Tour of Ireland
Corporate Travel
August 11 2024 | 8 Day Trip
Welcome to Ireland and as we say in gaeilge, ‘Cead Mile Fáilte’, a hundred thousand welcomes. On leaving the airport we take you on a journey of discovery of the ancient land that is home to 6 million people and where North and South seamlessly knit into one and where time is forgotten.
The Itinerary
Day 1 - Arrival & Visit to Epic Museum
On arrival to Dublin airport, you will be met by your private driver and hostess who will transport you to your City Centre Hotel.
You may like to relax that day and explore Dublin city or/and visit EPIC – The Irish Emigration Museum. EPIC, recently awarded Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction at the World Travel Awards tells the moving and unforgettable stories of those who left the island of Ireland, and how they influenced and shaped the world. EPIC embraces the past and the future with 1,500 years of Irish history and culture housed in its atmospheric vaults.
Overnight in Dublin
Day 2 - Escorted Tour of Dublin - Guinness Experience
Dublin has long been a centre of art and culture. Enjoy an escorted tour today in the capital of Ireland, strolling through the elegant Georgian streets of Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares, shop in the elegant emporiums of Grafton Street and Powerscourt Townhouse.
That afternoon – you have the opportunity to enjoy the Guinness Experience .The Guinness Connoisseur Experience at the Guinness Storehouse, is a journey through the tastes, smells and story of Guinness. Here you’ll sample four of the most popular beers that have ever been brewed at Guinness while your guide talks you through all there is to know about them.
You will discover the origins of famous Guinness beers, connect with the people around you and gain an understanding of the craft and connection behind the most iconic brand in the world. – Options for evening meals (cost not included) can be on the 5th floor at Guinness or you may wish to enjoy an evening meal at a local pub nearby.
Overnight in Dublin
Day 3 - Athlone & Clonmacnoise Monastic Site / Heywood Gardens
This morning you will be met by your driver and will travel to the midlands of Ireland. Along the way you will stop off at in the military town of Athlone, seen as the centre of Ireland. There is a tour of the Castle where many battles were fought, the first being the battle of Athlone in 1690 between James II of England and William of Orange. We will board the Viking Cruiser to travel along the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river, to Clonmacnoise Monastic site.
Before we travel on to Galway City, which will be your base for the next three nights, we recommend a visit to see the wonderful gardens of Heyward at Ballinkill, Co. Laois.
The landscape also includes the woodland of ancient oaks and beech, an obelisk, Claude’s Seat and the bath house Heyfield Gardens, Co Laois.
Overnight in Galway
Day 4 - The Burren & Bunratty Castle / Folk Park
This morning we set off and travel on the Burren trail in County Clare, stopping off at The Burren Centre, Kilfenora. The exhibition area at The Burren Centre enables the visitor to experience the development of the Burren and its civilisation from formation 320 million years ago to how the Burren is today. It has audio video information on the whole region and gives a better understanding of the unique landscapes in this area.
This afternoon, we visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Set on 26 acres of unspoilt Clare countryside, the Folk Park features over 30 buildings in a ‘living’ village and rural setting.
Rural farmhouses, village shops and streets are recreated and furnished as they would have appeared at that time according to their social standing, from the poorest one roomed dwelling to Bunratty House a fine example of a Georgian residence built 1804 home of the Studdarts, the last family to occupy Bunratty Castle.
Overnight in Galway
Day 5 - Day Trip to Inis Mor with Cliffs of Moher Cruise
Inis Mór, the largest of the three Aran Islands, is situated 9 miles from Galway’s coastline and can be reached by taking the ferry from Galway City. The islanders use the language of Irish every day - the island being one of the last places in Ireland where the ancient Celtic language is preserved.
With your private guide discover the four Celtic stone forts, including the spectacular cliff top fort of Dun Aonghasa. Inis Mór was also an important centre for early Irish Christianity, and the remains of several ancient churches and monasteries can be found on the island.
There are several biological and geological attractions on Inis Mór including the seal colony, as well as miles and miles of limestone landscape with some of the most spectacular cliff coastlines in all of Europe.
You will return from your day trip by boat to enjoy your last night in “The City of the Tribes”
Overnight in Galway
Day 6 - Time in Galway City & Food Tour
Today, you will have free time to browse around the city where you will see the crafts of Ireland, namely the Aran knitwear, the colorful woollen wear and the woven tweeds, some of Ireland’s famous textiles that are sold around the world. We have organized as part of your day a Food tour where, with your guide, you will go to various locations around the city and sample the culinary delights that you can enjoy from this area - example: oysters, cheeses, chocolates and beers!
We leave Galway this afternoon and travel to Kilkenny
Overnight in Kilkenny
Day 7 - Jerpoint Park & Abbey / Kilkenny Castle & Design Centre
After breakfast, we travel to Jerpoint Park to the “The Lost Town” of Newtown Jerpoint. This is a treasure trove of history in the footprints of the 12th Century Medieval Town. This is also where the tomb of St Nicholas is located on whom the concept of Santa is based.
A visit to the 12th century Jerpoint Abbey, a medieval Cistercian Abbey allows one to view not only the architectural styles from the late 12th century to the 15th century but also, this Abbey is renowned for its stone sculptures, tombs and decorative cloister…
We return to Kilkenny where you can visit the Kilkenny Castle and the nearby Kilkenny Design centre and follow the Medieval Mile to Saint Canice’s Cathedral.
Overnight in Kilkenny
Day 8 - Dublin and Farewell
We leave Kilkenny after breakfast and travel back to Dublin.
Subject to flight times will allow you to either spend time at The Phoenix Park, where you will pass the residences of our President and also the American Embassy. If time allows, we can visit Dublin’s Phoenix Park – Farmleigh Estate. This historic house which has an art gallery, farm animals, and is the official Irish State guest house which provides accommodation for visiting dignitaries, was once the home of the Guinness family for generations. You can enjoy a walk around the gardens or take lakeside walk before traveling to the airport
As we bid you a “Slán Abhaile” = safe trip home, we hope that you have enjoyed your trip to our Emerald Isle and we look forward to seeing you again.
Details
Dates: 11 August 2024 for 8 days
Price : EUR €4,510 per person
PLEASE NOTE FLIGHTS ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THE ABOVE PRICE. YOU WILL NEED TO FLY IN AND OUT OF DUBLIN. WE CAN HELP YOU TO BOOK YOUR FLIGHTS.
Tour Includes:
- Hostess throughout the trip
- Accommodation 3* & 4* Hotels with breakfast each morning (Single Occupancy) Transport Transfer to Dublin Airport (arrival and departure) Driver / Guide – 8 days
- Experiences Dublin - Private Walking Tour, Book of Kells, Guinness Storehouse, EPIC Museum
- Athlone -Viking Cruise, Clonmacnoise and Heywood Gardens
- Galway - Walking Tour of this City of the Tribes, Food Tour, Boat Cruise of Cliffs of Moher & Visit to Aran Islands, Trad on the Prom Evening Show
- Clare - Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Burren Trail
- Kilkenny – Walking tour of the City, Kilkenny City, Jerpoint Abbey and Park
Ready to Book Your Corporate Tour?
Corporate Travel - Ireland
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gillian@eventsofalifetimeatlanta.com
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