The Enchanting Emerald Isle
Explore the highlights of Ireland by rail in 10 days
Call:
EnquireThe Enchanting Emerald Isle
10 Days from£1,590
per person
The Award Winning Leader in Escorted Worldwide Rail Holidays
You are viewing the 2018 itinerary
Itineraries and pricing may vary by departure year
Rugged coastline, beautiful rolling hills and dramatic castles are all within reach on this tour of the Emerald Isle. Our highlights include the Ring of Kerry, Cork and Killarney, the legendary Blarney Stone, the Cliffs of Moher and Ireland's wonderful capital, Dublin.
Our tour begins in Holyhead, where your Tour Manager meets you at the ferry port for the crossing to Dublin, where we check into our hotel and enjoy our first dinner together this evening.
We leave Dublin behind and take the train to Cork, travelling in First Class. On arrival in Cork we take an excursion to the famous Blarney Castle - one of Ireland's greatest treasures. We then travel back into Cork, and check in to our hotel.
On Day 3 we are transferred to Middleton for a visit to the Jameson Distillery, after which we visit Cork city centre before some free time to explore.
This morning we travel to the harbour town of Kinsale, where you are at leisure. We continue to Killarney, situated amongst the sublime scenery of Killarney National Park. After dinner we are whisked away to the Celtic Steps Show, a spectacular evening of traditional Irish music and dance.
On Day 5, we enjoy a drive around the beautiful Ring of Kerry, taking in truly dramatic mountain scenery and superb seascapes, followed by a horse and carriage ride on the Jaunting Cars of Killarney.
We travel to Galway via the famous Cliffs of Moher, Ireland's most dramatic natural attraction, before continuing along the coastline of County Clare.
On Day 7 we make visits to the Celtic Crystal Factory in Connemara, where we enjoy a demonstration of glass cutting, Glen Keen Farm, where we experience turf cutting and Kylemore Abbey.
After a leisurely morning, we return to Dublin by Standard Class train. We enjoy a sightseeing tour on Day 9, including a visit to the Book of Kells, then the world famous Guinness Storehouse for a guided tour and tasting before dinner at 'The Merry Ploughboys'.
On Day 10 we return to Holyhead by ferry where our tour concludes.
Please note that while every departure of this tour will feature the same excursions, the order may differ from that shown above.
Provisional departure and return times, where available, can be found together with our dates and prices by clicking on the 'Prices & Availability' button. We write to all booked customers approximately 10 weeks prior to the start of their tour to advise the exact departure and return time for their particular group.
An escorted experience and all travel arrangements
Comfortable accommodation in your destination
Delicious meals included
Exciting excursions and free time to explore
Not Included
The Emerald Isle tour was a most enjoyable experience, not least helped by the unbridled friendliness of the Irish folk.
Ivan, our Tour Manager, showed care, consideration and courtesy
in the extreme, and throughout the nine days was thoroughly focused
on the job. The hotels, in particular - the Randles Court, Bunratty
Castle and the Ashling - were outstanding in all aspects.
We realise there are few, in any, train tracks in the remote
south-west and west coasts, so we were mindful of a weightier
balance towards coaching. The two train journeys were, however,
extremely comfortable and, happily, we were free from having to lug
heavy suitcases around.
The medieval banquet was utterly unforgettable, the trips to the
Ring of Kerry and the Burren captivating, and we enjoyed the
shindig at the old whiskey distillery and great send-off. Apart
from a hideous first day and one or two occasional showers, the
weather was far less Irish than we were fearing!
Thanks again for yet another holiday to remember.
Explore the highlights of Ireland by rail in 10 days
Call:
Enquire
The definitive guide to our 2018/19 rail holidays to a wide range of destinations in Europe.
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