It may come as a surprise that the beloved Irish tune “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” was written by a trio of American songwriters. That’s the moving influence of this enchanting and captivating land. So, when are Irish eyes smiling? At every moment on this undiscovered tour of Ireland – as you stroll down the lively streets of Dublin, sip Guinness in a boisterous pub on the Dingle Peninsula, take a horse-drawn jaunting-car ride through the Killarney countryside, and even bake scones on a quaint Irish sheep farm near Galway. By way of the most dramatic coastal and pastoral scenery, this tour of Ireland leads you to the lesser-known gems of the Emerald Isle as well as the cliffs, castles, and famous crystal you’ve long heard of. As you hum along the winding Ring of Kerry and the rocky Aran Islands, this tour of Ireland “will steal your heart away.”
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 ARRIVE IN DUBLIN, IRELAND
Céad mile fáilte—a hundred-thousand welcomes! At 3pm, meet your Tour Director and travel companions for an afternoon orientation drive, including O’Connell Street, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and Trinity College.
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CITY SIGHTS “In Dublin’s fair city where girls are so pretty,” you’ll also find great personality and charm. The charisma of Dubliners and the bounty of pubs here is matched only by the gorgeous Georgian Squares, 12th-century St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and legendary library of Trinity College.
Day 2 DUBLIN–KILDARE–STROKESTOWN–CASTLEBAR
Triumphs & Tragedies KILDARE Visit the Irish National Stud.
STROKESTOWN Guided tour of the 1740s mansion and gardens at Strokestown House and the Famine Museum.
209 mi / 337 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Relive history at Strokestown Park House, a stunning Georgian Palladian Mansion, with its original furnishings, and stroll the walled gardens in this historic site. Get a glimpse into the lives of generations of people who lived and worked here over the centuries, each adding their own chapter to the story and leaving their mark. Witness the history of the Great Irish Famine with a visit to the National Famine Museum to learn about the most devastating and tragic event in Irish history.
Day 3 CASTLEBAR–KYLEMORE–GALWAY
Wild Atlantic Way and Irish Roses KYLEMORE Visit the Benedictine Abbey.
GALWAY Free time this afternoon.
89 mi / 143 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
CULTURE & TRADITION Nestled between the woodlands and lakeshore near Galway City, Kylemore Abbey is home to the Benedictine Sisters who have been in residence since 1920 in a life of prayer, work, and community. The history of this stunning abbey reaches back to the 1800s as the estate of Irish patriot Mitchell Henry. Visit the abbey where handmade chocolates, wild Irish honey and traditional fuchsia pottery are sold. Stroll the lovely grounds of Ireland’s largest walled garden in the heart of the Connemara countryside.
Day 4 GALWAY. EXCURSION TO THE ARAN ISLANDS
Islands of Saints & Scholars GALWAY Ferry crossing to Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands.
INISHMORE Stop in for a light lunch at Joe Watty’s pub and hear from a local who shares stories about life on Inishmore Island. A minibus tour of the island with a local guide-driver includes a visit to the prehistoric clifftop fort of Dun Aengus.
45 mi / 72 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
TRADITION & CULTURE Joe Watty’s Bar & Seafood Restaurant on Inishmore Island is the place for good food, Gaelic music, and craic (good company). Unwind beside the fire or enjoy a Guinness in the beer garden to watch the world go by and learn a cúpla focal (few words of Irish) from some of the locals.
Day 5 GALWAY–CLIFFS OF MOHER–LIMERICK
Sheep, Scones & Ancient Stones RATHBAUN Visit Rathbaun Farm and try your hand at scone baking, learn about sheep herding, and enjoy coffee and scones.
CLARE COAST See the rocky landscapes of The Burren and stop to take photos of the prehistoric megalith at Poulnabrone Dolmen.
CLIFFS OF MOHER Visit the 668-foot-high cliffs above the Atlantic Ocean.
LIMERICK Free time this evening.
115 mi / 185 km
LOCAL FAVORITE
LOCAL TASTES Someone’s in the kitchen in Rathbaun Farm, just outside of Galway. You can don an apron and whip up your own delicious home-made scones, served with fresh preserves and whipped cream. Learn about the longtime tradition of sheep farming in this beautiful Irish landscape.
