Style : Group tour
Irish Highlights (Summer) tour
Cultural Culture Irish Highlights (Summer) package
Education / Learning Historic sightseeing Irish Highlights (Summer) package

Irish Highlights (Summer)

Brendan Vacations
4.2 . Great
60%
Travel Style: Array Mixed
Physical Level: Walking or physical activity half to most of day - no carrying equipment. Easy
Lodging Level: 3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards. Comfort (4*)
8 days
From: $ 1,895 $ 237 / day
Checking price

Overview

Highlights (Bullets)

  • Wicklow: Traditional Irish fare with an Italian twist is served up at Glenealy House near Dublin with the charming Fulvio family on hand to share their story.
  • Waterford: Learn how crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour.
  • New Ross: Explore the tragic history of Ireland's famine emigration at the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience, a replica of one of the original ships used in the 1800s.
  • Dublin: A Local Specialist will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House.
  • Bunratty: Visit the impeccably-preserved Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
  • Galway: Explore the historic heart of Galway. See landmarks such as the Spanish Arch and the cathedral, or perhaps admire the distinctive Claddagh rings.
  • Limerick: See Limerick's iconic landmarks during an orientation with your Travel Director.
  • Cliffs of Moher: Stop by the Exhibition Centre and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs.
  • Ring of Kerry: Admire Ireland's enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
  • Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
  • New Ross: Visit the port town of New Ross. On the quayside, perhaps see the Dunbrody replica famine ship and statue of John F. Kennedy.
  • Explore Dublin with a Local Specialist
  • Discover Galway, Limerick and Waterford
  • Visit Bunratty Folk Park, the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney to kiss the stone and gain the 'gift of the gab', the Crystal Showroom at Waterford and the famine ship in New Ross
  • View St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin and King John's Castle in Limerick
  • See the Cathedral of Galway and St. Mary's Cathedral in Limerick
  • Scenic Cruise across the Shannon Estuary
  • Scenic Drive of the Ring of Kerry

Short Description

A roundtrip from Dublin featuring all the Ireland highlights including Waterford crystal, your newfound 'gift of the gab' at Blarney Castle and the irresistible Ring of Kerry. You’ll also learn about the devastating Irish famine and peer over the edge at the Cliffs of Moher.

Style Group tour
Off the beaten track trips will stretch your comfort zone. They don't always feature tourist highlights, but dive deeper into local life and culture.
Itinerary Focus Off the Beaten Path
3 to 4 star western hotel equivalents. While not all lodging will be 'luxury' they will be quite comfortable by western standards.
Lodging Level Comfort (4*)
Flight & Transport Inclusions N/A
Start City Dublin
End City Dublin

Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to the Emerald Isle

Tread in the footsteps of James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, through the lyrical streets of Dublin – your launch pad to a memorable encounter with Ireland's iconic highlights. After a leisurely morning, meet a Local Specialist for a sightseeing tour with views of Trinity College, St. Patrick's Cathedral and the stately Georgian Squares. Indulge in a little Irish craic this evening, joining your Travel Director and fellow travellers for a Welcome Dinner.

Clayton Cardiff Lane, Clayton Ballsbridge

Dinner

Day 2: Onwards to Galway and Limerick

We journey to Galway, the 'City of Tribes', where we'll see its stone cathedral on the banks of the Corrib and spend some free time exploring its stone façades. Irish traditions and heritage are explored next, during a visit to Bunratty Castle and its Folk Park, a living history museum that reveals insights into life in Ireland during the 18th and 19th centuries. Continue to Limerick, for an orientation tour and view the 13th-century King John's Castle overlooking the Shannon.

Greenhills, The Inn at Dromoland

Breakfast

Day 3: Experience the Iconic Cliffs of Moher and on to Killarney

We leave Limerick and stop at the spectacular Cliffs of Moher on the famous ‘Wild Atlantic Way'. You’ll feel like you’ve gone back to an ancient time as you gaze across the water, all the way to the Aran Islands if the weather is good. Visit the interactive visitor centre where this incredible UNESCO-listed natural phenomenon comes to life in a way you would not get to see with your own eyes. You’ll watch enchanted how the curious-looking Atlantic Puffins take sanctuary in the cliffs and go beneath the surface to see how the sediment has stacked up over 300 million years to create this towering backdrop. Inspired by the irresistible beauty of this special place, you’ll continue to your hotel in Killarney with a scenic drive to the ferry departure point and journey across the Shannon Estuary. Our home for the next two nights is the colourful little town of Killarney.

International, Killarney

Breakfast

Day 4: A Scenic Day on the Ring of Kerry

Circle the spectacular Ring of Kerry – its emerald green hills, centuries-old stone villages and vivid blue seascapes provide a soul-stirring backdrop for our leisurely drive around a beautiful coastline that has inspired writers and poets for centuries. We'll see Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the coastal village of Waterville, Moll's Gap and the Black Valley, renowned for being the last place in Ireland to get electricity and telephone networks.

International, Killarney

Breakfast

Day 5: Explore Blarney and Journey to Waterford

Cross the rugged Kerry Mountains and travel to Blarney Castle to kiss the stone and acquire the 'gift of the gab'. Continue to Waterford, where we will have dinner at our hotel.

Fitzwilton

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 6: Through County Wicklow’s Countryside to Dublin Dive Into Culture Connect with Locals

Dive Into Culture and witness the centuries-old tradition of crafting fine glass at the House of Waterford Crystal. Here we will watch the talented master craftsmen in their workshop creating exquisite pieces. Our next stop is in the town of New Ross, where we'll see the monument to John F. Kennedy who travelled to his ancestral family hometown in 1963. We'll visit the three-masted famine ship Dunbrody and Dive Into Culture yet again, gaining insights into the tragic plight of the Irish emigrants who fled the potato famine during the 1800s. Continuing through County Wexford and the lush countryside of County Wicklow, we journey to Dublin stopping en route at Glenealy Farmhouse. We'll Connect With Locals over a Be My Guest Farewell Dinner and meet the Fulvio family.

