Day 2: August 21 – Dublin City Tour – This morning meet with your local guide and enjoy a Panoramic City Tour of Dublin. Discover the north side of the River Liffey. This area offers great striking monuments such as the General Post Office, the city’s main thoroughfare, O’Connell Street, the Custom Houses along the quays, as well as the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares, such as Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde’s House can still be found with its colorful doors, along with Grafton Street and its quality shops. Not so far from St. Stephen’s Green, on Kildare St., you will see the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. This part of the city is also dominated by the students of Trinity College, where the famous ‘book of Kells’ is permanently exhibited in its library. The university is facing the medieval district where Dublin Castle and the two Anglican Cathedrals can be found. Enjoy the balance of your day at leisure. Tonight enjoy dinner on the Canal with a Boat Cruise. The MV CADHLA, a replica of a 1922 Guinness brewery canal barge offers a new elegant and authentic cruise experience along a beautiful stretch of Dublin’s Grand Canal. Retrace the history of the worlds most famous Stout and its association with Dublin and the Grand Canal. The cruise brings the visitors through a 200 year old canal locks and under cut stone bridges. The commentary on board will describe the history of the canal and its association with the city’s many poets and writers Patrick Kavanagh, Brendan Behan and WB Yeats. Grand Canal dock is now surrounded by the Grand Canal Theatre, U2’s Windmill Lane studios and modern apartments. (B,D)

ay 3: August 22 – Dublin to Kilkenny – Today you will depart Dublin for Kilkenny via Wicklow. En single women travel groupsroute visit Russborough House situated in the beautiful surroundings of the Wicklow countryside. Russborough House is proudly one of Ireland’s finest stately homes. It was built in 1741 for Joseph Leeson the first Lord Milltown who later became Lord Russborough. It has remarkable plaster work by the Francini brothers and the ceilings were richly decorated by the Lafranchini brothers. In 1952 it was sold to the late Sir Alfred Beit and Lady Beit, he had an impressive art collection, some of which is still on display. In 2011 an extensive self guided exhibition was opened in the basement it includes photos and mementos of the visits of famous people like Jackie Onassis, Fred Astaire and Mick Jagger. It also features photos and stories from the local area about the Blessington reservoir and the Blessington Tramway. Enjoy some time at leisure for lunch under own arrangements. This afternoon visit Kilkenny Castle one of the most instantly recognized buildings in Ireland, Kilkenny Castle has been an important site since it was built by the Anglo-Normans in the 12th century. The castle has been remodeled in Victorian times and set in extensive park lands which was the principal seat of the Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde. Due to major restoration works, the central block now includes a library, drawing room, and bedrooms decorated in 1830’s splendor, as well as the beautiful Long Gallery. Tonight dinner is under own your arrangements in Kilkenny. Hotel Kilkenny for 1 night. (B)

Day 4: August 23 – Kilkenny to Killarney – After breakfast depart Kilkenny for Killarney en route visit Blarney Castle. Blarney Castle is situated in Blarney village an ancient stronghold of the McCarthy’s, Lords of Muskerry, it is one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic castles, and indeed one of the strongest fortresses in Munster. Built in 1446, Blarney Castle is famous for its Blarney stone, The Stone of Eloquence, which is traditionally believed, to have the power to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it. Many legends tell the story of the Stone, but why not kiss it and find out the truth behind the legend. The Castle gardens covering 60 acres of land are under constant change and over the past few years, a water garden, fern garden and poison garden have been developed and are all open to the visitor. The gardens are a delight to see. Enjoy some free time for shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills and lunch. Check in at our hotel and enjoy some time at leisure to enjoy the hotel facilities and the town. Enjoy dinner at a local pub this evening. Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa for 2 nights. (B,D)

Day 5: August 24 – Ring of Kerry Tour – This morning leave your hotel for a full day tour of the Ring of Kerry one of the most famous and panoramic routes 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 coastal road. A scenic lunch stop along the water will offer you a wonderful perspective of Irish life. 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 Cahirciveen, 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 colored houses. The road then continues through the mountains to Molls Gap and Ladies View with superb views of the famous Lakes of Killarney. This afternoon return to Killarney for a visit to Muckross House and Gardens a magnificent Victorian mansion built in 1843 and one of Ireland’s leading stately homes. Built on the shores of Muckross Lake, it is beautifully situated amidst the spectacular scenery of Killarney National Park. The elegantly furnished rooms portray the lifestyle of the landed gentry, while downstairs in the basement one can experience the working conditions of the servants employed in the house. The gardens of Muckross House are famed for their beauty worldwide. In particular they are noted for their collections of azaleas and rhododendrons. However the extensive water garden, the children’s sunken garden and the outstanding rock garden, hewn out of natural limestone, are just some of the features to be discovered. Spend the balance of your evening at leisure with dinner at leisure. (B,L)

Day 6: August 25 – Killarney – Galway – Cliffs of Moher – This morning you will travel via the Shannon Car Ferry to the Cliffs of Moher Situated on the Atlantic Ocean and bordering the Burren region. The Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, the Cliffs boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. The cliffs reach their highest point just north of O’ Brien’s Tower built by Cornelius O’ Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, to entertain his lady friends. A visit of the tower is also possible. The views on any given day are quite spectacular. Next we travel to Galway through the Burren Region part of which forms the 100 square km Burren National Park, a unique place. It is a Karst limestone region of approximately 300 sq. km, which lies in the north west corner of Co Clare. It is composed of limestone pavements, which have been eroded to a distinctive pattern. This pavement is criss-crossed by cracks known as grykes in which grow a myriad of wild flora and under which are huge caves and rivers which suddenly flood when it rains. The Burren contains dozens of megalithic tombs and Celtic crosses as well as a ruined Cistercian Abbey dating back to the 12th century. You will discover small villages abandoned during the famine period and green roads on which you can walk for miles without ever seeing a car. Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner with entertainment at the Dunguaire Medieval Banquet. Dunguarie Castle was built in 1520 by the O’ Hynes clan on the picturesque shores of Galway Bay. This restored 16th century tower house sits on a rocky outcrop outside the picturesque village of Kinvara. An evening of superb music, song and storytelling awaits you at Dunguaire Banquet on the majestic shores of Galway Bay, one of Ireland’s most picturesque locations. Mirroring the tradition of medieval ‘King Guaire’, guests are welcomed with a goblet of Mead, a traditional honey wine, in an inner chamber by the butler and ladies of the castle. After a short history of the castle and musical introduction guests climb the stairs to the Banquet Hall. A delicious four course dinner with wine is followed by entertainment of music, song and dance including excerpts from famous literary writers associated with the Galway region. House Hotel for 1 night (B,D)

Day 7: August 26 – Departure Day. This morning transfer to the Shannon Airport for your return flight home, please note one group transfer is provided. Transfers to Dublin can be arranged for an additional cost. (B)