Focus on Ireland - Classic Group
Focus on Ireland - Classic Group
$2650
Focus on Ireland - Classic Group
7 Days Starting and ending in Dublin, Ireland
Visiting: Dublin, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, Trinity College, River Shannon, Galway, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch, Eyre Square, Cliffs of Moher, Adare, Killarney, Ross Castle, Ring of Kerry, Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Sneem, Moll's Gap, Ladies View, Cobh, Blarney Castle, Cork, Kilkenny
Tour operator:
Tour code:
B906AZM20
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Focus on Ireland - Classic Group" tour and immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking landscapes of Ireland. Begin your journey in Dublin, exploring iconic sites like St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College. Travel through the vibrant city of Galway, the majestic Cliffs of Moher, and the charming village of Adare. Experience the natural beauty of Killarney National Park with a choice of a horse-drawn jaunting car ride or a guided hike. Discover the historic port town of Cobh and the legendary Blarney Castle. Enjoy authentic Irish dining experiences and learn about sustainable practices at a farm-to-table dinner in Killarney. Travel in comfort aboard a luxurious coach and stay in premium accommodations, ensuring a memorable and relaxing journey through the Emerald Isle.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: In Dublin’s Fair City
Location: Dublin, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Christchurch Cathedral, Trinity College
Accommodation: Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin.
Accommodation Name: Clayton Burlington Road, Dublin
Meals Included: Dinner
Meet your Travel Director at 14:00 for an orientation of Dublin. Pass the St. Patrick's Cathedral and Christchurch Cathedral. See the 9th century Book of Kells. Walk the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College. Enjoy a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner with drinks and the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over the course of the evening.
Day 2: To Galway, City of the Tribes Relaxed Start
Location: Dublin, River Shannon, Galway, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch, Eyre Square
Accommodation: Harbour Hotel Galway.
Accommodation Name: Harbor, Galway
Meals Included: Breakfast
Leave Dublin and set off through the delightful landscapes of the Emerald Isle. Cross Ireland's longest river, the river Shannon, to reach historic Galway, the City of the Tribes, at the mouth of the Corrib River. Easily one of Ireland’s most fun and lively cities, the streets are lined with buskers, the region is known for its famous oysters and the pubs are full of Irish charm. Join your Travel Director to see the Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before setting off for his discovery of America. Also see the pre-medieval Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F. Kennedy.
Day 3: The Cliffs of Moher, Adare and Killarney Relaxed Start
Location: Cliffs of Moher, Adare, Killarney
Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa.
Accommodation Name: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Take the scenic route through the mysterious rocky limestone landscape of the Burren, with its underground caverns, streams and rare flora. Stop at the Exhibition Centre, situated next to the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher with breathtaking views of the Clare Coast. Continue past the city of Limerick, stop in quaint Adare and take a relaxed village walk to see its thatched-roof cottages. In the evening, stay in the center of the action in lively Killarney. Gateway to the famous Ring of Kerry, Killarney has been welcoming travellers, who appreciate the spectacular scenery of woodlands and lakes, for over 250 years.
Day 4: Ring of Kerry Experience
Location: Killarney, Ross Castle, Ring of Kerry, Killorglin, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Sneem, Moll's Gap, Ladies View
Accommodation: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa.
Accommodation Name: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
This morning enjoy an Insight Choice. Choose to join a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Alternatively, admire incredible scenery on a gentle hike with a Local Expert along the lake shore and past the grounds of Ross Castle, admiring the incredible scenery of the National Park. After, take a leisurely excursion around the magnificent Ring of Kerry with stunning views of mountains and sea. Pass through the small towns of Killorglin, where the famous Puck Fair takes place, and Cahersiveen, birthplace of the great patriot, Daniel O'Connell. Follow the narrow road as it winds along the cliffs to the fishing town of Waterville. Continue through delightful villages like Sneem and cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap to admire Queen Victoria’s Ladies View. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Join a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience during a Farm-to-Table dinner. Enjoy some Irish home cooking at the family-run kitchen of chef John Sheehan. Join John and his wife, Freda, for drinks and a personal insight into classic Irish recipes that are loved throughout the world and help preserve this intangible cultural heritage. Then, settle down for a night of great food and drink in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
Day 5: Cobh and Blarney Castle on the way to Cork Relaxed Start
Location: Cobh, Blarney Castle, Cork
Accommodation: Maldron Hotel South Mall Cork City.