Day 6 LIMERICK–FOYNES–DINGLE PENINSULA–KILLARNEY
Daring Young Men & Flying Machines FOYNES Take a guided tour of the Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, followed by Irish coffee demonstration and tasting.
DINGLE PENINSULA Enjoy a scenic drive on Slea Head promontory.
159 mi / 255 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE Experience the era of transatlantic passenger flights, and the maritime legends of the River Shannon with a visit to the fantastic Flying Boat & Maritime Museum in Foynes, home to the world's only full-size replica of a B314 flying boat, commemorating this Irish town’s role in early passenger flights across the Atlantic and the legendary flying boats that carried celebrities, royals, and refugees alike. Learn about the daring history and folklore of Ireland’s longest river.
Day 7 KILLARNEY. EXCURSION TO RING OF KERRY
A Jaunting Good Time RING OF KERRY Panoramic drive around part of Ireland’s southwestern peninsula.
KILLARNEY Take a horse-drawn jaunting-car ride through the national park
99 mi / 159 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
NATURAL WONDERS County Kerry is home to the exquisite natural beauty of a rugged and mountainous expanse in Killarney National Park. A horse-drawn jaunting car ride is a great way to experience this natural wonderland, including the 1,000-foot McGillycuddy’s Reeks, the highest mountain range in Ireland. Nestled at the foot of these mountains, the Lakes of Killarney’s shores and woodlands share this magical place with waterfalls and dramatic skies above Ross Castle.
Day 8 KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–WATERFORD
Fine Crystal & The Gift of Gab KILLARNEY Cross the Kerry Mountains into County Cork.
BLARNEY Visit the village known for its magical Kissing Stone.
WATERFORD Take a guided tour of the House of Waterford Crystal.
126 mi / 203 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
LEGENDS & LORE Cut the blarney and hear the history of how telling tales is forever linked to the 15th-century castle and the village below in Blarney. One of the last estate villages that remain standing in Ireland, the village was built by an 18th-century landlord to house the castle workers there. It’s true!
Day 9 WATERFORD–KILKENNY–DUBLIN
MEDIEVAL & MODERN IRISH CAPITALS KILKENNY Time to explore one of Ireland’s most quaint towns.
DUBLIN Free time this afternoon.
111 mi / 179 km
TOUR HIGHLIGHT
HISTORIC SPOT Time to explore the city of Kilkenny, referred to as the "Marble City" because of the widespread use of local black limestone to construct many local buildings. The "Medieval Mile" is the city's main thoroughfare and is lined with medieval landmarks, quaint shops and charming pubs. Today Kilkenny is renowned for its active arts and crafts scene.
Day 10 DUBLIN
Safe travels until we meet again! Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Double Occupancy $3,979 per person
Single Occupancy $4,819 per person
Triple Occupancy $3,929 per person
Optional Trip Insurance and Gratuities are not included and incur an additional cost.
$359 Per Person
When you purchase the Globus family of brands Travel Protection, you will also receive the Globus family of brands “Any Reason” Cancellation Waiver that will provide you with 100% of the cancellation charges in the form of a future travel credit certificate, should you cancel your tour anytime prior to your scheduled departure for any reason that is not eligible for cash reimbursement under the Trip Cancellation Waiver. Cancellation charges are reimbursed in the form of Globus family of brands Travel Certificates allowing you
We will offer group airfare when air becomes available. Airfare does not get released until about 300 days prior to departure. We will be looking to confirm the nonstop flights from Cleveland Hopkins to Dublin, which may also require a pre-night in Dublin.
Pricing will be announced when available.
Initial Deposit: $250 per person, plus optional travel insurance
2nd Deposit of $1,000 per person due March 1, 2025
Final Payment is due July 1, 2025
Gratuities are not included. Gratuities will be paid directly to your tour director, bus driver and any local guides during travel.
A couple things to keep note of and things to check off your list:
-Make sure passports are up to date (must be valid for 6 months post travel)
- European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) may be required for travel; we will make sure you are set and have all of your required documentation if needed
- this will be a larger group with 2 buses, please make sure to note if you are traveling with another party as some tour experiences will be offered at different times to accommodate each bus.
-hotel accommodations for both buses will be together for each city except our last night in Dublin.