Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

The Aran Islands are a group of three islands located at the mouth of Galway Bay, on the west coast of Ireland. The largest island is Inishmore; the middle and second-largest is Inishmaan and the smallest and most eastern is Inisheer. Irish is a spoken language on all three islands, and is the language used naming the islands and their villages and townlands. Take a short ferry ride to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands, and island rich in the language, culture and heritage of Ireland, unique in its geology and archaeology and in its long tradition of gentle hospitality. Here is a place to sense the spirit of Gaelic Ireland, to touch the past.

What's included

  • 8 days/7 nights/7 meals
  • Return transfers from and to Shannon Airport by private coach
  • Sightseeing in luxury coach with professional driver/guide
  • 7 nights accommodation in rooms with private facilities
  • Irish breakfast daily
  • Farewell Medieval Banquet
  • Entrance fees to the following attractions: Blarney Castle, Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Burren Visitor Centre, Cliffs of Moher and Atlantic Edge Exhibition, Cobh Heritage Centre, Foynes Flying Boat Museum, Jameson's Old Midleton Distillery, Knock Shrine & Museum, Sheep Farm, Skellig Experience. Note some attractions are closed during certain periods and alternative venues may be used
  • Porterage of one piece of luggage per person at each hotel
  • Service charge and government taxes at hotels (at current rate)
  • Complimentary Tour Leader Place (twin sharing basis)

Tour highlights

  • Aran Islands
  • Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
  • Burren
  • Cliffs of Moher
  • Cobh Heritage Centre
  • Doolin
  • Dun Aengus
  • Titanic Walk
  • Bantry House & Gardens
  • Connemara National Park
  • Desmond Castle & Wine Museum
  • Galway
  • Kinsale
  • Kylemore Abbey
  • Mizen Head Signal Station
  • Garnish Island
  • Blarney Castle

Overnights for this tour

  • Killarney for 3 Nights 
  • Galway for 3 Nights 
  • Bunratty or Limerick for 1 Night

Accommodation options

  • Superior & First Class Hotels
  • 4-Star Country Manor Houses
  • 4 & 5 Star Irish Castles
  • Any Combination of the above

Day 1 - Welcome to Ireland

Arrive Shannon Airport and meet with your driver/guide who will transfer you to see one of Ireland’s natural wonders – the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs rise to over 700 feet along an 8 kilometer stretch of the Clare/Atlantic coastline. Then travel to one of Ireland’s prettiest villages, Adare. Here you can marvel at the thatched roofed cottages which are now mainly craft shops and restaurants and view the priories in this small town. After lunch (not included) travel to Killarney, one of Ireland’s most popular towns, arriving in time to sample the many pubs and restaurants after you have checked into your hotel. Overnight Killarney BB

Day 2 - Ring of Kerry

Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes and the Skellig Experience. Continue through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. On the return, pass through the colorful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Stop for a stroll through the splendid Muckross Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. Overnight Killarney BB

Day 3 - Blarney Castle

After breakfast visit Blarney Castle where the famous Blarney Stone will be found. For those brave enough climb the ramparts of the castle and kiss the stone which is said to grant the gift of eloquence. Then travel to Cobh Heritage Centre where thousands of emigrants departed for a better life during the famine years and which was the last port of call of the Titanic. After the visit take the short journey to the Old Midleton Distillery and learn how the world famous Jameson's whiskey is distilled and of course sample the golden nectre. Overnight Killarney BB

Day 4 - Killarney - Galway

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and travel northwards stopping first at Foynes Flying Boat Museum, the major European entry point for the transatlantic flights between 1937 & 1945. It was also the place where Irish coffee was invented. Then travel into County Clare and the karst like landscape of the Burren and finally onwards to Galway. Overnight Galway BB

Day 5 - Connemara

Take a drive around the stunning Connemara region today with its unspoilt scenery. Along the way visit Kylemore Abbey with its lovely walled gardens and Connemara Celtic Crystal. Travel to Cong, where the film The Quiet Man (John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, and Barry Fitzgerald) was filmed. Return to Galway where the remainder of the day is free to explore this vibrant city. The Quays area in the city is home to a number of lively music pubs, including the popular Quays Bar, and great choice of restaurants. Overnight Galway BB

Day 6 - Knock Shrine

After breakfast travel to Knock, where on the 21st August 1879, Our Lady, St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist appeared at the south gable of Knock Parish Church. The tour will take you through the beautifully landscaped Knock Shrine grounds visiting all places of interest including the Apparition Chapel and original Gable Wall, Papal Cross, Basilica, and Chapel of Reconciliation and the Knock Museum. After the visit, travel to the Museum of Country Life, home to the national collection of objects representing the traditional way of life in Ireland since 1850. Return to Galway where the remainder of the day will be free to explore this vibrant city. Overnight Galway BB

Day 7 - Bunratty Castle

Check out of your hotel and travel the short journey to Rathbaun Farm, a 200 year old working farm owned by the descendants of the original owners. Here you will see a demonstration of sheep herding and sheering and enjoy home baked refreshments. Onwards then to one of Ireland’s most complete castles, Bunratty Castle, resplendent with authentic furnishings. In the grounds of the castle is a recreated 19th century village complete with cottages, shops and the mandatory pub. Check into your hotel and after freshening up, return to for your farewell Bunratty Medieval Banquet. Overnight Bunratty or Limerick BB

Day 8 - Farewell to the Emerald Isle

After your final Irish breakfast depart the hotel for Shannon airport arriving in time to complete check-in formalities and that last minute duty free shopping.

Route map

Tour attractions

Tour Prices

Prices for our group tours are determined by the grade of accommodation required and the tour start date and will be for land only from arrival into and departure from Ireland. To arrange your tour, simply fill out our Enquiry Form, e-mail us at groups@irishtourism.com or call us in Ireland on our TollFree and International numbers as displayed on this page.

 

All our private & exclusive group tours include the following services at no extra cost.

 

  • Your own private luxury coach to suit your group size – groups from 10 passengers
  • Experienced and friendly driver/guide or driver and licensed guide throughout your tour
  • Individually designed itinerary
  • No optional extras unless agreed with the group organiser and advised to all members of the group prior to arrival in Ireland – NO HIDDEN EXTRAS
  • Generous complimentary tour leader policy – Flexible Free Places according to requirements
  • Flexibility of the itinerary even when touring in Ireland
  • 24/7 help line when in Ireland

Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.

Detailed Enquiry Form

Please enter your vacation requirements in the form below. If your enquiry requires a more immediate response, please use the Tollfree & International numbers as listed down the page.

For customers based in North America, please note that as we are based in Ireland, we are 5 hours ahead of EST.

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