2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 31st of May 2024 to receive a 15% discount off your tour price!
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or special event packages.

Tour Overview

‘Excellent’

Overview For the Family Tour of Ireland - Ballycotton Base

We have chosen Ballycotton Bay in East Cork as the base location for your family tour of Ireland. With a rich maritime and historical heritage, East Cork has a unique variety of attractions to offer the discerning family. This corner of Cork really is a sanctuary for Ireland family vacations with a huge range of attractions and activities to keep adults and kids alike entertained.  The beautiful Ballycotton Bay which stretches for about 25 km east to Knockadoon Head will be at your doorstep and family sightseeing in nearby Cobh, Youghal, Midleton and even further afield can be easily accessed.

Your Accommodation For This Tour: The Garryvoe Hotel

We understand that it is often difficult for families to move from location to location so our Ireland with Kids tours are ‘one-centred’ and organised in such a way as you would just collect your car, drive to your hotel and check in for the duration of your stay. When you confirm your tour with us you will receive an inclusive tour pack which will include various day tours that you can chose to take from your base location. You may decide to do all of the tours, a small selection of them or you might simply choose to enjoy the great family facilities of your hotel and its surroundings.

Great Children's Facilities

  • Hotel is directly across from the Ballycotton bay (Blue flag beach)
  • Kiddies splash time every afternoon in the Health Club (Runs all year)
  • Hotel has cinema nights during summer months & holidays on selected evenings
  • Healthy kids menus available
  • Packed lunches for days out available at cost payable to hotel
  • Babysitting services available - at a charge, payable directly to the hotel

Flexible Family Rooming Arrangements

  • Spacious Family Rooms available.
  • The hotel allow children up of all ages and children to age 16 are charged at the child rate.
  • Standard in all family rooms: multichannel television, Fast Free WiFi throughout rooms & hotel, tea/coffee making facilities

Escapes for Mom & Dad

  • Garryvoe Health & Leisure Club facilities include East Cork’s only dedicated two-lane 25m Lap Pool,
  • Extensive Splash Pool area with Water Jet Massage Cannons.
  • Unique to Cork and Ireland - Aqua Jogging Ring, 1200 square feet Gym
  • Sauna Room, Steam Room, Invigorating Outdoor Hot Tub, Aerobics Studio
  • Bar & Restaurant

 

What's included

Accommodation in rooms with private facilities 

Full Irish Breakfast Each Morning

Rental Car (Chauffeur Option Available)

Local Telephone Support During Your Trip

Tour highlights

  • Cobh Heritage Centre
  • Ring of Kerry
  • Titanic Walk
  • Kinsale
  • Cork City Gaol & Radio Museum Experience
  • Garnish Island
  • Cork
  • Blarney Castle
  • Fota Wildlife Park
  • Kilkenny
  • Waterford
  • House of Waterford Crystal
  • Kilkenny Castle
  • Muckross House, Gardens & Traditional Farms

Overnights for this tour

  • The Garryvoe Hotel, Ballycotton for 7 Nights 

Accommodation options

All of the hotels we have chosen for our Family packages have great family facilities, many of them have kids clubs during the summer holidays, playground or playroom, special meals, movie nights, babysitting and great escapes for mom and dad including leisure centres and spas, bars, restaurants and live music.

Day 1 - Welcome to Ireland

Itinerary for the 7 Night Irish Experience Group Tour
This tour has been designed for groups of 15 or more passengers. At certain times of the year some attractions close for renovations and should this be the case, we reserve the right to amend your itinerary. You will be notified of any changes at the time of booking

Arrive Dublin Airport and meet with your professional driver/guide who will transfer you to Ireland’s capital city. Here you will enjoy a half day tour including Trinity College and Book of Kells Exhibition, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Guinness Storehouse. After lunch (not included) explore some of the shops on the famous Grafton Street before transferring to your hotel. Overnight Dublin BB

Day 2 - Dublin Tour

This morning enjoy a further tour of the city including Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin Castle and Glasnevin Cemetary and Museum. The remainder of the day is free for further individual sightseeing or shopping. Overnight Dublin BB

