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Explore iconic Ireland and Ashford Castle, the former famous home of earls, princes and the famous Guinness family. See Connemara’s wild and windswept beauty, let the wind whip you up at the Cliffs of Moher and admire 40 shades of green circling the Ring of Kerry.
Explore iconic Ireland and Ashford Castle, the former famous home of earls, princes and the famous Guinness family. See Connemara’s wild and windswept beauty, let the wind whip you up at the Cliffs of Moher and admire 40 shades of green circling the Ring of Kerry.
The 'Emerald Isle' puts its best foot forward in this iconic exploration of its soul-stirring landscapes. We kick off our epic journey along the walled gardens and rambling walks of Powerscourt Gardens. Its sweeping terraces, ornamental lakes and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs ensure it befits its status as one of the most beautiful gardens in Ireland. Enjoy a Welcome Reception this evening to get to know your fellow travellers.
Lyrics and legends await this morning as we join a Local Specialist on a city tour to visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, where Jonathan Swift was once installed as Dean. We admire the colourful doorways in the stately Georgian Squares and stroll along the cobbled courtyard of Trinity College and see the Book of Kells. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to soak up the charisma of this city. Wander along Grafton Street and see its lively performers, stop for a pint of the 'Black Stuff' in Temple Bar or relax in St. Stephen's Green.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
Dublin Dinner and Irish Show
Enjoy an evening of fine food and fun as Ireland’s history unfolds with comedy, song and dance. You’ll be tapping your toes and joining in the show, all in the spirit of Irish humour. And you’ll even be served an Irish coffee to round off your dinner.
Adult Price: €72.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Dinner in Dublin City
Come to one of Dublin's most locally-loved restaurant-pubs. You'll enjoy dinner and charming hospitality that this part of the world is renowned for.
Adult Price: €51.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 3
Admire County Kilkenny and on to Cork
We leave the hospitality of Dublin behind for County Kilkenny where we delve into the history of a 'lost' medieval town – Newtown Jerpoint. Take a step back in time to the 12th century and wander through its remains which are said to be the final resting place of St. Nicholas. Later, you'll join the O'Connells for lunch at their home, Belmore House. Embrace the peaceful rural setting – the perfect backdrop to Connect With Locals at a Be My Guest experience. Inspired by Irish food and the warmth of our hosts, we continue south to the lively city of Cork, enjoying a free evening to discover its sights, sounds and flavours. Our Stays With Stories accommodation is the historic Maldron Shandon Hotel. Originally Cork’s first general hospital opened in 1720, the building has a colourful history that has seen it survive wars, political upheaval, fire and demolition threats before it opened its doors as a grand hotel.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast, Be My Guest
Optional Experience
Evening of Irish Entertainment with Pub Supper
Tonight, we'll travel by coach to a local pub for an evening of Irish entertainment with local musicians/singers including a good hearty Pub Supper.
Adult Price: €48.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 4
Journey to Blarney and on to Killarney
Head to Blarney in pursuit of the 'gift of the gab'. Kiss the fabled Stone then head west to the lakeside setting of Killarney, our springboard to the enduring beauty of the Ring of Kerry.
The Irish Ceilidh epitomises how music and dance were enjoyed in rural Ireland, especially on festive occasions. The craic - welcoming, jolly, fun and informal - is accompanied with plenty of food and drink. There's no more enjoyable way to understand Irish culture.
Adult Price: €67.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 5
A Day on the Ring of Kerry
Spend a leisurely morning exploring Killarney or join a Local Specialist for a scenic guided walk at Torc Waterfall, strolling over wooded paths and lakeshore trails. Circle the scenic Ring of Kerry admiring its famous 'forty shades of green' and seeing first-hand the scenic landscapes that have inspired writers and poets for centuries.
Enjoy a traditional pony and trap ride through the beautiful Bourn-Vincent National Park. During your journey, your Local Specialist will share fascinating anecdotes about the area and Ireland.
Adult Price: €22.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Optional Experience
Gaelic Roots
A tour de force of traditional Irish song, music and dance, Gaelic Roots showcases Ireland at its best. Using traditional instruments, Irish dance and time-honoured folk songs, this energetic show will have you tapping your feet and singing along in no time.
Adult Price: €34.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 6
Onwards to the Cliffs of Moher and Galway
Our up-close encounter with Ireland's irresistible beauty is just beginning as we journey north to the towering Cliffs of Moher. Admire the dramatic cliffs that rise 200 metres above the pounding Atlantic and survey the endless ocean views in this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience that will leave you with many stories to share when you return home. Beyond the endless views and the opportunity to capture on film the colonies of curious-looking puffins that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience which really brings this natural phenomenon to life in an interactive way, leaving you with a deep understanding of this special place. Your next overnight stop is Galway where you can really get under the skin of this cultural capital and indulge your love for music, art and good times.
Dive Into Culture at the Connemara Marble Factory, watching master craftsmen carve Connemara marble. Then enjoy an orientation tour of Galway with plenty of free time afterwards to explore this vibrant city on your own.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
Optional Experience
City of Tribes Walk and Dinner
Join us in the centre of Galway for a stroll with our Local Specialist who will enthral us with stories of this bustling medieval port, as we meander through the streets while taking in the main historical sights. Later we enjoy a hearty three-course meal, with a choice of classic dishes and an included drink.
