Your itinerary will be tailor made for you and your family or group but here is a sample itinerary that will give you some idea of some of the places that are included in a sightseeing tour. This is based on a stay of 11 nights/12 days and we suggest that you arrive into Shannon Airport and depart from Dublin Airport. We will always discuss and advise you on flights and airports.
This is suitable for both the private escorted tour or for a self-drive holiday.
NIGHTS 1 & 2 CLIFDEN/CONG, Co. GALWAY
NIGHT 3: BUNRATTY/LIMERICK
NIGHT 4 DINGLE, Co. KERRY
NIGHTS 5 & 6 KILLARNEY, Co. KERRY
NIGHTS 7 & 8 WATERFORD
NIGHTS 9, 10 & 11: DUBLIN CITY
Here, very briefly, are some of the places that you can visit on your daily trips.
DAY 1: SHANNON AIRPORT/DROMOLAND CASTLE/GALWAY/CONNEMARA
You leave Shannon Airport and travel northwards and after a Meet & Greet in one of the local hotels you start your journey in earnest. Connemara is a rugged and barren region west of Galway City and over two days here you can visit such places as Kylemore Abbey, Leenane and Letterfrack, Clifden and Roundstone – to mention just a few. Connemara National Park is in this area – a haven for the outdoor enthusiast and there are many beautiful beaches in the region. Here also you can visit Cong, Renvyle and Oughterard but it is the ruggedness that is striking. Many 3, 4 & 5 star hotels to choose from in the area and also some great guesthouses – some of these can be viewed on the accommodation page at www.irishtravelplans.com
OVERNIGHT CLIFDEN or CONG
DAY 2: CONNEMARA/ACHILL ISLAND/WESTPORT/CROAGH PATRICK
You may choose to spend the day around Connemara but also you may travel around our Holy Mountain – Croagh Patrick – this is such a scenic drive. Perhaps travel out to Achill Island (now connected to the mainland) and north into Newport and or Westport.
OVERNIGHT CLIFDEN
DAY 3: GALWAY/THE BURREN/CLIFFS of MOHER/BUNRATTY/LIMERICK
Today time to leave Connemara and travel southwards. Todays tour will take you into Co. Clare to visit the wondrous Burren region and the majestic Cliffs of Moher. Continue to Bunratty to visit the mediaeval castle there and the excellent Folk Park. Perhaps visit Limerick today if not tomorrow morning.
OVERNIGHT: BUNRATTY or LIMERICK – 3, 4, or 5 star hotel or guesthouse.
DAY 4: LIMERICK/ADARE/DINGLE
Visit Limerick City and King John’s Castle there today and also the Hunt Museum. Continue to Adare, known as Ireland’s prettiest village and then you set off into Kerry. Today you travel the Dingle Peninsula and your route may take you by the Connor Pass. Then take the Slea Head drive and allow time for Dingle Town.
horse-riding, great beaches, hill walking, golf, water sports – just some of the many activities that you can enjoy in this area.
Accommodation can be an elegant country house/3 or 4 star hotel or Guesthouse.
DAY 5: DINGLE PENINSULA/GAP of DUNLOE/KILLARNEY
You may need lots more time around Dingle Peninsula and then travel towards Killarney. Visit the Gap of Dunloe and time to visit Killarney National Park and Muckross House and Gardens.
OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY – 3, 4 or 5 star hotel and guesthouse.
DAY 6: RING of KERRY
The Ring of Kerry drive is the drive around the Iveragh Peninsula and this offers some of the most spectacular coastal scenery in Europe. Visit Sneem, Waterville, Killorglin and Derrynane -to mention just a few of the towns and villages along the way. Leave the beaten travel perhaps and take the Skellig Ring to enjoy break taking views of the Skellig Rocks. Continue to the heritage town of Kenmare and then back to Killarney through the mountains.
OVERNIGHT: KILLARNEY
DAY 7: WEST CORK/COBH/WATERFORD/ARDMORE
Take the drive through the Cork/Kerry Mountains into West Cork and perhaps drive the Beara Peninsula and then out to Mizen Head. Visit the towns of Glengariff, Bantry and Ballylickey. Gougane Barra is close by and then many inlets and cove along the way. Skibbereen, Rosscarbery and Clonakilty will be on your route – Clonakilty being the home town of General Michael Collins – one of our great heroes in the War of Independence.
NOTE: There is so much to see along this route that I sometimes suggest spending a night here.
Continue onto Kinsale and Cork or visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone if you so wish.
From Cobh travel along the south coast and perhaps visit Ballycotton, Castlemartyr and Ardmore. Continue to Waterford.
Again a wide range of accommodation to choose from – 5 star castle hotel, 3 & 4 star hotels and guesthouses.
OVERNIGHT WATERFORD
DAY 8: WATERFORD/KILKENNY/ROCK of CASHEL/CAHIR/SWISS COTTAGE
Muck of today is inland and you have the opportunity to visit Kilkenny City, the Rock of Cashel, the Swiss Cottage and Cahir Castle.
OVERNIGHT: WATERFORD
DAY 9: WICKLOW/GLENDALOUGH/POWERSCOURT/ENNISKERRY
You travel through Wicklow today at a leisurely pace and visit such places as Glendalough, Enniskerry and Powercourt. Continue into Dublin and check into your hotel for three nights.
HOTELS: 3, 4 or 5 star hotel choice.
OVERNIGHT: DUBLIN CITY
DAY 10: NEWGRANGE/BRU na BOINNE
In Co. Meath, north of Dublin is the world heritage site at Newgrange – this is the largest and one of the most important complex of megalithic sites in Europe – this is a must visit…..
OVERNIGHT: DUBLIN CITY
DAY 11: DUBLIN CITY
Explore Dublin City today and such sites of Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Kilmainham Goal and our many museums and galleries; Guinness and Jamesons and also time to visit our many stores to finish your shopping:
DAY 12: TO DUBLIN AIRPORT AND TIME TO LEAVE US.
The above is just a brief outline of what you can enjoy on a 12 day tour here with us. For your family group contact Mary at maryogrady@eircom.net and we will compile an itinerary to suit you.