Sunday, April 27 - Wednesday May 7, 2025
Northern Ireland & the Republic of Ireland
Irish Experience
Our 11 Day Itinerary
Day 1 Welcome to Ireland
Day 2 Belfast
Day 3 & 4 Londonderry
Day 5 Londonderry - Belleek - Galway
Day 6 Galway
Day 7 & 8 Killarney
Day 9 Kilkenny
Day 10 & 11 Dublin
Extend your stay on both ends of the
trip, I’ll customize it for you.
Must - See Highlights
- Explore Dublin, Belfast and Londonderry with a Local Specialist
- Discover Galway and Waterford
- Visit St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin, the Titanic Experience in Belfast, the UNESCO World Heritage site at the Giant's Causeway, Belleek to see how the famous pottery is made, Kylemore Abbey, the Cliffs of Moher, Blarney Castle to kiss the stone and gain the gift of the gab, the Crystal Showroom at Waterford and the Dunbrody Famine Ship in New Ross
- View the City Walls and Murals of Londonderry
- See Galway Cathedral
- Scenic Cruise across the Shannon Estuary
- Scenic Drive through Connemara and along the Ring of Kerry
Iconic Experience
- Dublin: A Local Specialist will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House.
- Londonderry: With a Local Specialist explore inside the city walls. See the Gothic Guildhall and the Georgian houses of Shipquay Street.
- Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden: Visit the turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey. This monastery was founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.
- Galway: Explore the historic heart of Galway. See landmarks such as the Spanish Arch and the cathedral, or perhaps admire the distinctive Claddagh rings.
- Cliffs of Moher: Stop by the Exhibition Centre and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts! Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
- New Ross: Visit the port town of New Ross. On the quayside, perhaps see the Dunbrody replica famine ship and statue of John F. Kennedy.
Your Irish daily experiences
Day 1 April 27th
Welcome to Ireland
Embrace your playful side and discover the allure of the lively Irish capital - a small city with a lot of heart and yours to explore before meeting your Travel Director and fellow travelers this afternoon for a sightseeing tour with your Local Specialist. See the stately Georgian Squares and Trinity College before enjoying a Whiskey Tasting at a local distillery. The excitement will build this evening over drinks, good food and great company as your Travel Director gives you a taste of what’s to come. Complimentary arrival transfers depart Dublin Airport (DUB) at 08:30, 11:00 and 13:00 on the first day of the tour. Flights to arrive 1 hour prior.
Meal(s):Welcome Reception
Hotel(s): Clayton Hotel Ballsbridge
Day 2 April 28th
Journey to Colourful Belfast
Leaving the cosmopolitan streets of Dublin behind, we travel to Northern Ireland and the bustling city of Belfast, where you will have some free time to enjoy a spud for lunch or perhaps an Irish stew. Later, we meet our Local Specialist 'Cabbie' for an insider view of the city’s living history during a journey through its vibrant streets in a real taxi. We spend the rest of the afternoon at leisure, or perhaps join an Optional Experience.
Meal(s):Breakfast
Hotel(s): AC by Marriott /Stormont Hotel Belfas
Day 3 april 29th
Venture to the Giant’s Causeway and on to Londonderry
Dive Into Culture during a visit to the awardwinning Titanic Belfast Experience. Gain insights into the tragic story of the Titanic and its passengers who lost their lives in the icy Atlantic. We leave the city behind us, traveling along to the Giant's Causeway for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience as we walk in the footsteps of Finn MacCool. Our visit will help to conserve this iconic natural landmark. Take some time to admire the natural spectacle of 40,000 interlocking basalt columns before continuing to Londonderry, our home for the next two nights. Meal(s):Breakfast
Hotel(s): City Hotel Derry
Day 4 April 30th
Discover Londonderry’s Past
Join your Local Specialist for a walk along the 17th-century city walls and see the formerly turbulent Bogside neighborhood, with its street murals depicting the history of the 'Troubles'. Spend a free afternoon walking along the pretty Foyle River or consider joining an Optional Experience to Inishowen Peninsula, with its rich history. This evening enjoy dinner at your hotel.
Meal(s):Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel(s): City Hotel Derry
Day 5 May 1st
Onwards to Scenic Galway Dive Into Culture
We journey through the lush countryside to Belleek, where we'll Dive Into Culture and witness talented pottery craftsmen create the exquisite collectables that have graced homes since the mid-19th century. Arrive in Galway later, where we will stay for the next two nights.
