Tripology

An Exciting Interview with Arthur Frommer

Irish Faith & History

Print Email

Detailed Trip Description

Enjoy 11 days in Ireland. In Dublin, orientation features visits to Our Lady of Lourdes Church, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College. Through dairy farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle” to Knock. Visit Knock Shrine, the Church of the Apparition, the basilica, and the Folk Museum, and tonight maybe join the evening rosary processions. On the way to Galway, stops are made to visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre in Murrisk, and at Kylemore Abbey. From Galway, enjoy an excursion to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands. Many Catholics fled to this island during Oliver Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland in the 17th century. Visit the Aran Heritage Centre, spectacular clifftop Dun Aengus, and the Visitor Centre. Next, drive across The Burren and visit The Burren Centre at Kilfenora on your way to Killarney for your 2-night stay. Join the famed “Ring of Kerry” for a panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern trip and enjoy a horse-drawn car ride through the national park. Travel into County Cork and stop in Blarney, renowned for its castle and magical Kissing Stone, before arriving in Waterford to visit the world-famous crystal factory. Next is Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798, Ireland’s oldest hand weaving mill at Avoca, and Glendalough Visitor Center with its fascinating audiovisual show “Ireland of the Monasteries.” Return to Dublin.

Print Email
 

Trip Itinerary

Day 1 - On the Plane

 
Commercial Flight

Board your overnight transatlantic flight.

On the Plane Commercial Flight picture

Day 2 - Dublin

 
Arrival in Dublin, Irish Republic.
Hotel

Check into your hotel. Stay at Hilton Kilmainham (SF).

Food and Dining

The rest of the day is free to relax in the Irish capital. Before dinner, join your Tour Director and traveling companions for a toast to happy touring. (D)


Day 3 - Dublin

 
Sightseeing

An orientation drive in the “Fair City” includes visits to Our Lady Of Lourdes Church on Sean McDermott Street, which contains the tomb of Venerable Matt Talbot. Next, visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Sightseeing

Then a visit to Oscar Wilde’s Trinity College, famous for the 1,200-year-old Book of Kells and the magnificent Old Library. Balance of the day is at leisure. (FB)


Day 4 - Knock

 
Dublin–Knock.
Sightseeing

Head for dairy farm country in the center of the “Emerald Isle” before arriving in Knock, where the Virgin Mary appeared to the townsfolk in 1879 and today attracts pilgrims from around the world. Visit Knock Shrine, the Church of The Apparition, the Basilica, and the Folk Museum. Maybe join the evening rosary processions. (FB,D)

Hotel

Stay at Knock House Hotel (F)


Day 5 - Galway

 
Knock–Murrisk–Galway.
Sightseeing

This morning, visit the Croagh Patrick Visitor Centre at the foot of St. Patrick’s Holy Mountain in Murrisk.

Sightseeing

Afterwards, visit Kylemore Abbey, the massive yet graceful castle acquired by Benedictine nuns as a precious heirloom for Ireland.

Food and Dining

Arrive in the port city of Galway where you will spend the next two nights. Tonight’s recommendation: join your Tour Director for an optional evening at Dunguaire Castle, where the intimate banquet has an enlightening literary theme. (FB)

Hotel

Stay at Radisson SAS (SF).


Day 6 - Galway

 
Aran Islands Excursion.
Sightseeing

At Rossaveal, board a comfortable, modern FERRY for the 45-minute crossing to Kilronan on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands and where Gaelic is the first language of the islanders. Many Catholics fled to this island during Oliver Cromwell’s conquest of Ireland during the mid-17th century. In these harsh conditions, they developed a strong self sufficiency in order to survive. Your fascinating day continues with a visit to the Aran Heritage Centre, and after a lunch break, board a minibus to enjoy local commentary on a tour of the island, ending with a visit to clifftop Dun Aengus, one of the most spectacular and dramatic prehistoric stone forts in Europe.

Shopping

After a stop at the Visitor Centre, there is time to shop for unique hand-knitted Aran sweaters before boarding your ferry back to the mainland.

