Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 8

Quality Dining

• Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant in Dublin (DA)
• 6 full Breakfasts (B) and 2 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)

8 Days ~ Ireland

Tour Pace
Well paced with two-nights in Killarney, and overnight stays in Galway and Waterford. The driving days are of a reasonable length with frequent and often scenic stops offering photo opportunities.

DAY 1 – SAT – DEPART USA
Overnight flight to Dublin.

DAY 2 – SUN – ARRIVE DUBLIN
Welcome to a land of legends, of misty mountains, lovely lakes and a warm friendly greeting wherever you go. There are complimentary transfers from Dublin Airport to your Insight tour hotel. In the afternoon, a sightseeing tour of Dublin takes you past the Customs House, along O’Connell Street and through Phoenix Park. Travel along the river Liffey to see the Guinness Brewery and visit Dublin Castle (when open) before admiring the 18th century buildings of the Georgian section of the city. Later, join your Tour Director and fellow passengers for a Welcome Drink, followed by a Dine-Around option allowing you to choose your dining experience from a selection of restaurants.
Hotel: Radisson SAS Royal. (DA)

DAY 3 – MON – DUBLIN – GALWAY
Drive through the ‘forty shades of green’ landscape of the Emerald Isle. Cross the Boyne River, its name a reminder of the battle which saw William of Orange sow the seeds of future strife in his defeat of the Catholic King James. Pass by the former fortress town of Athlone, built to defend the strategic crossing of the Shannon, before crossing the river. The destination: historic Galway,’City of the Tribes’, at the mouth of the Corrib River and the capital of Western Ireland. Join your Tour Director to see the infamous Lynch Memorial where Judge Lynch executed his own son, and the Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his discovery of America. Also see the aged Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late President, John F Kennedy.
Hotel: Days. (B)

DAY 4 – TUE – GALWAY – KILLARNEY
Take the scenic route through the mysterious rocky limestone landscape of the Burren, riddled with underground caverns and streams and known for its rare flora. A visit to Bunratty's remarkable Folk Park is the main highlight today. Ireland's rural heritage comes to life as you walk along the cobbled streets, lined with buildings from a bygone era and thatched cottages furnished in traditional style. Continue to nearby Limerick, situated on the banks of the River Shannon, and famous for rhymes, lace and elegant Georgian houses. Here your Tour Director shows you King John’s impressive castle, the 800-year-old St Mary’s Cathedral and the Treaty Stone. Continue past the charming thatched cottages of Adare, through the land of song and legend, to your hotel in Killarney.
Hotel: Killarney Avenue & Towers. (B,D)

DAY 5 – WED – RING OF KERRY EXCURSION
Take a leisurely excursion along the magnificent Ring of Kerry to enjoy its breathtaking views over mountains and sea. Pass through the small towns of Killorglin where the famous Puck Fair takes place, and Caherciveen, birthplace of the great patriot Daniel O'Connel. Follow the narrow road as it winds along the cliffs and through the fishing town of Waterville and delightful villages like Sneem. Cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap and admire Queen Victoria’s ‘Ladies View’. In Killarney, enjoy a memorable Highlight ride on a jaunting car with the local ‘Jarvies’ before returning to Tralee. (B)

DAY 6 – THU – KILLARNEY – WATERFORD
Drive through the rugged Derrynasaggart Mountains and picturesque villages of the Sullane Valley to Blarney, where you visit the famous 15th century Castle, the home of the famous Stone of Eloquence, once kissed - never forgotten! Here you also have a chance to shop for woollens and Irish crystal at the Blarney Mills. Then it's on to Cork, Ireland's second largest city, before enjoying a coastal drive via the fishing port of Youghal, renowned for its connection with Sir Walter Raleigh and the seaside market town of Dungarvan. In Waterford, tour the famous crystal works before arriving at your hotel.
Hotel: Dooleys. (B,D)

DAY 7 – FRI – WATERFORD – DUBLIN
See Waterford’s 9th century Reginald's Tower and the remains of the old city walls before heading northwards through the beautiful pastoral countryside where memories, undimmed by the passage of time, still recall the heroes of '98. A scenic drive takes you through the Vale of Avoca to see the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ memorial to Ireland’s poet laureate Thomas Moore. Continue on through the picturesque Vale of Clara to Glendalough. Stop here to visit the extensive ruins of the sixth century monastery of St. Kevin, nestled in a setting of total tranquillity. Finally, return to Ireland's fun-loving capital via the beautiful scenery of County Wicklow. Tonight, consider enjoying a farewell dinner and Irish cabaret to round off your tour.
Hotel: Quality. (B)

DAY 8 – SAT – RETURN TO USA
Bid farewell to Ireland, as your memorable tour comes to an end after breakfast. There are complimentary transfers to Dublin Airport. (B)

Hotels
The five hotels on this tour range from the modern, elegant, sophisticated Radisson SAS Royal in Dublin to the more traditional Killarney Avenue & Towers and the family-run Dooleys in the heart of Waterford.

Fellow Passengers
This tour attracts both experienced and first-time travelers who are looking for an introduction to Ireland. It also often appeals to guests with an Irish background who are interested in exploring their ancestry.

Highlights
Exploring the living museum at Bunratty, taking the ride on a jaunting car in Killarney, enjoying the beautiful green countryside and listening to the ‘lilt’ of Irish voices are all tour highlights.

Enjoy our Premium Highlights plus these extra tour features

Excursions & Sights

• See the Customs House Customs House, Guinness Brewery and Phoenix Park in Dublin
• See Galway’s Lynch Memorial, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch & Eyre Square
• Drive through the mysterious rocky limestone landscape of the Burren
• See King John’s Castle & St Mary’s Cathedral and the Treaty Stone in Limerick
• Visit the picturesque town of Adare, its main street lined with thatched cottages
• Climb Blarney Castle and dangle from the ramparts to kiss the famous ‘Blarney Stone’Drive through Cork and the scenic ports of Youghal and Dungarvan
• See the old city walls, Reginald’s Tower and visit the Waterford Crystal Factory
• Travel along the Vale of Avoca to the ‘Meeting of the Waters’ & Thomas Moore memorial
• Visit St Kevin’s ruined monastery at Glendalough in the Wicklow Mountains

Guided City Tours

• In-depth sightseeing tour in DublinOrientation tours in Galway, Limerick, Killarney, Cork and Waterford

Insight's First Class Services

• Escorted by a professional Tour Director
• Luxury air-conditioned 40 seat coach with onboard toilet
• Insight Hotels include all service charges, taxes and porterage
• Insight Traveler document wallet, map book journal and information pack
• Complimentary arrival transfer on Day 2 and departure transfer on Day 8

Quality Dining

• Dine-Around evening at your own choice of restaurant in Dublin (DA)
• 6 full Breakfasts (B) and 2 three-course Evening Meals with choice, or buffets, plus tea or coffee (D)