Christmas in Ireland - 4 day tour

Day 1: Saturday 24th December

Dublin - Rock of Dunamase - English Markets - Highlights of the Ring of Kerry - Dingle Peninsula Pick up 8:00am at Paddy's Palace in Dublin. We then make our way to the midlands of Ireland. We visit the beautiful Rock of Castle Dunamase, steeped in Irish legend in the Golden Vale, Ireland's finest agricultural land with its rolling fields and pastures fresh. In the afternoon we stop at the beautiful city of Cork to visit the renouned English Markets. We then make our way through the wonderful Ring of Kerry, taking in its highlights such as Killarney National Park, Molls Gap, Ladies view and Torc Waterfall. Tonight we stay in your very own Irish pub, the Randy Leprechaun on the Dingle Peninsula. Here we mix with the locals, and enjoy the characteristics of a genuine Irish small-village, away from the hustle and bustle. Pull up a stool by the fire or choose to dance the night away!

Day 2: Sunday 25th December. Christmas Day

Christmas breakfast - Tour of Dingle Peninsula - Slea Head - Christmas Swim - 5 Course Christmas Banquet with wine. We wake up on Christmas morning as snow falls outside (fingers crossed!). You will then gather around for a hearty full Irish Christmas Breakfast to set you up for the day. We will then tour around beautiful Dingle Slea Head drive is considered by many photographic magazines as the most beautiful peninsula in the world, and was recently voted the number one area for dramatic shots. The road winds around through Gaelic speaking Corca Dhuibhne beginning at Ventry beach passing by the 4000 year old beehive huts and onwards to Dunquin with amazing views of the great Blasket Island and the Sleeping Giant. The peninsula has fabulous beaches in Coonenoole and Clogherhead where the film Far and Away was shot. And of course the Christmas Swim - Be ready to brace the waters as we work up an appetite for our Christmas Dinner. We then return to the Inspiration Lodge for our Christmas Feast! This is a 5 course meal which includes a nice glass (or two!) of wine to help wash down all the delicious food.

Day 3: 26th December

Adare - Cliffs of Moher - Doolin - The Burren - Wild Atlantic Way - Galway The Wild Atlanic Coast We enjoy a coastal drive along the shores of Galway Bay. This dramatic road ensures we see amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. This drive is part of the "Wild Atlantic Way" which is a driving route that follows the entire West Coast of Ireland. We arrive at the world famous Cliffs of Moher, one of the world's great natural attractions where you can enjoy a relaxed walk, and breathtaking views. SAVE a whopping 6 euro entry fee! We are proud to be a tour company that includes the amazing Atlantic Edge Exhibition! Atlantic Edge is the exciting interpretive exhibition at the Cliffs of Moher and its award-winning new Visitor Experience. Housed in an innovative underground building a huge domed cave contains images, exhibits, displays and experiences that will delight young and old alike. We stop at the Cliffs for 1,5 h. We pass through the beautiful landscape of the Doolin region, with uninterrupted views of the Aran Islands and Doolin Harbour. We will take a stop in Doolin, with the time to enjoy lunch for those who are hungry. There is a traditional carvery lunch available for those who would like to enjoy local food (not included). We make our way through the Burren - one of the famous landscapes of Ireland! It is famous for its Limestone Rock, as far as the eye can see, and reaching down to the sea shore. We will stop at the "Mini Cliffs" which are a great site to experience this area, and enjoy the coast. We arrive in Galway, known as the city of tribes and once home to Christopher Columbus. The city is Ireland's traditional capital and home to some of our finest traditional musicians. Explore highlights like the Spanish Arch, St. Nicholas Cathedral, the colourful Shop Street where or maybe even sample some world famous Galway Bay oysters. Tonight sample all that the Galway night life has to offer

Day 4: 27th December

Highlights of Connemara - Dublin This morning we wake up and make our way up north to the province of Connacht, otherwise known as the rugged Wild West of Ireland. One the way, we will visit: Cong Famed by John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara in the film Quiet Man, the village is home to Ashford castle, a regular haunt of the rich and famous and a wedding venue for a host of international stars ie Pierce Brosnan. From beautiful abbeys to medieval castles, rivers, stunning lakes and babbling brooks, Cong is a true picture postcard of Ireland! We take a break here with a visit to Cong Abbey, the ruins of an Augustinian monastery. Take time to enjoy lunch in this beautiful village. Well know for its fishing, Lough Corrib is the second largest lake in Ireland after Lough Neagh. Surrounded by its abundance of wildlife such as otters, hawks, minks, birds the lake consists of 356 different islands. The most famous island among them is Inchagoil island with its spectacular views of Maumturk range, Joyce country, and the mountains of Connemara. We continue our drive through the wilderness of Connemara. We enjoy this unique landscape, beautiful lakes, valleys, and mountainous scenery. Ravaged by famine, and predominantly Gaelic the people here still strive to maintain the remanence of rural culture and the traditional Irish way of life. We head back to Galway via the Maam Valley, an area of scenic and unsurpassed beauty with the lakes of Connemara which unfold in among the twelve Bens mountains. We then travel back along the coast and Galway Bay through Spiddal, and enjoy magnificent views of the Atlantic Coastline to Galway and Aran Islands.We then head off on our short journey through the midlands back to Dublin inspired by a wonderful 6 day experience around Southern Ireland.

Pick-up Points

1. Paddys Palace, Lower Gardiner Street, Dublin @ 8:00 am