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Depart Dublin and make our first stop at Monasterboice, a monastic settlement dating back to year 501. This ancient monastery is home to Ireland's best preserved and finest Celtic crosses, and it also has a monumental fully intact Round Tower. Discover why Lonely Planet regards Belfast as one of the top 10 'must-see' destinations on Earth. To begin, we visit Belfast's number 1 attraction - the Titanic Experience (entry included)! We take you on a fascinating journey back in time during which we get to experience Titanic's story. From her conception in Belfast in the early 1900s, through her construction and launch, to her infamous maiden voyage and catastrophic demise. We also strongly recommend the world famous Black Taxi tour (optional) to view the Peace Wall and political murals. Your driver will show you highlights of the city including City Hall, Queen's University, Albert's Clock, Botanic Gardens and much more. Overnight in Belfast.
A glorious touring day cruising the Beautiful North Coast. We initially visit the Dark Hedges, made famous by Game of Thrones. Then it's the jackpot visit of the day - we will trace the footprints of Celtic Giants, walk the Giant's Causeway! A UNESCO world heritage site featuring an estimated 60,000 hexagonal columns of basalt rock formed by volcanic eruptions a long long time ago! Your guide will wax lyrical about how our giant warrior hero - Fionn McCool - built it to fight off our cousins the pesky Scots. This afternoon we'll visit the city of Derry. Learn why the city is officially known as Londonderry and the story of the long bloody siege here in 1689. Your guide will take you down to the well known Bogside district, scene of the Bloody Sunday massacre in 1972 and inspiration for U2's classic anthem 'Sunday, Bloody Sunday'. We'll cross the border to nearby Co. Donegal where we'll stop for the evening in Letterkenny.
This morning we'll turn south and begin making our way down the west coast of Ireland. The drive takes you through the beautiful counties of Donegal and Sligo, once home to Nobel Laureate poet W.B. Yeats. We visit his final resting place in Drumcliff Abbey, and admire the beautiful Benbulben referenced in many of his poems. The road also takes us to Ireland's premier surf town and beach at Strandhill. This afternoon we'll arrive in Galway, City of the Tribes, where we'll overnight. Perhaps take a relaxing stroll along Salthill Promenade whilst the sun sets over Galway Bay. Meanwhile, the Latin Quarter offers streets of cosy pubs where you can sip Guinness to the beat of electrifying Irish music and the sweet sound of the Gaelic language.
Today you will have the wild Atlantic ocean by your side as we cruise down the West coast. See beautiful beaches, golden sand, maybe even a few dolphins and whales. Run around the lunar landscape of the Burren, the only place on earth where Alpine, Arctic and Mediterranean flowers grow side by side, and hear your guide tell inspiring tales of how our ancestors overcame the horrors of the great Potato Famine of 1845-49, sending over a million of our ancestors to the four corners of the globe and in particular Britain, North America, and Australia. We'll stop in the village of Doolin for lunch and maybe a pint before continuing to the nearby Cliffs of Moher. Over 700 ft tall, the cliffs are perhaps the most spectacular in Europe and are home to some of nature's most majestic birds including puffins and gannets. Afterwards, we'll cross the River Shannon in historic Limerick. Our last stop today is the beautiful heritage town of Adare with its fabulous thatched cottages, renowned for being regularly voted Ireland's tidiest town. We spend the night on the rural Dingle Peninsula.
Today we embark on the world famous Dingle Peninsula. We visit Ireland's longest beach at Inch, and then we take the short drive to Dingle, a charming Gaelic speaking fishing village. Famed in many films like Far and Away and Ryan's Daughter, Dingle is celebrated for having most pubs in Ireland for a town of its size, 52 pubs and 2000 people. We cannot forget Dingle's most famous resident, Fungi the Dolphin who we shall have time to visit in the early afternoon. Then it's off on a wonderful pleasant drive around Slea Head with amazing views of Sleeping Giant Island, the Blasket Islands, and Beehive Huts dating back to 2000 B.C. Regarded as the most beautiful Peninsula in the world by many photographic magazines, Slea Head has some of Ireland's most fabulous beaches and is definitely the highlight of Ireland's famed Wild Atlantic Way. This area is completely Gaelic speaking, and you may even get to hear some of the locals converse in this ancient language. Then it's back to Dingle where there is ample time for shopping in traditional arts and crafts stores, and some refreshments in one of the many colorful pubs with local musicians playing some mystic tunes. Tonight we stay in Killarney, Co. Kerry's premier town. Here we mix with the locals, and enjoy the characteristics of a genuine Irish county town, away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. Pull up a stool by the fire or enjoy a relaxing post dinner stroll in the nearby National Park.
The day begins with a horse and cart ride through Killarney National Park (optional) or horseback ride through the park for the energetic and adventurous (optional). Afterwards, we'll regroup to cross the Cork and Kerry mountains, heading for the world renowned Blarney Castle. Enjoy plenty of time (2 hours) visiting the Castle where you can kiss the Blarney Stone if you wish (to receive the gift of eloquent speech also known as the gift of the gab). The beautiful gardens offer a chance to relax in the fresh air whilst those seeking last minute souvenirs can explore the excellent Blarney Woolen Mills, the world's largest Irish shop. After lunch we take a leisurely drive through the Golden Vale region, Ireland's finest agricultural land and home to some of the best livestock in the world. Before we reach Dublin, we'll pause at the Rock of Dunamase - a ruined castle perched high on a hill overlooking the province of Leinster - amazing photo opportunities and vistas await you. Arrive back in Dublin late afternoon in time for dinner reservations and evening entertainment.
This tour is exclusively in English.
You will receive your ticket (featuring your booking number) via email immediately at time of booking. There is no need to print the ticket. If you wish, you can simply show it on your phone or tablet.
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