Irish Explorer

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Itinerary
Hotels
The Experience

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Discover the unexpected

Adventure through the most spectacular parts of Ireland, from emerald green farms to seaside cliffs and vibrant towns

Trip details

Tour start Dublin

Tour end Dublin

Days

Nights

Meals

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Featured Attractions

Slieve League Cliffs – CIE Tours Exclusive

In a CIE Tours Exclusive, sip an authentic Irish coffee as you marvel at the view from the tallest sea cliffs in Europe.

Dan O'Hara's Homestead

Step back in time to discover Ireland's farming traditions—and beautiful Connemara ponies.

Blakes of the Hollow Pub – CIE Tours Exclusive

Raise a glass in this Victorian pub, home of an intricately hand-carved "Game of Thrones" door crafted from trees from the Dark Hedges, in a CIE Tours Exclusive.

Sheepdog Demonstration

Watch sheepdogs herd their flocks at a picturesque farm.

Belleek Pottery

See how the iconic fine china is crafted and produced by Irish craftsmen.

Cliffs of Moher

Discover the dramatic views from 700 feet above the crashing waves of the Atlantic.

Blarney Castle

Climb the steep, winding staircase to kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence and see if the legend is true – will it really give you the gift of the gab? 

Strokestown Park

Visit Roscommon to see this estate with its once-grand manor home. The National Famine Museum on the grounds tells the story of Ireland's 19th-century catastrophe, that resulted in the starvation and departure of millions of people. 

Glasnevin Experience

The world’s first cemetery museum offers a unique perspective on Irish history – visit the graves of Ireland’s heroes and discover the stories of some of the one and half million people buried there.

Trip Itinerary

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Day 1Dublin City Tour | Experience Glasnevin | Clontarf Castle

Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from the Clontarf Castle Hotel lobby, a short ride from Dublin Airport and a few miles north of Dublin city center. Head out for a tour of central Dublin with a local guide to see elegant Georgian squares, public buildings, and monuments. Visit Experience Glasnevin at Ireland's national cemetery - it's a fascinating “who's who” of modern Irish history. Join your group for a welcome drink followed by dinner in the castle hotel. (D)

Day 2Strokestown Park | Blakes of the Hollow Pub | Donegal

Visit Strokestown Park to explore Ireland's tragic history. Tour the National Famine Museum and then Strokestown House; the grand Georgian mansion will reveal the contrast between the luxurious lives of its residents and the destitution of their tenants. Stroll the park to see the walled gardens and woodlands. Next, a CIE Tours exclusive: visit Blakes of the Hollow Pub, a Victorian bar that retains many features original to its founding in 1887. Famed author John McGahern, a regular visitor, described it as “one of the happiest and most beautiful bars in the whole of Ireland”. Take a photo by its official “Game of Thrones” door highlighting the series' sixth season. Continue your travels north to Donegal. With its windswept hills where only sheep can thrive, Donegal is renowned for woolen production and tweeds. (B, D)

Day 3Slieve League Cliffs | Triona Design | Nancy's Bar

Head to Teelin to reach the best viewing point of the Slieve League sea cliffs, the highest in Europe. Enjoy a CIE Tours Exclusive experience: sip an Irish coffee as you take in the view from these impressive cliffs. Travel up through beautiful views of Donegal to reach Triona Design Donegal Tweed Center in Ardara, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, where spinners and weavers will demonstrate their crafts. Head to the popular Nancy's Bar in Ardara for dinner before returning to your hotel in Donegal town, a busy little town that was once a Viking port. (B, D)

Day 4Belleek Pottery | Galway

Discover the secrets that have made Belleek Pottery one of the most enduring success stories of Irish craftsmanship during a tour of Belleek Pottery. You'll go behind the scenes to see how this world-famous fine china is made. Travel south to Galway and take a walking tour with a local guide; explore this vibrant city's medieval past and artistic, musical present. Enjoy dinner at your hotel. (B, D)

Day 5Connemara Celtic Crystal | Dan O'Hara Homestead | Connemara

Explore scenic Connemara to admire how constantly changing cloud formations give granite hills, sparkling lakes, and peat bogs an added dimension. Stop at the Connemara Celtic Crystal factory to watch skilled artisans demonstrate fine glass-cutting. Travel on through spectacular scenery to visit Dan O'Hara's Homestead, where you'll discover traditional farming methods, see Connemara ponies, and have a light lunch. Return to Galway and enjoy an evening free for independent dining and exploration. (B, L)

