Dublin’s Ha’penny Bridge (officially called the Wellington Bridge) earned its nickname from the half-penny toll charged to cross the river. Uncover the histories of many Irish landmarks on the panoramic tour of the Emerald Isle. You'll enjoy the family-owned shops and cafes lining Ireland's quaint streets and also experience the country's rich cities.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 - Dublin

Fly through the night to Ireland’s capital.

Day 2 - Dublin

Land in Dublin and meet your Go Ahead representative. Enjoy an included dinner this evening with your fellow travelers. (B in flight, D)

Day 3 - Dublin

See the sights of Dublin on this morning’s tour led by a professional local guide. Travel along O’Connell Street; then cross the River Liffey to Phoenix Park and see the Irish presidential residence. Stop inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral (where Jonathan Swift once served as dean) and visit Trinity College, Ireland’s most respected university. In the college’s library is the fascinating Book of Kells. (B)

Day 4 - Dublin

With a free day in Dublin, shop for fine linens on Grafton Street or stroll through St. Stephen’s Green. Or join an optional excursion to Glendalough monastery and the elegant estate of Powerscourt, surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. This evening, opt to experience traditional music and food at our Irish Cabaret Night. (B)

$119 USD

Irish Cabaret Night Enjoy this special evening of traditional Irish food, music and live entertainment.

$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

Day 5 - Waterford

Heading into County Kildare, visit the stables of the National Stud Farm, which specializes in the breeding and training of world-class racehorses. Then continue to Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval town, and tour 12th-century Kilkenny Castle. Arrive by evening in Waterford. (B, D)

Day 6 - Waterford

Enjoy an orientation of Waterford led by your tour director, followed by a visit to the Waterford Crystal Factory. Here, artisans craft some of the world’s most precious glasswork. Then journey to the Rock of Cashel, where you’ll see the ruins of the ancient seat of the kings of Munster. (B)

Day 7 - County Kerry

Travel through Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city, and visit the Queenstown Story Museum, dedicated to the story of Irish emigration over the past 150 years. In Blarney, see the 15th-century castle and climb to the parapet and kiss the legendary Blarney Stone, an act said to bestow the gift of gab! (B, D)

Day 8 - County Kerry

Absorb some of Ireland’s most mystical landscapes on a drive around the Ring of Kerry. This 112-mile route takes you through Killarney National Park and along the coast, where you’ll have excellent views of the Skellig Islands, Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, seaside cliffs and grazing sheep. You’ll also stop in the charming town of Killarney. (B)

Day 9 - Galway

En route to Galway, explore the stone turrets of Bunratty Castle and walk through the scenic town of Adaire. Arrive later in Galway, a wonderfully atmospheric city. Tonight, enjoy a “royal” evening out at our optional Castle Banquet Dinner (seasonal). (B)

$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.

Day 10 - Galway

Today is free to explore Galway on your own. The city offers plenty of opportunities to shop, sightsee or simply relax in a local pub. Alternatively, join today’s optional excursion to the Burren and the Cliffs of Moher to see some of western Ireland’s most mesmerizing coastline (weather permitting). (B, D)

$65 USD

Burren & Cliffs of Moher *A Go Ahead Favorite excursion!* Along the coasts of the Cliffs of Moher, you'll overlook the Atlantic Ocean from heights of 600 feet. In County Clare, exotic and rare wildflowers scattering across the rocks can be seen, and in Kilfenora, amazing waterfalls provide stunning scenery.

Day 11 - Sligo

It’s hard to choose the most beautiful countryside in Ireland, but our choice would be Connemara National Park. Travel through this vast, still-wild wilderness, a stunning patchwork of lush valleys, mountains and mystic lakes. Here, you’ll visit Kylemore Abbey before continuing through County Mayo to the traditional market town of Sligo. (B)

Day 12 - Derry

Journey through landscapes immortalized by poet William Butler Yeats, and visit his grave. Cross into Northern Ireland to tour the Belleek Pottery Works, where the unique basket-style design has been made since 1857. Arrive later in Derry, where a guided tour introduces you to this historic city. (B, D)

Day 13 - Derry

Enjoy a free day in Derry or journey to the Antrim coast to witness the natural wonder known as the Giant’s Causeway on today’s optional excursion. This evening, opt to enjoy a true country feast during a festive dinner in Derry. (B)

$75 USD

Derry Country Dinner Enjoy a Country Dinner in Derry, where you'll feast on true Irish Country favorites.

$55 USD

Giant's Causeway Follow the coast to the northernmost point of Ireland to view the Giant's Causeway and walk among its 37,000 naturally formed hexagonal basalt columns.

Day 14 - Dublin

En route to Dublin, stop for a guided tour of the Northern Irish capital of Belfast, where you’ll view the city hall and Grand Opera House. (B)

Day 15 - Dublin

Transfer to the airport for departure. (B)

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.

Passport & Visa

In order to enter Ireland, U.S. citizens need a valid passport. The expiration date must extend at least six months beyond the date of your return to the United States. No visa is required for U.S. citizens.

If you are not a U.S. 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 motorcoach. 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

Light, loose-fitting clothing that provides comfort when exploring the sights is essential for your tour. A sun hat, sunglasses and a sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers are recommended for sightseeing. It’s always a good idea to be prepared for any eventuality—a lightweight sports jacket and emergency rainwear are advised. If you plan to visit an especially elegant restaurant or attend the opera or theater, you will probably feel more comfortable with something more formal to wear. Also, remember that it is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Be sure to visit www.travelsmith.com, official outfitter for Go Ahead Tours. Please enter JY9220 in the field for Catalog Key Code when creating your account!

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 rather than in the United States, 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 that you inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans, so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges. Please note: With the conversion to the euro, it has been increasingly difficult to exchange traveler’s checks outside of Europe’s major cities—both at banks and shops—and they often attract higher fees.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour it is customary to offer your Go Ahead Tour Director and driver a gratuity.

We recommend €2 per person per day for your driver and €4 to €6 per person for your tour director. If applicable, we also recommend €1 per local guide.

Tips may only be paid in cash.