Grand Tour of Ireland 15 days
About This Experience
In terms of size, Ireland is on par with the state of Indiana. But, in terms of culture and history, this small isle is incomparable. Delve beyond the sheep-dotted green landscapes to the cities and villages that span the country, all the way from Dublin to Londonderry. Mingle with Dubliners in traditional pubs, pick up a souvenir in Waterford, drive along the Ring of Kerry and walk across Giant’s Causeway. After 15 days of exploring, you’ll leave feeling like a local (if you can even bear to leave at all).
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
13 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 5 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
You’ll see all that’s quintessentially Irish
Lands that inspired legends like Wilde & Yeats
The local perspective on Northern Ireland
The Ring of Kerry’s unparalleled scenery
Waterford crystal is the ultimate souvenir
Cities to villages, you’ll discover all walks of life
Overnight Flight1 night
Dublin3 nights - hotel info
Day2
It may be a small capital, but it sure packs in a lot of charm
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to the Emerald Isle! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Dublin. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Day3
From parks to patron saints, explore Dublin’s riches and relics
Breakfast
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College
A local guide leads your comprehensive sightseeing tour of the city. Drive past the River Liffey to Phoenix Park. The largest enclosed public park in Europe, Phoenix Park’s grounds include the Áras an Uachtaráin (Presidential Residence). Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded by Ireland’s patron saint in A.D. 450, and then visit Trinity College, where you might wish to view the illuminated Book of Kells in the university’s library.
Day4
Bono all the way to Yeats, get to know the city of artistic greats
Breakfast
Discover Dublin at your own pace today. Choose to stroll through St. Stephen’s Green or explore the Writers’ Museum. Alternatively, join an optional excursion into the countryside of Wicklow to visit Powerscourt, where you can walk through Ireland’s most beautiful formal gardens, and Glendalough, a romantic glen where St. Kevin founded Ireland’s most important monastery in the 6th century. Tonight, attend an optional Traditional Irish Evening.
Optional Excursions
Powerscourt & Glendalough $79* pp
County Wicklow is home to some of the wildest and most spectacular scenery in Ireland, as well as two of the country’s most important historic sites. Your first stop is at the picturesque village of Enniskerry, where you’ll visit Powerscourt, an elegant country mansion with the finest formal gardens in the country. Later, continue on to Glendalough, which became famous throughout Europe as a center of Christian learning before it was sacked by Viking crusaders in the 10th century. You’ll also see St. Kevin’s Cross, the remains of the 6th-century cathedral and the remarkable Round Tower, thought to have been used by the monks as a place of refuge.
Optional Excursions
Traditional Irish Evening $99* pp
Enjoy this special evening of Irish food, music and live entertainment. Dinner will be served first, giving you a taste of traditional Irish dishes. You’ll then be treated to a live show of Irish music and dance. Join in the fun as you enjoy a merry and memorable night. Please note: The specific venue and day of the week for this optional may change due to availability.
Waterford2 nights - hotel info
Day5
This morning, it’s back to the races…race horses, that is
Breakfast, Dinner
National Stud Farm, Kilkenny Castle
Leaving Dublin this morning, travel a short distance southwest to County Kildare. Visit the National Stud Farm, where world-class race horses are bred and trained. Visit the stables, where you are likely to glimpse the thoroughbreds being exercised or groomed. Continue to Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval town. Tour the imposing 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, built on a beautiful site overlooking the River Nore. Arrive later in Waterford for an included dinner.
Day6
It’s true—no one does crystal quite like Waterford
Breakfast
Rock of Cashel, Waterford Crystal Factory
Your Tour Director leads an informal tour of Waterford, followed by a visit to the Waterford Crystal Factory where you’ll learn about the exquisite world-famous Waterford crystal. Then journey to the Rock of Cashel, an outcrop of limestone dominating the surrounding Tipperary Plain. On this rock stand the ruins of the ancient seat of the kings of Munster. You might wish to climb St. Patrick’s Rock to explore, a perfectly preserved round tower, and Cormac’s Chapel, with its intriguing Celtic carvings. Return to Waterford for the night.
