Iconic Ireland and Ashford Castle Summer 2024

Iconic Ireland and Ashford Castle Summer 2024

26 Views
10 Days From

$4450

$3390

Iconic Ireland and Ashford Castle Summer 2024

10 Days Starting and ending in Dublin

Visiting: Dublin, Cork, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, Galway, Connemara National Park

Tour operator:

Brendan Vacations

Tour code:

BRACZN19

Guide Type:

Fully Guided

Group size:

25 - 45

Physical rating:

Low

Age range:

6-99

Special diets catered:

Vegetarians

Tour operated in:
English
Interests:

History

Activities:

Sightseeing

From:
$4450
$3390 Operator discount: -$900 Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$160 -24%

NB: Prices correct on 21-May-2024 but subject to change.

This tour is no longer available, please see similar tours below or send an enquiry

Tour Overview

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.

Highlights

  • Lahinch: Go foraging with Oonagh and enjoy a delightful Be My Guest lunch at the O'Brien's homely Barrtra Seafood restaurant overlooking beautiful Liscannor Bay

  • Connemara: Visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and witness master craftsmen bring these intricate crystal designs to life

  • Dublin: A Local Specialist will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares

  • O'Connell Street and the Custom House

  • Blarney: Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence

  • Ring of Kerry: Admire Ireland's enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world

  • Lahinch: 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

  • Galway: Explore the historic heart of Galway. See landmarks such as the Spanish Arch and the cathedral

  • or perhaps admire the distinctive Claddagh rings

Show all

Places You'll See

Cliffs Of Moher

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1: Hello Dublin

Location: Dublin

Accommodation: Clayton Ballsbridge

Meals Included: Dinner

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, a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. 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 Dinner this evening to get to know your fellow travelers.

Day 2: Discover Diverse Dublin

Location: Dublin

Accommodation: Clayton Ballsbridge

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 colorful 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.

Day 3: Admire County Kilkenny And On To Cork Connect With Locals Stays With Stories

Location: Cork

Accommodation: Vienna Woods Hotel

Meals Included: Breakfast

We leave the hospitality of Dublin behind for County Kilkenny, on route we stop in Waterford where we have free time for lunch, or perhaps join a walking tour with a local specialist. We continue south to the lively city of Cork, enjoying a free evening to discover its sights, sounds and flavors.

Day 4: Journey To Blarney And On To Killarney

Location: Killarney

Accommodation: Killarney Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast

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.

Day 5: A Day On The Ring Of Kerry

Location: Ring of Kerry

Accommodation: Killarney Towers

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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. Perhaps join a Local Specialist for a scenic guided walk at Torc Waterfall, strolling over wooded paths and lakeshore trails.

Day 6: Onwards To The Cliffs Of Moher And Galway Make Travel Matter

Ethan

Location: Cliffs of Moher

Accommodation: Maldron Sandy Road

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Begin the day enchanted by the wild landscapes, you’ll continue along the Wild Atlantic Way to Connect With Locals and meet local horticulturalist, Oonagh, who’ll teach you how to forage before our Be My Guest visit to the Barrtra Seafood restaurant. Oonagh will reveal the importance of sustainable food experiences and you’ll learn how everything on your plate has been bought locally, perhaps inspired to buy local produce when you return home.
Our up-close encounter with Ireland's irresistible beauty continues, as we journey north to the towering Cliffs of Moher. Admire the dramatic cliffs that rise 200 meters above the pounding Atlantic and survey the endless ocean views 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.

Day 7: Galway Your Way Dive Into Culture

Location: Galway

Accommodation: Maldron Sandy Road

Meals Included: Breakfast

Dive Into Culture at the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, watching master craftsmen carve Connemara crystal. Then enjoy an orientation tour of Galway with plenty of free time afterwards to explore this vibrant city on your own.

Day 8: Explore Stunning Connemara And Continue To Ashford Castle Stays With Stories

Location: Connemara National Park

Accommodation: Ashford Castle

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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 immortalized 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 Brendan Vacations'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).

Day 9: Return To Lively Dublin

Location: Dublin

Accommodation: Clayton Ballsbridge

Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

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.

