Best of Ireland Tour (8 Night)

After collecting your rental car your first stop is the National Stud and Japanese Gardens where a Horse Museum tracing the history of the horse in Ireland using artifacts, illustrations and text is located. In fact the winner of the 2003 Californian ‘Breeders Cup Mile’ race is a National Stud horse, the 3rd in the last 9 years. The Japanese Gardens are situated in the grounds of the Stud Farm and were created between 1906 and 1910. They are planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man' from the cradle to the grave. On to Kilkenny - Long renowned as Ireland’s Medieval Capital, the city’s origins date back more than 1,500 years. Characterized by beautifully restored old buildings, Kilkenny City is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of fascinating, historical buildings. Kilkenny Castle is a 12th century castle remodelled in Victorian times and set in extensive parklands. Also in Kilkenny is Saint Canice's Cathedral, the second longest of Ireland's medieval cathedrals. Built on the site of an earlier church, the major portion of the work that produced the beautiful Gothic structure was carried out in the middle of the 13th Century.

Your first stop today is the Rock of Cashel in County Tipperary. Cashel was once the seat of the Kings of Munster and capital of this southern province. The Rock, which rears above the plain, dominated the land routes southwards. Kings of Ireland as well as Munster came to this spot and St. Patrick is known to have preached on the rock and converted the local King, Aenghus, here in the 5th Century. Just 10 miles further on stop is Cahir Castle, once an important stronghold of the powerful Butler family, which retains its impressive keep, tower and much of its original defensive structure. It is one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles. Just east of Cork City is the harbour town of Cobh. Cobh, situated on one of the world’s largest natural harbours, was the last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic in 1912 and was the closest port to the site of the sinking of the Lusitania in 1915. The Cobh Heritage Centre sympathetically recounts these events and tells the story of emigration from Ireland to the United States and Australia from the time of the famine in 1847 up to the 1950s – known as the Queenstown Story. From Cobh to Kinsale. As well as being a charming coastal fishing harbour, Kinsale's International Museum of Wine tells the romantic story of the Irish emigrants who colonised the wine trade throughout the world after being forced to leave their own shores. Also in Kinsale is the 17th century Desmond Castle was turned into a prison. The Charles Fort is also close by.

Today you have the option of the scenic but longer coastal route or the shorter route via Blarney Castle. The longer route includes visits to Mizen Head, the southernmost point in Ireland, as well as Bantry House and Gardens and the French Armada Centre, also in Bantry. From Bantry, you will be heading north to Killarney via the Healy Pass. Have your camera’s at the ready for some breathtaking scenery across the Caha Mountains that divide Cork from Kerry. After the mountain pass, you come to the town of Kenmare. The town was founded in 1670 by Sir William Petty and has a history of lace making, demonstrations of which can be seen at the town’s Heritage Centre. The alternative route for todays journey is a shorter one. First stop is the famed Blarney Castle where a climb to the ramparts to kiss the Blarney Stone is said to bestowe the gift of eloquence, otherwise known as ‘the Gift of the Gab’. From there it is straight to Killarney. With its three famous lakes and majestic mountain ranges, Killarney has been the inspiration of poets and painters over many centuries. The Killarney National Park is internationally renowned both for its scenic beauty and scientific interest. There are many walks and trails around Killarney including a 2-hour tourist trail around the town itself. You will also have a chance to visit Ross Castle, the Gap of Dunloe or simply take a stroll through the streets of this quaint town to enjoy the great pubs and enjoy the traditional Irish music on offer.

You have a number of touring options today. Chief amongst these is the Ring of Kerry driving tour. The Ring of Kerry is a journey through some of the country’s most outstanding scenery around the Iveragh Peninsula. Stunning mountain and coastal scenery combined with colourful towns and villages will make this one of the highlights of your tour. For those who wish to take a break from driving we can arrange a bus tour through this route. Following the peninsula drive, you then arrive at Muckross House. Muckross House is a magnificent Victorian mansion completed in 1843 for Henry Arthur Herbert. The location of the House is spectacular, close to the eastern shore of Muckross Lake and set beneath the impressive backdrop of Torc and Mangerton Mountains. As an alternative to the Ring of Kerry tour you may prefer to take a wonderful tour by pony and trap that takes you through the Black Valley in the Gap of Dunloe. After a snack at Lord Brandon’s Cottage, you will return to Killarney by boat via the beautiful lakes of Killarney.

