Dublin and The Enchanting Emerald Isle

Our holiday begins as we meet in Holyhead for the ferry to Dublin, spending the night at a hotel just outside the vibrant capital city.

*Please note: your luggage will travel on the ferry with you, rather than via our luggage
service.

• Dinner

We transfer into Dublin for the train to Cork, where there's time to explore. Cork is officially Ireland's second city, and its beautiful centre is surrounded by pretty waterways, creating an island of elegant Georgian streets, ornate architecture, and a tangle of old alleyways. The streets are packed with exciting shops, pubs, cafés and restaurants, along with some fantastic museums and monuments, making Cork a delight to explore. This afternoon, we head to the Jameson Distillery where we enjoy an authentic taste of Ireland with a tour and whiskey tasting.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We begin the day at Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic in 1912, before making our way to Blarney Castle. One of Ireland's greatest and most well-known treasures, the impressive castle was built in 1446 and it's here we see the iconic Blarney Stone. Legend has it, if you hang upside down and kiss the stone, you'll become extremely eloquent. There's time to explore the castle and gardens, including the poison garden, where you'll find wolfsbane, ricin, and opium. We continue to our hotel in Killarney ahead of tonight's entertainment: an authentic Celtic Steps show.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Today we soak up the dramatic beauty of Ireland on a scenic drive around the Ring of Kerry, an area of tumultuous sea, windswept cliffs and mountains. Next, we visit Kerry Bog Village Museum, exploring the recreated thatched cottages for an insight into life in 19th-century rural Ireland. Later, we enjoy a ride on the Jaunting Cars of Killarney, a traditional mode of transport here.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We make our way to Galway via the dramatic Cliffs of Moher - Ireland's most iconic natural attraction and a UNESCO Global Geopark. Here, towering cliffs rise up out of the sea as the wild ocean, home to dolphins and sharks, crashes against the jagged rocks below. We arrive at a local smokehouse for a smoked salmon masterclass, enjoying a demonstration before a tasting of the delicious smoked salmon, with a glass of wine. Continuing, we visit the Burren Centre in Kilfenora, for a fascinating insight into local history. We then make our way to Kinvara, near Galway for the night. This evening, at our hotel, we have a chance to pull our own pint of Guinness - Ireland's iconic stout.

• Breakfast, Dinner

We start our day with a visit to the Celtic Crystal Factory in Connemara, where we learn about glass cutting. We continue to Glen Keen Farm where we watch a sheep dog trial, followed by a delicious lunch and traditional entertainment. This afternoon, we visit Kylemore Abbey, a spectacular waterside Benedictine nunnery. Originally built in 1867, the abbey is surrounded by dramatic mountains and lakes. Next, we visit the 'Quiet Man' Cottage, a replica of the cottage used in the 1952 film of the same name.

• Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

We return to vibrant Dublin by rail and check into our hotel. The city is steeped in history and tradition, with every turn revealing historic architecture, welcoming locals, and lively music.

• Breakfast, Dinner

Our day begins with a private, pre-opening tour of EPIC The Irish Emigration museum, where we discover how the Irish people have helped shape the world. We continue on a guided tour of vibrant Dublin, seeing the Book of Kells, an ancient codex written in around 800 AD. We visit Trinity College before a guided tour of Kilmainham Gaol, a former prison notorious in the 19th century. Later, we enjoy dinner at 'The Merry Ploughboys', one of the best traditional pubs in Dublin and the perfect way to end our explorations of Ireland.

• Breakfast, Dinner

After breakfast we return to Holyhead by ferry, where our holiday comes to an end.

*Please note: your luggage will travel on the ferry with you, rather than via our luggage service.

• Breakfast