The Enchanting Emerald Isle 2012 

Our tour begins on Anglesey in the north-west of Wales. Your Tour Manager is waiting to meet you at the ferry port in Holyhead. From here we depart on the Irish Sea ferry to Dublin, a crossing of approximately three hours. On arrival in Ireland we board a private coach for the short transfer into Dublin. Here we stay for two nights at the 4-star Ashling Hotel, ideally located in the city centre, close to Phoenix Park and the River Liffey. The charming and historic city of Dublin is known for the easy-going nature of its residents. The red-brick Georgian streets of the city are home to hundreds of cosy, old fashioned Victorian pubs, where time appears to have stood still. Dublin has been transformed into a vibrant, modern European capital, with chic restaurants and welcoming bars found throughout the city centre. The city is well served by a modern tram service, making Dublin easy to explore. We dine together in the hotel this evening. (D)

This morning we enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin that includes many of the city's main attractions. Our tour includes entrance to Trinity College Library to see the famous Book of Kells, as well as entrance to the impressive, grey-stoned Saint Patrick's Cathedral. Following our tour you are free to spend the afternoon exploring Dublin at leisure. Take the opportunity to visit the Guinness Brewery, where you can enjoy a tour of the historic building, learn about the production process and enjoy a pint of the 'black stuff' while overlooking Dublin. You can also enjoy a tour of the lavish rooms in Dublin Castle, former home to the British viceroy, and visit the National Museum and National Library, both located on Kildare Street. Beside the hotel is Phoenix Park, the largest walled city park in Europe. Here you will discover beautiful formal gardens and can visit Dublin Zoo. (B)

This morning we make our way to Dublin's Heuston railway station, where we board the train to Galway. Our journey takes us through the verdant countryside of central Ireland, a region of unspoilt, under-appreciated beauty. We travel across the very heart of the island, due west as far as Portarlington, north-west to Athlone, located just south of the beautiful Lough Ree, and then west to our destination in Galway Bay on the Atlantic coast. Vibrant Galway is an ancient walled city with a picturesque medieval Old Quarter and colourful, windswept quayside. We spend two nights in Galway at the Salthill Hotel, located on the shore of Galway Bay, near the delightful Salthill promenade. (B,D)

Today we enjoy a full-day coach tour of Connemara, an area of incredible scenic beauty. The landscape includes fantastic coastline, off-shore islands, inland Lough Corrib and an undulating countryside of hills and valleys. Our tour takes us to the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, located in the village of Moycullen, where we can see the production of exquisitely made Irish crystal and learn about the history of the pioneering business and the Celtic and Gaelic influences into the designs and decoration of the glass. Our next stop is Killary Harbour, a nine-mile inlet located under the shadow of the Maamturk Mountains in the Maam Valley. We then visit Kylemore Abbey, a Benedictine abbey located in an imposing former castle. Our visit to the abbey includes time to explore the delightful walled gardens, maintained by the Benedictine community, which only contain plants and vegetables that were grown in the Victorian era. Our return journey takes us on a scenic route through Ballyconneely, a coastal peninsula stretching into the Atlantic Ocean that is known for breeding the famous Connemara pony. We also pass through Roundstone and Ballynahinch on our way back to Galway. (B,D)

We leave Galway this morning, travelling south along the coastline of County Clare, crossing the picturesque, karst scenery of the Burren - an inhospitable but beautiful limestone landscape, a vast, wild plateau which wouldn't feelout of place on the surface of the moon. We travel along the famous Cliffs of Moher, Ireland's most dramatic natural attraction, which drop over 700 feet to the crashing waves below. Here we enjoy time at the Visitor Experience Centre, built into the landscape. Our journey continues on the Shannon ferry, crossing the Shannon Estuary from Killimer to Tarbert. We then travel south to Killarney to spend the next two nights at the 4-star Killarney Plaza Hotel. (B,D)

We enjoy a drive around the beautiful Ring of Kerry, Ireland's most famous scenic drive, which takes in some of the most dramatic mountain and seascape scenery in Europe. We stop at the picturesque villages of Killorglin, Cahirciveen, Waterville and Sneem. We also stop at Moll's Gap, a scenic viewing spot with wonderful views of the Macgillycuddy's Reeks Mountains and the three lakes, with Killarney visible in the background. During the day we include a traditional jaunting car ride and a sheepdog demonstration by a renowned local farmer. (B,D)

Today we head to the famous Blarney Castle - one of Ireland's greatest treasures, thanks to the Blarney Stone (the legendary Stone of Eloquence), found at the top of the Tower. You may wish to try "kissing the Blarney Stone" before we travel to the colourful, atmospheric seaside town of Cobh. From here, more than two million Irish emigrants set sail for North America. After time to explore Cobh and its charming waterfront, we continue to Midleton, where we board the train to Cork. Our hotel in Cork is the River Lee Hotel, located on the banks of the River Lee, within walking distance of the city centre. (B,D)

Your day is free to spend at leisure in Cork. One of the city's most popular attractions is the fantastic English Market, set up in 1786, that is a celebration of food from all over Ireland - cheese-makers, vegetable stalls, organic producers and butchers all sell their produce in the atmospheric covered market. You could enjoy an excursion to the harbour town of Kinsale, famous for its superb gourmet seafood restaurants, brightly painted houses, charming pubs and palm tree lined promenade. You could also spend time relaxing in the hotel spa, enjoying the excellent facilities. Tonight you are free to dine out in one of Cork's many enticing restaurants. (B)

We travel back to Dublin by First Class rail, transferring to the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney, to the south of Dublin Bay. Your afternoon is free to spend at leisure in Killiney, with its fantastic sweeping bay. Tonight we are treated to an evening of live music and entertainment at 'The Merry Ploughboys' traditional Irish pub in Dublin, followed by dinner. (B,D)

After checking out of the hotel, we transfer to Dun Laoghaire for the ferry crossing back to Holyhead, where our tour concludes. (B)

E = Eurostar meal, B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner
These meals, where shown, are included in the price of your holiday