Irish Legends

Overview
Itinerary
Hotels
The Experience
Reviews

4.8

A mythic journey through the Emerald Isle

Delve into Ireland and its past on this tour, which mixes in plenty of hidden gems and off-the-beaten-path sights among the tried-and-true favorites. 

Trip details

Tour start Dublin

Tour end Dublin

Days

Nights

Meals

Available Promotions for this tour

Highlights

Cliffs of Moher

Marvel at the stunning views from these cliffs, rising 700 feet above the Atlantic.

Aran Islands Excursion

These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintain traditional fishing and farming methods.

Cobh Heritage Centre

Discover the stories behind the Great Famine and Irish emigration in the 18th and 19th centuries — and the fates of the Lusitania and the Titanic.

Clonmacnoise Monastic Site

Discover the intricate Celtic crosses at this ancient monastic site.

Sean’s Bar in Athlone – CIE Tours Exclusive

Grab a pint or two in the oldest pub in Europe, which may have served your ancestors 1,000 years ago, in a CIE Tours Exclusive.

Irish National Stud & Gardens

Visit the home of equine royalty to see some of the world's finest thoroughbreds.

Foley's Bar Dinner & Entertainment

Savor dinner with some traditional entertainment in this cozy, family-run pub on the Dingle Peninsula.

Dun Aengus Fort

This spectacular cliffside fort on the island of Inishmore is over 3,000 years old - and one of Europe’s most magnificent prehistoric structures.

Dunbrody Famine Ship

Explore a replica of the vessel used during the 1840s famine to transport emigrants to North America.

Itinerary

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Day 1Dublin Arrival | Malahide Castle

Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from Dunboyne Castle Hotel. (We strongly recommend you arrange an airport transfer when you book your tour.) Head out to visit Malahide Castle, first built in 1185 and filled with medieval artifacts. Enjoy a welcome drink with your group before dinner in your hotel. (D)

Day 2National Stud | Kilkenny Walk

Visit the home of equine royalty: the Irish National Stud in Kildare, the heart of Irish horse racing. Some of the world's finest thoroughbreds live in these beautiful surroundings. Walk through the gardens before heading to Kilkenny, where you'll enjoy lunch in the Kilkenny Design Centre. Take a walking tour with a local guide to see the gems along the Medieval Mile, a stretch of city streets from cathedral to castle, with buildings dating back as far as the 13th century. Dine independently and explore as you wish this evening. (B, L)

Day 3House of Waterford Crystal | Dunbrody Famine Ship

Visit the House of Waterford Crystal, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner; see skilled artisans create crystal masterpieces on a factory tour. Then join a local guide for a walking tour of Waterford; discover the history of this port city, the oldest in Ireland, and its many colorful characters. Take time to explore independently. Head to New Ross to visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship, a replica of a vessel that in the 1840s brought desperate emigrants fleeing famine to new lives in North America. (B, D)

Day 4Cobh Heritage Centre | Blarney Castle

Travel south to Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic and where many places associated with the liner still exist. Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration over a number of centuries from Ireland to North America. Head to Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone or stroll through the spacious parklands to view Blarney House before traveling to your hotel. (Please note: Tuesday departures will stay in Tralee instead of Killarney on Days 4 and 5) (B, D)

Day 5Dingle Peninsula | South Pole Inn

Visit Moriarty's, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, in the beautiful Gap of Dunloe. Then go to discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula as you drive along the south shore to admire views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach, and rocky headlands. Stop at the South Pole Inn to learn about Tom Crean, an early Irish explorer who braved the South Pole. Browse around the town of Dingle and enjoy a drink, dinner and entertainment at Foley's Bar and Restaurant before returning to Killarney. (B, D)

Day 6Cliffs of Moher | Galway

Embark on a ferry ride across the River Shannon before driving to the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above churning Atlantic swells. Walk along the top of the cliffs; on a clear day you can see great views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Immerse yourself in life at a traditional farm and watch a farmer demonstrate how his trained dogs herd sheep. Enjoy tea and homemade scones at the farm. Head to Galway for a panoramic city tour. (B, D)

Day 7Aran Islands | Dun Aengus

Set out on a ferry across Galway Bay for Inishmore, the largest of the three Aran Islands. The hardy islanders still speak the Irish language and maintain traditional fishing and farming methods. Head to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic fortress perched on sheer cliffs above the Atlantic. Visit Kilronan, the island's main village, for a casual lunch, then take some time to explore before returning by ferry. (B, L)

Day 8Clonmacnoise | Sean's Bar

Visit Clonmacnoise, a monastic settlement founded in 545 AD and set on the banks of the River Shannon. Marvel at elaborate High Celtic crosses decorated with biblical scenes, and walk around the many church ruins and two round towers. Head to nearby Athlone and stop at Sean's Bar for an Irish coffee. This pub has a documented history going back to 900 AD - and is featured in the Guinness Book of Records as the oldest pub in Europe. During renovations in 1970, ancient walls and old coins dating back centuries were discovered. In the evening, head to Dublin's Abbey Tavern for an Irish dinner and lively show. (B, D)

Day 9Independent Dublin Sightseeing

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

Day 10Tour Ends in Dublin

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

Where you’ll stay

Dunboyne Castle Hotel Dunboyne, Ireland

Luxury estate, nestled in 21 acres of lush green Meath countryside. The Georgian mansion which...

Newpark Hotel Kilkenny, Ireland

With a stunning outdoor infinity pool, a hot tub, and an Aveda spa, Newpark Hotel is 10 minutes’...

Killarney Towers Hotel Killarney, Ireland

The Killarney Towers Hotel is the perfect location from which to explore the excitement and...

Salthill Hotel Galway, Ireland

Overlooking the famous Salthill Promenade, Galway Bay and the Clare Hills, this elegant hotel...

Radisson Blu Royal Hotel - Dublin Dublin, Ireland

This stylish hotel is close to many popular attractions in Dublin. The modern hotel rooms ...

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

From our travelers

This was one of those trips that we will remember for a lifetime. Ireland is a treasure!

Michael & Becky O’Keefe, Wisconsin

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

Susan Helen Rinehart

2 months ago

Once in a life time trip.

Once in a lifetime trip. Nice to have a small group to travel with. Made some friends forever.

Frances Mcburney

2 months 1 week ago

Would book again in a heart beat , everything was as promised , great guide , venues , food , companions and despite the weather spirits were high

Mr. Stephen Joseph Noiseux

2 months 3 weeks ago

A Trip to remember.

Overall a wonderful tour for the short amount of time we had.
The history lessons at each of our stops along the way made the trip a wonderful learning experience.
I am not able to say which part of the tour was the best for, they
all have their own beauty. Clonmacnoise did stand out as an unexpected and very impressive area on the Shannon River.
The people on the tour with us were as pleasant as could be. John Doran our driver made the tour very enjoyable. His kindness and patience with us tourists was admirable.

Martin Jones

2 months 4 weeks ago

Lovely locations. Dinners were OK, not great. Breakfasts were wonderful.

CIE Tours Customer