Irish Explorer (10 Day)
Your Ireland tour begins in Dublin and continues west to Donegal. Next head down to Killarney. Take in Ireland's emerald green farms, learn about their farming traditions and view a sheepdog demonstration. View the Cliffs of Moher and the Ring of Kerry. Explore Clontarf and Blarney Castles and learn the secrets of Balleek Pottery. Along the way enjoy the Irish pubs, cuisine and entertainment.
10 Days • fr. $2,945
Tour Includes
- A Dublin tour with a local guide to see elegant Georgian squares, public buildings, and monuments.
- A visit Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, Ireland’s national cemetery
- A welcome drink with your group followed by dinner in your castle hotel on the first night of the tour
- A visit to Florence Court House, a magnificent 18th century mansion
- A visit to the Blakes of the Hollow Pub, a Victorian bar founded in 1887
- A visit to the Slieve League sea cliffs, the highest in Europe
- A visit to the Triona Design Donegal Tweed Center in Ardara
- A visit to Nancy’s Bar in Ardara
- A behind the scenes tour of Belleek Pottery
- A cruise on Lough Corrib, the largest lake in Ireland (seasonal)
- A visit to the Connemara Celtic Crystal factory to watch skilled artisans demonstrate fine glass-cutting
- A visit to Dan O’Hara’s Homestead, where you’ll discover traditional farming methods, see Connemara ponies, and have a light lunch
- A visit to the Cliffs of Moher
- A panoramic tour of the Ring of Kerry
- A demonstration of sheepdogs herding flocks
- A visit to Blarney Castle
- An open-top bus tour and a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions: Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, or GPO Museum
- Handling of one piece of luggage per person is included in the cost of all coach tours. Size should not exceed 30 x 20 x 10 inches and weight should be under 50 lbs. Luggage is carried at owner's risk throughout the tour unless insured.
Not Included
- Tips for personal services and to tour directors and drivers are not included in tour cost and left to your discretion.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
- Full daily breakfasts (except Day 1)
- 1 Lunch
- 6 dinners
Hotel Details
- Clontarf Castle Hotel in Dublin (1 night)
- Mill Park Hotel in Donegal, Ireland (2 nights)
- The Hardiman Hotel in Galway, Ireland (2 nights)
- Killarney Plaza Hotel in Killarney, Ireland (2 nights)
- Herbert Park Hotel in Dublin, Ireland (2 night)
Day 1
Dublin City Tour | Glasnevin Cemetery Museum | Clontarf Castle Location Information Description
Dublin, Ireland
Your tour begins at 2:00 PM at the Clontarf Castle Hotel lobby, a short ride from Dublin Airport and a few miles north of Dublin city center. Head out for a tour of central Dublin with a local guide to see elegant Georgian squares, public buildings, and monuments. Visit Glasnevin Cemetery Museum, Ireland’s national cemetery – it’s a fascinating “who’s who” of modern Irish history.
Join your group for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the castle hotel.
Dinner
Clontarf Castle Hotel
Day 2
Strokestown Park | Blakes of the Hollow Pub | Donegal Location Information Description
Strokestown Park, Ireland
Visit Strokestown Park to explore Ireland’s tragic history. Tour the National Famine Museum and then Strokestown House; the grand Georgian mansion will reveal the contrast between the luxurious lives of its residents and the destitution of their tenants. Stroll the park to see the walled gardens and woodlands.
Location Information Description
Roscommon, Ireland
Next, a CIE Tours exclusive: visit Blakes of the Hollow Pub, a Victorian bar that retains many features original to its founding in 1887. Famed author John McGahern, a regular visitor, described it as “one of the happiest and most beautiful bars in the whole of Ireland”. Take a photo by its official “Game of Thrones” door highlighting the series’ sixth season.
Location Information Description
Donegal, Ireland
Continue your travels north to Donegal. With its windswept hills where only sheep can thrive, Donegal is renowned for woolen production and tweeds.
Breakfast, Dinner
Mill Park Hotel
Day 3
Slieve League Cliffs | Triona Design | Nancy's Bar Location Information Description
Teelin, Ireland
Head to Teelin to reach the best viewing point of the Slieve League sea cliffs, the highest in Europe. Enjoy a CIE Tours Exclusive experience: sip an Irish coffee as you take in the view from these impressive cliffs.
