8 Day Premium Essential Ireland
This tour is fully escorted by a dedicated tour leader who will accompany you throughout the tour. If your trip includes multiple countries, you will be met by a new tour leader in each country and any internal flights included will be unescorted.
This tour is conducted at a medium-fast pace. Some long travel days may be required to complete this itinerary and you will typically spend two nights at each destination, with some one night stays required. This trip includes a mix of sightseeing and free time to explore at your own pace. You will be required to move about unassisted, including getting on and off vehicles, walking up and down stairs and some activities will be conducted on uneven or steep terrain. You will be required to handle your own luggage.
✓ Incredible Sightseeing! Explore Ireland's natural beauty with scenic drives through the Ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, and wild Connemara region
✓ Experience the historic grandeur of Ireland with visits to iconic sites including Blarney Castle and Kylemore Abbey
✓ Unique cultural visits include Blarney Woollen Mills, a sheepdog demonstration at a quaint Kerry farm, the Burren, Galway Cathedral, Lough Corrib cruise with Irish coffee and scones, Dan O’Hara’s homestead Centre, and EPIC (The Irish Immigration Museum)
✓ 7 nights’ in central 4 star accommodation
✓ Daily breakfast and 2 dinners
✓ Fully escorted by a professional English-speaking tour guide
✓ Comfortable, dedicated transportation throughout
✓ Porterage x 1 piece of luggage per person in and out of hotels
✓ In-depth sightseeing and entrance fees as per the itinerary
✈ Needing international airfares to accompany your Inspiring Vacation? You will be able to access our flight portal after securing your package to add international airfares to your booking.
Travel with the experts for a carefully curated, value-packed discovery of the world's most iconic destinations. Our tours are bursting with must-see sights, rich experiences and quality inclusions, all at an unbeatable price. Bucket list dreams are ticked off on these all-encompassing journeys.
Welcome to Ireland! After your arrival at the airport, make your own way to the hotel and enjoy your first day at your own leisure. Perhaps visit Trinity College to see the famous book of Kells, or maybe get to know the Guinness Storehouse. This evening, you’ll enjoy dinner with your group.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
Check in: Passengers will be arriving at various times throughout the day. If arriving prior to standard check-in time, which is generally 3pm local time, you are welcome to leave your luggage with hotel reception and explore your surroundings until check-in becomes available, as there are generally no scheduled activities on Day 1 of the itinerary. The hotel may grant early check-in, however this is strictly subject to availability and at the hotel’s discretion.
This morning meet your driver and guide at the hotel reception, and depart to scenic County Kerry. On the way, visit Blarney Castle, built in 1446. Blarney Castle is set in over 60 acres of stunning parkland, filled with rare plants and trees, and steeped in history. Visitors, too, can possess the gift of the gab by kissing the mythical Blarney Stone (or stone of eloquence). Enjoy some time shopping at Blarney Woollen Mills. The presence of the Woollen Mills during the famine shielded the village of Blarney from the worst effects of the famine due to its employment of local workers. In 1976 a mill worker bought the old mill property, transforming the mill into perhaps the largest quality craft shop in Ireland. After picking up some souvenirs, continue to Kerry.
Today you will enjoy a superb tour of the Iveragh Peninsula, where you will discover the Ring of Kerry while taking in the spectacular scenery of mountains, peat, bogs, lakes and magnificent views of the Atlantic Ocean. Depart Killarney and drive through Killorglin, famous for its Puck Fair - one of the oldest fairs in Ireland, which involves crowing a wild goat as “King Puck”. Then on to Glenbeigh where the cliff road affords panoramic views of the Dingle Peninsula and Dingle Bay. We will continue through the landscape of peat bogs before arriving at the seaside town of Waterville and then on to Sneem, famous for its brightly coloured houses, before arriving back in Killarney.
Along the Ring of Kerry, we will stop at a local farm for a unique look into Irish life - a traditional sheepdog demonstration. Your visit starts with an overview of the different breeds of sheep, followed by an introduction to the farmer’s most important tools, his border collies. Next you will see a superb demonstration of sheep herding as the farmer and his dogs demonstrate how, by working together, they can take a flock of sheep from the mountaintop to the sheep pen close to the farmyard.
This evening, enjoy dinner on your own in one of the many lively restaurants and pubs in Killarney.