County Kerry2 nights - hotel info
Day7
Brightly painted vistas welcome you to this small fishing village
Breakfast, Dinner
Queenstown Story Museum, Blarney Castle
Stop in the fishing village of Cobh, which in centuries past often served as a launch site for ships bound for North America. Here, you’ll visit the Queenstown Story Museum, whose exhibits tell the story of Irish emigration during the past 150 years. Then travel through Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city. Next, visit Blarney Castle. This 15th-century fortress is known above all else for the legendary Blarney Stone, said to grant magical powers of eloquence to those who kiss it—a feat you can attempt by climbing the steep staircase to the top of the parapet and leaning out of the battlements. Spend the night in County Kerry, where dinner is included tonight.
Day8
These 112 miles enclose the most incredible scenery in all of Ireland
Breakfast
Today’s included excursion takes you around the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal route that covers some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery. Pass the pristine Lakes of Killarney and gaze across Dingle Bay to Dingle Peninsula. This afternoon, enjoy unsurpassable views of the Skellig Islands. Then continue to the picturesque village of Sneem, the “Knot in the Ring,” where brightly painted cottages surround the cozy market green. Stop also in Killarney, where you’ll have some free time to explore its wealth of shops and facilities.
Galway2 nights - hotel info
Day9
Travel all the way back to the turn of the century
Breakfast
Bunratty Castle
Continuing north to County Clare, visit Bunratty Castle and tour Bunratty Folk Park, which imaginatively re-creates Irish life at the turn of the century. Then take a stroll through the scenic town of Adaire. End up in Galway. For 400 years, Galway was an independent city-state. As recently as the 19th century, local citizens were still in the habit of setting their clocks 40 minutes behind Dublin time! Tonight, enjoy a “royal” evening out at our optional Medieval Castle Banquet Dinner (seasonal).
Optional Excursions
Castle Banquet Dinner $115* pp
Enjoy a feast fit for a king inside Dunguaire Castle, a 17th-century castle overlooking Galway Bay. Sip from a goblet of mead and learn the history of the castle before proceeding up the spiral staircase to the banquet hall, where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous, four-course dinner and an evening of live entertainment, including songs and stories. Please note: This excursion is seasonal from April to October.
Day10
Peer down over the Atlantic Ocean from a staggering 600 feet
Breakfast, Dinner
Today you are free to explore the city of Galway on your own, or join an optional excursion to the limestone plateau known as the Burren. The excursion also includes a stop to see the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which rise up 600 feet from the Atlantic Ocean. Dinner is included this evening.
Optional Excursions
Burren & Cliffs of Moher $35* pp
Journey along the coast to the famous Cliffs of Moher. Whether admired from a safe distance or at the cliffs' edge, the views from these heights will amaze you. Continue on to the Burren, an austere landscape known for its slate-grey rock fields dotted by rare wildflowers. Please note: This excursion is weather dependent, and your views may be impacted by fog.
Sligo1 night - hotel info
County Londonderry2 nights - hotel info
Day12
Green, green and more green—just a taste of today’s backdrops
Breakfast, Dinner
Belleek Pottery Works
Journey through the landscapes immortalized in the poetry of William Butler Yeats. You’ll see the oddly shaped mountain that inspired Under Ben Bulben. You’ll also visit his grave in Drumcliffe churchyard. Crossing briefly into County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, tour the Belleek Pottery Works, where the distinctive basket-style design has been made since 1857. Arrive later in Derry, where a guided tour introduces you to the city. Transfer to your hotel in County Londonderry and enjoy dinner with your group.
