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Country Roads of Ireland - End Belfast

12 daysIreland, Northern Ireland

In Dublin, you’ll lean closer to the Book of Kells, following Celtic knots and mythical beasts through ancient ink and intricate lettering. then head for Killarney, where a chef shares traditional Irish recipes over a farm-to-table feast. Around the Ring of Kerry, green hills tumble towards seaside villages and the Atlantic, its salt air wafting along the peninsula. Then comes Giant’s Causeway. You feel the rough basalt beneath your hand as thousands of dark columns meet the coast, forged by volcanic lava millions of years ago.

Length
12 days
Route
Dublin to Belfast
Meals
11 breakfasts, 5 dinners
Style
Country Roads
Group size
40

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Highlights

  • Air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door
  • From time to time, your Travel Director will delight you with a local specialty representing the destination.
  • Complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi where available
  • Business class coach with extended leg room
  • Top-rated dining, from farm-to-table to local restaurants
  • 4 & 5-star stays

Itinerary

  1. DublinDays 1–2
  2. CorkDay 3
  3. KillarneyDay 4
  4. Ring of KerryDay 5
  5. EnnistymonDay 6
  6. GalwayDays 7–8
  7. LondonderryDay 9
  8. BallygallyDay 10
  9. BelfastDays 11–12
Day 1Welcome to DublinDublin

Join your Travel Director for a warm and friendly dinner, with the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other.

  • Dublin Dinner

Meals: Dinner

Stay: Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin

Day 2In Dublin’s Fair CityDublin

Accompanied by a Local Specialist, become acquainted with Dublin’s elegant squares during an orientation of the city. Discover Custom House, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Enjoy entrance to the 9th-century Book of Kells and a walk through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College.

  • Dublin City Tour
  • Discover the Book of Kells experience in Dublin

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, Dublin

Day 3A Journey from Dublin to CorkDublin · Kildare · Kilkenny · Cork

In the morning, visit one of the country’s main racehorse breeding centers, also home to the acclaimed 100 year old Japanese Gardens where you can ‘journey through life’ during a walk through the beautiful surrounds. Travel to the medieval city of Kilkenny to visit the majestic Kilkenny Castle. Learn how the castle was built in 1195 after the Norman Conquest of Ireland and admire its beautifully restored Victorian-era rooms. On arrival, your Travel Director will show you around the compact university city, with its vibrant waterfront and grand Georgian parades.

  • Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens
  • Visit the Majestic Kilkenny Castle
  • Cork Orientation

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: The Kingsley Hotel, Cork

Day 4Across the Mountains to KillarneyCork · Blarney Castle · Killarney

Travel to the ruined Blarney Castle and Gardens. Will you hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the stone and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? Travel across the majestic Derrynasaggart Mountains to the lively town of Killarney. For your Farm-to-Table dining experience, enjoy some Irish home cooking in the kitchen of chef John Sheehan. Join John and Freda, your hosts at the 19th Green Guesthouse, and savor the delicious flavors of fresh local cuisine on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Gather together at a Farm-to-Table dinner, using responsibly sourced ingredients from the local community, and gain personal insight into classic Irish recipes that are loved throughout the world.

  • Locally Sourced Farm-to-Table Meal at 19th Green Killarney
  • Blarney Stone

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, Killarney

Day 5Ring of Kerry ExperienceKillarney · Ring of Kerry

Start your day with your choice experience. Choose a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Alternatively, join a gentle hike with a Local Specialist along the lake shore and past the grounds of Ross Castle, admiring the incredible scenery of the National Park. While there aren't any mountains to climb, walkers should be fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and rain gear. Then explore around the magnificent Ring of Kerry. Here, mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is breathtaking beyond words. Journey past lush lakelands and around towering cliffs as you appreciate sweeping sea views. Continue through delightful villages like Sneem and cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap to admire Queen Victoria’s Ladies View. The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Maybe take the opportunity to hire a bicycle and enjoy one of the many scenic trails around the lake or through the National Park.

