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Overview Itinerary Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

A Week in Ireland: Galway, Cork & Dublin

Duration: 8 days
Group size: 15-35
Reviews: 344

Waste no time getting to the core of Irish culture.

From the Irish people’s sparkling wit and inviting pub culture to the isle’s incredible emerald landscapes, this small country packs quite a punch. Get to know this beautiful island on a tour of its leading cities and natural wonders, from the rocky Burren to the Cliffs of Moher.

Your tour package includes

6 nights in handpicked hotels
6 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
5 guided sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides

Included highlights

Galway Bay
Cliffs of Moher
the Burren
Blarney Castle
St. Patrick’s Cathedral

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Day-by-day itinerary

Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Shannon today.

County Galway2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in County Galway

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Ireland! Transfer to County Galway to settle in to your hotel, then meet your fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Galway

Included meal: Breakfast

With your Tour Director leading the way, discover the local energy and living traditions of Galway, Ireland’s third-largest city.

• Stroll past Lynch’s Castle, the Druid Theatre Company and the broad expanse of Eyre Square

• View the city’s medieval walls and Spanish Arch

• Peruse authentic Claddagh rings in a local shop

Enjoy a free evening in Galway, or add an excursion.

Castle Banquet Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

County Cork2 nights

Day 4: County Cork via the Burren & Cliffs of Moher

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way to County Cork, stopping en route to explore two of the country’s most dramatic landscapes.

• Travel through the limestone plateau called the Burren

• Explore the Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean

• Embark on a walking orientation of Cork, also known as the “Rebel City”

Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 5: Cobh & Blarney Castle

Included meal: Breakfast

Get a feel for the many sides of Ireland, from charming villages to vibrant cities and iconic castles.

• Discover the town of Cobh, once a launch site for ships bound for North America

• Enter the Cobh Heritage Centre, where the exhibits tell the story of Irish emigration over the past 150 years

• Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone

Enjoy a free evening in County Cork or add an excursion.

An Evening in Kinsale

Excursion (additional cost)

Dublin2 nights

Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Dublin

Included meal: Breakfast

Transfer to Dublin this morning to experience the history and vibrancy of the Emerald Isle’s capital city with your guide leading the way.

• Stop in Phoenix Park, site of the presidential residence, and pass by the Guinness Brewery

• Step inside the soaring St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church

• Pass St Stephen’s Green and admire the Georgian architecture of Merrion Square as you go

• See Trinity College and walk past Grafton Street to the Molly Malone statue, ending in the Temple Bar district

Day 7: Free day in Dublin

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Spend the day exploring on your own or add an excursion.

Please note: Glendalough departure time may vary

Later, join your group for a farewell dinner.

Glendalough

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 8: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

344

4.6 average

Beautiful Country, great tour director

07/23/2019 by 2nd time traveler Maryann D.

Ireland is a beautiful country, and the tour was a good idea for my first visit. The bus was comfortable and made frequent rest stops. Drivers were excellent. The hotels were fair. Best hotel was Garryvoe at Castlemartyr except a bit noisy with the venue downstairs. No a/c, so windows open. Ni...

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07/08/2019 by 2nd time traveler Kris L.

I would highly recommend this tour! The accommodations, food, pace and itinerary was absolutely wonderful. Our tour directions, Sean went above and beyond to create so many wonderful memories throughout our tour. His attention to detail was impeccable! I'm so excited about future Go Ahead tours ...

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Ireland was fantastic

07/02/2019 by 2nd time traveler Bobbie H.

June 2019 - first trip to Ireland. We couldn't have asked for better weather! No rain ruined any plans, it was nice and cool - this Texas girl really appreciated that (50s at night 60s during the day). The castle dinner was awesome, of course I kissed the Blarney Stone. What an adventure!

Ireland

07/01/2019 by 2nd time traveler Robin C.

Amazing trip with an awesome tour guide, Sean, and an awesome bus driver, Dan. Highly recommend these folks for an adventure of a lifetime. Great sights, interesting stories of Ireland's history with a personal touch. Thank you!

06/26/2019 by 2nd time traveler Regina A.

Going to Ireland was amazing! The sights, sounds, food, music were fantastic. People from Ireland were friendly and so helpful in everything we did. Our Tour Director, Sean Collins, was FANTASTIC! He told stories about his country and little tid-bits about sights only a local resident would kno...

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Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

Hotels, flights, & FAQ

Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.

Hotels

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Maldron Sandy Road

This comfortable hotel is located near the center of Galway. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a hotel bar, and restaurant. Nearby, you'll find the Galway Shop...

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Blarney Woollen Mills Hotel

This family-run hotel is located in in the heart of Blarney Village. Guests enjoy traditional pub and restaurant facilities, and a fitness Center with...

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Flights

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare package and you'll get:

Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Ireland, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 1.5 hours daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Shannon and depart from Dublin. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Airlines have varying weight restrictions on baggage. Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage; be advised that you are responsible for any such costs.
Contact your airline for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flight, but please note that our travelers are restricted to one checked bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
One carry-on bag of 45 total inches (length + width + height) is also permitted.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication and documents in your carry-on bag.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to any of the countries on this tour.
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.

Cuisine

Irish pubs serve up hearty lunches, such as the traditional stew of bacon and boiled cabbage. Soda bread is delicious, very filling, and served with many a meal. Nibble a scone at afternoon tea, with a pat of high-quality butter from County Kerry. Guinness stout is an international sensation, but locals might favor Murphy's, depending on where you are.
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 even American influences.

Electricity & air conditioning

Ireland operates within 230-240 volts and use a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though charges may apply.
There is no internet access on the motor coach.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.

Time zones

Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 5pm in Dublin.

Currency

You will use the euro in Ireland.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.

Tipping

At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
Tips can only be paid in cash.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.