Check in to Wynn’s Hotel in the city centre. (Read up on the hotel’s fascinating history!)

Free day in Dublin. See handout for suggestions.

Tour Trim Castle (Ireland’s most intact Anglo-Norman castle from the 11th century and the site of the filming of Braveheart.)

Tour Newgrange, the Stone Age passage tomb in the Boyne River Valley that predates the pyramids in Egypt.

Stand atop the Hill of Tara, the ancient seat of the High Kings of Ireland. On a clear day (fingers crossed) you’ll be able to see 16 of Ireland’s 32 counties!

Free night in Dublin City.

Sleep at Wynn’s.

Check out of Wynn’s to head into County Kildare and a tour of the Irish National Stud Farm & Gardens.

Tour Clonmacnoise Abbey, a 6th century monastic site on the River Shannon founded by Saint Ciarán in 544 AD.

Swing by Sean’s Bar in Athlone, Ireland’s oldest dating to 900 AD.

Check in to Salthill Hotel and watch the sun go down on Galway Bay.

Enjoy our first group dinner at the hotel restaurant.

Ferry from Rossaveal to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands.

Take a minibus tour as you learn all about life on the islands and hike up to Dun Aengus, the prehistoric fort on the island’s cliff edge.

Free evening/night in Galway City to enjoy the pubs and vibrant trad music scene.

Sleep at Salthill Hotel.

Leisurely morning (Mass in the cathedral? Walk the promenade on Galway Bay? Swim in the sea or hotel pool? Shop in Galway City?)

Head west into Connemara to explore Kylemore Abbey, one of Ireland’s most photographed sites, Killary Fjord, Ireland’s only fjord, and the mountains and valleys of west Galway.

End the day with “Trad on the Prom” Ireland’s most beloved show of traditional Irish music and dance.

Sleep at Salthill Hotel.

Check out of Salthill Hotel and head south into County Clare and the Burren.

Enjoy a sheepdog demonstration at Caherconnell.

Visit the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a portal tomb dating to c. 3,800 BC.

The iconic Cliffs of Moher are our next stop where you can walk the cliff trails and learn about their history and geography in the Visitors' Centre.

Check into The Old Ground Hotel in Ennis.

Finish the day with a delicious medieval castle banquet at Bunratty Castle.

Sleep at The Old Ground.

Check out of The Old Ground and head south into County Limerick for a lunch stop in Adare (the site of the Ryder Cup in September!) then on to County Kerry (or 'The Kingdom of Kerry' as they like to call it!) and traditional Irish music and stories and pints, if you wish, at John B Keane’s Pub in Listowel, hosted by his son, Billy Keane. (John B Keane was one of Ireland’s most famous and celebrated playwrights.)

Check into Ballygarry Estate Hotel in Tralee.

Enjoy our second group dinner!

Spend the day on the Dingle peninsula, exploring Dingle town and Sleahead Drive. Hold a baby lamb, visit beehive huts (medieval monastic retreats), and enjoy some of Ireland’s most dramatic scenery. Swim at Inch Beach?

Sleep at Ballygarry Estate Hotel.

Check out of Ballygarry Estate Hotel and head into Killarney. View and photograph the Lakes of Killarney from Aghadoe Heights. Enjoy the bustle of Killarney town. Take a jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park (optional add on as it’s somewhat weather dependent). Leave Kerry for Tipperary (it’s not a really long way!) and The Rock of Cashel, the ancient seat of the Kings of Munster and medieval ecclesiastical site. Swing by Cahir Castle on the River Suir, the 13th c. stronghold of the Butler family. Leave Tipperary for Kilkenny and check in to Pembroke Hotel overlooking the River Nor and Kilkenny Castle. Free night in Kilkenny.

Check in to Pembroke Hotel overlooking the River Nor and Kilkenny Castle.

Putter about Kilkenny City. Explore Kilkenny Design Workshops. Enjoy a hurling expo (Ireland’s oldest and beloved sport) and lunch at Malzard’s Pub.

Enjoy a hurling expo (Ireland’s oldest and beloved sport) and lunch at Malzard’s Pub.

Sleep at Pembroke Hotel.

Check out of and head east into County Wicklow, 'The Garden of Ireland.' Tour Glendalough, a 6th c monastic site nestled in the mountains beside two lakes, founded by St Kevin. From there, head north to Powerscourt for lunch in the cafe and, if you wish, a stroll through their extensive and very famous gardens. This was our last stop (sadly) as we then head north to the airport and check in to Clayton Hotel and celebrate our time together with our last group dinner. Then we plan our next visit, as Ireland ALWAYS beckons!

Lunch in the cafe at Powerscourt and, if you wish, a stroll through their extensive and very famous gardens.

Check in to Clayton Hotel and celebrate our time together with our last group dinner.

Celebrate our time together with our last group dinner at Clayton Hotel.

Fly home or onto your next adventure. Then plan your next visit, as Ireland ALWAYS beckons!