Enjoy transportation of a different kind! A pony and trap (also known as a Jaunting Car) helps to discover areas of Killarney National Park that you might not otherwise visit. Killarney Jaunting Cars is a family-run business operating for over 220 years, and it’s this very family that will show you the beauty of Killarney today. Prepare to see the flora and fauna of the National Park, say hello to the locals and finish up near Ross Castle, a typical example of the stronghold of an Irish Chieftain during the Middle Ages.
Depart from your hotel this morning and travel to Tarbert, where you will take a short boat ride across the mouth of the River Shannon to Killimer in County Clare. From here we will travel along the coast to the Cliffs of Moher, the most majestic cliffs in Ireland, which rise from the Atlantic Ocean and extend for over 7km. You can admire the Aran Islands and Connemara Mountains on a clear day.
After taking in the breathtaking views of the Cliffs of Moher, enjoy a tour of the Burren. This unique geological form rises above County Clare, creating a moon-like landscape of limestone.
Bunratty Castle was built in the 15th century by the Earl of Thomond and stands on the banks of the Raite River in County Clare. The Earl was known for his generosity and his lavish entertainment and banquets. The entertainment today is provided by the superb Bunratty Singers & is a fitting compliment to the lively mead reception, a four-course meal and of course good wine.
Today, travel to Galway City, renowned for its vibrant lifestyle and numerous festivals, celebrations, and events. Stroll down Shop Street – a charming pedestrianised street which is the cultural heartbeat of Galway City. The main squares in the city are Eyre Square (containing John F. Kennedy Park) and Spanish Parade next to the Spanish Arch. Visit Galway Cathedral, one of the largest and most impressive buildings in Galway built between 1958 and 1965.
Later, enjoy a cruise along Lough Corrib, including scones and an Irish coffee. This journey on the Corrib Princess takes passengers along the majestic Lough Corrib and onto the lake. You will see unsurpassed views of the historic monuments and natural landscapes that make this one of the most spectacular waterways in Ireland.
This evening, dinner is included with your group.
Today, you will visit Connemara, a land of lakes and rivers, bogs and mountains. A land of small villages where Gaelic is still the spoken language, and little has changed since the beginning of time. It is undoubtedly the wildest and the most romantic part of Ireland.
Visit the stunning Kylemore Abbey, built in 1868 by Mitchell Henry, and see its most famous feature, the miniature Cathedral. It has been home to the Irish order of Benedictine nuns since 1920. Next, you will visit Dan O'Hara’s homestead farm. This award-winning heritage centre offers a unique insight into the history and heritage of this most beautiful part of Connemara and the West of Ireland. Here you will enjoy tea and scones while taking in the restored pre-famine cottage and learning about life in Ireland throughout the ages.
This morning, depart Galway for Dublin. On arrival, you will first explore the city's north side, which offers striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on O’Connell Street and Phoenix Park, Europe's largest city-based public park. The city’s south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares and is home to Trinity College, Dublin Castle and two Anglican Cathedrals.
Visit EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum. Over the centuries, over 10 million people emigrated from Ireland – at EPIC you can find out why they left, where they went and how they shaped the world. As you uncover the stories of Ireland’s emigrants, you’ll realise that emigration is not about what people leave behind but what they bring with them. You might even spot a few relatives!
Visit this lively and traditional pub in Rathfarnham for an excellent night of music and dance. Taylors Irish Night is a rip-roaring night of traditional Irish song and dance, accompanied by a great selection of quality Irish food to delight the palate. The resident band and professional Irish dancers provide breath-taking performances for their audience and never fail to entertain. The night will begin with a delicious traditional four course Irish dinner, followed by the traditional Irish band accompanied by a cast of professional Irish dancers.
Today marks the end of your magnificent and unforgettable tour through Ireland. We hope you have thoroughly enjoyed your inspiring tour.
Airport transfers are not included. Our transfer portal offers the option to book your airport transfers for an easier arrival experience (additional charges apply). Access to this portal will be available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed.
This is a Land Only package.
This package does not include international airfares. If you would like to add airfares to your booking our flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub. The flight portal will allow you to search for all available airfares to your destination. The function works like most general flight search engines allowing you to select your preferred airline, book different cabin classes (eg. Business class) and view flight durations and transit times to your destination.
