The landscapes of Ireland inspired mythical legends of Celtic fairies and heaven-like lands of the eternal youth. After 11 days of traveling through Ireland’s patchwork pastures, ancient ruins and wild coastlines, you’ll understand why.
Please note: 2009 itinerary and excursions vary. Please call for details.
Trip costs include:
- Round-trip transatlantic air transportation with a major airline, airport transfers and escorts
- The services of a Go Ahead Tour Director
- A licensed local city guide in Dublin
- 9 nights accommodation in comfortable, well-located hotels with twin beds and private bath or shower
- All hotel service charges and tips, baggage handling and local taxes included
- Buffet breakfast (B) daily; 3 three-course dinners (D)
- Private deluxe motorcoach
- Guided sightseeing and entrance fees to select sights as described
- Go Ahead travel bag and membership in our World Traveler Club, which includes credit toward your next tour
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1 - Dublin
Fly through the night to Ireland.
Day 2 - Dublin
Meet your Go Ahead representative after you arrive in Dublin. You’ll then be escorted to your hotel for check-in. If you took our pre-tour extension to London, join the rest of your tour today. Dinner is included this evening. (B in flight, D)
Day 3 - Dublin
Guided sightseeing of Dublin features a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, founded by Ireland’s patron saint in A.D. 450. Then travel along the banks of the River Liffey; see the official residence of the Irish president in Phoenix Park. The tour ends with a visit to Trinity College. Within the college’s library is the famed Book of Kells, an illuminated text believed to have been written in the 8th century. Also, join an optional afternoon excursion to Malahide Castle. (B)
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$59 USD |
Malahide Castle
Set on 250 acres of park land in the pretty seaside town of Malahide, Malahide Castle was both a fortress and the private residence of the Talbot family for nearly 800 years.
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Day 4 - Dublin
With a free day in Dublin, shop along Grafton Street. Or join an optional excursion to Powerscourt, an estate known for its gardens. You’ll also visit Glendalough, former monastery of St. Kevin. Tonight, experience traditional Irish music, dance and food at our optional Irish Cabaret Night. (B)
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$119 USD |
Irish Cabaret Night
Enjoy this special evening of traditional Irish food, music and live entertainment.
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$99 USD |
Powerscourt & Glendalough
*A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!*
County Wicklow has some of the wildest and most spectacular mountain scenery in Ireland, as well as many of the country’s most important historic sites
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Day 5 - County Cork
Leaving Dublin for your journey through the Irish countryside, stop in Kildare at the National Stud Farm. Tour the pastures and stables and learn how the world’s fastest racehorses are bred and raised. Arrive later in Kilkenny, Ireland’s center of craftwork and medieval architecture, and visit 13th-century St. Canice’s Cathedral. Your tour director then introduces you to the charming town itself, situated on the banks of the River Noire. Continue on to the city of Cork, Ireland’s “second city.” (B)
Day 6 - County Kerry
After a walking orientation of Cork led by your tour director, visit the Queenstown Story Museum at the port of Cobh. It was in this seaside town that hundreds of thousands of Irish citizens in centuries past bid farewell to their homeland and set off for the New World; learn the stories behind their emigration in the museum’s fascinating exhibits. Your last stop before reaching County Kerry is Blarney Castle, where you could follow a longstanding tradition by kissing the legendary Blarney Stone (a feat trickier than it sounds!). (B, D)
Day 7 - County Kerry
Take a leisurely journey around the 112-mile Ring of Kerry on today’s full-day excursion. See spectacular coastal scenery, including the mountain peaks of Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, ruins of Iron Age forts and the three Lakes of Killarney, part of the sprawling National Park. Stop along the way in Killarney, one of Ireland’s famed resort towns. (B)
Day 8 - Galway
Drive through some of Ireland’s most rugged scenery on the way to Galway, the “gateway to the West.” Along the way, you’ll stop at 13th-century Bunratty Castle. Tonight, dine at our optional Castle Banquet dinner. (seasonal) (B)
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$125 USD |
Castle Banquet Dinner
Dine like royalty when you enjoy a four-course meal followed by an evening of Irish entertainment inside the Dungaire Castle.
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Day 9 - Galway
With another free day in Galway, you might choose to explore the city’s cultural highlights or cross the River Corrib to see University College. Alternatively, join a full-day optional excursion to the Aran Islands (weather permitting), a rugged region of traditional Irish culture that has remained largely unchanged in recent centuries. (B)
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$99 USD |
Aran Islands
Ferry west across Galway Bay for a guided tour of Inis Moor. As one of three remote Aran Islands, Inis Moor has remained essentially unchanged over the past centuries, preserving ancient Irish culture.
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Day 10 - Limerick
Travel through the limestone plateau known as the Burren and stop to see the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Later, transfer to Limerick. Overlooked by Woodcock Hill immediately to the north, and the Silvermine Mountains to the east, the city is spread along both banks of the Shannon River. Here, you’ll enjoy an included dinner. (B, D)
Day 11 - Galway
Board your flight home. (B)
Please note: 2009 itinerary and excursions vary. Please call for details.
Extend Your Stay
Add 3 nights in London for only $569 USD (Single room: add $210 USD)
A city that loves to be explored, London beckons with world-class (and often free) museums and galleries, quirky shops, outstanding restaurants, royal pageantry, charming neighborhoods, and an unconquered heritage of more than 2,000 years of history.
Protect your investment with affordable travel protection
Basic Trip Cancellation/Interruption Coverage
Protect yourself in the event you need to cancel your trip or leave your tour unexpectedly due to an emergency. Or choose one of the comprehensive packages below, and receive a discounted rate!
TravelSafe Plus — For one low price, you’ll receive:
- Trip cancellation & interruption protection
- Medical & accident protection
- Baggage & property protection
TravelSafe Gold with Flight Cancellation Protection
Take advantage of the best possible deal for your investment dollar. For $60 USD more, you’ll get all of the above plus additional coverage (up to $1,000 USD) if the flight to your tour is cancelled due to reasons beyond your control.
Purchase your travel protection package early and receive an added benefit!
Purchase one of the above TravelSafe packages within 14 days of reserving your tour, and you’ll automatically receive AnyTime Travel Protection at no additional charge. This means you can cancel for any reason up to 72 hours prior to the departure of your initial flight and still protect your investment. You will be provided with a credit voucher towards your next Go Ahead tour.
What’s unique about these protection plans?
- Most primary travel protection companies don’t cover international travel.
- Under the AnyTime Travel Protection Plan, you can cancel for any reason and your investment is protected in the form of a credit voucher.
- Efekta travel protection covers lost or stolen cash while on tour.
- Efekta travel protection covers the cost towards replacement of valuable documents—such as passports, airline tickets and visas while on tour.
- In the event that your roommate cancels for a reason covered under the policy, you will be reimbursed for the single supplement fee, should you still choose to travel.
- The following policies are also available to be purchased separately:
- Medical & Accident: $70 USD
- Baggage & Property: $60 USD
Extended Protection Plan
The Extended Protection Plan allows you to purchase extended coverage for any travel you do before or after meeting up with your Go Ahead Tours tour group (with flights arranged by Go Ahead Tours).
For more detailed descriptions of the benefits available under Efekta Insurance International LTD's Travel Protection Plans please call 1-800-597-0350 or download a PDF copy of the Efekta Travel Protection booklet here.