Day13
Make your way through landscapes worthy of poetry
Breakfast
Explore County Londonderry on your own today. Alternatively, join an optional excursion to the Antrim Coast to experience one of the most unusual natural formations in the world, the 60-million-year-old Giant’s Causeway, a path of towering basalt columns in the ocean formed by volcanic lava that cooled rapidly over white chalk.
Optional Excursions
Giant's Causeway $45* pp
Pay a visit to the rugged Giant’s Causeway, a series of naturally formed hexagonal basalt columns. The columns, which you can walk on, are 60 million years old and originated as volcanic lava. A colorful local legend says that mythical giant Finn MacCool built the walkway so that he could cross the sea to Scotland!
Dublin1 night - hotel info
Day14
Encounter the docks where the Unsinkable Ship was built
Breakfast
Drive through the rolling countryside of Ulster today en route to Belfast. On your guided tour of Northern Ireland’s capital, you’ll glimpse the copper-domed city hall, the shipbuilding docks where the Titanic was constructed and the recently restored Grand Opera House. Continuing back into the Irish Republic, return for a final night in Dublin.
About This Experience
In terms of size, Ireland is on par with the state of Indiana. But, in terms of culture and history, this small isle is incomparable. Delve beyond the sheep-dotted green landscapes to the cities and villages that span the country, all the way from Dublin to Londonderry. Mingle with Dubliners in traditional pubs, pick up a souvenir in Waterford, drive along the Ring of Kerry and walk across Giant’s Causeway. After 15 days of exploring, you’ll leave feeling like a local (if you can even bear to leave at all).
Your Tour Includes
Round-trip airfare & transfers
13 nights in handpicked hotels
Breakfast daily, 5 three-course dinners with beer or wine
Multilingual Tour Director
Private deluxe motor coach
Select entrance fees
Why You'll Love It
You’ll see all that’s quintessentially Irish
Lands that inspired legends like Wilde & Yeats
The local perspective on Northern Ireland
The Ring of Kerry’s unparalleled scenery
Waterford crystal is the ultimate souvenir
Cities to villages, you’ll discover all walks of life
Overnight Flight1 night
Dublin3 nights - hotel info
Day2
It may be a small capital, but it sure packs in a lot of charm
Breakfast (in flight), Dinner
Welcome to the Emerald Isle! A Go Ahead representative greets you at the airport after you clear customs and then escorts you to your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or begin acquainting yourself with Dublin. At an included dinner this evening, meet your fellow travelers.
Day3
From parks to patron saints, explore Dublin’s riches and relics
Breakfast
St. Patrick's Cathedral, Trinity College
A local guide leads your comprehensive sightseeing tour of the city. Drive past the River Liffey to Phoenix Park. The largest enclosed public park in Europe, Phoenix Park’s grounds include the Áras an Uachtaráin (Presidential Residence). Visit St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded by Ireland’s patron saint in A.D. 450, and then visit Trinity College, where you might wish to view the illuminated Book of Kells in the university’s library.
Day4
Bono all the way to Yeats, get to know the city of artistic greats
Breakfast
Discover Dublin at your own pace today. Choose to stroll through St. Stephen’s Green or explore the Writers’ Museum. Alternatively, join an optional excursion into the countryside of Wicklow to visit Powerscourt, where you can walk through Ireland’s most beautiful formal gardens, and Glendalough, a romantic glen where St. Kevin founded Ireland’s most important monastery in the 6th century. Tonight, attend an optional Traditional Irish Evening.
Optional Excursions
Powerscourt & Glendalough $79* pp
County Wicklow is home to some of the wildest and most spectacular scenery in Ireland, as well as two of the country’s most important historic sites. Your first stop is at the picturesque village of Enniskerry, where you’ll visit Powerscourt, an elegant country mansion with the finest formal gardens in the country. Later, continue on to Glendalough, which became famous throughout Europe as a center of Christian learning before it was sacked by Viking crusaders in the 10th century. You’ll also see St. Kevin’s Cross, the remains of the 6th-century cathedral and the remarkable Round Tower, thought to have been used by the monks as a place of refuge.
