Enchanting Ireland - Small Group
Enchanting Ireland - Small Group
$3765
Enchanting Ireland - Small Group
8 Days Starting and ending in Dublin
Visiting: Dublin, Strokestown, Sligo, Westport, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Blarney, Kilkenny
Tour operator:
Tour code:
SBREDN26
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Let the luck of the Irish be with you on this guided tour celebrating Ireland’s nature and history. Dine inside Dublin’s Irish Emigration Museum, indulge your curiosities at Kylemore Abbey and stand atop the towering Cliffs of Moher. A MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience seaweed foraging walk reveals a landscape that has inspired artists and writers while visits to iconic Blarney Castle and Kilkenny Castle gets you up close and personal with Ireland’s history.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Hello Dublin
Location: Dublin
Accommodation Name: Camden Court, Dublin
A modern multi-cultural city that embraces its past and exudes an enduring sense of fun, the 'Emerald Isle' has lured the most curious of travelers for centuries. Your Local Expert reveals the best of the city on a guided tour past the Georgian Squares and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Delicious cuisine and history merge this evening over drinks and canapes at EPIC - The Irish Emigration Museum where you’ll discover the stories of Irish emigrants who became scientists, politicians, poets, artists and even outlaws all over the world.
Day 2: Experience Irish History And On To Sligo
Location: Dublin, Strokestown, Sligo
Accommodation Name: Sligo Park
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
The beauty of an Irish country house springs to life at Strokestown Park House and Gardens. After soaking in its beauty, go from grand homes to history visiting the onsite Irish Famine Museum to delve into the stories of the 1840s famine. Learn the history behind the Irish Potato Famine, the most catastrophic event in Ireland and one of the worst famines in history. View rare 19th-century photographs, witness accounts, sketches, newspapers and maps before continuing to Sligo. In the afternoon, consider an optional cruise on the River Shannon and admire the rolling countryside of the emerald isle.
Day 3: Journey To Westport And Galway
Location: Sligo, Westport, Galway
Accommodation Name: Connemara Coast, Galway
Meals Included: Breakfast
The seaside town of Westport on Ireland’s west coast will charm any traveler. Your Local Expert leads you on a walk to learn about the town's heritage – from its settlement 5,000 years ago to today. Continue to indulge your curiosity at Kylemore Abbey, a treasure trove of picture-perfect scenery and the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. You could enhance your day with an Optional Experience, a Galway Walking Tour featuring the Lynch Memorial Window, Church of St. Nicholas, Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F. Kennedy. You’ll love hearing intriguing stories of this bustling medieval port followed by a traditional Irish pub dinner.
Day 4: The Iconic Cliffs Of Moher And Onwards To Killarney
Location: Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Killarney
Accommodation Name: Great Southern Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Embark on an up close and personal encounter with Ireland's nature at the towering Cliffs of Moher. Perched at 700-feet, take in views of the Clare Coast and the pounding Atlantic. Gain insights into the cliffs’ geology and history before crossing the Shannon Estuary by ferry from Killimer to Tarbet. Head to Killarney where you’ll relive the highlights of the day over a Dine-Around evening of local cuisine. You also have your pick of Optional Experiences including a Celtic Steps performance or a Gaelic Roots show of song and dance.
Day 5: A Day On The Ring Of Kerry
Location: Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Killarney
Accommodation Name: Great Southern Killarney
Meals Included: Breakfast
Famous for its 'forty shades of green', the Irish nature at the Ring of Kerry has inspired writers and poets for centuries. Drink in the beauty of the coastal drive lined with beaches, colorful seaside villages and views of the Atlantic Ocean. On an insightful MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience, meet John, a seaweed advocate and educator for a seaweed foraging walk. Embrace the landscape that has inspired poets, artists and writers.
Day 6: Venture To Blarney And Medieval Kilkenny
Location: Killarney, Blarney, Kilkenny
Accommodation Name: Kilkenny
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
With Insight Choice choose to explore one of the icons of Ireland, Blarney Castle, the Witch's Kitchen and Wishing Steps gardens and, of course, the infamous stone – said to bestow the 'gift of the gab' upon whoever kisses it. Or, don’t miss your chance to amble the 1,500-acre grounds including the raised board walk, surrounded by water loving plants and waterfalls. The Carnivorous Courtyard features plants that with colorful, fluid-filled leaves while the Fern Garden features trees brought from the other side of the world that are survivors of the Jurassic period.
Day 7: Return To Lively Dublin
Location: Kilkenny, Dublin
Accommodation Name: Camden Court, Dublin
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
12th-century Kilkenny Castle is full of curiosities dating back to when it was the principal seat of the butlers, earls, marquesses and dukes of Ormond. On your exploration of its vast parkland, learn how the castle was remodelled in the Victorian style and restored and updated several times before being formally taken over by the Irish State in 1969. Return to Dublin and finish your incredible tour with a memorable dinner at a traditional Irish pub.