Dining Option
Food and Dining

There are plenty of dining options in Galway this evening. (FB)


Day 7 - Killarney

 
Galway–Kilfenora–Killarney.
Sightseeing

Take the scenic route across The Burren with photo opportunities. At Kilfenora, visit The Burren Centre. The newly restored ancient cathedral and Celtic crosses form an important center of early Christianity. Continue across The Burren for a visit to Bunratty. Lots to see and do here: visit the castle; stroll in the folk park which depicts Irish life in the early 1900s; browse the complex of smart shops; or try a refreshment in famous Durty Nelly’s Irish pub. Skirt the metropolis of Limerick and continue south via quaint Adare with its thatched cottages to the popular resort of Killarney, your destination for the next two nights. (FB,D)

Hotel

Stay at Scotts (F).


Day 8 - Killarney

 
Ring of Kerry Excursion.
Sightseeing

Join the famed “Ring of Kerry” for a 100-mile panoramic drive around the island’s southwestern tip. Have your camera ready to snap photos of the spectacular scenery that includes both land and sea.

National Parks

In Killarney, enjoy a fun Horse-drawn Car Ride through the National Park with beautiful vistas of the Lakes of Killarney and ancient Ross Castle. (FB)


Day 9 - Waterford

 
Killarney–Waterford.
Sightseeing

Cross the Kerry Mountains and drive into County Cork for a visit to the Blarney, renowned for its castle and magical Kissing Stone. Time for lunch, to walk up to the castle, and to shop for traditional Irish handicrafts.

Sightseeing

In the afternoon, proceed via Cork, Youghal, and Dungarven to Waterford, a stronghold founded by the Danish Vikings in 853. Here, enjoy a visit to the world-famous Waterford Crystal Factory. (FB,D)

Hotel

Stay at Fitzwilton (F).


Day 10 - Dublin

 
Waterford–Dublin.
Sightseeing

Today, visit Enniscorthy, site of the final battle of the Great Rebellion of 1798, and Ireland’s oldest Handweaving Mill at Avoca. Take in views of the Wicklow Mountians on your way to the Glendalough Visitor Center with its fascinating audiovisual show “Ireland of the Monasteries.” Your Local Guide will explain the ruins of one of the centers of Irish Celtic Christianity founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and later destroyed by English troops in 1398.

Food and Dining

Back in Dublin your Tour Director will have dining suggestions for this evening. (FB)

Hotel

Stay at Royal Marine at Dun Laoghaire (SF).


Day 11 - Dublin

 
Airport Transfer

Your homebound flight arrives the same day. (FB)


Request more info

Not the trip you were looking for?

 

You may also start a free trip request below and get matched with up to three travel specialists who can help you plan your travel:

Create Trip Request

 

Submit Inquiry to Travel Specialist

Trips you may also be interested in

Great Britain & Southern Ireland
Enjoy 17 Days Great Britain & Southern Ireland tour featuring sightseeing and many activities in England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. During your stay in London you will have the opportunity to see the Buckingham Palace, the Tower of London & Westminster Abbey. While in Windsor, explore the Windsor Castle, an ...
Southern Ireland (Reverse)
Enjoy 9 Days Southern Ireland (Reverse) tour featuring sightseeing and many activities in Great Britain and Ireland. Start off in Dublin where you can see Trinity College, the Monument of Light, Parnell Square and St. Stephen's Green. There, you can also visit Kilmainham Gaol. Then see the old fishing town ...
Southern Ireland
Enjoy 9 Days Southern Ireland tour featuring sightseeing and many activities in Great Britain and Ireland. In Dublin, you can visit Kilmainham Gaol, see Trinity College, the Monument of Light, Parnell Square and St. Stephen's Green. You can also see this old fishing town of Galway and see the Cliffs ...
Guided Burren & Connemara (Guided)
The Burren is a large area of exposed limestone with over 800 species of wild flowers, rare birds and animals. Connemara is dominated by the Twelve Bens Mountains, the tops of which have views in every direction, while the scenic Inagh Valley separates the Twelve Bens from the Maam Turks.
Search for travel inspiration