Elegant Ireland Tour

A luxury tour of beautiful Ireland

Ireland castles, scenic landscapes and luxury accommodations for a trip to remember.

Example small public group itinerary

USA – arrive in Ireland.
Depart from USA for overnight flight to Ireland. Flight not included.

Day 2
Dublin
Morning arrival at Dublin Airport. After clearing customs, we transfer on own (10-minute taxi ride- taxi stand outside of baggage claim) to our five-star city centered hotel. Spend the rest of the day enjoying the sites of this 1000+ year old city. Overnight Dublin Westbury Hotel

Dublin
After a hearty Irish breakfast we meet out driver guide in the lobby. We take a half day panoramic view of Dublin and enjoy a visit to Guinness Storehouse. Your driver will then drop you off at Grafton Street in the heart of Dublin where you can enjoy lunch in one of the many pubs or restaurants. As you walk along, you’re bound to find yourself mesmerized by the dozen or so street performers and musicians hoping to entertain you. You may want to venture to Temple Bar; the neighborhood is Dublin’s famous party hub for a Guinness. Overnight Dublin. Hammond will select the five-star hotels from the following: Westbury Hotel.

Dublin-Monasterboice-Belfast
After a hearty breakfast we meet our Driver Guide in the lobby of the hotel. We travel north via Drogheda to Monasterboice. This former monastic settlement dates to 923AD and is the home of the largest collection of carved stone high crosses in all of Europe. We then travel through Dundalk and on to Belfast. We take time to tour the new Titanic Museum. This is truly one of the best museum experiences you will ever have. We then enjoy a panoramic tour of Belfast. Then onto our home for the next 2 nights, the magnificent hasting’s Culloden Hotel. These 5 stars 19th century “Scottish baronial Estate” which offers al modern amenities, including an indoor pool, leisure center and beauty salon. Overnight at The Culloden Hotel.

Belfast-Glens of Antrim-Giant’s Causeway-Belfast
Today we travel The Coast Road, which takes us through the Nine Glens of Antrim; this journey is considered one of the most beautiful in all of Ireland. Which offers spectacular views of mountains, valleys, and the coastline at every turn in the road. On a clear day you can see Scotland. Our first stop is the oldest licensed distillery in the world, Bushmills, where we savor a sample of this renowned amber liquid. We then travel the coast to visit the Giant’s Causeway. This impressive area of hexagonal columns was formed over 60 million years ago by cooling lava. We then return to Belfast via Ballymena. Overnight at The Culloden Hotel.

Belfast-Armagh-Enniskillen-Donegal
After a hearty Irish breakfast, we depart for Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland. It Is here that St. Patrick founded a church, and the town has remained a religious center. We continue our journey west through Enniskillen, the capital of County Fermanagh, where the town center sits on an island between the upper and lower Lough Erne. Next, on to the famous Belleek Pottery, which has been in existence since 1857. Belleek produces Irish Fine Parian china, sold worldwide for generations. An Irish tradition is to give a newlywed couple a piece of this china, so they will be blessed with lasting happiness. Dinner and Overnight at Solis Lough Eske Hotel. The Hotel is located on a secluded lakeside estate dating back to the 1400’s.

Donegal-Sligo-Cong
After breakfast today, we visit Drumcliffe, the burial site of William Butler Yeats. Our journey continues through the northern end of Lough Corrib to the tiny town of Cong, where much of the John Houston classic “The Quiet Man” was filmed. We arrive at Ashford Castle, a five-star hotel and one of the Leading Hotels of the World. This 13th-century fairy-tale castle overlooks a picturesque lake and is one of the most luxurious castle hotels in all of Europe. Once on the grounds of the estate, you will feel transported back in time. Ashford was once home to the world-famous Guinness family, renowned for their brewing expertise. Perhaps you will choose to walk among the 3 million species of shrubs, trees, and flowers that the spectacular gardens have to offer. Ashford Castle also offers an equestrian center, a spa and a 9-hole golf course. Tonight, we enjoy a gourmet dinner in the George V dining room. Sleep like a king or queen this evening. Dinner and Overnight at Ashford Castle.