Day 10: Journey Home

Location: Dublin

Meals Included: Breakfast

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 http://www.brendanvacations.com//freetransfers

What's Included

  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver

  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted

  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities

  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes

  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals

  • Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras

  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing

  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)

  • Ferry across the Shannon estuary

  • Optional Experiences and free time

show more

What's Not Included

  • Airfare

    International airfare to and from destination is not included in the price

  • Travel Insurance

    Travel insurance is not included and is recommended

Mode of Transport

Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys), Ferry across the Shannon estuary

Accommodation

Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted. On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.

Check out our Q&As

  • Is there seat rotation on the coach?

    Yes, your Travel Director will implement a seat rotation system, whereby all guests will rotate their seats on the coach daily. This allows for everyone to experience the spectacular views from different seats, and you’ll have a better opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers.

  • Is luggage handling provided?

    On Guided Vacations and Private Chauffeur Vacations, all luggage handling is provided at no extra charge. One suitcase per person will be brought to your hotel room.

  • Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?

    Yes! Our hotels are personally selected by Managing Director Catherine Reilly and personally known for their quality, impeccable service and comfort, with the majority of them having air-conditioning. Note: A few hotels may not have air conditioning due to the colder climate.

  • What are the coaches like?

    We pride ourselves on having the finest fleet of fuel-efficient, fully air-conditioned coaches – all with reclining seats and on-board restrooms. The high vantage point from your coach’s window means you can take in all the glorious scenery, whether it’s a vast rural landscape or an urban city center. We also have on board WiFi.

  • Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?

    Brendan Vacations is an active supporter of the Treadright® Foundation, a not-for-profit organization established in 2008. So far, the charity has donated more than $2 million to help underprivileged communities and support sustainable tourism around the world.

  • How many people will be on my trip?

    You’ll find an average of 40 to 45 guests on trips throughout Europe.

  • Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?

    The beauty of taking a guided vacation with us is you’ll have the opportunity to meet and travel with people from all over the globe.

  • Will I have free time?

    Each itinerary offers the perfect balance of downtime and discoveries. We also give you the opportunity to tailor your trip with Optional Experiences.

  • Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?

    Yes. If you are travelling solo but would be happy to share your rook with another traveller of the same gender, we offer 'Twin-share' pricing on our trips. However, if you prefer the privacy of your own room, you can opt for our single supplement. The cost will depend on your trip and can be found in the pricing section of the itinerary.

  • How much luggage can I bring?

    On Guided Vacations, you can bring one suitcase per person with the dimensions of 76cm x 46cm x 25cm (30" x 18" x 10") and weight not exceeding 23kg (50 lbs) due to the limited space on the coach. You can also bring one piece of hand luggage, provided it is small enough to take on the coach and does not have telescopic handles.

  • What is a Travel Director?

    Our Travel Directors come from a variety of backgrounds, but they all share a passion for travel and their homelands. These experienced professionals show you what the guidebooks can't - a true insider's perspective of Ireland and Scotland. Each Travel Director has been through a bespoke training program, and many have at least five years' experience under their belt.

  • What documents will I receive before I travel?

    Travel documents (important information, itinerary and any relevant vouchers) will be provided 7-10 days prior to your trip's departure.

  • What if I have special dietary requirements?

    We can accommodate guests who are vegetarian and can assist with diabetic, gluten-free and other medically-recommended diets. Please advise us at time of booking. Unfortunately, we're unable to supply meals in accordance with strict religious requirements. We cannot provide salt-free, Kosher, Halal, requests for specific dietary supplements such as soy milk, and high protein or low-carb meals.

Reviews of this operator

Krista Erickson (Google Reviewer)  

Do you want to see...

23-Apr-2020

Do you want to see Ireland your way? Brendan Vacations did an amazing job setting us up with a Self-Drive through the county. They reserved a Hertz vehicle which we found the rental process to be seamless, placed us in wonderful hotels near city centers per our request and even suggested some places to visit and eat. We tend to be bucket list seekers so climbing Ireland’s country highpoint Carrauntoohil in beautiful County Kerry was a highlight of our trip. Our next stop is Scotland and hiking up Ben Nevis with the help of Brendan Vacations the true Celtic Experts.

Mackenzie Gerber (Google Reviewer)  

Brendan Vacations made all my...

