Irish Heritage Tour, an incredible ten-day road trip journey in Ireland packed full of culture and history where you can meet the locals and your Irish Heritage faces to face beginning in Dublin and winding your way through counties Tipperary, Cork, Kerry, Galway, Clare, and Limerick on this beautiful Emerald Isle. Travel by car or join an escorted Ireland tour where you can expect to be awestruck by this beautiful country’s sheer beauty and remarkable history on an unbelievable road trip journey featuring the most celebrated sights in Ireland. See Dublin, Kilkenny Castle, Cork, Cobh, Blarney Castle, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Dingle Peninsula, Glenlo Abbey, Adare, Kylemore Abbey, Galway, and Connemara, a look into Ireland’s ancient past.
Day-by-Day Overview of a Ten-Day Ireland Road Trip Tour from Dublin to Killarney to Galway to Dublin
Touring Ireland should seamlessly combine contemporary and traditional features, allowing you to experience Irish city life one day and marvel at the unspoiled beauty of the Irish countryside the next. You could make this road trip by car, but you may miss enjoying the scenic beauty and important historical places. At the same time, behind the wheel, you do not know what you are seeing without knowing a professional Irish tour guide and loads of fun with family or making new friends one has on escorted Ireland tours.
Ireland group tour members and individuals can expect to be awestruck by this beautiful country’s sheer beauty and incredible history on this unbelievable road trip journey featuring the best of an Irish Heritage and Culture tour, which will take you to the most celebrated Irish attractions. You will even have the opportunity to be transported back in time to “old world Ireland,” a place where the locals still sing century-old songs and continue to speak Gaelic to this very day. “That single statement makes many a heart long for the sounds and songs of dear Ireland.”
Escorted Ireland Tours vs. Ireland Road Trip by Car
Anyone, including families and Ireland Tour Groups, can sit back, relax, and enjoy the Emerald Isle in comfort if they choose an escorted or guided Ireland tour. They travel by luxury touring coaches with an expert driver and guide who will meet them upon arrival at Dublin Airport. You could also make this road trip by car, but then you would miss half the trip’s enjoyment because you are driving on the “wrong side of the road” instead of enjoying your trip. You would also miss all the unique knowledge your local guide has to offer on an escorted Ireland tour. Either way, there are more advantages to traveling on escorted Ireland tours versus by car.
The inclusions listed in this day-by-day adventure are based on what one would encounter as part of a group tour. You could mold this tour into whatever you like, stop wherever or however long you want and make this road trip by car an advantage. However, having done both in the past, the escorted Ireland group tour allows you to sit back and enjoy the journey without worrying about overnights or driving.
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Seeing the Sights in Dublin
Day one begins with your arrival in Dublin; an experienced driver and tour guide will meet you unless you do this on your own, and you will need to get a rental car at the Dublin airport. Throughout the rest of this road trip, we assume you opted for an escorted Ireland group tour, starting with an afternoon city tour of the fair city of Dublin. Among the many sights to see are St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, and the ancient Book of Kells, a masterpiece of Calligraphy art featuring interlacing Celtic knots, patterns, human figures, mythical creatures, animals, and text in vibrant colors and illuminated for your viewing pleasure. The Book of Kells is one of Ireland’s most important national treasures.
No one knows exactly how long it took the Celtic Monks some 1200 years ago to create this masterpiece featuring the New Testament’s four Gospels in Latin. Depending on what you read, it was built between the 6th and 9th centuries, so some three years in the creation and well worth the visit. See Christchurch Cathedral and the Shrine of St. Valentine, after whom the February 14th holiday is named. See the Georgian Squares featuring Palladian Architecture used during the reign of the four King George’s eras. Leinster House (now the seat of Parliament), Phoenix Park, the largest enclosed park in Europe, O’Connell Bridge, and The Four Courts along the River Liffey before heading to your hotel in Dublin, an evening meal,, and a good night’s rest. Overnight at The Westbury Hotel, a 5-star hotel on Dublin’s trendy Grafton Street, is just one of many hotels in the area used for Ireland group tours.
Travel from the fair city of Dublin to Kilkenny & Cork
Day two, leaving Dublin this morning, travel via the 6th-century monastic settlement at Glendalough, which St. Kevin founded. See the many churches, round towers, and Cathedrals in this Valley of the Two Lakes. Onwards to Kilkenny’s medieval city to see the wonderful Kilkenny Castle, once a medieval fortress built in the 13th century and later transformed into a renaissance dwelling by Thomas, the Earl of Ormond in the late 1500s, who lavishly furnished his castle with priceless treasures. Then onto St. Canices Cathedral. Those can climb to the top of the tower attached to the Cathedral to get the best view of this colorful city. Travel onwards through counties Tipperary and Cork to Ireland’s second-largest city. Overnight stay at the Imperial Hotel, a modern 4* spa hotel near Finbarre Cathedral and the Opera House in the center of Cork, or other hotels in the area if you are traveling by car.
A Day of Touring to See St. Finbarre’s and Cobh
On the morning of the third day, members of the Irish Heritage Group Tour will visit St Finbarr’s Cathedral, a site that has been a place of worship since the 7th century. During the Siege of Cork in 1689, the Cathedral came under fire from Elizabeth Fort. When the steeple was demolished in 1865, a 24-pound cannonball was discovered, which is now on display. Local legend says that the world will end if the Angel on the pinnacle of the sanctuary roof ever falls.