  • Killarney Horse-Drawn Jaunting Ride
  • Hike through Killarney National Park
  • The Ring of Kerry Scenic Drive
  • Killarney Orientation

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa, Killarney

Ring of Kerry landscape with Muckross lake and mountains, Killarney, Ireland
Day 6Around the Dingle PeninsulaKillarney · Dingle Peninsula · Ennistymon

Depart Killarney and journey to the rugged beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, following the scenic Slea Head Drive. Travel past windswept cliffs, golden beaches and ancient stone dwellings, with views stretching to the remote Blasket Islands. In the afternoon, head north to Tarbert, where you’ll board a ferry to cross the Shannon Estuary to Killimer, a historic crossing point where Ireland’s longest river meets the Atlantic. Keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins, often seen in these waters. Continue to Ennistymon, a charming market town known for its traditional shopfronts and cascading river falls and settle into your hotel for the evening.

  • Dingle Peninsula Scenic Drive
  • Shannon Estuary Ferry Crossing

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Falls Hotel & Spa, Ennistymon

Coumeenoole Beach Slea Head Dingle Peninsula County Kerry Country Roads Ireland
Day 7The Cliffs of Moher and GalwayEnnistymon · Cliffs of Moher · Galway

Travel to the Visitor Center at the 214 m (702 ft) Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Clare Coast before a delightful drive through the strange, rocky landscape of the Burren to Galway Bay. On arrival, see the Lynch Memorial and Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his voyages to America. See the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late U.S. President John F. Kennedy.

  • See the Cliffs of Moher
  • Galway Orientation

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: Connemara Coast Hotel, Galway

Sightseeing Galway, Ireland
Day 8Free day Galway or Aran IslandsGalway

Spend a day at leisure to relax and enjoy Galway. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to the Aran Islands? A genuine highlight of the Wild Atlantic Way. With their cliffs and spectacular coastal views, the islands are a true Irish experience.

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Connemara Coast Hotel, Galway

A skyline view of the Galway Cathedral in Ireland
Day 9Explore Derry/LondonderryGalway · Londonderry

Admire the Blue Stack Mountains of Donegal as you cross into Northern Ireland, bound for the ancient walled city. What better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls, still topped with cannons. Walk down Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall.

  • Londonderry City Tour

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: Maldron Hotel Derry, Londonderry

Benbulbin or Ben Bulben rock formation near Drumcliffe in Ireland
Day 10Walk in the Giant’s StepsLondonderry · Giant's Causeway · Ballygally

Visit the iconic Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where thousands of interlocking basalt columns form one of nature’s most extraordinary landscapes. Explore this legendary setting at your own pace before continuing along the scenic Antrim Coast Road, renowned for its dramatic cliffs and coastal views. Arrive in Ballygally and settle into your hotel overlooking the bay. If you're feeling brave, perhaps venture into the Ghost Room hidden within one of the castle’s turrets. Later, gather with your fellow travelers to enjoy an evening of warm hospitality and regional cuisine.

  • Visit Giant's Causeway
  • Ballygally Orientation
  • Ballygally Dinner

Meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stay: Ballygally Castle

Giant's Causeway, Bushmills, Northern Ireland
Day 11The Antrim Coast to BelfastBallygally · Antrim Coast · Belfast

Continue around the Antrim Coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast. Meet your Local Specialist for a passionate city tour including views of the City Hall and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents.

  • See Carrickfergus Castle
  • Belfast City Tour

Meals: Breakfast

Stay: Titanic Hotel, Belfast

Republican murals in Falls Road, Belfast, Northern Ireland
Day 12Depart BelfastBelfast

For your departure transfer, you’ll first stop at George Best Belfast City Airport before continuing to Belfast International Airport. The journey between the two airports takes approximately 45 minutes.

