- Dublin, Ballyvaughan, Killarney, Cork
9-Day Classic Ireland Loop
A quintessential 9-day journey through the heart of Ireland, traveling the classic anti-clockwise route. Begin in Dublin, Ireland’s integral heartbeat, where Viking history meets European modernity. Next, head west to the West Coast – famous for the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren National Park. Continue south to Killarney, a charming Irish countryside town, and the gateway to the world-famous Ring of Kerry. Heading east to Cork, you’ll experience the rugged coastline and a city famous as being the Titanic’s last port of call before its fated voyage across the Atlantic in 1912. Heading north, you’ll return through the Irish countryside to Dublin. A trip that harnesses the essence of this country, this is sure to be a great first step into Ireland, and leave you wishing for more.
Highlight
- Discover Ireland’s thriving capital of Dublin with a visit to world Famous Merry Plowboy pub for traditional Irish music and dancing
- Embrace the spirit of the Wild Atlantic West Coast as you explore the Cliffs of Moher
- Explore the Ring of Kerry – one of Ireland’s most famous drives
- Indulge at the premier Irish Water Buffalo Farm
- Experience the age-old tradition of Irish sheep farm work
Itinerary
Upon arrival, a driver will be waiting for you to take you to your Dublin Hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. In the evening, enjoy a night of fun and merriment at the Merry Plowboy Pub, a 200-year-old pub (now part of the National Heritage List) in south Dublin. Tonight, enjoy a three-course dinner from a multi-dish menu as you enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music from the Merry Plowboys traditional group and a dance performance from the champion Irish dancers. This is an interactive experience, so get ready to be involved with the performers in taking part in Irish song, music, and dance. Enjoy a night of fun and experience a true Irish welcome. Vegetarian and dietary requirements on request.
In the end, be transferred back to your hotel.
🏨 Accommodation: The Merrion Hotel – Room type: 1xDouble / Twin
🍴 Meals: Dinner
Today, in the morning, enjoy with your driver guide Trinity College & The Book of Kells. Visit Trinity College, Ireland’s most prestigious university, attended by some of Ireland’s biggest names, including Oscar Wilde, Jonathan Swift, and Samuel Beckett. During your visit, enjoy a self-guided visit to the Old Library and the Book of Kells. The Old Library dates back to the 18th century and houses the Book of Kells – a 9th-century gospel manuscript famous throughout the world. Also enjoy a visit to the Long Room, which houses 200,000 of the library’s oldest books in oak bookcases.
In the evening, enjoy a private cookery class and dinner with a storyteller. Alix Gardner’s Cookery School in Ballsbridge, County Dublin, is a practical, fun, and informal cookery school. Alix Gardner, the chef and owner, opened her first cooking school over 20 years ago and has taught over 2,500 students how to cook. She is extremely knowledgeable and enthusiastic about food. Enjoy a private, traditional Irish cooking class where you can learn about the history of Irish food and take home the skills you need to recreate memories from your Irish vacation. The menu will be created in collaboration with the guests and may include traditional Irish fare such as potato cakes and soda bread, as well as more modern interpretations and treatments of traditional Irish fare. Finally, enjoy the food you have made and be entertained by an Irish Storyteller to finish off a truly Irish evening.
🏨 Accommodation: The Merrion – Room type: 1xDouble / Twin
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
Today, after breakfast, head to the Ballyvaughan area and enjoy a guided commentary along the way given by your driver guide.
En route, pass by the Cliffs of Moher, an entirely vertical cliff where the cliff edge is abrupt. On a clear day, the views are tremendous, with the Aran Islands etched on the waters of Galway Bay. From the cliff edge, you can just hear the booming far below as the waves crash and gnaw at the soft shale and sandstone.
