2022 Best of Ireland South with Driver (Tour A) - 8 Days/7 Nights

Duration: 8 Days

Price: Starts from $0 USD

Itineraries

Day 1: Dublin Sightseeing
You’ll be picked up at Dublin Airport; a driver will bring you to your hotel to drop off your bags, and then bring you to Dublin for a short city tour. Then, you’ll enjoy a day of independent touring in Dublin. Take a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour, and see all the city’s highlights with the freedom to stop off to explore further as you please. Your Hop-On, Hop-Off bus ticket also gives you admission to the Little Museum of Dublin, an old Georgian townhouse with a fantastic collection of 5,000 objects telling the story of the city. Plus, you will have a voucher to admit you to one of Dublin’s top attractions: the Guinness Storehouse, a seven-story attraction telling the story of Dublin's iconic beverage, complete with a pint at the Gravity Bar on the top floor; Teeling Distillery, the first new whiskey distillery to open in Dublin in 125 years; EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, telling the story of the people who left Ireland and how they shaped the world (and winner of Europe’s Leading Tourist Attraction 2019); or the GPO Museum, innovatively detailing the fascinating story of the 1916 Rising, the pivotal event that led to Ireland’s independence. Your evening is free to explore Dublin’s many bustling pubs and restaurants as you wish.

Day 2: Dublin Sightseeing
Continue sightseeing in Dublin. If you still have vouchers, you can continue exploring the city. Or visit some of the charming coastal villages and seaside suburbs: Dalkey, Malahide, Dun Laoghaire, and Howth are all worth a visit, with plenty of fantastic seafood restaurants, historic castles, and amazing vistas awaiting you. Enjoy dinner in your hotel.
(B, D)


Day 3: Blarney Castle | Killarney
Meet your expert driver/guide at your hotel today. You’ll drive south through the agricultural midlands to County Cork, to visit Blarney Castle. Climb the winding staircase to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or stroll through the acres of tranquil gardens. Travel through Macroom and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in the charming town of Killarney, where you will enjoy dinner in your hotel.
(B, D)


Day 4: Dingle Peninsula | Traditional Irish Dinner at Muckross Schoolhouse
Discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous in the movies “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far & Away,” which showcased the wonderful scenery found here. Travel to Slea Head at the westernmost tip of the peninsula for awesome views of the Atlantic Ocean, and stop for awhile in charming Dingle town. Or you may choose to do the Ring of Kerry, perhaps Ireland’s best known scenic drive. Either way, you’ll experience spectacular seascapes and charming villages, with plenty of photo stops along the way. Visit Muckross Schoolhouse, a replica schoolhouse from times past, for a fun evening of traditional entertainment over dinner.
(B, D)


Day 5: Jaunting Car Ride | Adare
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle and Kenmare Estate. You might choose to visit Moriarty’s in the Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Head to the pretty village of Adare, and check out the charm of its thatched cottages and colorful gardens. Proceed to County Clare. Visit an authentic castle for a medieval-style feast, where lords and ladies will serenade you with music and songs from days of yore.
(B, D)


Day 6: Cliffs of Moher | Galway
Travel along the coast of County Clare to view the Cliffs of Moher, which soar almost 700 feet above churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs to O’Brien’s Tower for great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Drive north to Galway to explore this lively, artistic city. Walk through its medieval streetscape, listen to the buskers performing, enjoy its many shops and cafes. Return to Clare to have dinner in your hotel.
(B, D)


Day 7: Irish National Stud | Dublin
Enjoy the scenic Irish countryside on your way to Kildare where you’ll visit the home of equine royalty, The Irish National Stud. Here you’ll see impeccably bred stallions alongside protective mares, frolicking foals, and athletic yearlings. Stroll around the delightful grounds to explore St. Fiachra’s Garden, including its miniature Japanese Gardens. Continue on to Dublin, where you’ll say farewell to your dedicated driver/guide. Dine at your choice of one of the many restaurants or pubs scattered throughout the city.
(B)


Day 8: Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast today, when you are transferred from your hotel to Dublin Airport.
(B)

B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner

Highlights

Best of Ireland South with Driver (Tour A) - 8 Days/7 Nights

Authentic Local Experiences:

  • Step back in time at Muckross Schoolhouse, showing the experience of schoolchildren of the past. Learn your cúpla focal (few words) in a fun Irish-language lesson before enjoying a private dinner with entertainment.
  • Visit the Little Museum of Dublin for a fascinating look at the city’s history, and an after-hours entry where you’ll get a private tour as you sip on beer or wine.