Meals: Breakfast

Big Fish in Belfast, Northern Ireland

Hotels

Dublin, Ireland

2 nights

Clayton Hotel Burlington Road

TripAdvisor 4.0Traditional

In the heart of Dublin’s leafy southside, you'll find the Clayton Hotel Burlington Road, offering traditional-style rooms with complimentary WiFi.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Concierge, 24-hour Front Desk, Gym, Room Service

Room Air Conditioning, Safe, TV, Wi-Fi

Cork, Ireland

1 night

The Kingsley Hotel

TripAdvisor 4.5Traditional

Overlooking the River Lee, The Kingsley Hotel offers comfortable rooms and welcoming Irish hospitality.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Business Centre, Room Service, Laundry, Gym, Pool, 24-hour Front Desk

Room Air Conditioning, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Wi-Fi

Killarney, Ireland

2 nights

Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa

TripAdvisor 4.5Traditional

In the heart of the town centre, the Killarney Plaza Hotel and Spa overlooks Killarney National Park and is the perfect location to enjoy the stunning scenery and the local 'craic.'

Hotel and room features

Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Laundry, Room Service, Business Centre, Gym, Pool, Spa, 24-hour Front Desk

Room Air Conditioning, Safe, Bathrobes and Slippers, TV, Wi-Fi

Ennistymon, Ireland

1 night

Falls Hotel & Spa

TripAdvisor 4.0Traditional

Located in the Cliffs of Moher & Burren UNESCO Geopark and beside the Inagh River, the Falls Hotel & Spa is a carbon neutral country hotel housed in a 18th century mansion.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Spa with pool, Restaurant, Bar

Room Tea & coffee facilities, TV, Telephone, Wi-Fi

Galway, Ireland

2 nights

Connemara Coast Hotel

TripAdvisor 4.0Traditional

Set on the coast, the Connemara Coast Hotel offers spectacular views of Connemara and continues a tradition in hospitality dating back to 1839.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Concierge, Room Service, Pool, Gym, Spa, 24-hour Front Desk

Room Air Conditioning, TV, Safe, Wi-Fi

Londonderry, Northern Ireland

1 night

Maldron Hotel Derry

TripAdvisor 4.5Traditional

The Maldron Hotel Derry is the only hotel situated in Londonderry’s 17th century walls and very close to all that the city has to offer.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Laundry, Business Centre, Room Service, Gym, 24-hour Front Desk

Room Safe, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Wi-Fi

1 night

Ballygally Castle

TripAdvisor 4.0Castle

Ballygally Castle is a stunning 17th century castle which overlooks the golden sands of the bay and offers excellent facilities.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Laundry, Foreign Currency Exchange, 24-hour Front Desk

Room Safe, Tea & coffee facilities, Wi-Fi

Belfast, Northern Ireland

1 night

Titanic Hotel

TripAdvisor 4.0Contemporary

Set in the former Harland & Wolff headquarters, this four-star hotel places Belfast’s shipbuilding story at the heart of the stay. The restored Drawing Offices, where Titanic and other great liners were designed, sit alongside more than 500 maritime artworks and artefacts, giving the hotel an extraordinary connection to the city’s industrial heritage.

Hotel and room features

Hotel Restaurant, Bar, Room Service, Laundry

Room Safe, Hairdryer, Iron & ironing board, TV, Tea & coffee facilities, Air Conditioning, Wi-Fi

What’s included

Optional experiences
  • Experience the Ancient Monastic Site of Glendalough

    3 hours · Local Guide, Stop for the perfect photo opportunity, Scenic drive

    Paid on tour

  • Dublin At Its Best

    Paid on tour

  • Dublin Dinner and Cabaret

    150 minutes · Three-course meal, Live entertainment

    Paid on tour

  • Evening of Irish Entertainment with Pub Supper

    Paid on tour

  • Queenstown Story

    Paid on tour

  • Gaelic Roots

    2 hours · Live entertainment

    Paid on tour

  • Celtic Steps

    150 minutes · Live entertainment

    Paid on tour

  • An Irish Pub Experience

    Paid on tour

  • Galway Walking Tour

    Local Guide, Food and Drink

    Paid on tour

  • Connemara - Life and Land

    Paid on tour

  • Aran Islands

    Paid on tour

  • Spirit of Derry

    Paid on tour

  • When Your Home is a Castle…

    Paid on tour

  • Titanic Experience

    105 minutes · Entrance and reservation fees

    Paid on tour

Dates and prices

Per person, twin share

From, per person$4,850

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