Enchanting Ireland - Small Group
Enchanting Ireland - Small Group
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Enchanting Ireland - Small Group
8 Days Starting and ending in Dublin, Ireland
Visiting: Dublin, Strokestown, Sligo, Westport, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Blarney Castle & Gardens, Kilkenny
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SBREDN26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Enchanting Ireland - Small Group" tour and explore the captivating landscapes and rich history of Northern Ireland. This journey begins and ends in Dublin, offering a blend of cultural and natural wonders. Discover the vibrant city of Dublin with a Local Specialist, visit the iconic Cliffs of Moher, and enjoy a scenic drive along the Ring of Kerry. Experience the lush gardens of Blarney Castle and the mystical Druid rock formations. Delve into Ireland's past at the Irish Emigration Museum and the National Irish Famine Museum. Stay in carefully selected hotels and travel in comfort aboard a luxury air-conditioned coach. With guided tours, optional experiences, and authentic dining, this tour promises an unforgettable Irish adventure.
Choice Highlights
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Blarney: Your up close and personal encounter with the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate is brought to life on a guided tour with a senior gardener. On your stroll enhanced by your expert’s insights, learn about the arboretum’s rare trees, mystical Druid rock formations and the Bog Garden boasting three 600-year-old yew trees.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts. Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
Must-see Highlights
- Cliffs of Moher: Towering cliffs and the dramatic sea, the Cliffs of Moher has inspired countless travelers. Visit the Exhibition Center and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs that rise over 700 feet high. Gain insights from your Travel Director into the cliffs’ geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
Top Rated Highlights
- Dublin: Embark on an interactive discovery of the 70 million people who claim Irish ancestry at EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum. Throughout 20 rooms divided per topic, learn about the Irish experience and the timeline of Ireland’s history told through the personal stories of emigrants. The sights and insights range from learning a special Irish dance to reading the letters of past emigrants, to tracing your family name going back generations.
- Dublin: See Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House with a Local Expert
- Strokestown: This Palladian mansion of Strokestown Park House will inspire the mind of any curious traveler. This time capsule reveals an atmosphere of grandeur from its original art collections to its gardens and woodlands where exotic plants and architectural gems delight garden-lovers. Learn how this Georgian style house served as the family home to the Mahons, a well-known military family, from the 1600s until 1981.
- Westport: Embark on an exploration of the town of Westport in a remote area of Ireland full of rugged beauty. Highlights of your walk may include Westport House - a heritage home museum celebrating 300 years of Irish heritage, a quaint stone bridge, Rockfleet Castle and Burrishoole Abbey tied to the 16th-century pirate queen Grace O’ Malley.
- Kylemore: With a striking Victorian Walled Garden and turreted church, Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey is a sight to behold. Dig into the Abbey’s history, discovering how it was founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.
- Shannon: Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry. This large estuary is where the River Shannon flows into the Atlantic Ocean.
- Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands, beaches, fields dotted with sheep, rocky coastline, remote villages and historical sites, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile circular route is the best place to admire Ireland's scenic beauty and truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
Make Travel Matter®
Ring of Kerry: Meet John, a seaweed advocate and educator for a seaweed foraging walk at Atlantic Irish Seaweed. Stroll along the shore learning about how they work to protect the fragile ecosystem of the wild Atlantic Irish coasts through their educational courses and passion for the local environment. Irish Atlantic Seaweed's environmental policy is to respect, enjoy and protect the natural wonders that surround them, and promote the sustainable use of Ireland's fragile marine ecosystems. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
Itinerary
Day 1: Hello Dublin
Location: Dublin
Accommodation Name: Camden Court, Dublin
A modern multi-cultural city that embraces its past and exudes an enduring sense of fun, the 'Emerald Isle' has lured the most curious of travelers for centuries. Your Local Expert reveals the best of the city on a guided tour past the Georgian Squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Delicious cuisine and history merge this evening over drinks and canapes at EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum where you’ll discover the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world.
Day 2: Experience Irish History And On To Sligo Dive Into Culture
Location: Dublin, Strokestown, Sligo
Accommodation Name: Sligo Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The beauty of an Irish country house springs to life at Strokestown Park House and Gardens. After soaking in its beauty, go from grand homes to history visiting the onsite Irish Famine Museum to delve into the stories of the 1840s famine. Learn the history behind the Irish Potato Famine, the most catastrophic event in Ireland and one of the worst famines in history. View rare 19th-century photographs, witness accounts, sketches, newspapers and maps before continuing to Sligo. In the afternoon, consider an optional cruise on the River Shannon and admire the rolling countryside of the emerald isle.
Day 3: Journey To Westport And Galway
Location: Sligo, Westport, Galway
Accommodation Name: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals Included: Breakfast
The seaside town of Westport on Ireland’s west coast will charm any traveler. Your Local Expert leads you on a walk to learn about the town's heritage – from its settlement 5,000 years ago to today. Continue to indulge your curiosity at Kylemore Abbey, a treasure trove of picture-perfect scenery and the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. You could enhance your day with an Optional Experience, a Galway Walking Tour featuring the Lynch Memorial Window, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F. Kennedy. You’ll love hearing intriguing stories of this bustling medieval port followed by a traditional Irish pub dinner.
Day 4: The Iconic Cliffs Of Moher And Onwards To Killarney
Location: Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney
Accommodation Name: Great Southern Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Embark on an up close and personal encounter with Ireland's nature at the towering Cliffs of Moher. Perched at 700-feet, take in views of the Clare Coast and the pounding Atlantic. Gain insights into the cliffs’ geology and history before crossing the Shannon Estuary by ferry from Killimer to Tarbet. Head to Killarney where you’ll relive the highlights of the day over a Dine-Around evening of local cuisine. You also have your pick of Optional Experiences including a Celtic Steps performance or a Gaelic Roots show of song and dance.
