney. (FB/D) Stay: Killarney Towers/Killarney Avenue

Day 5 Ring Of Kerry Excursion

Travel the Ring of Kerry, one of the most scenic drives on the Emerald Isle. Lakes, mountains, ocean and coast come together in a landscape that has inspired poets, artists and musicians for centuries. Stop at Torc Waterfall for a chance to join a Local Specialist for a leisurely guided walk, taking you along the lakeshore and past the farmlands of the 19th century Muckross Estate. If you’d rather forgo the walk, the motorcoach will return you to Killarney. Please Note: The walk travels over wooded paths and lakeshore trails. While there are no mountains to climb, walkers need to be reasonably fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and raingear. Approx. 3 miles/2 hours. (FB)

Day 6 Killarney – Blarney – Kilkenny

Your first stop today is at Blarney Castle, where you’ll have a chance to kiss the famous Blarney Stone and receive the ‘gift of the gab”. Browse through the Blarney Woollen Mills, then travel on to Co. Kilkenny. Here you will discover the ‘lost’ town of Jerpoint which was founded in the 12th century before meeting Joe and Maeve O’Connell at their home, Belmore House, where the town was unearthed. Hear the tale while relishing a Be My Guest dinner, before arriving at your hotel in Kilkenny. (FB/BMGD) Stay: Kilkenny

Day 7 Kilkenny – Dublin

Visit Kilkenny Castle, with a Local Specialist. An Anglo-Norman mansion that sits majestically over the River Nore. In the castle basement you’ll find the Butler Gallery, one of Ireland’s most important art galleries outside of Dublin. Later return to Ireland’s capital where you visit Trinity College to admire the Book of Kells. Later toast the Emerald Isle with your fellow travellers at a Farewell Dinner at a traditional Irish pub. (FB/FD) Stay: Clayton Ballsbridge

Day 8 Depart Dublin

Slan abhaile or ‘safe homeward” as you transfer to the airport where your holiday ends. Transfers are available. Conditions apply. (FB)