Accommodation Name: Maldron South Mall, Cork
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Drive to the historic port town of Cobh, which was the last port of call for the Titanic. Walk through the Queenstown Story exhibition at the Heritage Centre, which recounts the era of Irish emigration and the life of this once great passenger port. Continue to visit the 15th century Blarney Castle, home of the famous Stone of Eloquence - once kissed, never forgotten! Then Continue on to Cork along the spacious Grand Parade and South Mall and see the City Hall and fine Georgian houses en route to your hotel. In the evening, raise your glass and revel in rich flavours at a lively dinner.
Day 6: Kilkenny and Dublin
Location: Kilkenny, Dublin
Accommodation: Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin.
Accommodation Name: Clayton Burlington Road, Dublin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Drive through prime farmland to the medieval city of Kilkenny, with its majestic castle and river walk. Browse the medieval mile showcasing the hub of Ireland’s arts and crafts scene along its narrow lanes. Then, return to Dublin and your hotel. The rest of the evening is at your leisure to further explore if you wish.
Day 7: Depart Dublin
Location: Dublin
Meals Included: Breakfast
Your memorable trip comes to an end.
What's Included
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Meals
4 Dinners and 6 Breakfasts are included.
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Activities
Choose between two carefully selected activities in Killarney National Park: a horse-drawn jaunting car ride or a gentle hike with a nature guide.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any of your Local Expert's commentary.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included, so you won't have to worry about how much to give or search for foreign currency.
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Baggage Handling
Baggage handling is included, with bags promptly delivered to your hotel door.
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Insight Flourish
From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, a local specialty representing the destination.
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Wi-Fi
Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available) is included to help you stay connected with friends and family.
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
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Welcome Dinner
Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner in Dublin.
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Luxury Coach
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
What's Not Included
Additional Transfers
If your flights are outside the scheduled times, or you have booked additional nights' accommodation, you may need to purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style and comfort aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom, ensuring a relaxing journey through Ireland's scenic landscapes.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Clayton Burlington Road in Dublin, the Harbor Hotel in Galway, the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, and the Maldron South Mall in Cork, offering a blend of modern amenities and traditional Irish hospitality.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 6 Breakfast (B)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Dublin: A stunning combination of cobblestone walkways, emerald-green lawns and 18th-century architectural gems, Trinity College is one of Europe’s elite universities and counts poet Oscar Wilde among its alumni. See the enchanting college campus and discover insights into its impressive history. Enjoy access to view the famous Book of Kells, an exquisite manuscript of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament, renowned for the intricacy, detail and majesty of the illustrations.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone, the famous stone of eloquence, are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. Take your turn at giving it a peck knowing that the stone was sourced from 330-million-year-old limestone.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the Killarney visit?
In Killarney, you have the option to explore the scenery of Killarney National Park on a horse-drawn jaunting car with local jarveys or join a gentle hike with a nature guide. The hike allows you to admire stunning mountains, lakes, woods, and waterfalls, and includes a stroll along the lake shore past the 15th Century Ross Castle and the Muckross Estate.
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What is the significance of the Cliffs of Moher visit?
The Cliffs of Moher are a major highlight of the tour, offering breathtaking views of the Clare Coast from cliffs that rise over 700 feet high. The visit includes a stop at the Exhibition Centre, where you can gain insights into the cliffs' geology, history, and the species that inhabit the area.
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What can I expect from the farm-to-table dinner experience in Killarney?
The farm-to-table dinner in Killarney is hosted by John and Freda, passionate guesthouse owners. You will enjoy a delicious meal made from fresh ingredients sourced within a five-mile radius, while learning about sustainable consumption and the benefits of eating fresh homegrown produce. This experience supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible Consumption & Production.
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What historical insights are offered during the visit to Cork?
In Cork, your Travel Director will guide you through the city's history, from its origins as a religious settlement of St. Finbarr, through Viking raiding and settlement, to the creation of the Norman city and Merchant Princes. You'll see landmarks such as the Grand Parade, South Mall, City Hall, and the Opera House, while enjoying the tales and history of this port city.
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What is the significance of the visit to Cobh?
Cobh is historically significant as the last port of call for the Titanic. The visit includes a walk through the Queenstown Story exhibition at the Heritage Centre, which recounts the era of Irish emigration and the life of this once great passenger port.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions
