Backroads of Ireland
Tour Program
The Library of Trinity College Dublin
Welcome to Dublin Airport where you meet your awaiting coach driver and guide. Please note check in may not be available before 3pm. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or pub. Enjoy the rest your day at leisure – your guide is on hand for information and advice. Please note your hotel is in walking distance of Temple Bar where you will find live traditional Irish music 7 nights a week! Overnight at your hotel in Dublin. (L)
Trim Castle, the largest and best preserved Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland
This morning enjoy a walking tour of Dublin City Centre with your guide. The tour introduces you to the principal sites, which you may then revisit at your leisure. After stop at Trinity College and see the Book of Kells, then take some time wandering on your own or relaxing in Dublin. Tonight enjoy in a welcome dinner at your hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Dublin. (B, D)
World famous Belleek Pottery
This morning, travel to the town of Trim located in the historical Boyne Valley. Spend the day at the Blackfriary Community Archaeology Project and enjoy a tour of Trim Castle. Lunch at a local restaurant or pub. Return to Dublin. Free time for dinner. Overnight at your hotel in Dublin. (B, L)
Glenveagh Castle
This morning depart Dublin for Donegal. Stop in Meath at Causey Farm, a working family farm that hosts travelers to experience aspects of Irish Culture in a fun way. There are a variety of indoor and outdoor activity programs. Enjoy the interactive element of activities that can include dancing a jig, playing the bodhráin, learning to play hurling, cutting turf in a bog, baking brown soda bread, seeing a sheepdog at work and more! The working 120 hectare farm breeds Limousin cattle and Belclair sheep and also includes an area of native bogland where you can see turf cutting demonstrations. Next stop is at Belleek Pottery. See the artists doing the intricate decorations on the famous pottery. Return to your hotel in Donegal for dinner and the night. (B, D)
The manor house at Clonalis
Spend the morning at leisure then enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or pub. After lunch travel to Glenveagh National Park. On arrival, visit the Glenveagh Visitor Centre then take a shuttle to enjoy Glenveagh Castle and its beautiful gardens and views of the lake. Return to your hotel in Donegal. (B, L)
Galway Bay
Today you will travel from Donegal to Galway. First stop is at the Atlantic Sheepdogs, located close to the village of Grange in County Sligo. The farm overlooks Streedagh beach to the west and is shadowed by Benbulben Mountain to the east. Visitors are offered a chance to experience life on an Irish sheep farm. The owner’s passion is his trusty sheepdogs and he spends time demonstrating the skill of sheep-herding with the sheepdogs. The owner and his dogs have competed at sheepdog trials both nationally and internationally for twenty years, representing Ireland on numerous occasions. For lunch stop at the Yeats Experience. Damien Brennan, a Yeats enthusiast, offers lunch at his private home dedicated to all that is best in Irish hospitality, food and culture. Lunch consists of open sandwiches, seasonal soup, salads from the garden followed by Irish tea and tea/coffee, while listening to Damien Brennan deliver the fascinating story of WB Yeats and his love of Sligo. Continue to Galway and check into your hotel. This late afternoon, early evening, enjoy a 1.5 – 2 hour culinary walking tour of Galway. You have an overview of the passionate people and beautiful produce which combine to make Galway one of Ireland’s gourmet jewels. During the tour you meet artisan producers and sample their products with the food guide sharing insights to the local favorites and treasured ingredients. Overnight at your hotel in Galway. (B, L)
Cliffs of Moher & O’ Brien’s Tower
This morning enjoy a walking tour of Galway. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant or pub. In the afternoon enjoy a visit to Cnoc Suain, a restored 17th century hill-village and learn about the authentic Irish culture.
Return to your hotel in Galway. Dinner on your own. This evening enjoy the Trad on the Prom, a lively Irish musical show for the senses. Transfer back to your hotel in Galway for the night. (B, L)
The Dingle Whiskey Distillery
Start the day with a special visit to the home and art studio of a renowned Irish artist followed by a special surprise nearby. From here you go to the beautiful Cliffs of Moher. Lunch at a local restaurant or pub. Take the Shannon Car Ferry across the River Shannon and continue to the town of Dingle to your hotel. (B, L)
Town of Adare
This morning you tour the scenic Dingle Peninsula including a stop at Gallarus Oratory, you will have the opportunity to stop at various other points along the peninsula for photos and fresh air and to take in the beautiful scenery. Visit the Dingle Whiskey Distillery before you have some time at leisure in Dingle. Tonight a special treat of dinner and live music. Transfer back to your hotel for the night. (B, D)
Today we visit Lough Gur Heritage Centre here you learn about the folklore, archaeology and history dating back to the Stone Age, before a visit King John’s Castle, a 13th-century castle and one of the best preserved Norman Castles in Europe. It is located on King’s Island in Limerick, next to the River Shannon. Tonight enjoy a light dinner at your hotel (supplement Euro 15.00 per person) or at a local restaurant within walking distance of hotel (supplement Euro 35.00 per person). Overnight at your hotel in Limerick (B, D).
- 10 nights at 4/5 star hotels
- Meals as listed in the itinerary (B, L, D): B-= Breakfast, L + Lunch D = Dinner
- Trinity College & Book of Kells
- Trim Castle
- Causey Farm
- Belleek Pottery
- Glenveagh National Park & Castle
- Atlantic Sheep
- Renowned artist studio
- Cliffs of Moher
- Gallarus Oratory
- Dingle Distillery
- Lough Gur Heritage Centre
- King John’s Castle
- Day with Blackfriary Community Archaeology Project
- Cultural and National History program at Cnoc Suain
- Trad on the Prom evening show of music and dance
- Special surprise
- Shannon Car Ferry
- Porterage of one piece of luggage per person in and out of hotels
- Bottled water x 2 per person per day on the bus
- English speaking guide
- Domestic or International Flights
- Tips to the driver, guide, or housekeeping
- Items or meals not listed in the itinerary
- Anything of a personal nature
Internet services, mini bar, laundry or anything not listed above as included
