Far & Away: Ireland – Dublin, Kerry, Galway, Donegal (2024)

Depart the United States on overnight flight to Dublin, Ireland

Arrive Dublin and check into our hotel. This afternoon, we will visit the famous, St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Afterward, you will enjoy a Welcome Dinner in the lively Temple Bar district!

Visit Trinity College – where you will have the chance to view the manuscript of the book of Kells, tour Dublin Castle, spend time visiting the Guinness Storehouse, exploring the ingredients, history, and culture that tell the story of Ireland’s most famous beer and spend time walking through Dublin’s streets, admiring the architecture and Georgian homes. In the evening, we will have dinner at the Merry Ploughboy where you will have a chance to see and hear live traditional music and dancing.

This morning, we will travel from Dublin to Waterford (2.5hrs). Arriving in Waterford, we will tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory, where you can see skilled artisans create crystal masterpieces.

From there, we will then travel on to Cobh – this harbor town was the last port of call for the Titanic in 1912 and was also the main point of embarkation for Irish emigrants between 1848 and 1960. We will stop for lunch here.

After lunch, we will go on to Blarney, to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous stone before settling into our hotel for the evening.

Today we will travel part of the famous Ring of Kerry. This stunning, 112-mile coastal route wraps around the Iveragh Peninsula and offers breathtaking coastal and mountain views.

Here you will experience sites memorialized in Irish folklore, such as the Old Monastery, charming rural villages, abandoned “famine cottages,” and unspoiled beachfronts. We will also visit Valentia Island to stop at the Skellig Experience, where you will learn the story of the island of Skellig Michael. Hear about how this island, a filming location for “Star Wars”, was once the home of early Christian monks. We will also stop at the colorful village of Sneem, and at Moll’s Gap for panoramic views of Ireland’s highest mountains.

We will spend another day traversing the Ring of Kerry and visiting picturesque Irish villages and sites along the way.

This morning we will travel to the Cliffs of Moher. The cliffs soar 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean and extend for 9 miles. You will have many opportunities for photographs and the chance to enjoy the spectacular views as you walk on top of the cliffs.

From the cliffs, we will travel on to Galway. Galway city is a beautiful small city with great atmosphere and entertainment. You will have a chance to enjoy a walk through the old part of the city, where you will no doubt fall in love with Ireland, if you have not already!

This morning we will travel to visit the Connemara National Park. The park covers more than 4,000 acres of natural terrain.

This afternoon we will return to Galway where you will have a chance to spend time browsing the local shops or stop into a local pub. This is also your chance to purchase a claddagh ring – said to have originated in the fishing village situated near the “shore” or “Claddagh” of Galway Bay – so there is no better place to find your treasure!

This evening you, will have a chance to experience a real treat! – a medieval dinner at Dunguaire Castle. Once the home of noble medieval lords, the 500-year-old castle sits on the southeastern shore of Galway Bay. You will enjoy a 4-course meal as you learn about Irish culture through music and storytelling.

This morning we will wake early to depart Galway on our way to the town of Donegal (3hrs). On our way to Donegal, we will visit the Shrine at Knock.

Continuing on our way, we will stop at the Ancient Tombs of Carrowmore – dating back to nearly 5,000 B.C. and centuries older than the Pyramids of Egypt, Carrowmore is Ireland’s largest megalithic cemetery and is one of the most important in Europe – Drumcliff Churchyard, where William Butler Yeats is buried – Belleek home to Belleek Pottery – and continue on to Donegal where we will check into our hotel for the evening.

We will spend the day exploring Donegal and surrounding areas. Today we will visit:

• Donegal Castle
• Donegal Craft Village
• The fishing port of Killybegs
• Slieve League Cliffs – at over 1,000 ft the cliffs are the highest marine cliffs in Europe
• Folk Village of Glencolumbcille where you can view local rural life as experienced in 18th, 19th and 20th century Ireland

This morning, we will make our way from Donegal to to Dublin (3hrs). On our way, we will stop to see the ancient ruins of the Rock of Cashel.

Upon arriving in Dublin, we will enjoy afternoon tea at the famous Shelbourne Hotel.

This evening, we will have a final, Farewell Dinner, enjoying one last taste of Ireland!

Depart Ireland on your return flight to the United States.