Meal(s):Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel(s): Maldron Hotel Oranmore Galway
Day 6 May 2nd
Connemara Excursion
The rugged beauty of Connemara was captured in the film 'The Quiet Man' with John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. Its loughs and mountains are yours to explore today during a scenic drive. We arrive at Kylemore Abbey later to visit the country's most romantic castle and ramble through the hidden nooks of its Victorian walled garden. Returning to Galway, we enjoy some free time to explore its imposing stone Cathedral or stroll through Eyre Square, which John F. Kennedy visited in 1963.
Meal(s):Breakfast
Hotel(s): Maldron Hotel Oranmore Galway
Day 7 May 3rd
Explore the Cliffs of Moher and Killarney Connect with Locals
See the imposing UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Moher rising over 650 feet (200 m) above the pounding Atlantic and scan the horizon all the way to the Aran Islands to get the full view of the irresistible beauty of this special place. You’ll have an opportunity to visit the ‘Atlantic Edge’ exhibition which will bring to life this extraordinary natural phenomenon in a way that only the wildlife of the area get to see. Enchanted by the wild landscapes, you’ll continue along the Wild Atlantic Way to Connect With Locals and meet local horticulturalist, Oonagh, who’ll teach you how to forage before our Be My Guest visit to the Barrtra Seafood restaurant.
Day 7 continued
Oonagh will reveal the importance of sustainable food experiences and you’ll learn how everything on your plate has been bought locally, perhaps inspired to buy local produce when you return home. The spectacular views of this dramatic coastline continue before you board a ferry across the tranquil Shannon Estuary river. Then, continue through County Kerry to your hotel in Killarney, where you'll have an evening at leisure or join in the craic at an optional Irish ceilidh.
Meal(s):Breakfast,
Be My Guest Hotel(s): Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Center
Day 8 May 4th
A Day on the Ring of Kerry
The soul-stirring landscapes of Iveragh Peninsula provide a mesmerizing backdrop for our scenic coastal drive around the Ring of Kerry – an unimaginably beautiful natural setting. En route we will see Killorglin, famous for its annual 'Puck Fair', as well as Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll's Gap.
Meal(s):Breakfast, Dinner
Hotel(s): Killarney Towers Hotel & Leisure Center
Day 9 May 5th
Off to Blarney, Waterford and Kilkenny Dive Into Culture
The soul-stirring landscapes of Iveragh Peninsula provide a mesmerizing backdrop for our scenic coastal drive around the Ring of Kerry – an unimaginably beautiful natural setting. En route we will see Killorglin, famous for its annual 'Puck Fair', as well as Daniel O'Connell's Cahirciveen, the fishing village of Waterville, the Black Valley and Moll's Gap.
Meal(s):Breakfast
Hotel(s): Hotel Kilkenny
Day 10 May 6th
Through County Wicklow’s Countryside to Dublin Dive Into Culture
After a morning
exploration of Kilkenny, we depart for New Ross where we'll see the monument to John F. Kennedy, who visited his ancestral family hometown in 1963. Dive Into Culture and gain insights into the tragic plight of Irish emigrants during the potato famine of the 1800s on our visit to the nearby three-masted Dunbrody Famine Ship. Journey through the lush Irish countryside of County Wicklow, the 'Garden of Ireland', and back to Dublin where you’ll spend your final evening with travel companions sharing stories of your memorable journey through Ireland at a Farewell Dinner. Meal(s):Breakfast,
Farewell Dinner Hotel(s): Sandymount Hotel Dublin/Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel
Day 11 May 7th
Farewell Dublin
It’s time to say a fond
farewell to Ireland and newfound friends as you prepare to end your wonderful Irish experience. Complimentary departure transfers arrive at Dublin Airport (DUB) on the last day of the tour at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00 . Flights to depart 3 hours later. Meal(s):Breakfast
Dive into culture
- Belfast: Experience Belfast from the comfort of your dedicated Black Cab with expert Cabbie commentary.
- Belfast: Discover the full story of the Titanic at the Titanic Belfast visitor attraction and monument in Belfast.
- Belleek: See traditional craftsmen at work at the Belleek Pottery Visitor Centre, one of the oldest working potteries in the world.
- Waterford: Learn how crystal is crafted at the House of Waterford Crystal during a workshop tour.
- New Ross: Explore the tragic history of Ireland's famine emigration at the Dunbrody Famine Ship Experience, a replica of one of the original ships used in the 1800s.
