12 Day hidden gems of Ireland & Northern Ireland

Day 1 - Welcome to Dublin

On arrival at Dublin airport, transfers leave for your hotel at 08:30, 11:00 and 13:00.  Join your Travel Director at 18:00 for a warm and friendly Welcome Dinner, with the opportunity to mingle and get to know each other over a meal with wine.

• S​tay: Trinity City Hotel or Clayton Hotel Burlington Road
• I​ncluded Meals: Dinner with wine

Day 2 - In Dublin’s Fair City

Become acquainted with Dublin’s elegant squares during an orientation of the city. Discover Custom House, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Enjoy entrance to the 9th century Book of Kells and a walk through the cobbled courtyards of Trinity College accompanied by a Local Expert.

• S​tay: Trinity City Hotel or Clayton Hotel Burlington Road
• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast

Day 3 - A Journey from Dublin to Cork

Travel to the medieval city of Kilkenny, home of the world's fastest field game. The ancient Celtic sport of Hurling is over 3,000 years old and Ireland's national sport. Meet an experienced player who will share his passion as you test your skill during a lesson. Continue through Cahir and see its imposing 13th century castle, featured in the film 'Excalibur', on the way to Cork. On arrival, your Travel Director will show you around the compact university city, with its vibrant waterfront and grand Georgian parades.

• S​tay: Maldron Hotel South Mall Cork City
• Included Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Across the Mountains to Killarney

Travel to the ruined Blarney Castle. Will you hang upside down from the ramparts to kiss the stone and ensure a lifetime of eloquence? Or enjoy a sensory walk in the extensive and varied estate gardens. Travel across the majestic Derrynasaggart Mountains to the lively town of Killarney. For your Farm-to-Table dining experience, enjoy some Irish home cooking in the kitchens of chef John Sheehan. Join John and Freda, your hosts at the 19th Green Guesthouse, and savour the delicious flavours of fresh local cuisine on this MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Gather together at a Farm-to-Table dinner, using responsibly sourced ingredients from the local community, and gain personal insight into classic Irish recipes that are loved throughout the world.

• S​tay: Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa
• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Day 5 - Ring of Kerry Experience

Start your day with Insight Choice. Choose a memorable ride on a horse-drawn jaunting car with the local jarveys. Alternatively, join a gentle hike with a Local Expert along the lake shore and past the grounds of Ross Castle, admiring the incredible scenery of the National Park.

While there aren't any mountains to climb, walkers should be fit, have good walking shoes or boots, sunscreen and rain gear. Explore around the magnificent Ring of Kerry. Here, mountains, valleys, lakes and sea blend into a landscape that is breathtaking beyond words. Journey past lush lake lands and around towering cliffs as you appreciate sweeping sea views. Continue through delightful villages like Sneem and cross the peat bogs of the Black Mountains to Moll’s Gap to admire Queen Victoria’s Ladies View.

The rest of the afternoon is at leisure. Maybe take the opportunity to hire a bicycle and enjoy one of the many scenic trails around the lake or through the National Park.

• S​tay: Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa
• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast

D​ay 6 - Around the Dingle Peninsula

In the morning, take to the wide skies, peaceful towns and coastal scenery of the Dingle Peninsula - the setting for the film Ryan’s Daughter. Drive to dramatic Slea Head at the peninsula’s far end, then continue through the picturesque thatched village of Adare and pass Limerick, famous for rhymes, before reaching your hotel.

• Stay: F​itzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa
• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast

D​ay 7 - The Cliffs of Moher and Galway

Journey to the Visitor Centre at the 700-foot Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Clare Coast before a delightful drive through the strange, rocky landscape of the Burren to Galway Bay. On arrival, see the Lynch Memorial and Church of St. Nicholas, where Christopher Columbus reputedly prayed before his voyages to America. See the Spanish Arch and Eyre Square, dedicated to the late US President, John F. Kennedy.

• S​tay: Harbour Hotel Galway
• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

D​ay 8 - Free day Galway or Kylemore Abbey

Spend a day at leisure to relax and enjoy Galway. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to Kylemore Abbey, founded for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I?

• S​tay: Harbour Hotel Galway
• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast

D​ay 9 - Londonderry

Admire the Blue Stack Mountains of Donegal as you cross into Northern Ireland, bound for the ancient walled city of 'Derry.' What better way to experience sightseeing than with one of Northern Ireland's best storytellers, Ronan, as he takes you on a tour inside the city walls, still topped with cannons. Walk down steep Shipquay Street, with its elegant Georgian houses, to the Gothic Guildhall.

• S​tay: Maldron Hotel Derry
• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

Day 10 - Walk in the Giant’s Steps

Journey to the iconic Giant's Causeway for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience. Learn how the National Trust is enabling farming and biodiversity to work together, supporting both wildlife and quality food production. Next, prepare yourself for miles of breathtaking beauty as you travel along the road clinging to the Antrim Coast. Continue onto your hotel, overlooking Ballygally Bay. For those who are brave enough, perhaps check out The Ghost Room, in one of the castle’s turrets? In the evening, please join us for a finale Celebration Dinner, where old-fashioned hospitality is blended with good food and wine for an experience that delights the senses.

• S​tay: Ballygally Castle Hotel
• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast, Dinner with wine

D​ay 11 - The Antrim Coast to Belfast

Continue around the Antrim Coast, past the huge Norman castle at Carrickfergus, to arrive in the Northern Ireland capital of Belfast. Meet Hilda, your Local Expert, for a passionate city tour including views of the City Hall, Queen's University, the Parliament Building at Stormont and murals in different locations indicating political sentiments of local residents.

• S​tay: Europa Hotel
• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast

D​ay 12 - Depart Belfast

Departure transfers arrive at Belfast George Best City Airport at 08:00 and Belfast International Airport at 08:45.

• I​ncluded Meals: Breakfast

The following advertised price is based on travelling 13 March 2023

• Twin share from $3,758 per person
• Solo traveller from $4,508

Please call our travel team for prices on alternative departures between March to December 2023

Solo Traveller?

Ask us about being matched you with someone of the same sex in order to avoid having to pay the single supplement. If you are not able to be matched, you will be provided a single room at no extra cost! Freecall 1300 414 198

S​tylish handpicked hotels throughout.

• T​rinity City Hotel or Claytons Hotel Burlington Road
• M​aldron Hotel South Mall Cork City
• K​illarney Plaza Hotel & Spa
• F​itzgeralds Woodlands House Hotel & Spa
• H​arbour Hotel Galway
• M​aldron Hotel Derry
• B​allygally Castle Hotel
• E​uropa Hotel