Shamrock Royal

Arrive Dublin
Today is leisurely as we ensure all arrive safely and gather together in our hotel in Malahide on the north coast of Dublin Bay. If you have purchased our Air & Land package you are transferred to the tour hotel. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink and an introduction to your travelling companions before an early dinner.
(Dinner/Overnight – Grand Hotel, Malahide)

Boyne Valley and Belfast
Leaving Dublin, we head north thru’ the rich pasturelands of the Boyne Valley via Trim to view the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland; Slane where St. Patrick lit a paschal fire in defiance of the druids at Tara and the ruins of the medieval monastery at Monasterboice with its High Crosses, the finest in Ireland.  We continue around the Cooley Peninsula, see the Mourne Mountains 'sweep down to the sea' and then to Belfast and a panoramic tour of the city including the political wall murals.  (Dinner/Overnight – Malone Lodge Hotel, Belfast)

Antrim Coast
This morning we take the marine drive north pass the ‘Green Glens of Antrim’ and via the villages of Glenarm, Carnlough and Cushendall to Ballycastle on the North Antrim Coast. We visit the Giant’s Causeway, one of Ireland’s most famous attractions and afterwards enjoy a whiskey tasting at Old Bushmills Distillery. We view the eerie ruins of Dunluce Castle enroute to Donegal your home for the next two nights.
(Dinner/Overnight – Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar)

Glenveagh and Derry
Our first stop this morning is at Glenveagh National Park where a castle has been strategically placed to offset the surrounding wild natural beauty. In the afternoon we visit Londonderry or Derry as most people call it. A local guide will tell the ‘Story of Derry’ on a walking tour of this historic walled city.
(Dinner/Overnight – Kee’s Hotel, Stranorlar)

Ben Bulben and Clew Bay
We travel south thru’ Donegal town to Belleek in Fermanagh and visit the world famous porcelain factory. Enter the romantic domain of W.B. Yeats via Drumcliffe and other sites in Sligo associated with the life and works of the poet. Into county Mayo thru’ Swinford and Castlebar where we visit the National Museum of Country Life at Turlough Park before continuing to Westport on Clew Bay.
(Dinner/Overnight – Atlantic Coast Hotel, Westport)

Connemara
Connemara remains the wildest and the most romantic place in Ireland. A drive around Murrisk Peninsula via Louisburg and Delphi brings us to Killary Harbour Ireland’s only true fjord. A photo stop at Kylemore Abbey on the shores of Kylemore Lough before circling Connemara and crossing picturesque Maam Valley where black-headed sheep make up a large part of the population. Back in Westport you will have time to explore this lovely town which was voted Ireland's tidiest in 2006. 
(Dinner/Overnight – Atlantic Coast Hotel, Westport)

Galway and the Cliffs of Moher
Enroute to Galway this morning we will pass thru’ the village of Cong the location of the classic film ‘The Quiet Man’. Some time in Galway City before driving along the southern shores of Galway Bay, traversing the lunar-like landscape of the Burren region and viewing the awe-inspiring Cliffs of Moher. An optional medieval banquet in a 15th century castle is on offer tonight.
(Overnight – Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty)

Limerick and Adare
After a leisurely breakfast we head for the Kingdom of Kerry.  A tour of Limerick City is undertaken before travelling to Adare where thatched cottages line the broad main street amid the ruins of medieval churches. We continue via Rathkeale and Abbeyfeale and arrive in Killarney, home for the next 3 nights.
(Dinner/Overnight – Dromhall Hotel, Killarney)

Dingle Peninsula
We take a voyage back through time this morning on a visit to the Kingdom of Kerry Museum in Tralee. Afterwards a tour of the Dingle Peninsula, an area rich in antiquities ranging from Iron Age stone forts to beehive huts. We will visit the fishing port of Dingle and view the Blasket Islands as we round Slea Head.
(Dinner/Overnight – Dromhall Hotel, Killarney)

Kenmare and Killarney National Park
Enjoy views of the gleaming Lakes of Killarney from Aghadoe Heights before taking the short drive south to the market town of Kenmare. Travel the Ring of Kerry road back into Killarney through Moll’s Gap and the Black Valley along by Ladies View that provides spectacular vistas of the famous lakes. Walk the shores of Muckross Lake and visit the Traditional Farms which preserve in real life the farming traditions of rural Ireland in the past.  You can take a jaunting car ride, thru' the park, back to Killarney town if you wish.  An option to Siamsa Tire (National Folk Theatre) is on offer for tonight.
(Dinner/Overnight – Dromhall Hotel, Killarney)

Blarney and Tipperary
Leaving Kerry we travel thru’ the Golden Vale discovering why Ireland is also called the Emerald Isle. We visit Blarney to shop for handcrafts and a chance to kiss the famous 'stone of eloquence' (optional).  From Cork City we head north to Tipperary with its lush, green landscape.  We visit Cahir for a tour of one of Ireland's best preserved castles and the town of Cashel, dominated by the spectacular Rock of Cashel, before arriving in Kilkenny, a city proud of its heritage.
(Dinner/Overnight – Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny)

Waterford and Kilkenny
This morning we visit the historic city of Waterford, founded by the Vikings some 1,100 years ago. The highlight of our visit will be a tour of the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre. Then it's back to Kilkenny for a leisurely afternoon.  Though only a town in size, it has the status of a city having vied with Dublin for the position of capital in the 17th century. 
(Dinner/Overnight – Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny)

Curragh of Kildare
Enroute to Dublin this morning we travel through the Curragh of Kildare and a guided tour of the Irish National Stud, which is home to some of Ireland's finest thoroughbred horses.  You also visit the Horse Museum and both the Japanese and Saint Fiachra's gardens.  A panoramic tour of Dublin is undertaken before arriving at your city hotel. 
(Overnight – Jurys Croke Park Hotel, Dublin)

Dublin’s ‘Fair City’
The full day is yours to explore and enjoy Dublin’s ‘Fair City’, an ancient and cosmopolitan city as intimate as a village, and friendly as a pub. Alternatively you can take the time to do some shopping around fashionable Grafton Street or visit some of the city’s attractions. This evening we will have a farewell dinner and Irish entertainment in one of Dublin’s top nightspots.
(Dinner/ Entertainment / Overnight – Jurys Croke Park Hotel, Dublin )

Tour Ends
Your tour ends after a final hearty Irish breakfast in your Dublin hotel.