23-Apr-2020

Brendan Vacations made all my Ireland dreams come true. My husband and I took a Private Chauffeur trip last August and we think back on it almost daily. The level of service and detail from our Chauffeur to the people behind the scenes scheduling our activities and hotels made it easy for us just to relax the entire time. Thank you to the amazing Brendan team for an unforgettable vacation.

Katie Jessup (Google Reviewer)  

This last summer I planned...

23-Apr-2020

This last summer I planned a trip to take my family to Ireland, being from England the United Kingdom has always been very special to me I just love the outdoors and the people. Living in the US my family have never visited Ireland before so I decided I wanted to plan with them a trip where we could explore this this amazing place. When we started writing down the key places that we wanted to visit we realized it was a lot from Belfast to Derry, Dublin to Galway and Killarney to Cork I was just not sure how I could piece all of this together. I decided I would look for help and the team at Brendan vacations were my superstars, all I had to do was give them my itinerary and they took care of everything else for me. They made our trip so easy and effortless to plan and they offered little extras because they knew we were a multi-generational family traveling together. They even helped us book and plan activities while we were visiting Ireland from the Cliffs of Moher to the Giants Causeway. By far my favorite moment was seeing my 7 year old daughter's face when we had the opportunity to take a horse drawn carriage ride through Killarney National Park, without my Brendan vacation specialist recommending this to me we would have missed out and I know it was a highlight for little Charlie. Thank you Brendan vacations for taking our trip personally and truly helping create memories that will last us a lifetime. We are already talking about going back to Ireland and our next adventure.

Tam (Google Reviewer)  

Brendan Vacations is amazing!!! In...

28-Apr-2020

Brendan Vacations is amazing!!! In my opinion it was the only way to fully experience Ireland. We did a private chauffeur trip with our family. There were 4 adults and 3 children ranging from 7 to 12 years old and all of us were completely entertained the entire time. From the moment we were picked up at the airport it was clear that then attention to details was unmatched. We were able to be completely immersed into the incredible culture and people of Ireland. The tour took us around most of the country from the city of Dublin to the picturesque town of Killarney. We experience the Majestic Cliffs of Moher from a unique perspective taking a ferry ride along the coastline which was beautiful. Next we went to the AMAZING Ashford castle which was straight out of a story book. There were so things to do, our family loved fishing, zipplining, horseback riding and falconry. Throughout our trip we went on walking tours in the cities, stayed in enchanting castles and manars, and even horse drawn carriage ride through a historic park surrounded by lakes and beautiful scenery. Everyday we saw unbelievable countrysides, had yummy stews and Irish ales. The people were all welcoming and nice in every city and town. Our chauffeur made us feel comfortable and was professional which made the trip fun and relaxing throughout our many adventures. Ireland was full of rich history, memorable landscapes, music and dancing. We can't thank Brendan Vacations enough for making our vacation stress free and so unforgettable, what an adventure!

Amy Yarruhs (Google Reviewer)  

I did the Irish Highlights...

02-Feb-2024

I did the Irish Highlights tour last October and it blew any expectations I had of guided tours out of the water! It was my first time out of the US and they made it so easy and comfortable. Our Travel Director, Maeve, and Driver, Stevie, were absolutely wonderful and super knowledgeable. The whole trip was very organized and well-planned. There were 2 main experiences that stand out to me as different than other tour companies. The first were the Make Travel Matter experiences which were hosted by locals and focused on sustainability (a huge plus for me) and their Be My Guest experience where we got to eat in celebrity chef, Catherine Fulvio's farmhouse! I still dream about her cooking months later. All in all, I would highly recommend Brendan Vacations and I can't wait to visit Ireland again.

1 Dates & Availability

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Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Tuesday

Jun 23, 2024 - Jul 02, 2024
$4450 $3825

Operator discount: -$445

Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$180

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Tuesday

Jul 21, 2024 - Jul 30, 2024
$4450 $3390

Operator discount: -$900

Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$160

Instant Booking Available

Sunday - Tuesday

Sep 29, 2024 - Oct 08, 2024
$4450 $4250

Exclusive Tourhub Members Discount: -$200

Book with Confidence

  • Low Deposit

    Brendan Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 200 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 60 days before departure.

  • Cancellation Policy

    We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of brendan vacations charges.

    Up to 60 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.

    At 59 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.

    At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.

    At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.

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