Day 01 Arrive Dublin
Arrival at Dublin airport and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Dublin.
Day 02 Dublin – Wicklow (By Road) ( 53 kms / 1 hrs 8 mins appx.)
Proceed to the Dublin area heading towards Wicklow through beautiful landscapes. County Wicklow is famed as the ‘Garden of Ireland’. Its charm is also due to the famous and impressive Powerscourt House. Where Powerscourt House stands today there was once a 13th century medieval castle, owned by the Le Power Family from which ‘Powerscourt’ takes its name and is bursting with 800 years of Irish History.
Powerscourt is also famed for its magnificent and delightful gardens, which offer pleasant walks with a stunning monumental stairway and great fountain. Stroll through the gardens and take yourself back to another period in time. Continue your Irish experience through Glendalough, right in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, and an outstanding place with splendid scenery highlighting the beauty of Ireland.
The ‘Valley of the Two Lakes’ is famous worldwide for its Monastic site with Round Tower, founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, its delightful scenic lakes and valleys and pleasant walks. This mystic settlement is famed for its rich history, archaeology but also for its abundant wildlife. The charm of its natural beauty will inspire and delight you creating a lasting impression. Travel to the lovely village of Avoca for a visit to the oldest surviving business in Ireland, Avoca Handweavers, established 1723. Continue to your accommodation in County Wicklow.
Overnight in Wicklow.
Day 03 Wicklow – Kilkenny (By Road) ( 140 kms / 1 hrs 44 mins appx.)
Proceedto enjoy a visit to the medieval city of Kilkenny, proud of its heritage and named the “Marble City” because of the local black limestone overhanging the entire city. Kilkenny is especially famed for its vibrant nightlife and, in contrast, its medieval heritage with many buildings from this period. The impressive and magnificent Kilkenny Castle, built in 1195 by William Marshall, was the main residence of the Butler Family for 600 years, and for 900 years has overlooked the River Nore. Kilkenny Castle offers you the opportunity to admire the Long Gallery, with an interesting exhibition of wonderful paintings, and to visit the beautiful Victorian style apartments.
Enjoy pleasant and beautiful walks and admire the rose gardens and ornamental lakes of the Castle. Continue through Ballyfoyle to a surprising and unique experience in the heart of Ireland. Visit the world famous Dunmore Cave, a series of chambers formed over millions of years with each chamber containing some of the finest calcite formations found in any Irish cave. The cave has been known to man for many centuries and is first mentioned in the 9th century Irish Triads. The most interesting reference however, comes from the Annals which tells of a Viking massacre at the cave in the year 928 A.D. Archaeological finds within the cave confirm Viking activity. Continue to your accommodation in County Kilkenny.
Overnight in Kilkenny.
Day 04 Kilkenny – Tipperary (By Road ( 84 kms / 1 hrs 10 mins appx.)
Proceed to your Irish experience continues through Roscrea, one of Ireland’s oldest and most historic towns. Indeed, you will discover a proud and ancient history going back many centuries. You can admire a 7th century Monastery founded by St Cronan, a 12th century round tower, a sculptured High Cross and a west gable of a Romanesque Church. Stroll through the streets of the picturesque Roscrea and visit the traditional shops and pubs.
Continue to the iconic Rock of Cashel, the most visited heritage site in Ireland. View the spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale including the 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. Last stop for today is The Vee Gap, named due to the V shaped gap in the mountains, offering panoramic views through rocky paths and rugged mountain scenery and one of the most magnificent views along Cahir, Ardfinnan, Clogheen and Ballyporeen.
You will find more than one treasure in this area, on the southern side of the mountain, there is a Cistercian Monastery, known as Mount Melleray. Continue to your accommodation in County Tipperary. Overnight in Tipperary.
Day 5 Tipperary – Clare (By Road ( 78 kms / 1 hrs 3 mins appx.)
Proceed to today travel west to the Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most outstanding sights. Standing 230 metres above the ground at their highest point and 8km long, The Cliffs offer you a unique and wonderful view and on a clear day you can admire the Aran Islands and Connemara Mountains. This remarkable and peaceful sight, designated UNESCO Geo Park, is famed for its beauty and is home to major colonies of cliff nesting seabirds in Ireland. Stroll along the majestic and world famous cliffs, an experience not to be missed. Date dependent (open 7 June – 29 August 2012) take the boat to Scattery Island, home to a 6th century monastic settlement founded by St Senan. Scattery Island has had a long history and indeed, despite attacks by the Vikings, you can still observe the Cathedral, the Oratory, the remains of the Round Tower and the ruins of six churches.