Adult Price: €49.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Day 8
Explore Stunning Connemara and Continue to Ashford Castle
A rugged realm of mountains, lakes, rivers and villages provides a stunning backdrop for our leisurely drive through Connemara – an unspoilt region of western Ireland that was immortalised in John Wayne's 'The Quiet Man'. We'll visit Kylemore Abbey and ramble through its exquisite Victorian walled garden. Later, board 'The Isle of Innisfree' for an exclusive cruise on shimmering Lough Corrib. Captain Patrick, Ashford Castle's Local Specialist, will share his local knowledge as you glide through its peaceful waters. Upon disembarking, a lone piper will escort you over the drawbridge to Ashford Castle, one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories, where tonight you will dine as lords and ladies at an elegant royal dining experience (gentlemen are requested to wear a jacket).
Indulge in the sumptuous surrounds of Ashford Castle. Stroll around its exquisite estate and admire its lavish interiors before you return to Dublin. Spend the rest of the afternoon delving into the centuries-old history of the Irish capital. This evening, it's time to reminisce over shared memories at a delicious Farewell Dinner.
As the curtain falls on a memorable journey with new friends, we say a fond slán go fóill to Dublin and the 'Emerald Isle'. Find out more about your free airport transfer at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Trip Summary Meals IconIncluded Meals - Breakfast
All optional experiences for this trip
Book with your travel director when you travel
Available on day 2
Dublin Dinner and Irish Show
Enjoy an evening of fine food and fun as Ireland’s history unfolds with comedy, song and dance. You’ll be tapping your toes and joining in the show, all in the spirit of Irish humour. And you’ll even be served an Irish coffee to round off your dinner.
Adult Price: €72.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 2
Dinner in Dublin City
Come to one of Dublin's most locally-loved restaurant-pubs. You'll enjoy dinner and charming hospitality that this part of the world is renowned for.
Adult Price: €51.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 3
Evening of Irish Entertainment with Pub Supper
Tonight, we'll travel by coach to a local pub for an evening of Irish entertainment with local musicians/singers including a good hearty Pub Supper.
Adult Price: €48.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 4
Irish Ceilidh Evening
The Irish Ceilidh epitomises how music and dance were enjoyed in rural Ireland, especially on festive occasions. The craic - welcoming, jolly, fun and informal - is accompanied with plenty of food and drink. There's no more enjoyable way to understand Irish culture.
Adult Price: €67.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 5
Experience a Jaunting Cart Ride
Enjoy a traditional pony and trap ride through the beautiful Bourn-Vincent National Park. During your journey, your Local Specialist will share fascinating anecdotes about the area and Ireland.
Adult Price: €22.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 5
Gaelic Roots
A tour de force of traditional Irish song, music and dance, Gaelic Roots showcases Ireland at its best. Using traditional instruments, Irish dance and time-honoured folk songs, this energetic show will have you tapping your feet and singing along in no time.
Adult Price: €34.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Available on day 7
City of Tribes Walk and Dinner
Join us in the centre of Galway for a stroll with our Local Specialist who will enthral us with stories of this bustling medieval port, as we meander through the streets while taking in the main historical sights. Later we enjoy a hearty three-course meal, with a choice of classic dishes and an included drink.
Adult Price: €49.00*
* The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
All Optional Experiences
The Optionals and pricing listed here are a guideline only and subject to change.
Notepad Icon You must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 to travel
Trip details
Trip details
What's included
Trip Summary Accomodation Icon
9 nights
Accommodation
Trip Summary Meals Icon
15 Meals
1 Be My Guest, 1 Farewell Dinner, 1 Welcome Reception, 3 Dinners, 9 Breakfasts
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On-trip Transport
All transport shown
The Trafalgar difference
Connect With Locals
Travel to 12th-century Ireland and explore the remains of the Lost Town of Newtown Jerpoint followed by an Irish Be My Guest lunch with the O'Connells.
Stays with Stories
Discover centuries of tumultuous history staying at the Maldron Shandon hotel, a building that has survived wars, fires and threats of demolition to become the grand hotel it is today.
Stays with Stories
Built by the de Burgo family in the early 13th century, Ashford Castle is set in 140 hectares, on the picturesque shores of Lough Corrib.
Dive Into Culture
Visit a Connemara marble factory to see how this vivid green-coloured stone has been crafted into jewellery and figurines for generations.
MAKE TRAVEL MATTER®
Help preserve the Cliffs of Moher for generations to come and learn about its extraordinary geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
Sightseeing highlights
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Discover Killarney and Galway
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Explore Dublin, Killarney National Park and Lough Corrib with a Local Specialist
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Visit Powerscourt Gardens, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College in Dublin, Blarney Castle, Torc Waterfall, the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara Marble Factory and Kylemore Abbey
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See Dublin's Georgian Squares and Galway Cathedral
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
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Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
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Ferry across the Shannon estuary
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Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
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Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
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Optional Experiences and free time
Live, unedited & independent traveler reviews
Iconic Ireland and Ashford Castle trip reviews
Our guests are at the heart of everything we do, their feedback fuels our innovation, inspiring us to improve continuously and craft Simply The Best vacations. That's why we ask each of our guests to leave a third-party verified, independent review after every trip. As testament to our commitment we have been given the Trusted Service Award from Feefo, recognising we deliver exceptional experiences as rated by real guests.