Optional Excursions
Traditional Irish Evening $99* pp
Enjoy this special evening of Irish food, music and live entertainment. Dinner will be served first, giving you a taste of traditional Irish dishes. You’ll then be treated to a live show of Irish music and dance. Join in the fun as you enjoy a merry and memorable night. Please note: The specific venue and day of the week for this optional may change due to availability.
Waterford2 nights - hotel info
Day5
This morning, it’s back to the races…race horses, that is
Breakfast, Dinner
National Stud Farm, Kilkenny Castle
Leaving Dublin this morning, travel a short distance southwest to County Kildare. Visit the National Stud Farm, where world-class race horses are bred and trained. Visit the stables, where you are likely to glimpse the thoroughbreds being exercised or groomed. Continue to Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval town. Tour the imposing 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, built on a beautiful site overlooking the River Nore. Arrive later in Waterford for an included dinner.
Day6
It’s true—no one does crystal quite like Waterford
Breakfast
Rock of Cashel, Waterford Crystal Factory
Your Tour Director leads an informal tour of Waterford, followed by a visit to the Waterford Crystal Factory where you’ll learn about the exquisite world-famous Waterford crystal. Then journey to the Rock of Cashel, an outcrop of limestone dominating the surrounding Tipperary Plain. On this rock stand the ruins of the ancient seat of the kings of Munster. You might wish to climb St. Patrick’s Rock to explore, a perfectly preserved round tower, and Cormac’s Chapel, with its intriguing Celtic carvings. Return to Waterford for the night.
County Kerry2 nights - hotel info
Day7
Brightly painted vistas welcome you to this small fishing village
Breakfast, Dinner
Queenstown Story Museum, Blarney Castle
Stop in the fishing village of Cobh, which in centuries past often served as a launch site for ships bound for North America. Here, you’ll visit the Queenstown Story Museum, whose exhibits tell the story of Irish emigration during the past 150 years. Then travel through Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city. Next, visit Blarney Castle. This 15th-century fortress is known above all else for the legendary Blarney Stone, said to grant magical powers of eloquence to those who kiss it—a feat you can attempt by climbing the steep staircase to the top of the parapet and leaning out of the battlements. Spend the night in County Kerry, where dinner is included tonight.
Day8
These 112 miles enclose the most incredible scenery in all of Ireland
Breakfast
Today’s included excursion takes you around the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal route that covers some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery. Pass the pristine Lakes of Killarney and gaze across Dingle Bay to Dingle Peninsula. This afternoon, enjoy unsurpassable views of the Skellig Islands. Then continue to the picturesque village of Sneem, the “Knot in the Ring,” where brightly painted cottages surround the cozy market green. Stop also in Killarney, where you’ll have some free time to explore its wealth of shops and facilities.
Galway2 nights - hotel info
Day9
Travel all the way back to the turn of the century
Breakfast
Bunratty Castle & Folk Park
Continuing north to County Clare, visit Bunratty Castle and tour Bunratty Folk Park, which imaginatively re-creates Irish life at the turn of the century. Then take a stroll through the scenic town of Adaire. End up in Galway. For 400 years, Galway was an independent city-state. As recently as the 19th century, local citizens were still in the habit of setting their clocks 40 minutes behind Dublin time! Tonight, enjoy a “royal” evening out at our optional Medieval Castle Banquet Dinner (seasonal).
Optional Excursions
Castle Banquet Dinner $115* pp
Enjoy a feast fit for a king inside Dunguaire Castle, a 17th-century castle overlooking Galway Bay. Sip from a goblet of mead and learn the history of the castle before proceeding up the spiral staircase to the banquet hall, where you’ll enjoy a sumptuous, four-course dinner and an evening of live entertainment, including songs and stories. Please note: This excursion is seasonal from April to October.