Day 3 - County Wicklow

After breakfast travel through the beautiful Wicklow countryside to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland, Glendalough. This early Christian monastic settlement was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century and consists of a number of monastic remains, the most impressive being the Round Tower which stands 30m high. Then travel to Avoca, famous for its handweavers and the location for the television drama, Ballykissangel. After lunch, start your journey back to Dublin stopping in Wicklow town and visit Wicklow Gaol, said to be one of the most haunted locations in Ireland. Overnight Dublin BB

Day 4 - Dublin - Killarney

Check out of your hotel after breakfast and travel to the South West of Ireland and the popular town of Killarney. On the way, stop at the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens, the only stud open to the public. Then to one of the prettiest villages in Ireland, Adare, whose main street is lined with thatched roofed cottages. Finally for today, arrive in Killarney in time to freshen up before sampling some of Killarney’s pubs or restaurants for dinner. Overnight Killarney BB

Day 5 - Ring of Kerry

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 and the Skellig Experience. Continue through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville. On the return, pass through the colorful village of Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Stop for a stroll through the splendid Muckross Gardens on the shores of Muckross Lake. Overnight Killarney BB

Day 6 - Blarney Castle

After breakfast visit Blarney Castle where the famous Blarney Stone will be found. For those brave enough climb the ramparts of the castle and kiss the stone which is said to grant the gift of eloquence. Then travel to Cobh Heritage Centre where thousands of emigrants departed for a better life during the famine years and which was the last port of call of the Titanic. After the visits take the short journey to the Old Midleton Distillery and learn how the world famous Jameson's whiskey is distilled and of course sample the golden nectre. Overnight Killarney BB

Day 7 - Killarney - Dublin

Check out of your hotel and start your journey back to Dublin calling first at the iconic Rock of Cashel. Cashel’s rich history is reflected in its built heritage, from prehistoric raths to mediaeval monasteries and fortified town houses. The travel to Kilkenny and visit Kilkenny Castle, the original of which was built in the 12th century and has now been restored. After lunch relax as you return to Dublin arriving in time to check into your hotel and then enjoy your farewell traditional dinner and show of music, song and dance. Overnight Dublin BB

Day 8 - Depart the Emerald Isle

After your final Irish breakfast depart the hotel for Dublin airport arriving in time to complete check-in formalities and that last minute duty free shopping.

Route map

Tour attractions

2024 Vacations

Book early and save 15%

Book any of our wonderful self-drive vacation packages before the 31st of May 2024 to receive a 15% discount off your tour price!
This offer cannot be used in conjunction with other discounts or special event packages.

Tour Prices

Below, you will find a price for Ireland Family Vacation – Ballycotton 7 Nights self drive tour of Ireland including your car rental. We offer you very competitive rates for our car rental inclusive packages. Pricing for other accommodation and transport options is also available upon request. All prices quoted in this section are per family as specified.

FAMILY PRICE INCLUDING 7 DAYS CAR RENTAL

Notes

Prices above include:

  • 7 Nights accommodation in the Garryvoe Hotel including full Irish breakfast and taxes
  • 7 Days Family Car rental: 7 Days Manual Transmission, Ford Mondeo/Opel Insignia or Similar
  • Included with your car is all compulsory insurances - Collision Damage Waiver insurance (CDW with an excess/deductible), theft protection insurance, location fee of €30, Road fund tax, sales tax at 13.5%, unlimited free mileage, third party liability insurance, 24 hour peace of mind break down cover.
  • This hotel accept children to age 16 sharing with two full paying adults

Private Chauffeur Option Available For This Tour

  • Enjoy the services of an experienced and friendly driver guide
  • Luxury vehicles so you get to travel in style and comfort
  • Take the stress out of driving on unfamiliar and sometime narrow roads
  • With our knowledgeable drivers you see more in less time
  • You get to see the scenery instead of worrying about crashing into it!
  • Contact Us for a price quotation today

Prices in other currencies are indicative only. Please note that we charge in Euro.

Detailed Enquiry Form

Please enter your vacation requirements in the form below. If your enquiry requires a more immediate response, please use the Tollfree & International numbers as listed down the page.

For customers based in North America, please note that as we are based in Ireland, we are 5 hours ahead of EST.

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