Cong-Connemara-Galway-Cliffs of Moher-Limerick
After enjoying a gourmet breakfast, we depart from Ashford Castle and begin our journey on the northern edge of Lough Corrib and on to the Connemara region, one of the most scenic and unspoiled areas in the country. Next a pit stop in Galway. We continue our drive to the Cliffs of Moher. This majestic site climbs some 700 feet above the unforgiving Atlantic Coastline. We then continue to Limerick where we enjoy a panoramic tour. Dinner and Overnight Dromoland Castle

Limerick-Dingle-Killarney
After breakfast we depart Limerick for the Dingle Peninsula. The journey begins with some of the most magnificent scenery in all of Ireland. The little town of Dingle is straight out of a story book. The fishing boats in the harbor and tiny brightly painted pubs reflect a place where time has continued to stand still. We continue to Slea Head. Along the way, we will see bee-hive style huts, originally inhabited by 12th century monks, which overlook the rugged Blasket Islands. There is no other landscape in western Europe with the density and variety of archaeological monuments as found on the Dingle Peninsula. It is then onto Killarney. Overnight at the Killarney Park Hotel. The Killarney Park Hotel is one of the finest luxury hotels Ireland has to offer. Perfectly located in the heart of Killarney town centre set in mature grounds and framed by the legendary surroundings of Killarney National Park, this is a Five Star Hotel really like no other.

Ring of Kerry
 After breakfast we e an optional tour to the beautiful Gap of Dunloe in Killarney National Park. We then start on a full day tour of “The Ring”. There is an unspoiled nature to Ireland’s most beautiful region and the Ring of Kerry provides many unforgettable memories as it passes through the many picturesque villages such as Glenbeigh, Waterville and Sneem and returns via Ladies View and the famous Lakes of Killarney. Overnight Killarney Park Hotel.

Killarney-Blarney-Cork
After breakfast we depart Killarney and head towards Cork City. Our next stop, the picturesque town of Blarney, is the home of Blarney Castle and the Blarney stone which legend has it bequeaths the “gift of eloquence” to all who kiss it. Time to shop at the historical woolen mills or stop in Christy’s Pub for a Pint! We depart Blarney and travel to Cork City. Driving into Cork City, we are treated to a panoramic tour before reaching our destination, the five-star Hayfield Manor. A sanctuary in the city, the Hayfield Manor is set among two acres of park-like grounds. Overnight at the Hayfield Manor.

Cork-Kinsale-Cork
After breakfast we travel to the Cobh Heritage Center. Over three million Irish people emigrated from this port. Learn about Irish Emigration story, trace your ancestors, hear about the ill-fated Titanic and the Lusitania, and immerse yourself in Irish naval and military history at Cobh Heritage Centre Then we travel on to Kinsale for lunch. The picturesque yachting harbour of Kinsale is one of many colorful gems strung along the coastline of County Cork. Narrow, winding streets lined with galleries and gift shops, lively bars and superb restaurants, and a handsome natural harbour filled with yachts and guarded by a huge 17th-century fortress make it an engrossing place to spend the day. Dinner and Overnight at The Hayfield Manor.

Cork-Cashel-Dublin
We depart Cork after breakfast traveling northeast. We stop for a photo opportunity in County Tipperary at the historic Rock of Cashel. The Rock of Cashel is a stone fort poised 200 feet above the town. Built in the 5th century, it is said to be the site where St. Patrick illustrated the sacred trinity to the Kings of Munster using the modest shamrock. It is on through the midlands. Our final stop today is Dublin. This time is your own to explore all the shops and pubs via the famous pedestrian walkways. Overnight Dublin Westbury Hotel.

Dublin
Today you tour the town of Dublin on your own. Included is a Hop on Hop Off Dublin Bus Pass. You will be sure to see St. Patrick’s Cathedral where writer Jonathan Swift gave his sermons, The G.P.O. on O’Connell Street scene of the 1916 Easter Uprising where the bullet holes remain to this day. Drive through famous Phoenix Park where the Pope said Mass in late 70’s and finally Trinity College to view the 8th century manuscripts, The Book of Kells, still preserved as they were when the Monks produced them all those centuries ago. Why not visit Jamison Distillery? Overnight Dublin. Hammond will select the five-star hotels from the following: the Shelbourne, Westbury, Fitzwilliam, Intercontinental or Westin Hotel.

Day 15
Dublin-Dublin Airport
Morning departure from Dublin hotel via taxi on own to Dublin Airport (please ask concierge to arrange a taxi pickup at your desired time) for our flight onwards.

 

Sample Gallery

Actual locations dependent upon itinerary

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