🏨 Accommodation: Gregan’s Castle – Room type: 1xDouble / Twin
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
Today, enjoy a farm and sheep dog herding. Come experience farm life in Ireland for yourself. This sheep farm is a traditional working Connemara mountain farm that has been passed down through generations. It has about 200 ewes and lambs that roam freely in the mountains above Killary Fjord. When you arrive, you will be greeted by Tom, the farmer, who will begin the farm tour with a sheepdog herding demonstration. These extremely intelligent dogs are trained from the time they are puppies, and it is amazing to watch them in action! A picturesque country walk through the farm grounds is also included in the tour, with sweeping views of Killary Fjord and the mountain ranges beyond. Then, try your hand at bog-cutting with a slean (turf spade), a centuries-old method of harvesting peat for heating homes.
🏨 Accommodation: Gregan’s Castle – Room type: 1xDouble / Twin
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
Today, after breakfast, head from Ballyvaughan to Killarney and enjoy a guided commentary along the way given by your driver guide.
🏨 Accommodation: Killarney Park Hotel – Room type: 1xDouble / Twin
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
The Ring of Kerry is considered one of the finest drives in the world. From rugged cliffs to golden beaches, small villages and green pastures to peat bogs and picturesque mountain ranges. This peninsula illustrates all that is beautiful, wonderful, and wild in our beloved motherland. On this coach tour from Cork, you will enjoy a comprehensive visit to the beauty spot. Begin with a visit to the town of Killarney, often voted the most beautiful town in Ireland and known as the gateway to the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Coast. Next visit Killgorglin, known for the Puck Fair Celtic festival, where a goat is crowned king of the village! Continue a scenic drive along part of the beautiful Dingle Peninsula; we will stop along the way for the perfect photo opportunities! Next visit Waterville, often frequented by Charlie Chaplin and known for its early Christian monasteries and Skellig Rocks. Stop at the colourful village of Sneem before visiting Killarney National Park, which offers stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney and the Black Valley.
🏨 Accommodation: Killarney Park Hotel – Room type: 1xDouble / Twin
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
Today, meet your guide, Dorothy, at the farm gate and begin your experience by learning about the farm’s family heritage and business ventures. Enjoy a personal tour of Ireland’s premier Water Buffalo farm with one of the Lynch family’s 162-acre green grasslands. Explore rolling hills, pastures, and hedgerows in search of wildlife, flora, and the magnificent Buffalo herds. In the Big Green Barn, you can get up close and personal with newborn calves.
Following that, you will participate in a 30-minute “Making Buffalo Mozzarella” Master Class with one of the farm’s Cheesemakers.
Chef Dorothy will then prepare a feast of farm-fresh Buffalo Ricotta, Mozzarella Caprese, Greek-style salad, Grilled Cypriot-style Halloumi, and Buffalo Rib-Eye Steaks for you.
After that, head from Killarney to Cork and enjoy a guided commentary on the way given by your driver guide.
🏨 Accommodation: Hayfield Manor – Room type: 1xDouble / Twin
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
Today, enjoy with your driver guide a join a Titanic Trail on a fascinating and intimate private tour created by the nationally and globally acclaimed historian and military man, Dr. Michael Martin, including a hand-signed, personalised Titanic Trail booklet written by him.
During this one-hour walk through Cobh (formerly known as Queenstown), learn the truth behind world-changing events within the physical environment of this seaport town that witnessed a flood of emigration from Ireland in the 19th Century, became the last port of call for the RMS Titanic in 1912, and the location where victims of the RMS Lusitania were brought ashore in 1915. Then, travel to the lovely seaside town of Kinsale and join a fascinating walking tour to learn about Kinsale’s significance in Irish, English, and Spanish history. Both guides are a joy to listen to as they creatively bring Kinsale’s past to life, situating its story within the larger context of history. Stroll with Don Herlihy and Barry Moloney through the ages, from the Medieval walled town to the sinking of the Lusitania.
🏨 Accommodation: Hayfield Manor – Room type: 1xDouble / Twin
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
Today, be picked up at the hotel and transferred to Dublin airport to take your flight back home.
🍴 Meals: Breakfast
ROUTE
Dublin, Ballyvaughan, Killarney, Cork
9 Days 8 Nights
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