Enjoy castles, grand manors & the friendliest Irish hospitality with this package!
We have created the Irish Opulence Tour so you can fall into the relaxation of another time. Stay in the best castles, manor houses, and hotels that Ireland has to offer. Several have made the New York Times and Condé Nast’s international Best of… lists! When the soft evening rolls along, stroll through your charming old-world town, settle in and feel the camaraderie of a warm pub and its music. Wander back to your temporary home, sink into fine sheets, and dream of the life lived in a gentler time.
Start with two luxurious nights in Dublin city then loop south through Waterford, Cork and the scenic spendour of Killarney before finishing in grand style at magnificent Dromoland Castle. Treat yourself to the best, you deserve it!
Tour Highlights
5-star Hotels, Castles & Manor House Stays
Enjoy the finest Irish Hospitality
Explore Medieval Towns & Villages
Spectacular Coastal Scenery
Tour the Ring of Kerry
Explore Ireland's cities and relax in the Irish Countryside
All nights are reserved in advance. 4 & 5-star hotel, stately manor and castle stays.
**Car rental includes CDW, insurance, 24-hour roadside assistance, unlimited mileage, all taxes.
About your Accommodation
The Irish Opulence tour was designed with style and luxury in mind and that is exactly what you get at each of the accommodations included in this tour. From sumptuous 5-star city hotels to country manors and regal castles, only the best of the best has made it on to our Irish Opulence tour. For this reason there are no Recommended Upgrades on this tour. There is simply no place better you could upgrade to!
Arrive at Dublin airport in the morning, take a taxi to your hotel and relax(1 hour).
Arrive at Dublin airport in the morning and take an independent coach or taxi transfer to your hotel. You will be staying in the 4-star Pembroke townhouse for 2 nights. Dublin is a compact city easy to get around by foot or taxi. We recommend picking up your car as you leave Dublin on Day 3. If you would prefer to pick up your rental car at the airport upon arrival, your hotel does have complimentary parking available so please contact your agent to include. (Most all city centre hotels charge for overnight parking.)
Day 1 & 2 Dublin
Dublin is a lively cosmopolitan city brimming with culture. You could spend your time strolling the streets soaking up the atmosphere, relaxing in its cafes and bars or you could check out its myriad historical, literary and cultural delights. The 8th century illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, must be viewed. It is on display at the impressive Trinity College, Ireland's first university (founded 1592) in the heart of Dublin. For the rest of your time, it is up to you how much you want to pack in. Phoenix Park, twice the size of New York City's Central Park, Georgian Dublin around Stephen's Green, the National Botanical Gardens, National Museum, Kilmainham Jail and the Hugh Lane Municipal Art Gallery are all highly recommended stops on your tour. Then there's the Guinness Storehouse and Jamieson Distillery. A visit to Dublin's Temple Bar to experience the lively Dublin pub culture is a must, though many of Dublin's best bars can be found outside this area in the streets and laneways around Grafton Street, the shopper's street of choice.
Pick up your rental car and travel south from Dublin to Waterford & the opulent surroundings of Waterford Castle. (2.5 hours).
Traveling south from Dublin you will pass through gorgeous County Wicklow, known as the Garden of Ireland. Be sure to stop at Glendalough to see the 6th century monastic settlement there. It is still a most beautiful and serene place. A slight diversion further south on the route will allow you to take in the medieval city of Kilkenny.
Waterford City is the capital of the Sunny South East of Ireland. Waterford City was established in Viking times and it has an exciting medieval flavour and riverside bustle. The City is the home of Waterford Crystal, a lifestyle product of exquisite craftsmanship. Waterford county offers a dazzling coastline, beautiful river valleys and two dramatic ranges of very accessible mountains. A natural playground, Waterford offers the complete holiday experience.
Day 4 & 5 Cork City
Head west along Ireland's southern coast to Cork City (2 hours).
Cork City has undergone a transformation in recent years with the city centre geting a compete facelift. Always a much prettier and more pleasant city than Dublin, now Cork really sparkles. And so do its residents who claim to be Ireland's friendliest. Whatever the truth of that claim it is certainly true that there is no shortage of characters in "the real capital" as the locals jokingly claim. The city itself dates back to the 7th century and boasts some fine Georgian architecture. There are a number of places worth visiting while in Cork including the imposing St. Finbarr's Cathedral, St Anne's Church, which houses the Shandon Bells and Cork City Gaol.
The charming village of Blarney located just outside Cork City is most renowned for its castle and stone. The impressive castle, perched on solid limestone, dates from 1446 and is situated on magnificent grounds. To acquire 'the gift of gab' one must kiss the Blarney Stone. This involves bending over backwards at quite a height and should not be attempted by the faint-hearted!
Day 6 & 7 Killarney
Travel west from Cork to the tourist magnet that is Killarney (1.5 hours).
