Day 1. Shannon – Westport. Upon early morning arrival at Shannon Airport, you will be met by your driver/guide and escorted to your awaiting motorcoach. This morning you will travel through Ennis and Gort, with a breakfast stop en route to Galway. You continue to Westport for a two-night stay. The remainder of the afternoon is free to rest or enjoy the hotel swimming pool / leisure center. This evening you will get together with your fellow travelers in the hotel bar and enjoy a welcome Irish Coffee, which will be followed by dinner in your hotel. Overnight: Westport.

Day 2. Achill Island. This morning you set out on a full day tour of County Mayo and experience some of the most spectacular scenery on the west coast of Ireland. You travel around The Nephin Beg mountain range passing through Pontoon, Ballina, Crossmolina to Bangor Erris for your first stop. You take the coast road to Mulranny before continuing to Achill Island where you will experience some breathtaking coastline of the famous Atlantic Drive. You will also have a stop on Achill Island for lunch before returning to Westport. This evening you will have dinner in your hotel Overnight: Westport.

Day 3. Connemara. This morning you will travel by the foothills of Croagh Patrick with some spectacular views of Clew Bay to Louisburg. You continue to Connemara which is made up of mountains, lakelands and boglands. Because of its wild and rugged beauty it has been the location for many films. “The Quiet Man” with John Wayne and Maureen O Hara and in more recent times “The Field” starring Richard Harris to name but two. The scenery is both magical and mystical and is a paradise for both artist and photographer. Your tour today will include a visit to Kylemore Abbey, built in 1866 and since 1920 has been home to the Benedictine Nuns. This evening you will have dinner in your hotel. Overnight: Galway.

Day 4. Cliffs of Moher – Dingle. This morning you depart Galway City and travel along the southern side of Galway Bay to Ballyvaughan. You continue through the Burren to the majestic Cliffs of Moher which rise over 600ft above sea level. From here you will travel along the coastline to Killimer where you cross the Shannon Estuary aboard the Shannon ferry (crossing time 25mins approx.) to Tarbert. You continue to Tralee - home of The Rose of Tralee festival and from here you travel over The Slieve Mish mountain range to the fishing town of Dingle for a one-night stay. This evening you will have dinner in your hotel. Overnight: Dingle.

Day 5. Dingle Peninsula. Today you will enjoy the unspoiled beauty of The Dingle Peninsula. You will travel back in time as you see some beehive huts (early monastic settlements) dating back over a thousand years. Your tour will take you to the most westerly point of Ireland where you can view The Blasket Islands. You will also see the locations for such films as “Ryan’s Daughter” and the more recently filmed Far and Away which starred Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman before returning to Dingle. You continue to Killarney where you will have a guided tour of Muckross House, built in 1843 and is now a folk museum.
This evening you will have dinner in your hotel. Overnight: Killarney.

Day 6. Ring of Kerry. Today you embark on one of Ireland’s most famous tours – The Ring of Kerry. Your first stop this morning will be at Macken’s of Ireland for an unforgettable shopping experience and a complimentary Irish Coffee. You continue to The Kerry Bog Village where you can visit little thatched cottages and see how people would have lived in Ireland many years ago. Your tour continues through the wild and rugged landscape of The Iveragh Peninsula which has some breathtaking views of the Atlantic coastline. You pass through the towns of Killorglin, famous for The Puck Fair Festival, to the seaside resort of Glenbeigh and to Cahirciveen. You continue to Waterville and over the mountains to Sneem before returning to Killarney. This evening you are free for dinner. Overnight: Killarney.

Day 7. Kenmare – Mizen Head – Kinsale. This morning you bid farewell to Killarney and travel first to Kenmare. From here you travel over The Caha Mountains with some fine views of Bantry Bay to Glengariff. You continue through west Cork enjoying some spectacular coastline as you travel to Mizen Head - the most southerly point of Ireland. Here you will visit Mizen Head visitor center. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Mizen Head lighthouse for a guided tour. From here you travel to Kinsale. Kinsale is a historic fishing town on the southern coastline of County Cork. It has some old cobble stone streets and many interesting shops and pubs. It is also known as the gourmet capital of Ireland. This evening you will have dinner in your hotel. Overnight: Kinsale.

Day 8. Blarney Castle. This morning you depart Kinsale and travel to Blarney for you first stop. Here you will have an opportunity to visit Blarney Castle and kiss the famous Blarney Stone said to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who dare. You will also have time for lunch and a visit to The Blarney Woollen Mills which carries a wide range of sweaters, tweeds, china and crystal. Your tour continues through Mallow, Charleville and the historic city of Limerick built on the river Shannon to Bunratty. Following hotel check in, you will have the remainder of the afternoon free to enjoy a drink in Durty Nellies – Ireland’s oldest pub or do some last minute shopping in The Bunratty Village Mills. This evening you travel back in time to the 15c and enjoy dinner accompanied by music and song at The Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet.

Day 9. Depart Shannon. Today sadly you bid farewell to the Emerald Isle. You travel a short distance to Shannon Airport for your flight home.

“ May you have warm words on a cold evening, A full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door.”