Day 5: A Day On The Ring Of Kerry
Location: Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Killarney
Accommodation Name: Great Southern Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Famous for its 'forty shades of green,' the Irish nature at the Ring of Kerry has inspired writers and poets for centuries. Drink in the beauty of the coastal drive lined with beaches, colorful seaside villages and views of the Atlantic Ocean. On an insightful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet John, a seaweed advocate and educator for a seaweed foraging walk. Embrace the landscape that has inspired poets, artists and writers.
Day 6: Venture To Blarney And Medieval Kilkenny
Location: Killarney, Blarney Castle & Gardens, Kilkenny
Accommodation Name: Kilkenny
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
With Brendan Choice choose to explore one of the icons of Ireland, Blarney Castle, the Witch's Kitchen and Wishing Steps gardens and, of course, the infamous stone – said to bestow the 'gift of the gab' upon whoever kisses it. Or, don’t miss your chance to amble the 1,500-acre grounds including the raised board walk, surrounded by water loving plants and waterfalls. The Carnivorous Courtyard features plants that with colorful, fluid-filled leaves while the Fern Garden features trees brought from the other side of the world that are survivors of the Jurassic period.
Day 7: Return To Lively Dublin
Location: Kilkenny, Dublin
Accommodation Name: Camden Court, Dublin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
12th-century Kilkenny Castle is full of curiosities dating back to when it was the principal seat of the butlers, earls, marquesses and dukes of Ormond. On your exploration of its vast parkland, learn how the castle was remodelled in the Victorian style and restored and updated several times before being formally taken over by the Irish State in 1969. Return to Dublin and finish your incredible tour with a memorable dinner at a traditional Irish pub.
Day 8: Farewell Ireland
Location: Dublin
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to close the chapter on an unforgettable tour of the Emerald Isle. We bid our newfound friends and Travel Director a fond farewell.
What's Included
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Expert Travel Director and Professional Driver
An expert Travel Director and professional Driver are included in the tour.
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Cherry-picked Hotels
Stay in cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted for their quality and comfort.
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Porterage and Restaurant Gratuities
All porterage and restaurant gratuities are included.
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Hotel Tips, Charges, and Local Taxes
All hotel tips, charges, and local taxes are included.
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Meals
Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals are included.
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Sightseeing and Extras
Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras are included.
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Audio Headsets
Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing are included.
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Luxury Air-conditioned Coach
Travel in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries.
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Ferry Ride
Enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the Shannon Estuary.
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Optional Experiences and Free Time
Optional experiences and free time are part of the tour.
What's Not Included
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Flights
International and domestic flights are not included.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is not included.
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Personal Expenses
Personal expenses such as souvenirs, additional meals, and drinks are not included.
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Optional Activities
Optional activities and experiences are not included in the base price.
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Visa Fees
Visa fees and entry requirements are not included.
Dining Summary
7 Breakfast (B)4 Dinner (D)
Authentic Dining
Killarney: Choose from a fine selection of local restaurants on your Dine-Around evening.Dublin: Cross the River Liffey and venture to a local restaurant to toast your unforgettable travels over dinner. Sláinte!
Brendan Choice
Blarney: Your up close and personal encounter with the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate is brought to life on a guided tour with a senior gardener. On your stroll enhanced by your expert’s insights, learn about the arboretum’s rare trees, mystical Druid rock formations and the Bog Garden boasting three 600-year-old yew trees.Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts. Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
Brendan Experiences
Kilkenny: Visit Kilkenny Castle with a Local Expert. On a guided tour, learn the history of this magnificent castle and that of the powerful family that came to call it home for so many centuries. Amble through the Picture Gallery, library, drawing room, nursery and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendor as well as the rolling parkland formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and man-made lake.
What's Included
An expert Travel Director and professional DriverCherry-picked hotels, all tried and trustedAll porterage and restaurant gratuitiesAll hotel tips, charges and local taxesBreakfast daily and up to half of your evening mealsMust-see sightseeing and surprise extrasAudio headsets for flexible sightseeingLuxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)Ferry across the Shannon estuaryOptional Experiences and free timeOn occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilized.
Iconic Experience
Cliffs of Moher: Towering cliffs and the dramatic sea, the Cliffs of Moher has inspired countless travelers. Visit the Exhibition Center and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs that rise over 700 feet high. Gain insights from your Travel Director into the cliffs’ geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Enchanting Ireland tour?
The tour includes a guided tour of the Blarney Castle gardens with a senior gardener, a visit to the Cliffs of Moher with insights into its geology and history, and a seaweed foraging walk with a local expert on the Ring of Kerry.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
Travel is provided in a luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries, and there is also a scenic ferry ride across the Shannon Estuary.
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Are meals included in the Enchanting Ireland tour?
Yes, breakfast is provided daily and up to half of the evening meals are included in the tour.
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What kind of accommodation can I expect on this tour?
The tour includes stays in cherry-picked hotels such as Camden Court in Dublin, Sligo Park, Connemara Coast in Galway, Great Southern Killarney, and Kilkenny, all selected for their quality and comfort.
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What is the significance of the Blarney Stone visit?
It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter, and coax. However, to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts of Blarney Castle.
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What is the MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience on this tour?
The MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience involves meeting John, a seaweed advocate, for a seaweed foraging walk at Atlantic Irish Seaweed, where you learn about protecting the fragile ecosystem of the wild Atlantic Irish coasts.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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How many people will be on my trip?
You’ll find an average of 40 to 45 guests on trips throughout Europe.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Book with Confidence
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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.
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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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