One of your longest but most dramatic days of your tour brings you from Killarney along the west coast to Galway City, Ireland’s festival capital. First stop will be the Village of Adare in County Limerick. Adare is regarded by many a seasoned traveller as Ireland’s prettiest village with its charming thatched cottages, manicured public park and ancient church. From Adare continue along the N20 towards Limerick City of ‘Angelas Ashes’ fame and home to King Johns Castle. Shortly after this, you arrive at Bunratty Castle. Built in 1425, this majestic castle was restored in 1954 to its former medieval splendour. Within the grounds of the Castle is Bunratty Folk Park where 19th century Irish life is vividly recreated. Continuing on to the magnificent ‘Cliffs of Moher’. The majestic Cliffs of Moher are without doubt one of Ireland’s most spectacular sights and overlook the Atlantic Ocean on the coast of West Clare. You then arrive at the village of Doolin. Doolin is world-famous for its wealth of Irish folk music and in recent years has been attracting crowds to spontaneous sessions in any one of its excellent pubs. Then it’s on to Galway via the lunar like Burren Region and the ancient Poulnabrone Dolmen Tombs.

Begin your vacation in the city of Dublin. The Vikings ruled Dublin for almost three centuries; they were expelled in AD902 only to return in AD917 and then occupied Dublin until their defeat by the Irish High King Brian Boru at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. From that date, the Vikings were a minor political force in Ireland, firmly opting for a commercial trading life.  

In your detailed sightseeing itinerary you will find a map and directions for a short Medieval & Viking Dublin self-guided walk and this truly is a great way to discover Dublin’s connection with the Vikings. This walk has an accompanying audio which you can download if you want to and listen to it on your personal music player, although your Irish Tourism itinerary will have plenty of information if you prefer not to do this. The walk begins by the Dublin Tourism Centre which is itself is directly connected to the age of the Vikings as it stands on the location of a ‘Thigmote’ which was a meeting point during this time.

As the walk progresses and you approach Christchurch Cathedral you will see the outline of a Viking House.  Within Christchurch Cathedral a treasury of information on the Vikings in Ireland is to be found by visiting the onsite Dublinia museum. Here you can learn about Viking Weaponry, board a Viking Ship, See what the inside of a Viking house looked like and learn more about the poetry that played an important role in the religious and social world of the Vikings in Ireland.

Begin your vacation in the city of Dublin. The Vikings ruled Dublin for almost three centuries; they were expelled in AD902 only to return in AD917 and then occupied Dublin until their defeat by the Irish High King Brian Boru at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. From that date, the Vikings were a minor political force in Ireland, firmly opting for a commercial trading life.  

In your detailed sightseeing itinerary you will find a map and directions for a short Medieval & Viking Dublin self-guided walk and this truly is a great way to discover Dublin’s connection with the Vikings. This walk has an accompanying audio which you can download if you want to and listen to it on your personal music player, although your Irish Tourism itinerary will have plenty of information if you prefer not to do this. The walk begins by the Dublin Tourism Centre which is itself is directly connected to the age of the Vikings as it stands on the location of a ‘Thigmote’ which was a meeting point during this time.

As the walk progresses and you approach Christchurch Cathedral you will see the outline of a Viking House.  Within Christchurch Cathedral a treasury of information on the Vikings in Ireland is to be found by visiting the onsite Dublinia museum. Here you can learn about Viking Weaponry, board a Viking Ship, See what the inside of a Viking house looked like and learn more about the poetry that played an important role in the religious and social world of the Vikings in Ireland.

Begin your vacation in the city of Dublin. The Vikings ruled Dublin for almost three centuries; they were expelled in AD902 only to return in AD917 and then occupied Dublin until their defeat by the Irish High King Brian Boru at the battle of Clontarf in 1014. From that date, the Vikings were a minor political force in Ireland, firmly opting for a commercial trading life.  

In your detailed sightseeing itinerary you will find a map and directions for a short Medieval & Viking Dublin self-guided walk and this truly is a great way to discover Dublin’s connection with the Vikings. This walk has an accompanying audio which you can download if you want to and listen to it on your personal music player, although your Irish Tourism itinerary will have plenty of information if you prefer not to do this. The walk begins by the Dublin Tourism Centre which is itself is directly connected to the age of the Vikings as it stands on the location of a ‘Thigmote’ which was a meeting point during this time.

As the walk progresses and you approach Christchurch Cathedral you will see the outline of a Viking House.  Within Christchurch Cathedral a treasury of information on the Vikings in Ireland is to be found by visiting the onsite Dublinia museum. Here you can learn about Viking Weaponry, board a Viking Ship, See what the inside of a Viking house looked like and learn more about the poetry that played an important role in the religious and social world of the Vikings in Ireland.