Day10
Peer down over the Atlantic Ocean from a staggering 600 feet
Breakfast
Today you are free to explore the city of Galway on your own, or join an optional excursion to the limestone plateau known as the Burren. The excursion also includes a stop to see the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which rise up 600 feet from the Atlantic Ocean.
Optional Excursions
Burren & Cliffs of Moher $35* pp
Journey along the coast to the famous Cliffs of Moher. Whether admired from a safe distance or at the cliffs' edge, the views from these heights will amaze you. Continue on to the Burren, an austere landscape known for its slate-grey rock fields dotted by rare wildflowers. Please note: This excursion is weather dependent, and your views may be impacted by fog.
Sligo1 night - hotel info
County Londonderry2 nights - hotel info
Day12
Green, green and more green—just a taste of today’s backdrops
Breakfast, Dinner
Belleek Pottery Works
Journey through the landscapes immortalized in the poetry of William Butler Yeats. You’ll see the oddly shaped mountain that inspired Under Ben Bulben. You’ll also visit his grave in Drumcliffe church yard. Crossing briefly into County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland, tour the Belleek Pottery Works, where the distinctive basket-style design has been made since 1857. Arrive later in Derry, where a guided tour introduces you to the city. Transfer to your hotel in County Londonderry and enjoy dinner with your group.
Day13
Make your way through landscapes worthy of poetry
Breakfast
Embark on a full-day excursion to the Antrim Coast, where you’ll experience one of the world’s most unusual natural formations: the 60-million-year-old Giant’s Causeway, a path of towering columns in the ocean, formed by volcanic lava that cooled rapidly over white chalk. Afterward, brave souls will have the opportunity to cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge, with spectacular seascapes all around.
Dublin1 night - hotel info
Day14
Encounter the docks where the Unsinkable Ship was built
Breakfast, Dinner
Drive through the rolling countryside of Ulster en route to Belfast. On your guided tour of Northern Ireland’s capital, glimpse the copper-domed city hall, the shipbuilding docks where the Titanic was constructed and the recently restored Grand Opera House. Continuing back into the Irish Republic, return for a final night in Dublin, with an included farewell dinner.
Passport & Visa
In order to enter Ireland, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return home. No visa is required for U.S. or Canadian citizens. If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact the Irish consulate for your specific entry requirements.
Health
There are no major health risks when traveling to Ireland. It is always advisable to check with your doctor or health-care provider for the latest updates and overseas travel requirements.
Transportation / Walking on tour
Round-trip flights arrive in and depart from Dublin. Included transportation on “Grand Tour of Ireland” is by private motor coach. Most of the destinations are walkable, but you may want to spend free time exploring Dublin by a combination of walking and public transportation. The city is serviced by numerous buses. If you wish to venture outside of Dublin on your own, use the very efficient Dublin Area Rapid Transport (DART) trains, which reach most locations on the coast.
Clothing & Packing Tips
To ensure you’re comfortable while out exploring, we recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered. For sightseeing, we suggest bringing a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers, as well as a lightweight sports jacket or rainwear. If you’re planning a visit to a high-end restaurant or performance, you may also want to bring dressier attire. Also, please remember that it’s preferable to avoid showing bare legs or shoulders during visits to churches or other religious sites (entrance may be denied on this basis).
Baggage Allowance
Airlines have varying weight restrictions on luggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage. Please contact your airline or refer to its website for detailed information regarding your airline’s checked baggage policies. Bear in mind that your luggage will probably weigh more on your return trip due to souvenir shopping. We allow only one suitcase per person. One carry-on bag is also permitted, provided that it does not exceed 45 inches (length + width + height). There may be times when you will have to handle your own bags, and you’ll find that lightweight luggage provides a distinct advantage. Make sure you label your baggage and carry valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on luggage.