Make travel matter
- Bushmills: In Northern Ireland you'll discover the legend of the Giant's Causeway as you explore with an expert, who'll explain how your visit helps conserve this iconic natural landmark.
Be my guest
- Lahinch: Go foraging with Oonagh and enjoy a delightful Be My Guest lunch at the O'Brien's homely Barrtra Seafood restaurant overlooking beautiful Liscannor Bay.
What’s Included
What’s Not Included
- An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
- Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
- All porterage and restaurant gratuities
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
- Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
- Ferry across the Shannon estuary
- Optional Experiences and free time
- No early check in/late checkout included.
- International, domestic and internal airfares.
- Travel insurance, visas and items of a personal nature.
- Gratuities to Travel Director, Coach Drivers and Local Specialists. Cost is $143.pp
- Gratuities: Option to pre-pay gratuities to the Travel Director & Driver
- Recommended Gratuities per person per day (subject to change) - cash, debit/credit card:
- GBP£3.50/EUR€4.00 Drivers
- GBP£5.00/EUR€6.00 Travel Directors
- GBP£1.00/EUR€1.00-2.00 Local Specialists
- Flights (Flying in and out of Dublin, Ireland)
Important Details About The Trip
- Flights details are mandatory at time of final payment to book Chargeable Transfers.
- Arrival Transfers: Complimentary arrival transfers depart Dublin Airport (DUB) at 08:30, 11:00 and 13:00 on the first day of the tour. Flights to arrive 1 hour prior. (If you add a pre or post hotel stay, there will be a $55.00 per person charge for transfers)
- Departure Transfers: Complimentary departure transfers arrive at Dublin Airport (DUB) on the last day of the tour at 07:00, 09:00 and 11:00. Flights to depart 3 hours later. Flights need to be 10AM or later for a departure time.
- Tips for the transfer coach drivers are included on the first/last day of the tour only.
- No refund/compensation is available for missed/delayed transfers due to flights not meeting the set times or in the event of unforeseen circumstances.
- Rooming: Triple rooms are suitable for two adults and one child (three adults may find rooms too small as they often have one double and one foldaway bed and limited suitcase space).
- Luggage allowance: A single bag is allowed with dimensions not exceeding 30"x18"x10" (76x46x25cm) and weight not exceeding 50lbs. (23kg). Carry-on/hand luggage is restricted to one piece per person, not exceeding 12"x11"x6” (30x28x14cm) to fit under the coach seat or in the small overhead compartment.
- Currency Northern Ireland uses Pounds & Republic of Ireland uses Euros.
Travel Insurance
Protect your trip payment with a Travel Protection Plan. This includes a Cancel For
Any Reason Credit Certificate Feature and the benefits that may help to protect your
vacation payment against the unexpected.
Trip Cancellation for covered reasons
24/7 Emergency Assistance
Tour Delay Coverage for up to 12+ Hrs.
Baggage Protection
Emergency Accident & Sickness
Reimbursement up to 150% of your
Tour Cost
Price is based off of the per person rate and due with the $200.00 pp deposit.
$0 - $2,000 $169 pp
$2,001 - $3,500 $249 pp
$3,501 - $5,000 $349 pp
$5,001 - $7,500 $499 pp
$7,501 + $699 pp
*Insurance benefits described are underwritten by ARCH Insurance Company, NAIC 11150. Click here for a summary of coverage details, terms and conditions.
Plus, cancel for any reason up to 24 hours prior to departure and be eligible for a Future Travel Certificate (non-insurance feature) for 100% of the non-refundable, pre-paid trip costs. Without protection, you could lose your vacation investment.
Irish Experience Pricing
Per Person Twin Rate $3695
Young Traveler Reduction $340 (Ages 5-17)
Single Room Supplement (subject to availability) $930
Triple Room Supplement (subject to availability) $190
Travel Protection Plan is due at the time of the $200.00 per person non-refundable land deposit.
Land Only, Per Person Prices (based on twin-share accommodations) Space held until: Nov 1st, 2024
5% Discount for all repeat guests. The discount will be applied at time of full payment.
Lock your Spot with a Deposit is $200.00 per person plus Insurance Cost
Final payment date is Jan. 27, 2025
Penny Gellatly
218-591-3058
Penny@bookescapebytravel.com
Bob Gellatly
218-391-9525
Robert@bookescapebytravel.com
Here to answer your questions.
Proud Sponsors of this tour.
