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Overview
What could be better than Christmas spent in a country house in Ireland? With roaring fires, afternoon teas, hot chocolate and lively guests to meet? There are few countries that celebrate a cozier, put-your-feet-up Christmas than Ireland. This independent or privately chauffeured tour offers the discerning visitor the opportunity to explore the quiet beauty of rural Ireland while enjoying the high standards of traditional hospitality, accommodations, and cuisine for which Ireland is famous. Experience the Holiday’s with a quality of life from a bygone age.
Day 1: Arrive in Ireland. Stay 2 nights in Dublin.
Day 2: Dublin City & Co. Wicklow.
Day 3: Kilkenny & Cork. Stay 2 nights in Cork.
Day 4: Cork City.
Day 5: Kinsale & Killarney. Stay 2 nights in Killarney.
Day 6: Dingle Peninsula or Ring of Kerry.
Day 7: Overnight in County Clare.
Day 8: Depart Ireland. -
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ireland. Stay 2 nights in Dublin.
Enjoy a Private Car transfer to your centrally located Dublin City hotel. Relax after your journey. Perhaps enjoy a Horse and Carriage ride through some of Dublin’s historic Georgian Squares or Walk through the Temple Bar area, which is fast becoming Dublin’s Left Bank! Enjoy the beauty of the St. Stephen’s Green Christmas market featuring fine crafts, food, and caroling. Enjoy a pint of Guinness at the Guinness Brewery. Soak up the atmosphere while you stay in Brooks Hotel for 2-nights.
Day 2: Dublin City & Co. Wicklow.
Explore Dublin City. Highlights include Trinity College and Dublin Castle’s Christmas Market. Stroll down Grafton Street, Dublin’s premier shopping area. Stop for a hot chocolate in Butler’s Irish Chocolate Café, and enjoy lunch in Davy Byrne’s Gastro Pub. The sparkling lights and the sound of caroling in the air on Grafton Street will immerse you in the festive mood of the Holiday season. Tonight, maybe you would enjoy a Christmas concert at the National Concert Hall, or a show at the famed Gate Theatre?
Day 3: Kilkenny & Cork. Stay 2 nights in Cork.
Meet your driver guide or pick up your rental vehicle this morning. Depart Dublin and visit Kilkenny, Ireland’s finest example of a medieval town. It is beautifully situated on the river Nore, which forms the moat of its magnificently restored castle. Tour the castle and explore the town. Continue on to County Cork where you’ll stay 2-nights in Hayfield Manor.
Day 4: Cork City.
Tour Cork City and include a visit to the Shandon Bells, the gothic style University College, St Finbarr’s Cathedral, City Market and the Crawford Art Gallery. Head to Blarney to see the castle and kiss the famous stone. Shop at the Blarney Woolen Mills for a cozy Christmas sweater, and visit the beautifully quaint village of Blarney. Visit Cobh Harbour, the last port of call for the Titanic and the largest port of emigration for the Irish during the Great Famine of the 1800’s. Spend some time in the heritage center and explore your family roots!
Day 5: Kinsale & Killarney. Stay 2 nights in Killarney.
Visit the colorful and picturesque fishing town of Kinsale, Ireland’s cuisine capital. Visitors are captivated by the town’s setting, its long waterfront, narrow streets, and slate-clad houses. This afternoon continue west to Killarney. Enjoy touring to the breathtaking Gap of Dunloe, stop for a pint in Kate Kearney’s Cottage, and discover the beauty of the National Park. You’ll enjoy a 2-night stay at the Cahernane House Hotel.
Day 6: Dingle Peninsula or Ring of Kerry.
Tour the Dingle Peninsula today. National Geographic once declared the Dingle peninsula “the most beautiful place on earth”, featuring some of Ireland’s most spectacular coastal scenery. The colorful town of Dingle is well known for fishing, hiking, sailing, lively pubs, restaurants, and a traditional music scene. From the Connor Pass to Slea Head, the peninsula’s spectacular coastal scenery and rugged terrain is a photographer’s delight. Enjoy a delicious dinner in a local pub, with a pint of Guinness and some traditional Irish music.