The afternoon will be spent in Cobh, renamed Queenstown in 1849, a transatlantic port and the departure point for 2.5 million Irish people who embarked on coffin ships, steamships, and ocean liners to immigrate to America between 1848 and 1950. Less fortunate, Cobh was also the embarkation point for men, women, and children deported to the penal colonies. On 11th April 1912, Cobh was the final port of call for the RMS Titanic. Of the 123 passengers boarded in Cobh, only 44 survived. Return to Cork for an overnight stay at the Imperial Hotel.
Blarney Castle Kiss the World Famous Blarney Stone than to Killarney
Day four, and it is time to put your lip gloss or chapstick on today; this escorted Ireland tour, you travel to Blarney and visit Blarney Castle, home of the legendary Blarney Stone. According to legend, anyone who kisses the stone receives the “Gift of the Gab.” No mean feat gripping the iron rails, you lean far back and put your head down into the abyss until you can kiss the stone! Continue to Killarney with its quaint and colorful streets for some leisure time. A vibrant town in the beautiful countryside, Killarney is renowned for its frequent festivals, horse races, songfests, and lake regattas. Overnight in Killarney at the Europe Hotel & Resort. Enjoy the serenity of Lough Lein and the majesty of McGillycuddy Reeks Mountain at this luxury 5* lake resort hotel, winner of the Irish Hospitality Award.
Tour World Famous Ring Of Kerry and the Black Mountains
Start day five as a day of wonderment at the Ring of Kerry’s breathtaking scenery, known by many as the most beautiful in Ireland. The Irish Heritage Group Tour will travel through quaint villages and towns in the middle of the black mountains. Waterville, Killorglin, Sneem, Cahiriciveen, and Molls Gap are delightful towns. After a wondrous photo-snapping day, you are back in time to take an afternoon stroll through the streets of Killarney at leisure. Tonight perhaps, ventures to a local pub and hears some traditional Irish music by the locals. Overnight in Killarney at The Europe Hotel & Resort, rooms have private balconies with views of the golf course or lakes.
Touring the Spectacular Dingle Peninsula Today
On day six, you head for the Dingle Peninsula, among the most stunning scenic locations on earth, by a National Geographic photographer. Drama, history, and great beauty abound from mountains, coastlines, and ancient settlements. During the Irish Heritage Group Tour, you will see stunning views of the Blasket Islands. This famous peninsula’s excellent seafood, traditional music, and pubs are irresistible, and the locals still speak the Gaelic Language. Overnight in your Hotel in Killarney, the Europe Hotel & Resort Luxury 5* lakeside hotel.
Charming Village of Adare, Cliffs of Moher, Glenlo Abbey in Galway
On day seven, you are in for a treat on this Irish Heritage Group Tour, driving to Adare, one of Ireland’s most charming villages. Visit the Farmers’ Market, the Heritage, and equestrian centers. In the afternoon, you will see the spectacular and dramatic Cliffs of Moher with views of the Aran Islands. It’s time to visit the Burren with its stark beauty, undulating gray slopes, and unique flora and fauna before arriving in Galway, the “City of the Tribes.” With its winding, medieval streets, the River Corrib and its bridges, cafes, and pubs in abundance, and the street performers, Galway is the perfect place to relax. Overnight in Galway at the stylish, 5-star Glenlo Abbey Hotel, a stately 18th Century Manor House with breathtaking views of the Lough, the mountains, and its private estate, including the golf course.
Castles, Abbeys, and Kingdoms – Kylemore Abbey and then on to see the Gaelic Kingdom of Connemara
Start day eight after a full Irish breakfast and an escorted tour of Kylemore Abbey, the oldest Irish Benedictine Abbeys, with its walled garden and Gothic Church, set on Lake Kylemore. The Abbey is home to the convent of the Benedictine Nuns of Ypres. Today on your escorted Ireland tour, you’ll see the rugged landscape of Connemara with its wild and desolate beauty, the ancient Gaelic Kingdom where it is still possible to “touch” the Irish Past and hear the ancient Gaelic spoken. Overnight to be remembered in Galway at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, your castle on the shores of the lake.
From Galway, cross the River Shannon to Dublin.
As the end of our tour nears on day nine, you venture on a full day of touring back to Dublin. En route, visit the Ancient Christian Monastic Settlement at Clonmacnoise, dating back 1500 years. Situated on the River Shannon banks, this settlement was founded in 548 AD by St. Ciaran, and this once great medieval city is one of Ireland’s Great Holy Places, renowned as a Centre of Piety and Learning. This afternoon is free time in Dublin to enjoy its parks, shops, cafes, and numerous pubs with live Irish music. Overnight in Dublin at The Westbury Hotel, a luxurious 5-star hotel in the center of the cultural quarter with its restaurants, pubs, and theaters, set between Trinity College and Stephen’s Green Park and Grafton Street.
Time to Say Goodbye to this Beautiful Country of Ireland
On the last day and all tours, members are escorted to the Dublin airport to start their journey home. On the way, you and the many new friends you have made on the Irish Heritage Group Tour will be able to reflect on the amazing time you have had together before you finally bid farewell to the Emerald Isle.
Group Travel Tip
It is imperative to engage a reputable tour operator to help organize Ireland group travel vacations for family, friends, travel clubs, or Irish Heritage club members. Group organizers sometimes travel at a reduced cost or even complimentary, so plan and get fifteen or more people to form a group and then work with the best tour operators based in Ireland to efficiently handle your tour of Ireland group travel arrangements.
