Classical 8 Day Tour

Day 1 – Dublin’s Fair City

Greeting on arrival at Dublin Airport from your Abbey Tours Guide. Depart for the county of Meath, Ireland’s Heritage Capital, stopping en route for a welcome drink at McCaffrey’s Pub. Dinner and overnight at the 4 star Trim Castle Hotel, located in the centre of the town and in the shadow of historic Trim Castle.

Day 2 – To the West of Ireland

After breakfast visit the majestic 12th century Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman Castle in Europe, before departing for Galway. On the way stop at Clonmacnoise, one of Ireland’s most famous early Christian sites. The site includes the ruins of a Cathedral, 3 churches, 2 round towers and high crosses. Late afternoon arrival in Galway. Check in to the 4 star Clayton Hotel. This evening enjoy a traditional Irish night out at ‘Trad on the Prom’, which includes dinner and the best of Irish music and song.

Day 3 – Connemara

Full day tour of Connemara, an area of wild and rugged beauty, rich in wildlife and featuring a mixture of mountain scenery and hundreds of small lakes. The Irish language is still widely spoken here. On the way we stop off at Kylemore Abbey, a famous Irish school run by the Benedictine nuns. The Abbey itself is a beautiful mansion in a lakeside setting. Overnight Galway.

Day 4 – Galway to the Kingdom of Kerry

This is a full day journey with a distinct number of highlights. Travel through the Burren country with its unusual lunar-like surface and many rare flowers and plants.
Experience a new attraction in the form of a Cliffs of Moher Cruise which is a unique experience providing a bird’s eye view of the dramatic Cliffs of Moher rising to a height of 214 metres from the Atlantic ocean. Continue via the Killimer to Tarbert car ferry to the busy market town of Tralee. Overnight in the Abbey Gate Hotel, in the very centre of the town.

Day 5 – Dingle Peninsula or Ring of Kerry

Today there is a choice of 2 alternative excursions – the Dingle Peninsula or the Ring of Kerry.
Some of the finest coastal scenery to be seen in Ireland can be found in West Kerry, on the Dingle Peninsula. The landscape here is quite dramatic with exceptional views of the Blasket Islands.
The Ring of Kerry is perhaps one of the country’s best known excursions, consisting of 170km of beautiful scenery. The views on the Ring of Kerry are continually changing with spectacular views of mountains, lakes, seas and forest. En route stop in Killarney, Ireland’s premier beauty spot. Overnight in the Abbey Gate Hotel.

Day 6 – To Dublin via Kilkenny

Return to Dublin, stopping in medieval Kilkenny which is known locally as the ‘marble city’. Kilkenny is the most interesting and best preserved of medieval Irish cities with its narrow winding streets and striking historical monuments. Enjoy a hearty pub lunch in the award winning Langton’s Bar.
On arrival in Dublin check in to the Trinity Capital Hotel in the heart of city, just a 2 minute walk from Dublin’s main pedestrian thoroughfare, Grafton Street.

Day 7 – Dublin City and Powerscourt Estate

Morning tour of Dublin’s city which includes a leisurely walk in the beautiful grounds of Trinity College and a chance to see one of Ireland’s great art treasures the Book of Kells, ending with a tour of the National Museum.
In the early afternoon travel south to Wicklow, an area which is affectionately known as the ‘Garden of Ireland’. Here, there is a stop at the stately Powerscourt House and Gardens with an opportunity to enjoy a walk in the magnificent gardens which surround the mansion. Return to Dublin with evening free to explore local pubs and restaurants.

Day 8 – Farewell

Before leaving for the airport our last stop is at the Guinness Storehouse. Sample a farewell glass of Guinness in the Gravity Bar which affords spectacular views of Dublin city. Transfer to Dublin Airport for departure flight home.