Best of Ireland
Best of Ireland
Best of Ireland
12 Days Starting in Ireland and ending in Dublin, Ireland
Visiting: Dublin, Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Galway, Cliffs of Moher, Cork, Killarney National Park, Waterford, Kilkenny
Tour operator:
Tour code:
1612
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 6
Age range:
10-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Cultural, Foodie and Wine Tours, Gardens & Nature Tours, History
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on the "Best of Ireland" tour and immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Northern Ireland. This journey takes you from the vibrant streets of Dublin to the historic city of Belfast, where you'll explore City Hall, Queen’s University, and the Titanic Belfast museum. Marvel at the natural wonders of the Giant’s Causeway and the Cliffs of Moher, and experience the medieval charm of Kilkenny. Enjoy unique experiences like a Viking adventure with VR at the Glyde Inn, a jaunting car ride in Killarney National Park, and the chance to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone. With 11 nights of accommodation, guided tours, and visits to iconic sites, this tour promises an unforgettable Irish adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Welcome To Ireland
Location: Dublin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Academy Plaza, The Gresham, Dublin, or similar
Meals Included: Dinner
Welcome to Ireland and Dublin Airport. Make your own way to your city centre hotel. The remainder of the day is free to enjoy all that Dublin’s city has to offer. Your hotel will be within walking distance of the city centre.
Day 2 : Dublin To Belfast
Location: Belfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Maldron Hotel, Holiday Inn Belfast, Belfast, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Start your journey with your guide from the hotel's reception towards Belfast. Along the way, pass through the Boyne Valley and the ancient Hill of Tara, steeped in 5,000 years of history as the seat of Ireland's High Kings. Experience a one-of-a-kind Viking adventure with a unique VR experience at the Glyde Inn. Then, head to Hillsborough Castle, Northern Ireland's official Royal Palace. Uncover tales of celebration, diplomacy, and more as you explore its captivating history and State Rooms.
Day 3 : Belfast City
Location: Belfast
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Maldron Hotel, Holiday Inn Belfast, Belfast, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Nestled at the head of Belfast Lough, Belfast City is a dynamic, heritage-rich metropolis. Discover its evolution from market town to industrial hub on a guided city tour. Highlights include City Hall, Queen’s University, and a visit to Titanic Belfast, where the Titanic's tale unfolds.
Optional: Glenshane Country Farm Sheepdog Demo - Explore a family-owned sheep farm nestled in the ancient Sperrin Mountains. Meet James McCloy, a fourth-generation shepherd, and his skilled team of working sheepdogs: Moss, Tess, and the lively 2-year-old Jess. Immerse yourself in the captivating 'Sheepdogs at Work' experience.
Enjoy the afternoon at leisure in Belfast.
Day 4 : Giant’S Causeway & Derry
Location: Giant's Causeway
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Jacksons Hotel, The Clanree, Donegal, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Depart your hotel and journey along the stunning North Antrim Coastline to reach the awe-inspiring Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with 40,000 interlocking basalt columns formed by volcanic activity. Next, head to Derry, Ireland’s sole fully intact walled city. Conclude your tour with a stroll along Derry's historic walls, bearing witness to centuries of dramatic events.
Day 5 : Donegal To Galway
Location: Galway
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Salthill Hotel, Clayton Hotel, Galway, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner
Begin the day at Belleek Pottery, in operation since 1857. Witness the craftsmanship behind this globally acclaimed pottery. Then, head to Marble Arch Caves to delve into a captivating natural underworld of rivers, winding passages, and grand chambers. These caves, nestled in the UNESCO Global Geopark, formed through the gradual dissolution of limestone by flowing water.
Day 6 : Burren & Cliffs Of Moher
Location: Cliffs of Moher
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Salthill Hotel, Clayton Hotel, Galway, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
This morning, journey into Co. Clare and explore the captivating Burren Region. Visit the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher, where you'll be treated to breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. These cliffs, rising over 200 meters in some places, rank among the tallest sea cliffs in Western Europe, extending approximately 8 kilometers along the Atlantic coast. Afterward, return to Galway for some leisure time in the city.
Day 7 : Galway To Cork
Location: Cork
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Maldron Southmall, Clayton Hotel, Cork, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Head south towards Cork, passing by the Viking-founded Limerick City. In the afternoon, reach Blarney for a visit to its historic castle set amidst 60 acres of picturesque parkland, adorned with rare flora. Here, visitors have the opportunity to acquire the "gift of the gab" by kissing the legendary Blarney Stone, also known as the stone of eloquence.
Day 8 : Kerry Highlights
Location: Killarney National Park
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Maldron Southmall, Clayton Hotel, Cork, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore the Ring of Kerry's highlights, including the breathtaking Molls Gap and Ladies’ View. Conclude the day with a leisurely Jaunting Car Ride in Killarney National Park, immersing yourself in Ireland's traditional mode of transport. Learn about the region's history from experienced jarveys, many of whom come from generations of jarvey tradition.
Day 9 : Midleton & Waterford
Location: Waterford
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kilkenny, Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Visit the nearby Midleton Distillery Experience, established by the Murphy Brothers in 1825 and currently producing over 24 million bottles of whiskey annually. Conclude your visit with a tasting of this renowned Irish whiskey. Then, head towards Waterford, where you'll explore the House of Waterford in the city's Viking Triangle. On the tour, you'll witness the intricate craftsmanship behind Waterford Crystal masterpieces, from the initial design to the final engraving.