Location Information Description
Ardara, Ireland
Travel up through beautiful views of Donegal to reach Triona Design Donegal Tweed Center in Ardara, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, where spinners and weavers will demonstrate their crafts.
Head to the popular Nancy’s Bar in Ardara for dinner.
Location Information Description
Donegal, Ireland
Return to your hotel in Donegal town, a busy little town that was once a Viking port.
Breakfast, Dinner
Mill Park Hotel
Day 4
Belleek Pottery | Galway Location Information Description
Belleek, Ireland
Discover the secrets that have made Belleek Pottery one of the most enduring success stories of Irish craftsmanship during a tour of Belleek Pottery. You’ll go behind the scenes to see how this world-famous fine china is made.
Location Information Description
Galway, Ireland
Travel south to Galway and take a walking tour with a local guide; explore this vibrant city’s medieval past and artistic, musical present.
Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Breakfast, Dinner
The Hardiman Hotel
Day 5
Connemara Celtic Crystal | Dan O’Hara Homestead | Connemara Location Information Description
Connemara, Ireland
Explore scenic Connemara to admire how constantly changing cloud formations give granite hills, sparkling lakes, and peat bogs an added dimension. Stop at the Connemara Celtic Crystal factory to watch skilled artisans demonstrate fine glass-cutting.
Travel on through spectacular scenery to visit Dan O’Hara’s Homestead, where you’ll discover traditional farming methods, see Connemara ponies, and have a light lunch.
Location Information Description
Galway, Ireland
Return to Galway and enjoy an evening free for independent dining and exploration.
Breakfast, Lunch
The Hardiman Hotel
Day 6
Cliffs of Moher | Killarney Location Information Description
The Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Drive through Co. Clare to visit the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Walk along the cliffs to see spectacular vistas, including Galway Bay and the Aran Islands.
Location Information Description
Killarney, Ireland
Embark on a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Arrive in Killarney, where you will dine in your hotel this evening.
Breakfast, Dinner
Killarney Plaza Hotel
Day 7
Ring of Kerry Tour | Sheepdog Demonstration Location Information Description
Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Head out to the Ring of Kerry, Ireland’s most famous and popular scenic drive. Stop at Moriarty’s in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner.
Immerse yourself in farm life with a demonstration of sheepdogs herding flocks. Continuing on the scenic drive, pause for panoramic mountain views at Moll’s Gap.
Location Information Description
Killarney, Ireland
Your evening is free to explore in Killarney tonight, as you dine independently and perhaps discover some of the town’s lively pubs.
Breakfast
Killarney Plaza Hotel
Day 8
Blarney Castle | Abbey Tavern Location Information Description
Blarney, Ireland
Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone or take a gentle walk through the lovely parklands and colorful gardens.
Location Information Description
Dublin, Ireland
Head to the Abbey Tavern for Irish cuisine, and an evening of lively entertainment.
Breakfast, Dinner
Herbert Park Hotel
Day 9
Independent Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour Location Information Description
Dublin, Ireland
Spend the day independently in Dublin on an open-top bus tour and a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions: Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, or GPO Museum.
Breakfast
Herbert Park Hotel
Day 10
Your Tour Ends in Dublin Location Information Description
Dublin, Ireland
Your tour ends after breakfast.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 70 days or more prior to departure: Forfeiture of deposit
- 69 - 16 days prior to departure: 30% per person
- 15 - 8 days prior to departure: 50% per person
- 7 - 1 days prior to departure: 90% per person
- On day of departure: 100% per person
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A non-refundable land deposit of $250 per person is required for coach tours. Deposits are required within 5 days of making the reservation. Early booking discounts require higher deposits.
- The final payment must be made by credit card no later than 80 days prior to departure date. If payment is not received as scheduled, the reservation will automatically cancel and deposit payment become forfeit.
- Once confirmed any revision to land tours will incur a $50 handling fee per booking. If clients cancel from one tour and rebook on another tour or another date, a cancellation fee may apply. Revisions are not permitted within 14 days of departure or once documents have been issued.
- Documents will be shipped by U.P.S. ground service approximately 21 days prior to departure provided full payment has been received. If documents are required earlier, sufficient notice id required to arrange for early delivery by regular service. Late bookings will incur an express service delivery charge.