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Susan Galbreath My Account Icon
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Wonderful trip!
Trip Rating
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5
This was an excellent itinerary. We got to see a lot of the beautiful country and topped it off with the spectacular Ashford Castle!
Our bus was clean and roomy. WiFi a plus. The itinerary was such that we got to see a variety of what Ireland has to offer. A beautiful country with kind, happy people.
Knowledgeable travel director. Local specialists were delightful in telling their stories and I liked that one brought along her very friendly dog. The food was very good and the musicians and dancer at the optional experiences were also very good. The hotels were great and the staff always helpful. Ashford Castle was beautiful and service impeccable. We felt welcome everywhere we went. Our bus driver, Fergal, was the ultimate in kindness and expertise in driving his bus. Thank you all, for a wonderful time.
My only complaint is that I wish it was longer! Everything was well planned and executed. The hotels were all good (A fan would have made them excellent as we were in a September heat wave), there was never a lack of food, bathroom stops were frequent. Our trip was during COVID ( Sept 2021) and I considered cancelling but we never felt ill at ease. everyone was vaccinated, masks were always worn, and our wellness director kept everything clean. Having the nurse come to our hotel rooms to do our COVID swabs to go home was VERY convenient and we had hard copies of our results in less than 1 hour. Ashford castle is a dream come true and now I am plotting ways to get back there for a longer stay!
A good taste of the Irish republic and its many sights. With an Irish Australian heritage I was more than happy to learn about the Irish history and see where some of my ancestors are from.
Trafalgar once again delivered for us. We saw some brilliant sights and did some special things. Ireland felt really comfortable and a bit like coming home. Powerscourt has wonderful gardens that remind me a bit of Versailles in France. The Irish people were lovely and we especially enjoyed Maeve O’Connell from Jerpoint. Our tour director Amy was very knowledgeable and went to extra lengths make sure we had a great experience with our driver Hugo providing the comic relief where appropriate. Ashford castle being the highlight of the tour having our own piper march us into the hotel after our boat ride. The falcon school well worth the price if you love birds. I couldn’t be happier to recommend this tour to anyone interested in a real taste of Ireland.
Gratuities: You have the option to pre-pay the gratuities for your Travel Director and Driver. Please speak with your travel agent.
This trip will be operated in conjunction with our sister company and Celtic Specialists – Brendan Vacations.
Room Type: Triple Rooms are not available on this trip.
St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated in Ireland on 13 March 2022 and 12 March 2023 departures.
Drinking Water: Tap water is safe to drink in all of the destinations on this trip. Please remember to bring a water bottle.
Unless otherwise stated, trip prices are per person, land only, based on double occupancy and reflect applicable discount. Discounts are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Trip prices are correct at the time of the products going live, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking. All trip information is correct at time of trips going live, however are subject to change - please confirm all details at time of booking.
Twin-share option not available for trips to South America, Costa Rica, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, South Africa, Kenya & Tanzania, Botswana, Zambia or for any holiday & cruise combination, or in Asia and Eastern Mediterranean except Highlights of Turkey (without cruise) & Best of Turkey. It's also not available on Small Group trips. Guided Vacations included in this restriction are Newfoundland and Labrador (DNLA). Does not apply to trips operated by Inspiring Journeys & our Mini-stays.
For trips that are part of our Guaranteed Room Share, please note that there is a no smoking policy in all shared rooms. Solo travel is not accepted on guided Family Experiences holidays unless traveling as part of a family group.
Travel to Europe often requires an overnight flight. Please arrange your flights to arrive on or before day 1.
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Your selected departure date will feature some seasonal itinerary changes to what is displayed. Click 'VIEW ITINERARY' below to see full details.
Active Trip Details
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What is an Active Trip? This is an "Active" lifestyle itinerary, with walks and hikes most days. Hikes will range from easy/moderate to strenuous. No technical climbing skills are required but a reasonable level of fitness is required to make the trip more enjoyable. Understanding that not all people want to hike at the same pace or even on the same trail we will, where possible, host map orientation and then let everyone disperse to enjoy the trails best suited to them. What to Pack Guests should bring lightweight hiking shoes or boots, broad brimmed sun hats, sunglasses, layered clothing, reusable water bottle(s), a hiking day pack and hiking poles (optional)
Weather & Altitude While the itinerary is laid out below, we are at the mercy of the weather and so reserve the right to adjust the program as necessary. Please keep in mind that the higher elevations and possible variations in weather and temperature can increase the perceived level of difficulty of our activities. Elevation ranges up to 9,000 feet for Utah’s Mighty Five and up to 11,000 feet for California High Country Adventure.
Everyone reacts differently to altitude and so if you do have any health issues you should check with your doctor that this trip is suitable for you.
