10-day Itinerary “Southern Ireland Sojourn”
(Note — This itinerary can be started from either Shannon or Dublin)
Travel gather, flight to New York and then on to Shannon, Ireland Morning/Afternoon Flights from hometown airports to gateway cities of Chicago, Atlanta, Newark or Boston. 7:30 - 8:30pm - Flights leave for Ireland
Day 1 Arrive in Ireland, then we’ll introduce you to Ireland by driving north to see castles and wonderful natural sites 7:45 - 9:30 am- Arrive Shannon Airport, retrieve baggage, through customs, retrieve rental car; 9:30 am - On the road to Dromoland Castle, through Ennis, to the Cliffs of Moher, Kilfenora Burren Center, Polnabrohn Dolman, The Burren, Dunguaire Castle, Connemara Marble Factory; Stay at the Lake Side Country House Bed and Breakfast, Oughterard
Day 2 driving west into Connemara and out to Clifden, then back east through Kylemore Country and the middle route through the 12 Bens Mountains Aughnanure Castle, 12 Bens/Pins Mountains, Clifden Town, Sky Drive and Clifden Castle, Kylemore Abbey and Gothic Church, return through the high moors of the Bens, and stay another relaxing night at Lake Side B&B
Day 3 driving northwest through Connemara Country, then back east , visiting two of the most famous Irish sites, including Ashford Castle and Clonmacnois in the Midlands Drive out through the picturesque Joyce Country Drive to Cong Village and Ashford Castle, Hackett’s Castle and on to Clonmacnoise Ecclesiastical site south of Athlone (Stay at Meadow View B&B - near Shannonbridge; eat at the Old Fort Restaurant
Day 4 driving east for the day, after visiting the Bog Railroad, then on to the passage tombs at Newgrange, which are older than the pyramids in Egypt! Off to the Offaly and Clonmacnoise Railroad, taking us into the bog lands, then on to Trim Castle, Hill of Slane, and 5,000 year old Newgrange Passage Tomb; Stay at South Lodge B&B, Portmarnock (north of Dublin) for two full nights.
Day 5 full day in historic and contemporary Dublin Ride into Dublin on the DART electric train; the morning will include the Hop-on, Hop-off Dublin Tour (Trinity College and Book of Kells, National Museum, National Library, GPO, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Christ Church, Phoenix Park and more!; Lunch at Kilkenney Shops on Nassau Street; Afternoon: half a day to shop, tour, eat, etc.
Day 6 driving south today, through the Wicklow Mountains, then further south to Waterford and finally to Tramore St. Kevin’s at Glendalough, Avoca Hand Weavers (site of Ballykissangel from PBS/BBC fame), Ferns Castle, New Ross (and the Dunbrody tall ship); Stay at Cliff House B&B (south of Waterford Town)
Day 7 driving north and west today, on to Cashel, then to Blarney A choice of visiting the Waterford Crystal Factory, or the Jer Point Glass Works (near Killlkenny, then on to the imposing Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle (sight of the filming of the movie Excaliber) and finally to Blarney Castle, Shopping at Blarney Woolen Mills; Stay at Blarney Vale Bed and Breakfast.
Day 8 a day trip to 3,000 year old stone circle, then back to Killarney through the national park Leisurely drive through the Lee Valley and into the great southwest, Glengariff, Healy Pass, Ardgroom Stone Circle, Moll’s Gap, Macgillikuddy’s Reeks Mountains, Killarney National Park, Lady’s View, Tork Falls, Muckross House, Ross Castle, Laurels Singing Pub; Stay at Crystal Springs B&B in Killarney for two nights)
Day 9 a free day in Killarney area A day to choose our activities: we can run the picturesque Ring of Kerry or visit the equally quaint Dingle Peninsula (each about ¾ of a day loop), followed by shopping in Killarney Town, time off to read or take it easy along the Flesk River in our B&B or take a jaunting cart ride from Muckross back to Killarney; stay again at Crystal Springs
Day 10 north to Tralee, then east to Limerick and north to the Bunratty/Shannon area Today we’ll drive north and past Adair Castle, through Limerick Town, to Bunratty, where we’ll visit both Bunratty Castle and the Irish Folk Park there (Bunratty Medieval Banquet or Traditional Irish Nights Banquet are optional choices for dinner this last night out); Stay in Bunratty at the Courtyard B&B, within walking distance of Bunratty Castle, Folk Park and Medieval Banquet
Travel breakfast, then off to the airport for flights back to the United States
To the airport by 7:15am; Fly out of Shannon by 9:15am
Fly to USA and gateway cities, then back to home airports, usually by 6pm
Itinerary Highlights
See the sites in the photo gallery. The pictures were all taken by Jeff on previous tours, so you'll get a glimpse of just how beautiful your tour will be.