Day 1 Arrive Dublin

Arrive at Dublin Airport, where you will be met by your driver, and driven to your centrally located Dublin hotel

Days 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.

Day 1 or 2 Optional Activities (See Add an Activity section for more information):
Food, Folk and Fairies - dinner and lively entertainment at Dublin's oldest pub
Dublins Literary Pub Crawl
Historical Walking Tour of Dublin

Days 3 & 4 Kilkenny

En route from Dublin to Kilkenny, possibly visit:

Glendalough
An hour south of Dublin nestled among the Wicklow Mountains lies Glendalough ("The Glen of the Two Lakes"), the site where St. Kevin founded a unique monastic settlement in the 6th century. Most of what remains of the settlement is in ruins but the Round Tower at Glendalough, built as a refuge from marauding Vikings, is over a 1000 years old and is remarkably well preserved. The site itself is set next to two clear water lakes beneath the sheer cliffs of a deep glacial valley. It is one of the most serene and beautiful places in all Ireland and it is easy to see why the monks picked it for a place of prayer and contemplation. There are a myriad of walking trails throughout the area making it a truly invigorating place to spend the day.

Kilkenny
Kilkenny, or the Marble City as it is known, is one of Ireland's oldest cities, and proud of it. Its array of ancient buildings is unrivalled. It is renowned for being a vibrant cultural center, devoted to the musical and visual arts. Its two most impressive landmarks are Kilkenny Castle, founded in 1172 and privately owned until 1967, and St. Canice's Cathedral. The current structure of the cathedral dates from the 13th century, though this is nowhere near the beginning of its story, which is rich in folklore and legend. There is no shortage of pubs to explore and enjoy in Kilkenny and during the summer the city is always full of life. The summer also sees the city host an Arts Festival and a very highly regarded Comedy Festival called the Cat Laughs.

While in Kilkenny, possibly daytrip to:

Cashel
If you approach Cashel from the north on the main Dublin-Cork road, you will round a 21st century bend and suddenly be transported back 1,500 years. There, standing proud on the plains, is the great 4th century fortification of Cashel - the stone fort. This was the seat of kings and medieval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. Indeed there was a settlement here from pre-Christian times, traces of which have long since vanished. Brú Ború - the palace of Ború - is a national heritage centre at the foot of the Rock of Cashel. This cultural and interpretative village is designed around a village green and is home to the study and celebration of native Irish music, song, dance, story telling, theatre and Celtic studies. Cashel itself is a busy little market town and is a handy place to break the journey between Dublin to Cork.

Waterford
Waterford is a city steeped in history.  Its ancient city walls are still standing as well as an impressive round tower that stands proudly in the town center.  Around Waterford you will find much to do such as visiting the famous Waterford Crystal Factory and traveling around the county in search of one of many ancient megalithic monuments.

Days 5 to 7 Killarney

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.

While in Killarney, possibly daytrip to:

The Ring of Kerry
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.

The Dingle Peninsula
The residents of Dingle, or An Daingean as it is now officially known, are the envy of everyone in Ireland. They live in what many agree is the most beautiful part in the country, in a strikingly attractive fishing village with fantastic pubs, rousing music, great restaurants and more characters per head of population than anywhere in the world. The key to Dingle is to visit as many pubs as you can while there. Seek out the old pubs frequented by the locals, sit up to the bar, order a drink and prepare to be entertained! The Dingle Peninsula on which the town is located is littered with ancient archeological sites including stone forts and many beehive huts. Scenically, the Peninsula is an absolute delight with every turn of the road revealing more of the achingly beautiful landscape. One highlight is the Slea Head loop drive from Dingle which is easily driven in an hour or cycled in an afternoon. For the energetic, a day spent climbing Mount Brandon, the peninsula's highest, will be richly rewarded. The views from the top on a clear day are absolutely stunning.

Day 6 or 7 Optional Activities (See Add an Activity section for more information):
Guided Walk in Killarney National Park
Horseback Riding in Killarney

Day 8 Bunratty

Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, located just 7 miles from Shannon Airport, is high on the list of Ireland's top visitor attractions. If you want to learn about Ireland and how the Irish lived in earlier times, Bunratty's Folk Park is a must.  Entire houses of various sizes and dates have been taken apart stone-by-stone and reassembled here, along with a school, a pub, a church, a row of shops, and other buildings. What makes it especially enjoyable is watching activities, including scones and bread being made, as well as work being carried out in the little fields. Chat with the staff; they are very friendly and informative. Bunratty's most obvious attraction is its imposing castle which overlooks the river Shannon. Once the stronghold of the O’Briens, kings and later earls of Thomond, it reflects their style and power. Its Great Hall has a very fine collection of 14th-century furniture, paintings and wall hangings and also hosts medieval banquets which anyone can attend with plenty of entertainment as well as food and drink. Finally no visit to Bunratty would be complete without a pint of plain in the world-famous Durty Nelly's Pub located right next to the castle.

Day 8 Optional Activities (See Add an Activity section for more information):
Medieval Banquet Dinner at Bunratty Castle
Traditional Irish Night at Bunratty Folk Park

Day 9 Depart from Shannon Airport

About our Drivers

Our drivers are highly trained and extremely good at what they do.  All are chosen for their bright personalities and friendliness, and will have a good general knowledge of Ireland.  Drivers with an Irish Tourist Board qualification can be requested at a supplemental cost for those of you who are particularly hungry for information as you travel!

Driver Testimonials:

‘The trip would not have been the same without our driver/guide Des Murphy.  Des "made" the trip.  He included so much information and history, and was constantly cheerful and accommodating.  He truly went above and beyond anything we expected from a driver/guide.  We felt he welcomed us as friends and the 3 of us felt we were leaving a friend behind in Ireland when we parted with Des on Aug. 14th.  We would never consider a return trip without having Des along to guide us through the country he obviously loves so much.’
      Lauryi, Tennessee (August 2008)

‘Thanks again, it was a grand trip!  The group was ecstatic with our driver Liam Bourke and I am now officially requesting him for our September trip.  Could you please make certain that we will have Liam, and if not, can you get his clone?’
      Allen, Missouri (September 2008)

‘We really enjoyed our driver Kevin Burke - he did a wonderful job & at one point, made a unique moment that I don't think many visitors to Ireland get to have.  After stopping beside the road at an overlook south of Galway Bay, the group was admiring the view, as well as a couple of cows & their newborn calves in the adjacent field.  One of the babies was brand-new & still on the ground with the mamma licking off the afterbirth.  After a while the baby still hadn't gotten up & it appeared that it might not have lived.  As you would guess, this put the group in a sombre mood.  However, Kevin noticed movement from the calf & to our amazement, he jumped into the field to try to save the young cow.  Within moments, he had coaxed the calf to its feet & had gotten it to start suckling.  I don't know if he really saved the calf, but it was one of the most memorable moments of the trip.  Everyone is still talking about Kevin "the Calf Whisperer."’
      Nikki, Maryland (April 2008)

Vehicles - Travel in Comfort & Style

We offer several different vehicle types to comfortably accommodate your group, depending on the number of people traveling.  Please note that all vehicle classes now offer Wi-Fi connectivity

Mercedes Imperial Sprinter - 9 persons or less

Step into the world of sheer comfort and luxury. This vehicle model can usually accommodate 16 persons, but our Sprinters have been specially modified to transport nine passengers. This spacious configuration has been designed to ensure the ultimate in luxury and comfort during your tour. The discreet, simple yet striking design of the vehicles exterior is truly stylish. Would you drive on our narrow, windy roads? Late for a tee time or lost in the countryside, immersed in our captain seats you are safe in the knowledge that you made the best decision of your trip by reserving a chauffeur tour.

Presidential Coach - 10 to 36 persons

Larger groups need look no further!  Our Presidential Class will make you wonder how you ever travelled in anything else. A long distance trip is a wonderful experience you hope will never end. Well spaced, luxurious and comfortable leather seating leaves ample room for you to stretch your legs and enjoy. Complete with on-board bathroom, this coach is unique in Ireland and customers often compare it to a private executive jet on land!  Newspapers and a variety of snacks and refreshments can be provided for your additional touring enjoyment on request.

Enrich your travels

As a traveler, you know that taking a trip is much more than going from point A to point B. It is about experiencing new things, meeting new people and doing something different. Regardless of the tour package you choose, we encourage you to add an activity, experience or excursion. Each of these are uniquely Irish and will enrich your time spent in Ireland. Grab onto whatever experiences speak to your heart and add several to your travels!

Food, Folk & 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 info

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 info

Dublin Brewery & Pub Tour (Day 1 or 2) Full day or less (flexible duration)

Dublin is not just famous for its rich historical heritage. Dublin is a very vibrant city where people have made an art out of going out on the town. Dublin has a fairly enormous selection of bars yet they are all full on the weekend and much of the week for that matter. The large number of bars allows for variety and that is what you get on this unique tour. more info

Killarney National Park Guided Walk (Day 6 or 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 & parkland, along the lake shore and river bank. Beautiful scenery abounds – including the highest mountain range in Ireland. more info

Horseback Riding in Killarney (Day 6 or 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 info

Traditional Irish Night at Bunratty Folk Park (Day 8) 2.5 hours

The Corn Barn in Bunratty Folk Park (located to the rear of Bunratty Castle) is the perfect setting for a celebration of all the best traditions of Ireland today.  You are invited to enjoy the company of the finest singers, dancers and musicians of surrounding towns and villages and experience the homeliness, friendship and warmth of a true traditional Irish evening.  Enjoy top quality home-cooked food, excellent wine and join in the song & dance.......you might even learn a step or two! more info

Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle (Day 8) 2.5 hours

Join the Earl of Thomond in the splendour of the main guard of Bunratty Castle for a dinner experience not to be missed! Bunratty Castle, was built in 1425 by the Earl of Thomond. Following his tradition of hospitality, the world renowned Bunratty Medieval Banquet is held twice nightly throughout the year.
Since 1963, the Ladies of the Castle, aided and abetted by the Earl's Butler, have welcomed guests from the four corners of the globe to dine at The Earl's Banquet at Bunratty Castle.  The entertainment provided by the world renowned Bunratty Singers is a fitting compliment to a mead reception, a four course meal, and of course good wine. more info