Ireland Highlight Tour

Day 1

Dublin – Trinity College

Upon arrival in Dublin, you’ll be met by a Lightfoot Travel representative and privately escorted to your hotel. 

After settling into your accommodation, you’ll meet your private guide who will show you the city through the eyes of a local and stop for a welcome beverage along the way.

Dublin has all the attractions of a modern city, combined with the beauty and heritage of the past.  You will have the chance to visit attractions like Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Kilmainham Jail, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, and The Georgian Squares

Day 2

Day at leisure

Today you’ll have some spare time to explore Dublin’s highlights. We recommend visiting The National Museum, National Gallery of Ireland, and St. Stephen’s Green. Participate in the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl from The Duke Pub or Music Pub Crawl from Oliver St. John Gogarty Pub, staring every night at 19:30

Day 3

Garden of Ireland – County Wicklow

Visit Powerscourt House and Gardens located just outside the very pretty village of Enniskerry. Powerscourt is one of the finest gardens in Europe, filled with splendid Greek- and Italian-inspired statuary, decorative ironwork, a petrified-moss grotto, lovely herbaceous borders, a Japanese garden, a circular pond and fountain with statues of winged horses, and the occasional herd of deer.  

Continue south to the monastic site of Glendalough where St Kevin founded a monastery in the 6th century, a center of learning throughout Europe. Immerse yourself in the surroundings and feel the powerful sense of peace and tranquility.

Day 4

Visit the City of Waterford

Today you will travel to the city of Waterford which is Ireland’s oldest city founded by Viking invaders in the 9th century.  Visit the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre which was founded in 1783 by two brothers, George and William Penrose.  

Continue along the coastal route to Cork where a visit will be made to the town of Blarney, located just North of Cork City.  Visit the 15th century Blarney Castle famous for its stone, which is traditionally believed to have the power to bestow eloquence on all those who kiss it.

Day 5

Ring of Kerry Tour

Today you will visit Ring of Kerry. This is one of the most breath-taking coastal tours in Europe, encircling the Iveragh Peninsula which will bring you across the Kerry Mountains offering wonderful views of the Killarney lakes, passing through the towns of Killarney and Killorglin and on to the noted seaside resort of Glenbeigh and the coastal scenery of Dingle Bay. 

 Continue to Cahirciveen, situated at the head of Valencia Harbour, which is the capital of the Iveragh Peninsula. On this part of your journey, you will have a marvelous view of Valentia Island as well as the ancient monastic Skellig rocks a few miles out to sea.

Day 6

Exploring the Dingle Peninsula

Today, depart Killarney and travel to the Dingle peninsula - a place of intense, shifting beauty. Visit Dingle which is the chief town of the peninsula and is a thriving, colorful fishing port. The town is a jumble of attractive streets tumbling down a hillside and coming to a half at the handsome pier.

Head to Slea Head located at the southwestern extremity of the peninsula – the staggering splinter-slatted mass of rocks defines this extraordinary coastline. It’s a place of pristine beaches and fascinating archaeological remains.

Day 7

Fascinated by the Cliffs of Moher

Visit the Cliffs of Moher which is probably Ireland’s top natural attraction. Head up to O’Brien’s Tower, located on Moher’s highest cliff.  From its exceptional vantage position, you can view the Clare coastline, the Aran Islands, and mountains as far apart as Kerry and Connemara.

Continue through the Burren Region of Counties Clare and Galway where man has settled here since the Stone Age. The Burren is also famous for its plant life where you can find limestone-loving plants such as foxgloves and rock roses grow here and rock's microclimates also nurture plants found in the Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean regions.

Day 8

Visit Connemara

Today you will see one of the truly unspoiled regions of Ireland - Connemara. From the rugged Twelve Bens mountain range in the north through lake-rich Roundstone Bog to the golden beaches reaching out into the Atlantic Ocean, you'll know you're in Connemara by the light that constantly changes the mood and tone of the landscape. Connemara has long been regarded as the real emerald of Ireland.

Enjoy a visit to Kylemore Abbey. Nestled at the base of Duchruach Mountain [1736ft] on the northern shore of Lough Pollacappul, in the heart of the Connemara mountains, it is regarded as one of Ireland's most romantic buildings.

Day 9

Visit the Bunratty Castle & Folk Park

Today you will visit the village of Bunratty Castle which is home to Bunratty Castle & Folk Park. It is the most complete and authentic medieval fortress in Ireland, and the absorbing Folk Park nearby is a wonderful experience.

Day 10

Departure

After checking out of your hotel, you will be transferred to Shannon Airport for your onward flights.