The flight portal will be available via your Traveller Hub once the following criteria has been met:
Visit our Flight Hub for more information on terms and conditions, amending your flights and information on luggage allowances.
Some of our packages will include airport transfers in either one or both directions when arriving or departing from your destination. To know if transfers are included please view the ‘inclusions’ section of your selected package. If airport transfers are stated, transfers will be included as advised.
If transfers are not included, we also offer the option to book your airport transfers using our online portal. Access to this portal is available through your Traveller Hub once your booking is confirmed. Transfers are readily available and do not need to be booked until your final hotel list has been confirmed. Once you have made a transfer booking, please refer to your confirmation email for all transfer details including a local contact number for the transfer company.
If you book pre and/or post-tour accommodation on your own arrangement, and the tour includes transfers, note that these will be forfeited. The transfers are only provided in line with the tour dates and pre and/or post-tour accommodation purchased through Inspiring Vacations when available.
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return. Visas may be required for your destination. For further visa information, click here.
All participants must be in good physical condition to fully engage in this journey. For the safety and welfare of yourself and fellow travellers, if you are feeling unwell prior to departure, we advise staying home and contacting us to arrange alternate plans.
Prior to selecting your trip, carefully review the itinerary to assess your ability to comfortably manage our travel style. Please be aware that if, based on evaluation by our leader or local representative, a participant is deemed unable to safely complete the itinerary, we retain the right to exclude them from all or part of the trip without reimbursement.
It is advisable to consult your physician for current medical travel advisories and any required vaccinations before embarking. We recommend carrying a first aid kit and any necessary medications in their original packaging, as they may not be readily available during travel. For those carrying medication, it's essential to check your government's foreign travel guidelines for local restrictions or regulations.
Fitness Requirements
While the tour itinerary should give you some guidance and overview to the expected requirements, to determine if this tour is right for you we categorise each of our tours in terms of their intensity. These guidelines are to ensure that each tour group is conducted as expected and to ensure the overall satisfaction of all Inspiring Vacations customers.
As a general rule, porterage is not included, therefore at all times you are expected to handle your own luggage where help may not be available.
This particular tour is categorised as a”3”
Moderate Tour: A good level of fitness and mobility is required, as this tour includes a moderate level of physical activity and is considered a medium-fast paced tour. You should be able to walk up and down stairs, get on and off the coach and able to walk reasonable distances of approximately 2 kilometres per day or more with ease. Any physical ailments you may have must be disclosed at the time of booking to determine your suitability. If you have any form of walking aids, other than a walking stick or hiking poles, then this tour is not suitable.
Tipping
A friendly reminder that tipping is not included in your package. While tipping is not customary, it's of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry across many destinations.
Accommodation
The accommodation listed is subject to change. Any changes will be of an equal or higher standard. Bedding configurations (double or twin) are requests only. All efforts will be made to meet your preferences, however, any changes are beyond our control.
Single Supplement
Single supplement is $1,199.00 per person, in addition to the twin-share price.
Triple Share
Not available.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for this tour to protect yourself against the unexpected. In addition to the support that a policy may provide, you may be asked to present a copy of your travel insurance documentation while traveling.
Visa & Passport information
It is the traveller's responsibility to ensure they have a valid passport. The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months from the intended date of return.
Visas may be required.
Please note that these details are subject to change without notice. We recommend visiting https://www.safetravel.govt.nz for up to date information in terms of entry requirements.
Group Size
Minimum of 2 and maximum 29 people
Children
Children must be 5 years old or above and share a room with parents at all times. Children are charged the same price as adults.
Tour Style
To meet the needs of various types of travelers, we choose to operate various types of tours, and depending on your selected package will mean different services are provided throughout your trip. The following descriptions of each tour style we hope will ensure that each traveller has appropriate expectations before they start their travels:
To enhance your journey, we are offering guests a choice of the following optional activities (prices are per person):
Optional tours can be selected once you have finalised your tour purchase and paid your deposit. When completing your Passenger Booking Form, you will be asked if you would like to add Optional Tours, where any applicable cost will be added to your final balance. If you choose not to select them at this time, you can choose to add them later by logging in to your Account online.
Please note that you must select your Optional Tours no later than 70 days before departure, after which you will be required to purchase them on tour. Please keep in mind that anything purchased on-tour is subject to availability and prices may vary as you will be paying in local currency. We appreciate your understanding.
