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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 sightseeing tours
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Temple Bar district
Cobh Heritage Centre
Blarney Castle
Cliffs of Moher
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Ireland! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Dublin
Included meal: Breakfast
Take a comprehensive tour of Ireland’s capital city with a local expert 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
Enjoy a free afternoon in Dublin or add an excursion.
Glendalough
From $39 per person
County Cork2 nights
Day 4: County Cork via Cork & Cobh
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Make your way to County Cork, stopping along the way in Cork and Cobh.
Wander along Cork’s web of canals to the city center
Explore the city of Cork and enjoy free time to walk through the English Market, a traditional food hall
Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre to see exhibits that highlight the story of Irish emigration over the past 150 years
Later, sit down for an included dinner with your group.
Day 5: Blarney Castle
Included meal: Breakfast
Head into the Irish countryside to climb to the top of Blarney Castle and kiss the famed Blarney Stone, which is said to grant the “gift of gab.”
Enjoy a free evening in County Cork or add an excursion.
An Evening in Kinsale
From $89 per person
County Galway2 nights
Day 6: County Galway via the Cliffs of Moher & the Burren
Included meal: Breakfast
Head north to County Galway, taking time to view spectacular scenery en route.
Walk along the mesmerizing coastline of the Cliffs of Moher
Pass through the Burren, a unique limestone plateau where fields of rock are dotted with wildflowers
Arrive in Galway and admire some of the city’s highlights on a walking orientation with your Tour Director in the lead.
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 County Galway or add an excursion.
An Evening in Galway: Pub Dinner & Music
From $65 per person
Day 7: Free day in County Galway
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Spend a free day in County Galway or add an excursion.
Later, celebrate your trip with your group during a farewell dinner.
Kylemore Abbey & Connemara National Park
From $60 per person
Flight Home
Day 8: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the Dublin airport for your flight home or continue on to London, England.
Please note: some transfers to the airport may leave very early in the morning to accommodate return flights.
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
From $109 per person
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
From $145 per person
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Based on 405 authentic and unedited traveler reviews
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Ireland
08/23/21 by 1st-time traveler Molly
This was a magical vacation for us. Have waited a long time to get to Ireland and was not disappointed. The tour was fantastic. My favorite place was at Blarney Castle and Trinity College.
EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 09/03/21
Thank you for traveling with us Molly. We are grat...
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Great recovery!
08/16/21 by 3rd-time traveler Anonymous
We were very pleased at how many wonderful and beautiful sites we were able to see in Ireland despite everything just opening back up.
EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 09/03/21
Thank you for joining us on tour! We are grateful ...
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5 stars for the tour, 0 for Customer service.
08/16/21 by 2nd-time traveler Terri
I was very tempted to give this tour one star. The guide was FANTASTIC, hotels great...the tour was perfect..HOWEVER. This company's customer service is the worst! No one can ever help.
EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 09/03/21
Hi Terri, thank you for traveling with us and for ...
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Show more reviews
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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 Hotel Parnell Square
This charming hotel is located in Parnell Square in the Dublin city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant and lounge, bar, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll ...
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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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Copthorne Tara Hotel London Kensington
Take some time for rest and relaxation in the comfortable, spacious, and elegantly furnished rooms at the Copthorne Tara Hotel, located in the residen...
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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
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.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code IRL.
Tour pacing & mobility
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.
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 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
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.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code IRL.
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.
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