Upon landing in the Emerald Isle, we will be met by our favorite Irish driver/guide and board a deluxe motorcoach to begin our exciting adventure. We’ll journey south through the exquisite landscape to the town of Kilkenny. Here we will enjoy a leisurely tour of the famed Kilkenny Castle, one of the most recognized and most visited buildings in Ireland. The story of this castle has its beginnings in medieval times, but its most significant moments have played out during more recent history. We’ll learn more about the details of this fascinating story, including its role in Oliver Cromwell's re-conquest of Ireland in 1650 and its seizure during the Irish Civil War in 1922. At the completion of our tour, we’ll settle into the 5-star Lyrath Estate Hotel (or similar) on the edge of Kilkenny for the next two nights and freshen up for a wonderful welcome dinner as a group.

(Dinner included)

Following breakfast we are off to the stunning Curraghmore House, the home of the 9th Marquis and Marchioness of Waterford. The Lord’s ancestors, the de la Poers, came to Ireland from Normandy in 1167 after a 100-year stopover in Wales. Curraghmore, meaning great bog, is the last of four castles built by the de la Poers since their arrival. The estate boasts 2,500 acres of formal gardens, woodlands, and grazing fields, making this the largest private demesne in Ireland and one of the finest places in the country to visit! As we tour the estate, we will learn more about Curraghmore’s current owners and its rich legacy and admire the home’s high-quality craftsmanship and unique architectural features. After this peek into the world of Irish nobility, we’ll return to our hotel for an evening at leisure to explore Kilkenny and have dinner on our own.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

After our hotel’s filling breakfast, we’ll say goodbye to Kilkenny and begin the day’s sightseeing as we make our way toward Killarney. A visit to Ireland would not be complete without a stop at Blarney Castle. We will follow in the footsteps of countless world leaders, literary giants, and movie stars as we climb the stairs to kiss the famous Blarney Stone that promises the gift of eloquence, or “the gift of gab” as the locals would say! The gardens at the castle are gorgeous and a wonderful alternative for those who wish to skip the climb to the castle ramparts. Afterward, we will enjoy a little retail therapy at the nearby Woollen Mills where traditional Irish wares such as Belleek, Waterford Crystal, Celtic jewelry, and woolen knitwear await. Then we are off to the delightful little town of Kinsale tucked neatly into an Irish harbor and famous for its brightly painted rows of shop. Here we will visit a small crystal cutting shop. The master cutters are of Waterford fame and practice the skill of deep cutting crystal that is a dying art today. Our day will come to an end in the fun-loving town of Killarney as we check in to our accommodations at the 5-star Great Southern Killarney Hotel (or similar) for the next two nights. A lovely dinner will be served at this beautiful property located in the heart of this charming town.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Today’s tour will have us exploring the Irish countryside and the sites at the beginning of the Ring of Kerry. A stop in Kenmare will offer the chance to wander through this quaint town or walk the short distance to the ancient Stone Circle. Known locally as the Shrubberies, this ring of large stones with a boulder burial monument at the center is one of the largest in southwest Ireland. A delightful lunch overlooking a peaceful and quiet Atlantic inlet will begin our afternoon, followed by a visit to a traditional working sheep farm. The farm is run by a father and son and has been in the family for 150 years. These accomplished shepherds will show us some varieties of sheep that are raised in Ireland and also demonstrate how they move their flocks with well-trained sheep dogs. Next up is Killarney National Park and the gardens of Muckross House. Here we will hop aboard one of Killarney’s famed horse-drawn jaunting carts for a breathtaking ride along the sparkling Lakes of Killarney. Once back in Killarney, the evening is yours to explore and have dinner on your own. Within walking distance of our hotel there are dozens of fun Irish restaurants to try and countless pubs with great food and lively music! For those who are interested, an optional Celtic dance show experience is being offered this evening. It’s a marvelous presentation on the Riverdance style of dancing!

(Breakfast and lunch included)

We depart Killarney after breakfast this morning, heading north to ferry across the Shannon Estuary and then drive through the Burren, one of the most remarkable geological formations in Ireland. The Burren is famous for its lunar-like limestone and unique flora, including the approximately twenty species of orchids growing wild here! Our journey along the craggy coastline will include a stop at the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher. Here we will witness the incredible 700-foot wall of rock that rises from the Atlantic Ocean and stand high on the cliffs to catch a glimpse of the jaw-dropping view that has inspired artists, musicians, and poets for generations. We’ll then head to the 5-star Glenlo Abbey Hotel and Estate (or similar) to check in and freshen up for dinner on the Abbey property.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

Relax on the short, yet scenic, journey north to Ashford Castle, once owned by the Guinness family. It was on these historic grounds that John Ford filmed The Quiet Man, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. We will meet the falconer at Ashford for a “Hawk Walk” on the castle grounds to learn how to feed these stunning creatures, call them to our gloved arms, and send them off again! An elegant lunch will cap off our time at Ashford before we make our way to Lough Eske, the lovely castle where we will spend the next two nights. Tucked into the magnificent green lands of the Irish countryside, this splendid 5-star castle hotel is waiting for our arrival. A repeated winner of the World’s Best Luxury Country Hotel, Lough Eske offers a unique touch of well-deserved luxury in a storybook setting. The evening is yours to have dinner on your own, relax, or take a leisurely stroll around the castle.

(Breakfast and lunch included)

Today you are free to do as you wish! Lough Eske offers easy access to golf, fishing, lakeside strolls, horseback riding on the beach or forest trails, and the slower-paced charms of Irish village life. The hotel can help you arrange activities such as the famous “Bluestack walkway,” visiting a WWII crash site in the Bluestack Mountains, walking the Wild Atlantic Way, wildlife watching, and much more. Bikes are available to rent at Lough Eske with many great trails around the lake and through the mountains. Visit nearby Belleek Pottery or indulge in a little shopping time in Donegal, including a visit to a Donegal weaver for some fine-crafted, hand-woven tweed products. If you’d like to simply enjoy a quiet day, spend time at the hotel exploring the magical grounds or relaxing in the wonderful spa. Be sure to pack your swimsuit! This evening our group will come back together for dinner in an elegant setting.

(Breakfast and dinner included)

After breakfast we’ll leave our delightful castle and head toward Dublin. Along the way, we will make a stop at the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre. While removing peat from the bog in 1984, a great timber roadway that had been buried for centuries was uncovered. Tree ring analysis revealed the trees used for this roadway were felled in late 148 BC or early 147 BC and identified the roadway as the only known example of an Early Iron Age road. Inside the center is a stretch of the road that has been preserved. We will then continue on to Dublin for a panoramic overview tour of the city before checking into the Riu Gresham Hotel (or similar) for the next two nights. Dinner this evening is on your own at one of the dozen great eateries located right outside our door!

(Breakfast included)