Cuisine
One of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling is the delightful variety of local cuisine. Traditional Irish cooking is simple, relying heavily on meat-based dishes. Pubs serve up hearty lunches, and the traditional Irish stew, bacon and boiled cabbage are always popular choices. Soda bread is delicious and very filling, as are Irish cakes, such as scones and Barm Brack. The thick black beer known as Guinness is a national institution in its own right. In recent years, Dublin has seen something of a culinary revolution, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting cuisine with continental Europe, Asian and Californian influences.
Currency
The euro and the British pound (in Northern Ireland) are the currencies you will be using on your tour. Better rates of exchange are usually available in your destination countries, although it is worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive. We advise that you take a combination of bank/ATM cards, credit cards and traveler’s checks, which can be exchanged for cash at local banks, as needed. It might also be advantageous to buy traveler’s checks in pounds sterling before you go, which sometimes avoids fees and higher exchange rates. These can be purchased from AAA Travel Agencies and other vendors. We suggest informing your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
Tipping
At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity. We recommend tipping in your tour country’s currency, the equivalent of $3USD/CAD per person per day for your driver and $6USD/CAD to $9USD/ CAD per person per day for your Tour Director. If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD/CAD per local guide. Tips can only be paid in cash. Please keep current local currency exchange rates in mind when tipping.
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A dream come true
I was very pleased with everything about my first trip abroad - to Ireland. The tour director, Allie and bus driver, Simon were just great. So informative and just a pleasure to be with for 2 whole weeks. We had an especially nice group of people on the tour as well. The food that was provided was good, hearty and plenty. It was nice that a drink was inclued as well. The Guinness and Bulmers Cider were awesome. I feel like I had a real education about the country from Allie. She has a wonderful lilting Irish voice that was enjoyed by all. Simon got us there safe and handled all that lugguge which was very helpful to us ladies especially. Thank you for a great experience.
Grand Tour of Ireland
I want to say that I enjoyed this trip. I found that the people were very friendly. The view was breath taking. I love to see the beauty of God's work. I also, meet some new friends. I am glad I chose to go on this trip. I would recommend others to take this trip with goahead tours.
Ireland
We had a very good trip. I know both my husband and I learned a great deal of Ireland's history and enjoyed the experiences we had. We thought some of our optional tours were good and worth the value but also believed some were way overpriced and would not recommend them to others, particularly the evening meal at the castle. I wish we had had more time during our visits to various sites. On a few occasions we felt rushed to be able to thoroughly see the site within the time given. On top of that we were often also suppose to get lunch during that time and so something had to be sacrificed (often we just grabbed a quick bite to eat or went without eating in order to finish seeing the site we were at). It seemed to me that our tour guide really did not guide us much. True, she gave us a great deal of information on the bus while we were traveling, but when we got to a city or site, we had a local guide who we had to pay additionally for their services. That did not happen nearly as often on our France trip last fall. I felt like I was paying twice! Hotels were good with one exception. Imperial House in Galway was not a very nice place. Food at the hotels was ordinary and the same from place to place and I would have preferred to have our group go out to a restaurant as we did in France. Overall I thought the itinerary was a good one, which of course is why we picked it. Must have a bus with 2 working doors when the group is as large as ours was (38). It takes too long otherwise to load and unload otherwise. Your bus drivers are amazing at what they do. Flight arrangements were done very nicely and we appreciated the fact that GoAhead was willing to book our flight 2 days early at our request. Your customer service division is very nice to deal with over the phone. We look forward to our next trip and will certainly give GoAhead a good look when we compare itinerary and value with other companies. Thank you!
Ireland Discovered
My husband and I just came back from the Grand Tour of Ireland and we have fallen in love. We have all heard of Irelands rolling hills and 40 shades of green but until you are there seeing it in person you will never know its true beauty. This tour was the perfect pace and gave you plenty of time to discover the different towns we visited. Also, Allie our fabulous Tour Director showed us some of her favorite spots that were true gems. If you are trying to decide which excursions to do I would say do them all but if you are on a limited budget and can only do one then do The Giants Causeway. It was spectacular and you can follow hiking trails and see it from many angles. Did I already say that our Tour Director Allie Lister was AMAZING! She was helpful, attentive, and made sure we got in and out of all the hotels and sites smoothly. Also, the schedule that this tour followed kept us ahead of the crowds, which was great. All in all this was another great Go Ahead Tour!
