Adventure through the most spectacular parts of Ireland, from emerald-green farms to seaside cliffs and vibrant towns.
If you love the idea of group travel but want maximum room for physical distancing, our small group departures can offer you the best of both worlds. With no more than 26 guests on a full sized coach, you'll have plenty of room to stretch out. Plus, you’ll almost always get a window seat with panoramic views of the scenery, you'll have more access to the guide and local experts, and you'll enjoy a little more time at each stop.
TRAVEL DATE | PRICE | TYPE |
---|---|---|
May 14, 2023 | from $4,075 CAD | Per Person |
DAY | DATE | PLACE |
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1 | Sun May 14 | Dublin City Tour | Experience Glasnevin | Clontarf Castle |
2 | Mon May 15 | Strokestown Park | Blakes of the Hollow Pub | Donegal |
3 | Tue May 16 | Slieve League Cliffs | Triona Design | Nancy’s Bar |
4 | Wed May 17 | Belleek Pottery | Galway |
5 | Thu May 18 | Connemara Celtic Crystal | Dan O’Hara Homestead | Connemara |
6 | Fri May 19 | Cliffs of Moher | Killarney |
7 | Sat May 20 | Ring of Kerry Tour | Sheepdog Demonstration |
8 | Sun May 21 | Blarney Castle | Abbey Tavern |
9 | Mon May 22 | Independent Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour |
10 | Tue May 23 | Your Tour Ends in Dublin |
Day 1 Dublin City Tour | Experience Glasnevin | Clontarf Castle
Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from the Clontarf Castle Hotel lobby, a short ride
from Dublin Airport and a few miles north of Dublin city center. Head out for a tour
of central Dublin with a local guide to see elegant Georgian squares, public
buildings, and monuments. Visit Experience Glasnevin at Ireland’s national
cemetery – it’s a fascinating “who’s who” of modern Irish history. Join your group
for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the castle hotel.
Day 2 Strokestown Park | Blakes of the Hollow Pub | Donegal
Visit Strokestown Park to explore Ireland’s tragic history. Tour the National Famine
Museum and then Strokestown House; the grand Georgian mansion will reveal the
contrast between the luxurious lives of its residents and the destitution of their
tenants. Stroll the park to see the walled gardens and woodlands. Next, a CIE Tours
exclusive: visit Blakes of the Hollow Pub, a Victorian bar that retains many features
original to its founding in 1887. Famed author John McGahern, a regular visitor,
described it as “one of the happiest and most beautiful bars in the whole of Ireland”.
Take a photo by its official “Game of Thrones” door highlighting the series’ sixth
season. Continue your travels north to Donegal. With its windswept hills where only
sheep can thrive, Donegal is renowned for woolen production and tweeds.
Day 3 Slieve League Cliffs | Triona Design | Nancy’s Bar
Head to Teelin to reach the best viewing point of the Slieve League sea cliffs, the
highest in Europe. Enjoy a CIE Tours Exclusive experience: sip an Irish coffee as you
take in the view from these impressive cliffs. Travel up through beautiful views of
Donegal to reach Triona Design Donegal Tweed Center in Ardara, a CIE Tours
preferred shopping partner, where spinners and weavers will demonstrate their
crafts. Head to the popular Nancy’s Bar in Ardara for dinner before returning to your
hotel in Donegal town, a busy little town that was once a Viking port.
Day 4 Belleek Pottery | Galway
Discover the secrets that have made Belleek Pottery one of the most enduring
success stories of Irish craftsmanship during a tour of Belleek Pottery. You’ll go
behind the scenes to see how this world-famous fine china is made. Travel south to
Galway and take a walking tour with a local guide; explore this vibrant city’s
medieval past and artistic, musical present. Enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Day 5 Connemara Celtic Crystal | Dan O’Hara Homestead | Connemara
Explore scenic Connemara to admire how constantly changing cloud formations give
granite hills, sparkling lakes, and peat bogs an added dimension. Stop at the
Connemara Celtic Crystal factory to watch skilled artisans demonstrate fine glasscutting. Travel on through spectacular scenery to visit Dan O’Hara’s Homestead,
where you’ll discover traditional farming methods, see Connemara ponies, and have
a light lunch. Return to Galway and enjoy an evening free for independent dining
and exploration.
Day 6 Cliffs of Moher | Killarney
Drive through Co. Clare to visit the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the
Atlantic Ocean. Walk along the cliffs to see spectacular vistas, including Galway
Bay and the Aran Islands. Embark on a short ferry ride across the River Shannon
Estuary. Arrive in Killarney, where you will dine in your hotel this evening.
Day 7 Ring of Kerry Tour | Sheepdog Demonstration
Head out to the Ring of Kerry, Ireland’s most famous and popular scenic drive. Stop
at Moriarty’s in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner.
Immerse yourself in farm life with a demonstration of sheepdogs herding flocks.
Continuing on the scenic drive, pause for panoramic mountain views at Moll’s Gap.
Your evening is free to explore in Killarney tonight, as you dine independently and
perhaps discover some of the town’s lively pubs.
Day 8 Blarney Castle | Abbey Tavern
Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone or take a gentle walk through the
lovely parklands and colorful gardens. Head to the Abbey Tavern for Irish cuisine,
and an evening of lively entertainment.
Day 9 Independent Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour
Spend the day independently in Dublin on an open-top bus tour and a visit to one of
Dublin’s top attractions: Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, or GPO
Museum.
Day 10 Your Tour Ends in Dublin
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