Day 6Cliffs of Moher | Killarney

Drive through Co. Clare to visit the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Walk along the cliffs to see spectacular vistas, including Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Embark on a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary. Arrive in Killarney, where you will dine in your hotel this evening. (B, D)

Day 7Ring of Kerry Tour | Sheepdog Demonstration

Head out to the Ring of Kerry, Ireland's most famous and popular scenic drive. Stop at Moriarty's in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Immerse yourself in farm life with a demonstration of sheepdogs herding flocks. Continuing on the scenic drive, pause for panoramic mountain views at Moll's Gap. Your evening is free to explore in Killarney tonight, as you dine independently and perhaps discover some of the town's lively pubs. (B)

Day 8Blarney Castle | Abbey Tavern

Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone or take a gentle walk through the lovely parklands and colorful gardens. Head to the Abbey Tavern for Irish cuisine, and an evening of lively entertainment. (B, D)

Day 9Independent Hop-On, Hop-Off Tour

Spend the day independently in Dublin on an open-top bus tour and a visit to one of Dublin's top attractions: the Guinness Storehouse, Teeling Distillery, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, or GPO Museum. (B)

Day 10Your Tour Ends in Dublin

Your tour ends after breakfast. (B) B: Breakfast; L: Lunch; D: Dinner >

Where you’ll stay

Clontarf Castle Hotel Dublin, Ireland

Set in an 11th-century castle the Clontarf Hotel combines ancient architecture...

Mill Park Hotel Donegal, Ireland

The spacious rooms at the Mill Park Hotel have flat-screen TVs, telephones and hairdryers. Some...

The Hardiman Hotel Galway, Ireland

The Hardiman Hotel is a flawless combination of Victorian grace and opulent luxury. Located right...

Killarney Plaza Hotel Killarney, Ireland

The 4-star Killarney Plaza Hotel & Spa offers elegance in the heart of Killarney Town. Home to...

Herbert Park Hotel Dublin, Ireland

Overlooking the 48-acre Herbert Park, this hotel is 350 feet from the RDS and a 5-minute walk...

Inclusive package with no hidden extras

What's included?

Full daily breakfast and many meals*
An evening of Irish entertainment
Transportation (Buses, shuttles & ferries)
Welcome drinks with your group
Free Wi-Fi on luxury coaches
All entrance fees to attractions
Comprehensive travel itinerary

*Breakfast is not included on Day 1

Our welcome gift to you

A travel backpack
Travel adapter
Rain poncho
Luggage strap and tags
Documents wallet

A Hidden Gem

Every part of this tour in Ireland was great...very nice hotels with breakfast and dinner, great coach and driver to take us around the country, great planning to see many sights. Every day was planned with a little time to walk around on our own.

Betty Lee Mcvaigh

We take care of everything: authentic experiences, expert local tour directors, and more. Check out the CIE Tours difference!

See what people are saying about this trip

Michelle Irene Dussault

1 year 11 months ago

very well run tour

We waited over a year for this trip to finally happen because of covid our original trip was scheduled for May of 2020 and we were finally able to go in October 2021. It was a great experience and I hope to do it again sometime!

Joan Marie Mcgonagle

1 year 11 months ago

My lifelong dream realized.

The tour was exhilarating and exhausting. Our driver Dom was simply wonderful in his enthusiasm and endless knowledge of Ireland.
He is a gifted storyteller and historian.

Carlos Leroy Leach Jr

3 years 9 months ago

The tour price was reasonable a d well worth it.

Lynnette Madelon Baughman

4 years ago

Luxury and smooth transitions

It was a good mix of out-in-nature and inside activities. There was only one problem, and it happened after the tour officially ended and we turned in our comment cards. We were told in Dublin to walk to a certain hotel (Ballsbridge) and catch the "feeder" bus to Hop On Hop Off. Eleven of us waited an hour. It wasn't running because Boris Johnson was in town. But we hadn't been told that we could easily (much more easily!!) catch a city bus for 3 Euros. So we all lost a lot of valuable time.

CIE Tours Customer