IRELAND, THE ‘CLASSIC’ TOUR

Day 1 – Dublin Arrival Arrive at Dublin Airport today, pick up your hire car & transfer to your hotel. According to the time of arrival, enjoy a tour of the highlights of Dublin, which could include a visit to Trinity College to view the beautifully illuminated Book of Kells and the National Museum of Ireland (entry free of charge). Overnight: Dublin area (B&B, Hotel or Manor House)  

Day 2 – Dublin to Galway Enjoy a sightseeing tour of Dublin today. You could visit St-Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church, where Jonathan Swift, author of “Gulliver’s Travels” was once Dean. Stop off at the Old Jameson Distillery (option), situated in the old markets area of the city, Smithfield.   An audio-visual tour explains the process by which whisky is made and this is followed by a whisky tasting by all in the "Ball o' Malt Bar".  A special tasting is organised to compare the most popular Irish whiskies with bourbon and scotch whisky.  This afternoon depart Dublin for your next stop, County Galway. Overnight: Galway area (B&B, Hotel or Manor House)  

Day 3 - Connemara Spend today exploring the   country of the “Quiet Man” and “The Purple Taxi”Connemara, an area full of contrast, Granite Mountains populated only by sheep with hundreds of lakes forming a fisherman’s  
paradise. Its stone walls, small farms, thatched cottages in isolated splendour with its heather covered hills create an unforgettable scene for all its visitors.  The route takes us from Galway to the lake dotted centre of Connemara at Maam Cross. The road continues through the colourful town of Clifden and on through the Irish speaking low-lying part of Southern Connemara with its countless beautiful lakes. Overnight: Galway area (B&B, Hotel or Manor House)  

Day 4 – Galway to Kerry  Depart for Kerry this morning, and travel through the heart of County Clare - the Burren Region.  The Burren is a geological paradise boasting over 2,000 plants and many rare flowers. Continue along the coast of Clare to view the spectacular Cliffs of Moher (option) which form a 200m wall that plunges into the Atlantic Ocean, from which you can see from Galway Bay to  Continue through the farming countryside of Limerick to Kerry. Overnight: Killarney area (B&B, Hotel or Manor House)  

Day 5 – Ring of Kerry A superb tour of the Iveragh Peninsula (170 kms), taking in spectacular scenery - mountains, peat bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean as one travel along the coast road. Leaving Killarney you travel  
through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair, then to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay.  Continue to Cahersiveen, the birth place of National hero, Daniel O’Connell, drive through the peat bogs to the sea town of Waterville.  Continue to Sneem Village, famous because of its brightly coloured houses. The road continues with superb views of the famous Lakes of Killarney. Overnight: Killarney area (B&B, Hotel or Manor House)   

Day 6 – Dingle Peninsula & Limerick Depart for a tour of the Dingle Peninsula, where films such as “Ryan’s Daughter” and “Far and Away” have been made. The Peninsula has an extraordinary number of ring forts, high crosses and other ancient monuments. The area west of Dingle has the greatest concentration of ancient sites in Kerry.  This area is also a genuine Irish-speaking area.  The landscape here is dramatic and there are striking views of the Blasket Islands from Slea Head. Overnight: Limerick area (B&B, Hotel or Manor House)  

Day 7 – Limerick to Dublin Return to Dublin and afternoon free to explore the city or to do your last minute shopping. Overnight: Dublin area (B&B, Hotel or Manor House)  

Day 8 – Dublin Departure Travel to Dublin Airport for return flight home.