Itinerary
- Day 1
Maynooth
You'll arrive in County Kildare and get settled at Carton House for your first night. The hotel offers a historical tour where you'll learn about the estate's heritage and former residents, then you'll join the group for dinner. It's a good way to meet your fellow travelers and get oriented before the journey really begins.
- Meals
- Dinner (Dinner with fellow guests sampling local flavors and discovering the Celtic charm)
Included Activities
- Historical tour of Carton House estate
Landmarks/POIs Carton House - Day 2
County Laois to Killarney
This morning starts at Ballykilcavan Farm and Brewery in County Laois where David Walsh shows you around the operation. You'll see their sustainable farming practices and get to taste their home-brewed beer. After that, you'll head down to Killarney for a traditional jaunting car ride through the National Park, which is a great way to see the natural landscape and learn some local history along the way.
Included Activities
- Ballykilcavan Farm & Brewery tour with David Walsh - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Beer tasting at Ballykilcavan Brewery
- Jaunting car ride in Killarney National Park with local guide
Landmarks/POIs Ballykilcavan Farm & Brewery Killarney National Park - Day 3
Killarney
Early on you'll start hiking through Killarney National Park with a local guide, beginning at the 70-foot Torc Waterfall and walking through meadows and forest to reach Muckross House. Later in the day you'll board your coach for a scenic drive around the Ring of Kerry, where you'll discover the peninsula's history, geography, and the legends that have inspired artists and writers over the years.
Included Activities
- Scenic hike in Killarney National Park from Torc Waterfall to Muckross House with Local Specialist
- Ring of Kerry scenic drive with coach and guide
Landmarks/POIs Torc Waterfall Muckross House Muckross Lake Lakes of Killarney Ring of Kerry - Day 4
Shannon Region to Newmarket on Fergus
You'll travel north to the Shannon Region and head straight to the Cliffs of Moher, which rise over 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. The afternoon takes you to Doolin Music House where you'll learn about Irish tunes and pub culture from Christy and his friends. By evening you'll check into Dromoland Castle and have dinner at the Earl of Thomond restaurant.
- Meals
- Dinner (Fine dining at the Earl of Thomond Restaurant in Dromoland Castle - exquisite culinary experience featuring finest local ingredients blending classic Irish flavors with innovative techniques)
Included Activities
- Cliffs of Moher walk and visit
- Doolin Music House experience - learning Irish tunes and pub culture
Landmarks/POIs Cliffs of Moher Doolin Music House Dromoland Castle Hotel - Day 5
Newmarket on Fergus to Galway
Start with a leisurely morning exploring the grounds at Dromoland Castle. Then you'll travel to Galway for a food tour with a local guide, walking the cobblestoned streets and meeting artisanal producers and restaurateurs. Along the way you'll sample local dishes and ingredients while getting a real sense of what matters to the community.
- Meals
- Lunch (Galway Food Tour sampling dishes and produce from artisanal producers)
Included Activities
- Galway Food Tour with Local Specialist - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Landmarks/POIs Galway - Day 6
Westport
After breakfast you'll join a local guide for a walking tour of Westport, checking out the heritage town's colorful Georgian buildings and stories from its pirate and seafaring past. Later you'll explore Achill Island and its rugged landscapes with dramatic cliffs and mountains. You'll head back to your hotel in time for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Westport Walking Tour with Local Specialist
- Achill Island exploration
Landmarks/POIs Westport Achill Island Holy Trinity Church - Day 7
Westport to Derry~Londonderry
You're heading to The Shed Distillery to learn about craft spirits and their famous Gunpowder Irish Gin. You'll see how they blend traditional methods with contemporary techniques, and you'll get to taste their products. After that, you'll travel to Derry-Londonderry for a walking tour with a local specialist, exploring the ancient streets, courtyards, and the famous city walls.
Included Activities
- The Shed Distillery tour and craft spirits tasting - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
- Derry~Londonderry walking tour with Local Specialist - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Landmarks/POIs The Shed Distillery St. Columb's Cathedral The Guildhall Derry~Londonderry City Walls - Day 8
Derry~Londonderry to Belfast
You'll head to Glenshane Country Farm to learn about shepherd life and watch sheepdogs work their magic herding sheep. Then you're driving along the Antrim Coast to the Giant's Causeway where a local guide shares the myths and history of this coastal landmark. After that you'll continue on to Belfast, which is Northern Ireland's capital.
Included Activities
- Glenshane Country Farm tour - meet sheep farmer and watch sheepdog herding
- Giant's Causeway walking tour with Local Specialist - MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience
Landmarks/POIs Glenshane Country Farm Antrim Coast Giant's Causeway - Day 9
Belfast
A local specialist will show you around Belfast's landmarks and history on a city tour. Then you'll visit Titanic Belfast, the museum built on the actual slips where the ship was constructed, exploring interactive galleries and artifacts plus the restored SS Nomadic service boat. Later you'll explore the pub culture and finish the evening with fish and chips at a local spot.
- Meals
- Dinner (Classic fish and chips at a local pub)
Included Activities
- Belfast city tour with Local Specialist
- Titanic Belfast museum visit
Landmarks/POIs Titanic Belfast - Day 10
Belfast to Dublin
You're heading south to Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, a grand Georgian estate from 1770 with elegant state rooms and 100 acres of grounds to explore. From there you'll continue to Dublin and visit St. Patrick's Cathedral, a gothic structure with a recently restored Lady Chapel that dates back to 1270.
Included Activities
- Hillsborough Castle and Gardens tour or grounds walk
- St. Patrick's Cathedral visit
Landmarks/POIs Hillsborough Castle and Gardens St. Patrick's Cathedral - Day 11
Dublin
You'll take a tour of Dublin's highlights with a local specialist, walking through elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street, and seeing the Custom House. Then you'll visit EPIC, the Irish Emigration Museum, which has 20 interactive galleries telling the stories of 9 million Irish emigrants. You'll grab lunch at a local pub and have the rest of the day to explore on your own.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Classic Irish fare at a local pub)
Included Activities
- Dublin city highlights tour with Local Specialist
- EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum visit
Landmarks/POIs EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum O'Connell Street Custom House - Day 12
Dublin
You'll head to the airport for your return journey home, concluding your time in Ireland.