Day 8: Farewell Ireland
Location: Dublin
Meals Included: Breakfast
It’s time to close the chapter on an unforgettable tour of the Emerald Isle. We bid our newfound friends and Travel Director a fond farewell.
What's Included
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Meals
7 Breakfasts and 4 Dinners are included.
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Guided Tours
Guided tours with Local Experts at various locations including Blarney Castle, Kilkenny Castle, and more.
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Personal Radio Headsets
Personal radio headsets are provided to give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights without missing any commentary.
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Hotel and Restaurant Tips
Hotel and restaurant tips are included, so you don't have to worry about how much to give or search for foreign currency.
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Porterage
Porterage is included, with your bags being carried and promptly delivered to your hotel door.
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Complimentary Wi-Fi
Stay connected with complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
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Transfers
Transfers are available at scheduled times if your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates.
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Luxury Coach
Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom.
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Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
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Scenic Cruise
Scenic Cruise across the Shannon Estuary is included.
What's Not Included
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Optional Experiences
Optional experiences such as a cruise on the River Shannon, a Galway Walking Tour, and performances like Celtic Steps or Gaelic Roots are not included.
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Additional Transfers
Transfers outside the scheduled times or for additional nights' accommodation are not included and may be purchased separately.
Mode of Transport
Travel in style aboard Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom, ensuring a comfortable journey throughout Ireland.
Accommodation
Stay in comfort at the Camden Court in Dublin, Sligo Park, Connemara Coast in Galway, Great Southern Killarney, and Kilkenny hotels, offering a blend of modern amenities and traditional Irish hospitality.
Dining Summary
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- 4 Dinner (D)
Additional Included Highlights
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with an Insight Flourish, which is a local specialty representing the destination.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
Insight Experiences
- Kilkenny: Visit Kilkenny Castle with a Local Expert. On a guided tour, learn the history of this magnificent castle and that of the powerful family that came to call it home for so many centuries. Amble through the Picture Gallery, library, drawing room, nursery and bedrooms decorated in 1830s splendor as well as the rolling parkland formal terraced rose garden, woodlands and man-made lake.
Well-being
- Enjoy the comfort of Insight's luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
Check out our Q&As
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What kind of activities can I choose from during the tour?
You can choose between two carefully selected activities, such as exploring Blarney Castle and its gardens or ambling through the 1,500-acre grounds with features like the Carnivorous Courtyard and the Fern Garden.
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Are hotel and restaurant tips included in the tour package?
Yes, hotel and restaurant tips are included in the tour package, so you won't have to worry about how much to give or search for foreign currency.
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Will I have access to Wi-Fi during the tour?
Yes, you will have access to complimentary Wi-Fi on the coach and in hotels where available.
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Is there any assistance with luggage during the tour?
Yes, your bags will be carried for you and promptly delivered to your hotel door.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
The tour provides transportation in a luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and an onboard washroom. The coaches are sanitized before the start of the tour and maintained to very high standards.
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Are airport transfers included in the tour package?
If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights' accommodation with Insight Vacations, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
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What kind of dining experiences can I expect during the tour?
You can expect a variety of dining experiences, including a Dine-Around evening in Killarney with a selection of local restaurants, and a memorable dinner at a traditional Irish pub in Dublin.
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What kind of local experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes several local experiences such as a guided tour of Blarney Castle with a senior gardener, a seaweed foraging walk with a local expert on the Ring of Kerry, and an exploration of Kilkenny Castle with a local expert.
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Are there any optional experiences available during the tour?
Yes, there are optional experiences available, such as a cruise on the River Shannon, a Galway Walking Tour, and performances like Celtic Steps or Gaelic Roots in Killarney.
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What kind of historical sites will I visit during the tour?
You will visit several historical sites including Strokestown Park House and the Irish Famine Museum, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, and Kilkenny Castle.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
We regret that no refunds can be made for absences from a tour, including experiences such as missed meals or sightseeing.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 1978.
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Insight Vacations is a founding member of the TreadRight Foundation, a joint initiative created by the brands within The Travel Corporation (TTC) almost 15 years ago to ensure our impact through tourism is positive. Our ethos to #MakeTravelMatter guides our decision-making at every level of our business.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
You have two options as a solo traveller. Either choose to be matched with a same sex partner for a room share - at no extra cost. Or choose a room of your own with a reduced or even free private room upgrade on select tours.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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Book with Confidence
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Low Deposit
Insight Vacations requires a minimum deposit of 350 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 90 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of insight vacations charges.
Up to 91 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 90 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 29 days before tour starts: Forfeit 80% of booking price.
At 1 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions