Luxury Irish Castles & Hotels Tour (7 night)

Arrive Dublin Airport and meet with your experienced Irish driver/guide. All of the drivers we use are qualified guides and have great personalities that really will make your trip unforgettable. Transfer to your hotel where you can leave your luggage in a secure area prior to check-in after 2pm. Meet with your Dublin guide for a half day guided tour which will include such places as Trinity College Library where the priceless 8th century Book of Kells is housed, Christ Church Cathedral & St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse and Old Jameson Distillery. Back at your hotel and after checking in, the remainder of the afternoon will be free. Dinner will be at the Merry Ploughboy Pub followed by traditional Irish music, song & dance. Overnight Dublin BB

Following a late breakfast, visit the home of Ireland’s national sports – football & hurling – at the GAA museum. Located underneath the Cusack Stand of Croke Park, GAA headquarters, the museum details the birth and growth of the GAA at home and abroad and its unique role in the national movement and cultural revival in Ireland. Onwards to Nancy Murphy’s for lunch (not incuded) in Enniskerry. Following lunch & refreshments, return to Dublin via The Harbour Bar in Bray to relax before this evening’s guided “pub crawl”. Early dinner at your hotel and at 8pm, meet with your two musician guides who will take you on a magical tour of some of the city’s vibrant hostelries. Overnight Dublin DBB

After a late breakfast, the remainder of the day is free for you to enjoy the sights, sounds & shops of Ireland’s capital until we depart the hotel at 3pm. Travelling out of the city and up the Dublin mountains, our first stop will be at The Blue Light Bar which affords magnificent views over Dublin city. Next a short journey to one of Ireland’s most famous pubs Johnnie Fox’s. This is the highest pub in Ireland and there will be plenty of time to enjoy a “jar or two” before heading off. From the highest pub in Ireland, we travel to the highest village in the Wicklow Mountains hills, Roundwood, and its 17th century Roundwood Inn.

A brief stop here for a Guinness and then off to Glenmalure Lodge for dinner. En-route the scenery is breathtaking and gives you an understanding as to why County Wicklow is known as the Garden of Ireland. Before our last stop we make a visit to Byrne's pub a cosy, small, traditional country pub. The last stop of the night will be in Redcross, situated in a beautiful valley in Co.Wicklow. We visit Mickey Finn's Bar where you'll encounter all sorts of characters and are sure to catch plenty of live music too. Overnight Dublin BB

Another leisurely breakfast and a mid-morning departure for Avoca, location of the famous TV series Balkykissangel. En-route we shall stop for refreshments before arriving at the famous Meeting of The Waters for lunch (not included). Suitably refreshed, onwards to Fitzgeralds in Avoca where many scenes of the TV series were shot and a stop at The Mill at Avoca ( Avoca Handweavers ), where traditional weaving has taken place since the 18th Century. Return to Dublin, arriving in time to freshen up & change for dinner at Ireland’s oldest pub, The Brazen Head. During dinner, you will be told stories & myths in an entertaining way. Afterwards, enjoy the pub’s hospitality before making your own way back to the hotel (10 minute walk). Overnight Dublin BB

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens on the way to the Kingdom, County Kerry. Established in 1946, the Irish National Stud combines an active role in the development and promotion of Irish bloodstock with its role as one of the country's major tourist attractions and it is the only Stud farm in Ireland open to the public. Having celebrated its centenary year in 2010, The Japanese Gardens are recognised as the finest of its kind in Europe. Onwards to Cashel for Sunday lunch at Brian Boru’s Bar & Restaurant, situated near the famous Rock of Cashel. After lunch visit this iconic sight before departing for Killarney. After checking into your hotel, enjoy dinner and an evening at their singing pub, Danny Mann’s. Overnight Killarney DBB

Today you will discover the wonderful scenery of Killarney as you drive around the famous Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks, Ireland's highest mountains, and the varied Atlantic coast. You will be amazed at the breathtaking views and you will stop for photos at the most dramatic scenes. Continue through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. At Cahirciveen, stop at the Thatch Cottage for lunch & liquid refreshments. On the return, pass through the colorful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. This evening, dine at Kate Kearney's Cottage at the entrance to the Gap of Dunloe, followed by an evening’s entertainment of traditional music, dance & song. Overnight Killarney BB

This morning, travel to Blarney Castle in County Cork, known as the Rebel County, where the legendry Blarney Stone is housed. Legend has it that those that kiss the stone will be granted the gift of eloquence. Travel around Cork to The Old Midleton Distillery, home of Jameson Whiskey.

Take the path to the distiller’s cottage, see the giant waterwheel which at one stage powered all of the distillery machinery, and today still turns the cogs and wheels in the Mill Building, and in the Brew House see the largest pot still in the World. While at The Old Cooperage you can literally touch the distillery's resonant past. Then complete the experience in the only way possible with a well earned whiskey tasting session in the Jameson Bar! Lunch at the distillery’s own restaurant The Malt House, not included.

After lunch, your coach will drop you in Cork city where you may take advantage of Ireland’s second city shops …. or bars, before returning to Killarney for dinner. Remainder of the evening is free to visit more of the local pubs. Overnight Killarney DBB Possibly go to Kingdom Greyhound Track for meal & dog racing from Cork either via Killarney (time to change etc) or directly from Cork, extra cost Euro 35 per person including coach, entrance fee & 3 course dinner. You may even win your money back!

This morning travel to the Dingle Peninsula. Dingle itself is a charming harbour town with lots of cafes, pubs and places to have lunch. Most of the pubs serve food during the day in this strong Gaelic speaking area. To the west you will visit the fascinating Gallarus Oratory and the Blasket Centre, where you learn what life was like on the bleak Blasket Islands. Return via Annascaul and visit the South Pole Inn, once owned by Tom Crean who was second officer to the great Irish explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton. Return to Killarney in time for dinner at your hotel and enjoy the hotel’s resident entertainment or visit one of the many pubs in the town.

Check out of your hotel this morning and head into County Limerick via the Heritage town of Listowel and along the Shannon Estuary, stopping at the Flying Boat Museum in Foynes. During the 1930’s and early 1940’s this was the landing point for the Pan Am Clippers from America & Europe. It was also the place where Irish coffee was invented! Continue to travel north to Bunratty Castle, where your hotel is situated. After checking in, you can explore one of Irelands most complete & authentic medieval castles and its folk park or just have lunch at one of the country’s best known pubs, Durty Nellies. The remainder of the day is free until your farewell meal ( Bunratty Traditional Irish Night ) at the Corn Barn in Bunratty at 7pm. The traditional meal will be followed by full entertainment show which includes storytelling, dancing and Irish Music with instrumental pieces and ballads weaving the history of the music through the ages. Overnight Bunratty BB

After a final Irish breakfast, travel the short journey to Shannon Airport in time for your return flight.

BB = Bed & Irish Breakfast DBB = Dinner, Bed & Irish Breakfast