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Overview
You will fall in love with Ireland on our “Adore & Explore the West of Ireland” tour. The landscapes are breathtaking, and the people, history, and culture vibrant. Explore the quiet beauty of rural Ireland while enjoying the high standards of traditional hospitality, accommodations, and cuisine for which Ireland is famous. Experience genuine friendliness and old fashioned hospitality in warm, relaxing and elegant surroundings. Enjoy a quality of life from a bygone age. The accommodations in this itinerary are all ‘Blue Book’ properties, featuring Ireland’s finest in unique manors, hotels, and historic properties.
Day 1: Arrive in Ireland. Cead Mile failte! Stay 2 nights Co. Clare.
Day 2: Explore Co. Clare.
Day 3: Drive to Galway, and explore. Stay 1 night.
Day 4: Drive to Connemara. Tour the area, stay 2 nights.
Day 5: Tour Connemara.
Day 6: Explore County Mayo. Stay 2 Nights in Mayo.
Day 7: Visit Achill Island.
Day 8: Drive to County Sligo, explore & stay 1 night.
Day 9: Drive to County Westmeath, tour & explore. Onward, stay 2 Nights Dublin City.
Day 10: Sightsee & discover Dublin!
Day 11: Transfer to Dublin Airport, return rental car, and fly home. Slan Abhaile!Price: Please contact our travel experts for current pricing 1800-832-1848
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Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Ireland
Arrive in Shannon Airport, pick up your rental car and travel along the coast northwards. Get settled in today, and make sure you visit the majestic and breath taking Cliffs of Moher which overlook the Atlantic Ocean on the western seaboard of County Clare. Stay 2-nights at Moy House in Lahinch, County Clare.
Day 2: Explore Co. Clare
Tour the lunar-like Burren region, famous for its unique flora and fauna, geology, and archaeology. View the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a Neolithic burial place, dating back to 4,000 BC. We recommend a stop at Ailwee Cave to see the Underground River and Waterfall. Enjoy local cuisine in the nearby town of Lisdoonvarna.
Day 3: Drive to Galway, and explore
Depart today and drive towards Galway. You will see quaint little villages and towns along your way. Do stop at Paddy Burke’s in Clarenbridge, for a glass of Guinness and some fresh oysters. Galway is a vibrant city exploding with charisma, inextricably linked with history, culture and music. Stay 1-night at the Currarevagh House in Galway.
Days 4 & 5: Drive to Connemara. Tour the area. Stay 2 nights.
Today, drive into the heart of Connemara; through the rich bogland landscape with the Twelve Bens mountain range in the distance. If you fancy a hike the mountains are not that high and they provide excellent walking and climbing opportunities for the outdoor enthusiast. Make sure you visit O’ Dowd’s Pub for a delicious meal while in the area. Tour Kylemore Abbey located in Connemara National Park. Visit the Gothic Church or the six acre walled Victorian garden. Visit the village of Cong where the movie, ‘The Quiet man’ was filmed! Stay 2-nights in the Delphi Lodge in Connemara.
Day 6: Explore County Mayo, stay 2 nights.
Depart Connemara as you travel along the mountains between Galway and Mayo. Explore the Delphi Valley and Leenane. The scenery and famine history of this region will leave you awe struck. Another absolute ‘must see’ place has to be Croagh Patrick, the Holiest Mountain in Ireland. Thousands of pilgrims journey to the top of Croagh Patrick each year. Stay 2-nights at the Ice House Hotel in County Mayo.
Day 7: Visit Achill Island
A visit to one of the islands off the west coast is akin to finding your soul and today you will be able to drive to one of these islands – Achill Island, which has a road joining it with the mainland. Bring a picnic, and stop for a swim or a paddle on one of the beautiful beaches here. Or, Indulge yourself today by relaxing, taking in local sights and sounds and visiting the Ceide Fields nearby, a vast prehistoric landscape; a natural wild ecology of blanket bog, dramatic cliffs and coastline. Enjoy dinner and some traditional live Irish music at a local pub tonight.
Day 8: Drive to County Sligo
Today, you’ll drive to Sligo. It is known as Yeats County, because of its association with the poet W.B. Yeats, who is buried at Drumcliffe Churchyard. Although Yeats was born in Dublin it wasn’t long before his family relocated to Sligo. Yeats came to regard Sligo as his childhood home and penned a number of poems from inspiration he gathered from his surroundings. It was the mountains, lakes and lore of the place that moved him to write perhaps his most famous verse, The Lake Isle of Innisfree. Another place to see is the cairn at the summit of Knocknarae, known locally as Queen Maeve’s grave. To recover from your climb take a gentle tour of Lissadell House, once home to Countess Markievicz. Stay 1-night in Cromleach Lodge in County Sligo.
Day 9: Drive to County Westmeath
Today you will drive towards Dublin and stop in the heart of the midlands in County Westmeath, where there are hundreds of lakes to explore. Make sure and visit Newgrange, a Neolithic passage tomb that is older than the Egyptian pyramids. This historical site will simply amaze you. Now onward to Dublin, where you’ll stay for 2-nights in The Merrion Hotel. Return your rental car upon arrival in the city.
Day 10: Drive to Dublin. Sightsee
Enjoy all that Dublin has to offer. Tour the famous Guinness Brewery, Dublin Castle, The Book of Kells at Trinity College, the old Georgian square; St. Stephen’s green, The Ha’penny Bridge, the Temple bar district, and the vibrant shopping area of Grafton Street. We recommend seeing a show at Dublin’s Abbey Theater this evening!
Day 11: Drive to Dublin Airport, return rental car, and fly home. Slan Abhaile!
After a big Irish breakfast, transfer to Dublin Airport from your hotel, and prepare for your return flight home.
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Inclusions
Price: Please contact our travel experts for current pricing 1800-832-1848
- Private transfer from the Airport to your Hotel upon arrival.
- 10-Nights deluxe hotel accommodations with full breakfast daily.
- Pricing based on double or twin rooms, single supplement available on request.
- Self Drive Car Rental includes CDW insurance & unlimited miles. Upgrade to Driver Guide with private transport will include all driver expenses.
- Deluxe portfolio of travel documents before departure.
- List of recommended pubs, restaurants, & places of interest.
- Accommodation taxes & service charges.
- Touring map of Ireland.
- Discount admissions booklet for area attractions.
- Concierge service in Ireland while traveling.
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
Moy House, Lahinch, Co. Clare
Moy House was originally built in the mid 18th Century as home to Sir Augustine Fitzgerald. In its majestic splendor, the house prevails over the breathtaking Lahinch Bay, set on 15 acres of grounds adorned by mature woodland and a picturesque river.
Currarevagh House, Co. Galway
Currarevagh House is a gracious early Victorian Country House Hotel, set in 180 acres of private parkland and woodland bordering on Lough Corrib.
Delphi Lodge, Connemara
A delightful 1830s country house and fishing lodge in one of the most spectacular settings in Connemara Ireland. It offers charming accommodation, glorious scenery, great food and total tranquility.
The Ice House, Co. mayo
The Ice House is located in a truly iconic building overlooking the spectacular and ever-changing River Moy.
Cromleach Lodge, Co. Sligo
The Wineport Lodge, Co. West Meath
The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
Recognized by Conde Nast Traveler as one of the World’s Best Hotels, The Merrion Hotel is elegant and inviting.
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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