Overview Itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

A Week in Ireland: Galway, Cork & Dublin

with London extension

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This tour itinerary varies by year.

Duration: 8 or 11 days
Group size: 15-38
Reviews: 393

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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
The Burren
Cliffs of Moher
Cobh Heritage Centre
Blarney Castle

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Shannon today.

County Galway2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Shannon & transfer to County Galway

Included meal: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Ireland! Transfer to County Galway and discover the local energy and living traditions of Galway, Ireland’s third-largest city, with your Tour Director.

Stroll past Lynch's Castle, Galway Cathedral, the Druid Theater 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

Later, gather with your fellow travelers at a welcome dinner.

Day 3: Free day in Galway

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in Galway or add excursions.

Traditional Irish Music & Dance Show with Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Kylemore Abbey & Connemara National Park

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
Walk along 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”

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

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: Transfer to Dublin & sightseeing tour

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel 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, Farewell dinner

Spend a free day in Dublin or add an excursion.

Please note: The departure time of the Glendalough optional excursion may vary.

Later, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner this evening.

Glendalough

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 8: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to visit London, England.

Extension to London

Mind the gap, get in the queue, ask for bangers with your mash—now you’re ready for London! Fly here and spend extra time in the bustling English capital, taking in the sights alongside a local expert.

London3 nights

Day 8: Flight to London

Included meal: Breakfast

Fly to London, England this morning.

Day 9: Sightseeing tour of London

Included meal: Breakfast

View the regal landmarks of England’s vibrant and cosmopolitan capital on a guided sightseeing tour.

Pass the grand Trafalgar Square and Baroque-style St. Paul’s Cathedral, perched atop Ludgate Hill
See Westminster Abbey, the setting for royal coronations, weddings, and funerals
View icons like Big Ben, the London Eye, Tower Bridge, and the Tower of London
Stop by Buckingham Palace, where you may catch the Changing of the Guard

Spend a free afternoon in London or add an excursion.

Windsor Castle

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 10: Free day in London

Included meal: Breakfast

Enjoy a free day in London or add an excursion.

This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.

Stonehenge & Oxford

Excursion (additional cost)

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.6 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

A trip worth waiting for

03/16/2020 by 14th time traveler Sidney M.

I had booked this same tour several years ago, and it was cancelled because not enough people signed up. I took several more Go Ahead tours in the mean time, but have always wanted to do this one. Finally made it! We had a nice group of 18 and an excellent tour director, Lyn. I especially enjoyed ...

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Go Ahead Tours replied on 03/16/2020

Dear Sidney, Thank you so much for letting us know...

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03/09/2020 by 2nd time traveler Anonymous

The only complaint I have is that all but 1 of the excursions were canceled and there was no “plan B”, we ended up booking 3 excursions on our own.

Go Ahead Tours replied on 03/09/2020

Dear Traveler, We appreciate you taking the time t...

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Ireland

03/09/2020 by 2nd time traveler Rebecca B.

Had a wonderful tour director, Lyn, and bus driver Tommy in Ireland for a week. It was an amazing experience and I would love to come back and book with go ahead again.

Go Ahead Tours replied on 03/09/2020

Hi Rebecca! Thank you so much for letting us kno...

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Wonderful Ireland Vacation

01/27/2020 by 3rd time traveler David M.

We had a simply wonderful time on our Ireland Tour. This was a great way to experience a lot of Ireland in a relatively short time. I only wish we could have stayed longer. The hotels, meals, and all of the accommodations were well organized making it easy to focus on the fun. Sean was a phenome...

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Ireland

01/15/2020 by 3rd time traveler Rebecca W.

Absolutely loved Ireland and all it had to offer. Bus driver was excellent. It would have been better if the tour director had been from Ireland and not England. She was nice but, disappointed that she was not a local.

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.

Cork's Vienna Woods Hotel

This family-run hotel is located near the Glashaboy River. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and lounge. Nearby you’ll find downtown Cork.

Maldron Hotel Kevin Street

This streamlined hotel is located in the Portobello neighborhood. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby you’ll find St. Patrick's Cat...

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The Blarney Hotel and Golf Resort

This modern hotel is located in Tower village. Guests enjoy a bar, restaurant options, and on-site golf course. Nearby you’ll find the Blarney Golf Cl...

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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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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

Print FAQ

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Ireland (and the United Kingdom on the tour extension), 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 at least 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.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
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 (or London on the tour extension). 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.
A flight from Dublin to London is included in the price of the tour extension.
All other included transportation is by private motor coach.

Baggage allowance

Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
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 meals. 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.
For traditional English fare at a reasonable price on the tour extension, try a pub meal of fish and chips or bangers and mash. Stilton cheese, steak and kidney pie, and Cumberland sausages are also worth a try.
Modern-day London, on the tour extension, boasts an array of diverse international restaurants. Popular options for the adventurous palate include Indian, Thai, Chinese, Indonesian, Greek, and West African cuisine. Sip afternoon tea with delicious finger sandwiches and scones at Harrods for the ultimate in English tradition.

Electricity & air conditioning

Ireland (and the United Kingdom on the tour extension) operates within 230-240 volts and uses 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 (and the United Kingdom on the tour extension) 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 on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro in Ireland (and the Pound sterling in the United Kingdom on the tour extension).
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.

Dates & prices

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202020212022

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2021

A Week in Ireland: Galway, Cork & Dublin

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