Visit the island and its interpretative centre to find out more. Alternatively, if travelling out with these dates, you can discover the Burren Region. The word ‘Burren’ comes from an Irish word ‘Boireann’ meaning a rocky place. This is an extremely appropriate name when you consider the lack of soil cover and the extent of exposed Limestone Pavement. There are neither trees nor land covering the stone. The grass grows in tufts of earth of two or three foot square which lies between the limestone rocks. You can also explore its rich history and visit the many castle and monastic ruins. Overnight in Clare.
Day 6 Clre – Galway (By Road) ( 70 kms / 1 hrs 2 mins appx.)
Proceed to today you can discover the Connemara area. Referred to as a “savage beauty” by the Irish writer Oscar Wilde, the Connemara region is a peninsula bordered by the arid and rocky coastline of Galway Bay. Connemara is world famous for its lakes and rivers, bogs and mountains. The picturesque Connemara has a natural charm with its abundant wildlife and its villages, where Gaelic is still the spoken language.
With its beauty and its natural paradise, Connemara offers you magnificent views of the Ocean and the fjord of Killary Harbour. This region is such a spectacular and unique sight and must be explored. Visit the Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey, built in 1868 by Mitchell Henry as a romantic gift. Originally it was a Castle covering around 40,000 square feet with over 70 rooms and the principal wall was two feet thick. In 1920, Kylemore became an Abbey and is now the oldest of the Irish Benedictine Abbeys. This remarkable historical place offers you magnificent views in a peaceful and relaxing setting. Take a pleasant and charming walk through the Victorian Walled gardens. Overnight in Galway,
Day 7 Galway – Sligo (By Road (125 kms / 1 hrs 45 mins appx.)
Proceed to today visit Eagles Flying, the largest centre for Birds of Prey and Owls in Ireland. Covering 27 hectares, the sanctuary welcomes 350 birds and animals and offers a unique educational show. Experience some of the biggest birds of prey in the world flying right over your head or landing next to you. Watch different species of eagles hunting on prey-dummies in their natural environment. Be astonished by the arrow like flight of the falcons and the amazing intelligence of the vultures.
On travelling through Ireland you will discover the many traditions of the country and its wonderful treasures from crafts, dance, and language and of course music. End your tour with a visit to The Coleman Traditional Irish Music Centre, a celebration of Irish Music, Culture and Heritage as expressed in the South Sligo Style of music played by Michael Coleman and other musicians of his time. This community based enterprise in Gurteen is dedicated to ensuring that the tradition of Irish music remains a living one ‘an traidisiun beo’ and that it continues to be enjoyed by all ages and nationalities. Overnight in Sligo.
Day 08 Sligo – Dublin (By Road) ( 205 kms / 3 hrs appx.) / Depart Dublin
Departure transfer to onward destination.
*************TOUR ENDS***********
| City | Nights | Hotels |
| Dublin | 1 | Inter Continental |
| Wicklow | 1 | Glen Na Smole |
| Kilkenny | 1 | Hotel Kilkenny |
| Tipperary | 1 | BallyKisteen Hotel and Golf Resort |
| Clare | 1 | Hotel Woodstok Ennis |
| Galway | 1 | Radisson Blu Hotel |
| Sligo | 1 | The Glass House |
- Accommodation as per the program
- Meal Plan – Half Board basis (i.e. breakfast & dinner).
- Entrance fees.
- Local English speaking guide.
- All transfers, sightseeing, excursions.
- All taxes.
- Personal Expenses.
- Camera / Video Camera Fees.
- Medical Aid.
- Tips.
- Travel Insurance.
- Visa (If any).
– Accommodation in good hotels.
– Check-in / out time is 12 noon at most of the hotels.
– Extension to other places is also possible with a minimal extra cost.
– Additional nights are available at each place with minimal supplement.
– A visa is required and must be obtained prior to your departure from your Country.
– If quoted hotel is not available, we will provide one of a similar category and standard.
– Small deviations in the tour program are sometimes necessary, depending on weather, road conditions, flight schedules and room availability.
– In case the government changes presently applicable taxes, increase in airlines prices, fuel surcharge our rates will need to be adjusted accordingly.
– In Asia, there is no relevance between the distance and time of travelling, as it depends upon the condition of the roads and congestion of the traffic.
– While every effort will be made to maintain the itinerary, in view of local strikes etc that are beyond our control all schedule and itineraries are subject to last moment changes.
– Clients must be fully insured, as the company cannot accept liability for loss or damage to client’s property, medical emergencies or any other loss suffered by them whilst on tour.
– In Case of issuing Domestic or International air tickets, SGV is not responsible for any refund if the flight is delayed or cancelled, as it is the responsibility of airline.