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Ireland: Traditions of...
 

Ireland: Traditions of the Emerald Isle

11 days |  13 days with Belfast extension
Group size1538 travelers
Reviews

4.7 star rating

461
Physical activity
castle on top of a green grass hill in ireland on sunny day
blarney castle on sunny day in ireland
black metal sign for shop saying the irish linen shop
people walking along the coast of the cliffs of moher in ireland
OverviewItineraryDates & pricesReviewsTraveler photosHotels, flights & FAQ
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Ireland’s green landscapes, welcoming cities, and rich culture await.

On this adventure through the Emerald Isle, you’ll see that even the oldest traditions continue to thrive. Discover the country’s highlights, starting in historic Dublin and continuing on through County Cork, “The Rebel County.” After exploring the breathtaking Ring of Kerry, the mesmerizing Cliffs of Moher, and the charming coastal city of Galway, you may find it hard to say goodbye to Ireland.

Your tour package includes

  • 9 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 9 breakfasts
  • 4 dinners with beer or wine
  • 1 liquor tasting
  • 7 sightseeing tours
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Included highlights

  • St. Patrick’s Cathedral
  • Kilkenny Castle
  • Rock of Cashel
  • Cobh Heritage Centre
  • Cork
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Start planning today

An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.

Talk to a Tour Consultant

Day-by-day itinerary

Print itinerary
Overnight Flight1 night
Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Dublin today.

Dublin2 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Dublin
Included meal: Welcome dinner

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.

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

Glendalough

From $49 per person

County Cork2 nights
Day 4: Cork via the Kilkenny Castle & Rock of Cashel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Cork, stopping for several guided visits along the way.

  • Stop in Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval town
  • Tour the imposing 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, overlooking the River Nore
  • Take a tour of the iconic Rock of Cashel, commanding stone buildings that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 5: Cobh, Cork & 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
  • Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, whose exhibits tell the story of Irish emigration over the past 150 years
  • Pass through Cork, also known as “The Rebel City," and enjoy a brief walking tour around the city center
  • Stop at Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone
County Kerry2 nights
Day 6: County Kerry via Muckross House
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Transfer to County Kerry today, stopping at Muckross House. Take time to explore this Victorian mansion and stroll through its beautifully manicured gardens.

Sit down for an included dinner this evening.

Day 7: The Ring of Kerry & Killarney National Park
Included meal: Breakfast

Set out on the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal route that covers some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery.

  • Pass the pristine Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park and gaze across Dingle Bay
  • Enjoy unsurpassable views of mountains, beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean
  • Explore the picturesque villages that line the Ring of Kerry including the village of Sneem, “The Knot in the Ring”
Galway2 nights
Day 8: Galway via Cliffs of Moher & the Burren
Included meal: Breakfast

Head north to Galway today, 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

Continue on to Galway and discover the local energy and living traditions of Ireland’s third-largest city with your Tour Director.

  • 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

From $129 per person

Day 9: Free day in Galway
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Galway or add an excursion.

Aran Islands

From $125 per person

County Dublin1 night
Day 10: Transfer to County Dublin & Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Included meals: Breakfast, Liquor tasting, Farewell dinner

Travel to Dublin and take a guided tour of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery.

  • Learn about the process and history of distilling whiskey
  • Sample some of the whisky during a tasting

This evening, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers in County Dublin.

Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to Belfast.

Extension to Belfast
Journey to Belfast, the cultural heart of Northern Ireland. You’ll join a local guide on a citywide tour past the Grand Opera House and shipbuilding docks where the Titanic was built.
Belfast2 nights
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Belfast
Included meal: Breakfast

Journey to Belfast, the cultural heart of Northern Ireland, where you’ll get the local perspective of the city on a guided tour.

  • Glimpse the copper-domed City Hall and the recently restored Grand Opera House
  • Learn all about Belfast’s long history, from its origins in the Bronze Age and rise as an international seaport to its role in the conflict known as The Troubles
  • Enter the Titanic Belfast Museum for a look at the vessel’s infamous history
Day 12: Free day in Belfast
Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a free day in Belfast or add an excursion.

Tonight, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers.

Giant's Causeway

From $89 per person

Flight Home
Day 13: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

4.7 star rating

Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

Based on 461 authentic traveler reviews
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    5.0 star rating

    Very nice itinerary
    5/26/23 by 1st-time traveler Kirby

    Very nice trip. Tour guide and bus driver were fantastic. Only negative was the airline times. Could have had better direct flights for the cost. Coming home we were up for 30 hours!

    4.0 star rating

    My Ireland Trip
    5/5/23 by 4th-time traveler Cassandra

    The tour was great overall. Our tour director, Richard, was fabulous. He is a great communicator and never complained about having to repeat things - alot! He was never too busy to answer questions, make suggestions, give directions or just chat. He made an effort to learn people's names and is ...

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    4.0 star rating

    Traditions of Ireland
    5/19/23 by 1st-time traveler Margaret

    Fun.. everything was great!

    Show more reviews

    Traveler photos

    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.
    Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport
    Clayton Hotel Dublin Airport

    This modern hotel is located near the Dublin airport. Guests enjoy the soundproof rooms, on-site restaurant, and fitness center.

    Castle Hotel
    Castle Hotel

    This boutique hotel is located in downtown Macroom. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and gym. Nearby, you’ll find the Macroom Golf Club, the Gearagh, a...

    Read more +
    Arbutus Hotel
    Arbutus Hotel

    This charming hotel is located in Killarney town centre. Guests enjoy free WiFi and Buckley's Bar, as well as complimentary ginger cake and tea on arr...

    Read more +
    Imperial Hotel Galway
    Imperial Hotel Galway

    The Galway City Hotel is less than a minute to the main shopping thoroughfare Shop Street and the renowned nightlife and atmosphere of Quay Street in ...

    Read more +
    Clayton Hotel Belfast
    Clayton Hotel Belfast

    This modern hotel is located in the Linen Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, fitness center, and Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll...

    Read more +

    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 & entry requirements
    • This tour visits Ireland (plus the United Kingdom on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, 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 each 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 EIR.
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    Tour pacing & mobility
    • You will walk for at least 1 hour daily across moderately uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and paved roads, 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.
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    Transportation & arrival information
    • Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Dublin and depart from Dublin (or from Belfast 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.
    • All other included transportation is by private motor coach.
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    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.
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    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).
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    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 EIR.
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    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.
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    Electricity & air conditioning
    • Ireland (plus Northern Ireland on the tour extension) 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.
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    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.
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    Time zones
    • Ireland (and Northern Ireland 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.
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    Currency
    • You will use the euro in Ireland (plus the Pound sterling in Northern Ireland 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.
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    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 $8USD 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.
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    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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