Trip Highlights:

  • Blarney Castle
  • Dingle Peninsula
  • Muckross Schoolhouse
  • Jaunting Car Ride in Killarney
  • Medieval Castle Banquet

Dining Experiences:

  • 7 Breakfasts (B), and 5 Dinners (D)

Hotels:

  • Talbot Hotel Stillorgan | Dublin (2)
  • Scotts Hotel | Killarney (2)
  • The Inn at Dromoland | Newmarket-on-Fergus (2)
  • Grand Canal Hotel | Dublin or Clayton Hotel | Dublin Airport (1)

Not included

Hotels

Best of Ireland South with Driver (Tour A) - 8 days/7 nights Land tour
SupplierNameSupplierRating DescriptionImage
SupplierName Talbot Hotel StillorganSupplierRating **** This hotel offers 150 air-conditioned, modern guest rooms with all conveniences for a comfortable stay. Enjoy the award-winning restaurant for breakfasts and dinners while the bar provides a place to relax with a drink or casual meal. Keep up your exercise program in the White Pebble Day Spa and gym. Located on Stillorgan Road on the south side of Dublin city, this hotel is 4 miles from the city center. Served by frequent city bus services and taxis.
SupplierName Talbot Hotel StillorganSupplierRating **** This hotel offers 150 air-conditioned, modern guest rooms with all conveniences for a comfortable stay. Enjoy the award-winning restaurant for breakfasts and dinners while the bar provides a place to relax with a drink or casual meal. Keep up your exercise program in the White Pebble Day Spa and gym. Located on Stillorgan Road on the south side of Dublin city, this hotel is 4 miles from the city center. Served by frequent city bus services and taxis.
SupplierName Scotts HotelSupplierRating **** The hotel offers 105 spacious guest rooms featuring free Wi-Fi, private bathroom, tea/coffee- making facilities and flat-screen TV. Soft and crisp duvets, snug throws, soft natural daylight and rich furnishings combine to create a sense of relaxation. Dine in the elegant Courtyard Restaurant or enjoy a casual snack in the relaxed, spacious Scotts Bar, where live music is performed at weekends. The family-run hotel is located in the center of Killarney town.
SupplierName Scotts HotelSupplierRating **** The hotel offers 105 spacious guest rooms featuring free Wi-Fi, private bathroom, tea/coffee- making facilities and flat-screen TV. Soft and crisp duvets, snug throws, soft natural daylight and rich furnishings combine to create a sense of relaxation. Dine in the elegant Courtyard Restaurant or enjoy a casual snack in the relaxed, spacious Scotts Bar, where live music is performed at weekends. The family-run hotel is located in the center of Killarney town.
SupplierName The Rine (formally Inn at Dromoland)SupplierRating *** This modern hotel is located on the wooded countryside of the Dromoland Castle Estate. The hotel features spacious rooms that are decorated in a traditional manner. There is a health and fitness club, indoor swimming pool, and multiple restaurants on the premise. Enjoy and elegant meal at Deerfield’s Restaurant, a casual meal in Shannigan’s Gastro Pub, or treat yourself to some afternoon tea.
SupplierName The Rine (formally Inn at Dromoland)SupplierRating *** This modern hotel is located on the wooded countryside of the Dromoland Castle Estate. The hotel features spacious rooms that are decorated in a traditional manner. There is a health and fitness club, indoor swimming pool, and multiple restaurants on the premise. Enjoy and elegant meal at Deerfield’s Restaurant, a casual meal in Shannigan’s Gastro Pub, or treat yourself to some afternoon tea.
SupplierName Clayton Hotel Dublin AirportSupplierRating *** This contemporary hotel near Dublin Airport provides CIE Tours' guests the ideal choice for a pre- or post-flight stay. Enjoy a range of dining options, from lite bites in the lounge to a more substantial meal in the restaurant. Rooms are tastefully decorated and boast a fresh and warm feeling.
SupplierName Grand Canal HotelSupplierRating *** This modern hotel offers comfort, convenience, service and value in 142 tastefully decorated rooms. The Epic Restaurant serves international dishes, and the Gasworks Bar is a great venue for a drink or food service. Located to the south of the city center near the Grand Canal, this property is just a 15-minute walk to Grafton Street, Trinity College, the National Gallery of Art and many other attractions.