The Samuel, Clayton Cardiff Lane

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 7: Farewell Ireland

For now, it’s time to say a fond slán abhaile to your fellow travellers as you close the curtain on an unforgettable journey through the 'Emerald Isle'. Find out more about your free airport transfer at http://www.brendanvacations.com//freetransfers.

Breakfast

Availability

Checking price
Price From $ 1,895
Price Per Day: $ 237 per day
Checking price
Start DateFinish DateDoubleSingleAvailability 
Oct-08-2023Oct-14-2023$ 1,950$ 2,310onRequest Reserve
Oct-15-2023Oct-21-2023$ 1,950$ 2,310closed Reserve
Oct-22-2023Oct-28-2023$ 1,895$ 2,255onRequest Reserve
Oct-29-2023Nov-04-2023$ 1,895$ 2,255onRequest Reserve

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with Brendan Vacations.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

5 Brendan Vacations Travel Reviews & Ratings

60%
4.2 out of 5 (100+ reviews)
Excellent 4
Great 0
Average 0
Disappointing 0
Terrible 1
Value
4.2
Guide
4.2
Activities
4.2
Lodging
4.2
Transportation
4.2
Meals
4.2

Irish Highlights (Summer)

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1.0
Details
Value1.0
Guide1.0
Activities1.0
Lodging1.0
Transportation1.0
Meals1.0
After waiting for 3 years we were finally scheduled to go to Ireland but 8 days before our trip we were informed that they had changed their vaccination policy and we couldn’t go. They refunded our money which they had for three years but although we requested a check, they refunded to a charge account that had been paid off so we only got a credit on a card we no longer use. Not to mention loss of airfares and hotel charges. We are so disappointed with their cavalier attitude and unprofessionalism.
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had a wonderful time

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
We just went on Iconic Ireland and Ashford Castle and had a wonderful time. This was our first bus tour and we didn't know quite what to expect, however, we couldn't have had a more perfect time. Ireland is a beautiful country and we were stunned and thrilled with all the beauty we were able to see. The hotels were great - some definitely better than others but all were comfortable. My only complaint was that our last hotel had no ac and Ireland was experiencing a heat wave so the fan didn't help very much. That wasn't anyone's fault and I just went with the flow. Barbara (our guide) and Marina (our driver) were great and genuinely seemed to be concerned with everyone's comfort. The grande finale of Ashford Castle was incredible. Such a beautiful place and to be able to stay a night there was incredible. I ended up doing the Hawk Walk and horseback riding and I would recommend both - especially the hawk walk to anyone - I think people who are good riders would probably get to do more than we did but it was still great. I would recommend Brendan and this trip to anyone. Perfect amount of down time and activity. Loved it!
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it was fabulous!

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
My husband and I recently went to Ireland on a Brendan Vacations tour...first tour we've even been on...and it was fabulous! From start to finish everything about the trip was perfect. Frances O'Doherty our Tour Director and Hugo our driver made this trip exceptional and unforgettable. Hugo's driving skills are phenomenal!! Frances is the sweetest, warmest, friendliest and most organized individual you'll ever meet. She is so knowledgeable about all things Irish and has a way of imparting that knowledge in a memorable and special way. I was a little nervous about staying in a different hotel every night and being on the go every minute but it was glorious. Our luggage was always handled for us, hotel check-ins were done in advance so we never had to go through check-in ourselves, meal vouchers and exhibit tickets were all prepared in advance, etc. It was totally seamless for everyone on the tour. It was a large group but we all became the best of friends by the end of the trip. We will definitely use Brendan Vacations in the future and highly recommend them to anyone interested in tour travel!!!
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my cruise planners was wonderful

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
Just wanted to say that the trip me my 23 year old son my mom and my nephew and niece who booked our trip through Valerie and Debbie from my cruise planners was wonderful. Valerie and Debbie took care of everything from beginning to the end. The bed and breakfast that we stayed at Lough Kiern hosts Ellie and Kevin were wonderful. They took care of everything and were very informative and helpful. I would definitely recommend staying there to anyone
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Excellent service made our trip a pleasure

5.0
Details
Value5.0
Guide5.0
Activities5.0
Lodging5.0
Transportation5.0
Meals5.0
I just returned from an amazing trip with Brendan vacations. We booked a private chauffeur as we traveled from Dublin to the West of Ireland. Our driver's name was Seamus MacTiernan and he was an excellent guide as we traveled over 2500 miles seeing the sites and visiting family in very rural area. We could not have accomplished all that we did without Seamus. He was a pleasure to be with and his hospitality and excellent service made our trip a pleasure. We could not have seen as much as we did without him and we knew from the onset of out trip that we had the right person and perfect schedule I highly recommend a personal driver and indeed Seamus himself if you are ever in Ireland as you maximize your time and it is a hassle free vacation plus you eliminate the stress of driving. Thanks Seamus...it was a pleasure getting to know you!
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Details

Group Size

Standard Group - 25 + people

Maximum Number of People in Group: 40

Accommodations

  • Clayton Cardiff Lane, Clayton Ballsbridge
  • Greenhills, The Inn at Dromoland
  • International, Killarney
  • Fitzwilton
  • The Samuel, Clayton Cardiff Lane

Trip ID#:

brendanvacations-IRIHZN18

Meals Included

  • 3 Dinner (D)
  • 6 Breakfast (B)
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