Day 7: Overnight in County Clare.
Drive north through the villages of Adare and Limerick, stop for lunch and take a tour of King John’s Castle. Continue on to discover Bunratty Castle and folk Park. This evening you will enjoy a luxurious overnight stay in Dromoland Castle in County Clare.
Day 8: Depart Ireland.
Transfer to Shannon Airport for your return flight home.
RECOMMENDED 2-DAY EXTENSION:
Day 8:
Visit the Cliffs of Moher, which stretch dramatically 700 feet above the Atlantic. We recommend a stop at Ailwee Cave to see the Underground River and waterfall. Explore Co. Clare’s lunar-like Burren region, famous for its unique flora and fauna, geology, and archaeology. Stay in the House Hotel in the heart of Galway City for 2-nights.
Day 9:
Explore Connemara, the beautifully rural western region of County Galway, and one of Ireland’s Gaeltacht (Irish speaking) regions. The area around Leenane and Cong is where the movie “The Quiet Man” was made with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. There are a number of charming fishing villages dotted along the coast where you may wish to stop for lunch, and meet the locals. Visit Kylemore Abbey and the Delphi Valley, one of Ireland’s most scenic regions.
Day 10:
Enjoy a Private Transfer to Shannon for your return flight home. Slan abhaile!
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Inclusions
- Private transfer from the Airport to your Hotel upon arrival.
- 7-Nights deluxe hotel accommodations with full breakfast daily.
- Pricing based on double or twin rooms, single supplement available on request.
- A tour of the Guinness Storehouse with a free pint!
- Passes for the ‘Hop on, Hop off’ double decker bus tour of Dublin City.
- Driver Guide with private deluxe vehicle will include all driver expenses, for 7 days.
- Deluxe portfolio of travel documents before departure.
- List of recommended pubs, restaurants, & places of interest.
- Accommodation taxes & service charges.
- Discount admissions booklet for area attractions.
- Concierge service in Ireland while traveling.
Pricing: Please contact one of our travel experts for current pricing and availability.
Airfare is additional:
Take the hassle out of booking flights. Ask about our best available Economy Fares as well as our Preferred Business and First Class Offers. Our air department experts can help with competitive rates. Just let us know your preferred dates and U.S. Departure City. We will do the rest.
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Hotels
Brooks Hotel
Hayfield Manor, Cork
Hayfield Manor, an Experience beyond the Best. At the 5 Star Hayfield Manor Hotel Cork, a family owned boutique luxury hotel, a visit is an experience in itself.
Cahernane House, Killarney, Co. Kerry
The Cahernane House Hotel is a magnificent four star 17th Century hotel in Killarney. Beautifully situated on its own private estate on the edge of Killarney National Park, and is only a ten minute walk to Killarney town Centre.
Dromoland Castle, County Clare
This luxury 5 Star Castle Hotel has an extraordinary history stretching back to the 5th Century, Dromoland Castle was originally the ancestral home of one of the few families of Gaelic Royalty.
The House Hotel, Galway
This is a beautifully designed 4-star boutique hotel ideally located in the Latin Quarter of Galway City, within minutes of Quay Street, which is the street full of pubs, restaurants, shops, and street performers that is a magnet for visitors during the day and night.
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Sightseeing Gallery
- Itineraries
- Around Ireland in 14 days – Including Northern Ireland
- Elegant Ireland
- Luxury Country House Adventure
- Emerald Ireland Experience
- Royal Scotland
- Deluxe Crafting Tour of Ireland
- Ireland for the Connoisseur
- An Irish Christmas
- London & Cotwolds Deluxe Tour
- Luxury Castles & Manors Driving Tour – 10 Days / 9 Nights
- Haunted Ireland Adventure
- Haunted Scotland Adventure
- Irish Equestrian Adventure
- Gardens of Ireland Tour
- ‘Game of Thrones’ Ireland Adventure Tour – 9 Days / 8 Nights
- Northern Ireland Discovery
- Irish Honeymoon Dream
- Wild Atlantic Way Tours
- Chauffeured Tours
- Destination Dublin
- Exclusive Rentals
- Testimonials
- Request More Information