Killarney lies on the edge of the astoundingly beautiful Killarney National Park with its three magnificent lakes and the spectacular MacGillycuddy Reeks mountain range. The park is also home to Muckross House and Gardens. Killarney is a wonderful base for all manner of activities including angling and water sports, golf, riding, orienteering, hiking, cycling, and canoeing. The town itself is quite small but full of charm as you will soon see as you walk down the brick footpaths and pass curious old-style shop fronts. Killarney is well known for its excellent shops, restaurants and cosmopolitan appeal. It is also renowned for its evening entertainment including many singing pubs, cabarets, dancing venues, and banquets. Traditional Irish music can also be heard in many of the local pubs.
Killarney is also the usual starting point for people completing the Ring of Kerry, Ireland's best-known touring route. It is 110 miles (176 km) long and circles the Iveragh Peninsula through mountain passes, forests, bogs, skirting rivers, lakes and beautiful unspoilt beaches. The scenery is truly wonderful and there is much of interest along the route.
Travel north from Killarney through Limerick City to Dromoland Castle (2.5 hours).
Dromoland Castle is a destination in and of itself and is a fitting way to end your Irish Opulence tour. Dromoland is one of Ireland's grandest hotels and also one of its best-loved. The ancestral home of the O'Briens, barons of Inchiquin and direct descendants of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, it is one of the few Irish estates tracing its history back to Gaelic royal families. Today, Dromoland is an oasis of tranquility. The grandeur of the castle itself, its magnificent furnishings and the surrounding lakes and parkland offer guests an experience almost impossible to find at other luxury hotels. It is a truly enchanting place.
Day 9 Depart Shannon
Transfer to Shannon airport to catch your departing flight (20 minutes).
Add an Activity, Irish Experience or Excursion to your vacation!
Food, Folk and Fairies (Day 1 or 2) 3 - 4 hours
An evening of good food and the finest storytelling. Discover how Irish people lived in times past while enjoying a traditional candlelit dinner in Dublin's oldest pub dating back from 1198. Let us take you back in time to the fascinating world of Ireland long ago when the culture was one of the mind, spirit and imagination and where the unseen world was never far away. More>>
Dublin Literary Pub Crawl (Day 1 or 2) 2.5 hours
No city is as rich in pubs and poetry as Dublin, and Dublin’s literary pub crawl is a genius amalgam of both - a 2½ hour walking tour with Wilde, Joyce, Behan and Beckett. This is an award-winning show that crawls from pub to pub with professional actors performing the works of Dublin's most famous writers - Joyce, Beckett, Oscar Wilde, Brendan Behan and many more. More>>
Historical Walking Tour of Dublin (Day 1 or 2) 2 hours
Few cities are as steeped in history as Dublin, and a guided walk through the Capital’s streets is without doubt the best introduction to its many delights and stories. History graduates of Trinity College conduct these entertaining historical walking tours of Dublin, exploring the main features of the city's history and visiting its greatest historic sites - Trinity College, Dublin Castle, Old Parliament House, Temple Bar and much more. More>>
Guided Walk in Killarney National Park (Day 7) 2 hours
This is a fantastic guided walk through the idyllic Killarney National Park, where the emphasis is most definitely on fun and relaxation. The walk begins every morning at the same time and place, at a very reasonable cost. The walk takes you through woodland and parkland, along the lake shore and river bank. Beautiful scenery abounds – including the highest mountain range in Ireland. More>>
Horseback Riding in Killarney (Day 7) 2 - 3 hours
The majestic beauty of The Killarney National Park is the backdrop for horseback rides organized by Killarney Riding Stables. Situated in South-West Ireland, Killarney boasts some of the finest scenery in the world. The National Park has been an inspiration for poets and artists for centuries - high mountain ranges, woods, lakes, waterfalls, and of course the ever-changing drama of the skies. Parties of all sizes are catered for and guided rides are offered lasting for either 2 or 3 hours. More>>
Tour Prices 2010
The prices listed below are per person based on 2 people sharing. You can add or subtract days.
From January 1, 2010To March 31, 2010$1,520
From April 1, 2010To April 27, 2010$1,620
From April 28, 2010To April 30, 2010$1,650
From May 1, 2010To May 31, 2010$1,944
From June 1, 2010To July 9, 2010$1,944
From July 10, 2010To July 14, 2010$2,005
From July 15, 2010To August 14, 2010$2,089
From August 15, 2010To August 28, 2010$2,005
From August 29, 2010To September 30, 2010$1,900
From October 1, 2010To October 31, 2010$1,650
From November 1, 2010To March 31, 2011$1,520
Tour Photos
Fall into the relaxation of another time and stay in the best castles, manor houses, and hotels that Ireland has to offer. Travel from Dublin down south to Waterford, Cork & Killarney. End your journey at the magnificent Dromoland Castle on Ireland's scenic west coast.
Dublin City is viewed by many as an attraction in itself. This bustling city also boasts many sights that are well worth visiting including Trinity College, Kilmainham Gaol, The Book of Kells, Temple Bar and Grafton Street
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