Just 'Grand'!
It was a wonderful two weeks. The tour guide named Allie was simply the best. The pride that she had for her country, it's myths and legends was awesome or brilliant! Allie was attentive to every detail including calling ahead to arrange for a wheelchair for one of our travel-mates. Each stop was as interesting as the next. Belfast and Derry were very interesting to see, but i found Belfast depressing. The local guide was not as good as Allie. On one of our free days in Dublin we visited Newgrange. That would have been a nicer stop than Belfast. The Granville in Waterford was a beautiful hotel. The manager came to greet us and bid us farewell. Top notch! The tours and scenery really made for a great experience.
Great Craic!
This tour of Ireland was indeed great craic (good fun)! More than that, it was inspiring to experience magical Ireland, learn about its long and turbulent history, and revel in its diverse landscapes. Tom Quinn, our most knowledgeable and entertaining tour director/guide, made the trip an unforgettable journey. He is unique in his approach to sharing his beloved land, and we, in his group, were the beneficiaries of his talents and skills as a leader. We visited sites near and around the whole perimeter of the island. Hills and plains, mountains and cliffs, castles and cities, serene beaches and wild seashores, the beauty of Ireland spread itself at our feet. Tom enhanced our travels with suitable music at some times, poetry other times, and stories…lots of stories! He inspired many to tap into their own creative spirits with surprising results! Additionally, our accommodations and food were lovely. We had a bus driver who can hardly be described! Paddy O’Donnell and Tom made a fabulous team – I loved them both! I appreciated the variety and pace of the activities. Overall, the Grand Tour of Ireland will stand out for me as one of my best life experiences
Great Guide in Green Ireland
Overall, the tour took us to the most interesting and beautiful sites I wanted to see in the green Emerald Isle and usually gave us enough time to enjoy them. The humor and narration by our tour director Tom Quinn made the tour even more interesting and fun. His one-page handout on history was helpful (gotta read it again) for a brief summary. His other handouts were welcome, too. His suggestions for nearby places to eat were very useful to newcomers to the country.
Great Guide in Green Ireland
Overall, the tour took us to the most interesting and beautiful sites I wanted to see in the green Emerald Isle and usually gave us enough time to enjoy them. The humor and narration by our tour director Tom Quinn made the tour even more interesting and fun. His one-page handout on history was helpful (gotta read it again) for a brief summary. His other handouts were welcome, too. His suggestions for nearby places to eat were very useful to newcomers to the country.
Grand Tour of Ireland - 8/6 thru 8/20/12
TOUR DIRECTOR: Emma Downey; Great people person, very friendly, . Fairly knowlegable, but relied on bus driver for a lot of advice. Was not as able a director as any of the other 6 Go Ahead tour directors we have had on other trips. BUS DRIVER: Tommy ( NOT Tommy Manning ). Super nice & knowlegable guy. TOUR: Enjoyed it very much & would recommend it for any ones first trip to Ireland. Only 20 people on the tour, great size group. All were very friendly.
Just a heads Up!!
I will say that I enjoyed the trip. I have never been to Ireland so everything was different and memorable. The hotels where nice and clean. I only disliked one of the hotels. The tour guide was a little unorganized and that caused a few upsets. I got to see places that I never would have thought about seeing if I had done it on my own. Next time I go I know exactly where to go and how to get there. I did have issues with the couch. Do to technical issues they had to changes couches twice and the final one was small and with the amount of people in the group it got to be cramped. You are on a couch for long periods of time and that causes issues when in tight spaces. Again I enjoyed the trip just a heads up you will be on a couch for long periods of time.
