This 7-day locally hosted Ireland trip sets out early by rail from Dublin, taking you to Cork, Blarney, continues by motor coach to the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, from Galway rejoin the railway to Belfast. Enjoy an excursion to the Giant’s Causeway before returning to the capital.

Take an early train to Cork, travelling through Ireland’s longest railway tunnel. Then transfer to Blarney Village, home of the famous castle. Some dispute the wisdom of trying to kiss the namesake stone, but we’ll let you decide for yourself. Whether you come away with the gift of eloquence or not, you will come away with some wonderful photos and memories before returning to Cork for a brief city tour. Sample some Murphy’s and Beamish for a local alternative to Guinness, and tour the famous port town of Cobh, best known as the departure point for the RMS Titanic.

In addition to being a hub for live music in Ireland, Killarney is also the jump-off point for exploring the Ring of Kerry. This is rural Ireland at its finest with lakes and rocky outcroppings dotting the landscape. Star Wars fans may also recognise the Skellig Rocks from their appearance in The Force Awakens. Go on to Limerick and walk in the footsteps of famous sons such as Frank McCourt, Terry Wogan and Richard Harris. Take a brief city tour, then visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Take lunch in Doolan before arriving at the Cliffs of Moher, some of Europe’s highest sea cliffs. Then on the road to Galway, keep your camera ready for some shots of the rocky region known as the Burren.

Spend two nights in Galway, the Bohemian centre of Ireland, famous for its live music, arts scene, and hospitable pubs. During the day, take off for a tour of the Aran Islands by plane, and discover some of the pre-Christian history of western Ireland. Return to the mainland and set out the next day for Connemara. Explore the region including Kylemore Abbey and Letterfrack, and Derrygimlagh Bog, where Alcock and Brown crash landed their historic transatlantic flight in 1919. Explore Gaeltacht, a region where many people use Gaelic as well as English, before returning to Dublin on an evening train.

Set out for one more adventure, this time in Ireland’s north. Pass coastal villages and see historic areas such as the River Boyne. Climb into the Camlough Mountains and arrive in Belfast, the capital of Northern Ireland. Board your coach bound for the Giant’s Causeway and the Antrim Coast, including the pretty towns of Carrickfergus and Carnlough. You can even glimpse the coast of Scotland on a clear day. Turn inland to visit Ballycastle and the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, then return to the coast to see the Giant’s Causeway, where you’ll have about two hours to explore and take photos. Return to Dublin for your final night before departure.

• Board the Dublin rail south to Cork to kiss the Blarney Stone.
• Settle in Killarney for the Ring of Kerry, Kerry Bog Village and Ladies View panoramas.
• Trace Limerick to Burren coast, Bunratty Castle, and the soaring Cliffs of Moher, Ireland.
• Immerse in Galway’s Connemara, Kylemore Abbey, and ferry to Inis Mór’s Dun Aonghasa fort.
• Chase Northern Ireland’s Causeway Coastal Route through Carrick-a-Rede, Giant’s Causeway and Dunluce Castle.

• 2 nights moderate accommodations in Killarney
• 2 nights moderate accommodations in Galway
• 2 nights moderate accommodations in Dublin
• Round-trip rail travel from Dublin
• Reserved seats on the train
• English-speaking host throughout
• Escorted coach travel where applicable
• Visitor Attraction Admissions to:
  • Blarney Castle and Garden
  • Cóbh Heritage Centre
  • The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience
  • Kylemore Abbey and Gardens
  • Dún Aonghasa
  • The Giant's Causeway
• Breakfast daily (excluding Day 1)

• Travel insurance
• International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
• Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
• Gratuities
• Optional excursions
• Items of a personal nature
• Passport & Visa fees, if applicable