Day 10 : Kilkenny & Dunbrody
Location: Kilkenny
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Hotel Kilkenny, Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore the Dunbrody Famine Ship, an exact replica of the vessel constructed in 1845 for the Graves family of New Ross. This ship played a crucial role in transporting thousands of emigrants from Ireland to North America over three decades.
Optional: Entrance & self-guided tour to Kilkenny Castle –Dating back to the 12th century, Kilkenny Castle stands as a significant historical site, originally constructed by the Anglo-Normans. Explore the rich history and discover the evolution of life within the castle walls over its many centuries of existence.
Spend the afternoon at your leisure in Kilkenny, immersing yourself in the charm of this picturesque medieval city.
Day 11 : Kilkenny To Dublin
Location: Dublin
Accommodation: Hotel
Accommodation Name: Academy Plaza, The Gresham, Dublin, or similar
Meals Included: Breakfast
Explore Dublin's EPIC Museum to understand why over 10 million people emigrated from Ireland. Discover the poignant stories of these emigrants, emphasizing that it's not just about what they left behind, but what they carried with them.
OPTIONAL: Evening Entertainment at Taylor’s Three Rock or similar – Visit this lively pub in Rathfarnham for an excellent night of music and dance.
The remainder of the day is yours to enjoy at leisure.
Day 12 : Farewell Dublin
Location: Dublin
Meals Included: Breakfast
After a final Irish breakfast, transfer to Dublin Airport for your departure flight home under your own arrangements.
What's Included
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Accommodation
11 nights accommodation at various hotels including The Academy Plaza, The Gresham, Dublin, The Maldron Hotel, Holiday Inn Belfast, Jacksons Hotel, The Clanree, Donegal, Salthill Hotel, Clayton Hotel, Galway, Maldron Southmall, Clayton Hotel, Cork, Hotel Kilkenny, Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny.
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Meals
11 breakfasts and dinner at your hotel on days 4 and 5.
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Transport
Modern motor coach for days 2 through 11.
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Guide
English-speaking guide for days 1 through 11.
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Porterage
Porterage service with 1 piece of luggage per person.
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Visits
Visits include The Glyde Inn VR Experience, Hillsborough Castle, Titanic Belfast, Giants Causeway, Derry City Walking tour, Belleek Pottery, Marble Arch Caves, Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle, Jaunting Car ride in Killarney National Park, Midleton Distillery Experience, House of Waterford, Dunbrody Famine Ship, EPIC museum.
What's Not Included
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Airfare
International or domestic airfare.
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Gratuities
Gratuities to guides and drivers.
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Travel Insurance
Travel insurance.
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Additional Meals
Additional meals when not mentioned on the itinerary.
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Entrance Fees
Entrance fees to monuments or museums when not mentioned on the itinerary.
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Local City Tax
Local city tax for overnight stays.
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Visas
Visas required for entry into the country as necessary.
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Personal Expenses
Anything of a personal nature or that is not mentioned in included.
Mode of Transport
Travel in a modern motor coach from days 2 through 11, ensuring a comfortable and scenic journey across Ireland with an English-speaking guide.
Accommodation
Enjoy 11 nights of comfortable accommodation at well-appointed hotels such as The Academy Plaza in Dublin, The Maldron Hotel in Belfast, and The Salthill Hotel in Galway, or similar.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experiences are included in the tour?
The tour includes a one-of-a-kind Viking adventure with a unique VR experience at the Glyde Inn, a visit to the Titanic Belfast, and a leisurely Jaunting Car Ride in Killarney National Park.
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What are some of the key historical sites visited on this tour?
Key historical sites include Hillsborough Castle, the Giant's Causeway, Derry's historic walls, Belleek Pottery, Marble Arch Caves, Blarney Castle, and the Dunbrody Famine Ship.
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Are there any optional activities available during the tour?
Yes, optional activities include a Glenshane Country Farm Sheepdog Demo, entrance and self-guided tour to Kilkenny Castle, and evening entertainment at Taylor’s Three Rock or similar.
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What kind of transportation is provided during the tour?
A modern motor coach is provided for days 2 through 11 of the tour.
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Is there a guide available throughout the tour?
Yes, an English-speaking guide is available for days 1 through 11.
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What meals are included in the tour package?
The tour package includes 11 breakfasts and dinner at your hotel on days 4 and 5.
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What is the significance of the Blarney Stone?
The Blarney Stone, also known as the stone of eloquence, is believed to bestow the 'gift of the gab' to those who kiss it.
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What can I expect to see at the Cliffs of Moher?
At the Cliffs of Moher, you will be treated to breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean. These cliffs rise over 200 meters in some places and extend approximately 8 kilometers along the Atlantic coast.
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What is the EPIC Museum in Dublin about?
The EPIC Museum in Dublin explores why over 10 million people emigrated from Ireland, focusing on the stories of these emigrants and what they carried with them.
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What is included in the visit to the Midleton Distillery?
The visit to the Midleton Distillery includes a tour of the distillery, which was established by the Murphy Brothers in 1825, and concludes with a tasting of renowned Irish whiskey.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, solo travellers are required to book a Single (Private) room.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Since 2005
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Can you assist with pre or post tour accommodation?
Yes, please enquire for details, we'll be happy to assist wherever we can.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Electronic Vouchers. These will be provided and attached to your booking (within the Documents section) aprox. 2 weeks prior to travel.
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, unfortunately that is not possible on our trips.
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Free Date Changes
Omega Tours allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 60 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Omega Tours allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform omega tours, 60 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Omega Tours requires a minimum deposit of 500 CAD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 45 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of omega tours charges.
Up to 45 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 15 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.