Unwind and enjoy the endless, beautiful scenery and excellent hospitality of our neighbours across the sea in the Ireland, a land full of charm, contrasting beauty and natural scenic wonder. We stay in two different areas, use two different ferry routes, and there are lots of included entries to make this an unforgettable round trip. We spend our final evening of the tour in North Wales, which allows a relaxing final day of the holiday as we make a scenic drive through Wales. There is entertainment on one night at both main hotels.
Saturday To Pembrokeshire for our ferry crossing to Rosslare and on to Waterford. Our hotel is the superb 3-star Dooley’s for the next three nights and we’re met with a welcome drink.
Sunday Free day to explore wonderful Waterford, with its exciting mediaeval flavour, and we have a tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory (walking distance from the hotel). We can also catch one of the regular, local buses to the nearby resort of Tramore.
Monday We visit Cahir, a scenic town overlooking the banks of the river Suir in south Tipperary. It is also home to one of Ireland’s largest and best-preserved castles that sits proudly on a rocky island in the river (entry not included). Later we visit Mount Congreve Gardens which have seventy acres of intensively planted woodland gardens and a four-acre walled garden. The entire collection consists of over 3,000 different trees and shrubs, 2000 Rhododendrons, 600 Camelias, 300 acers and much more!
Tuesday We cross to the West Coast of Ireland and visit the fantastic Foynes Flying Boat & Maritime Museum, which recalls the nostalgic era when Foynes became the centre of the aviation world between 1937 and 1945. The museum also has its own restaurant (not included). Then on to our hotel for the next three nights, the 3-star Falls Hotel in Ennistymon where, on the first night, we have an included drink with dinner.
Wednesday We call at the Burren Visitor’s Centre for an introduction to the Burren, a large limestone cap with lunar landscapes, stretching for miles, and home to all manner of flora and fauna. We then embark on a tour of the Burren which includes a lunchtime stop at Burren Smokehouse where we’re given a masterclass in how salmon is smoked and how it tastes! We also have a soup and sandwich lunch. Later we visit the renowned Cliffs of Moher and stand in awe at the sheer might of the Atlantic Ocean, which over hundreds of years has carved the 230-metre-high cliffs which are some of the highest in Europe.
Thursday To Galway City. It has a splendid mediaeval past and today is a thriving city with beautiful beaches, a long winding promenade and a cosmopolitan city centre.
Friday A relaxing journey to Dublin for our afternoon crossing to Holyhead and on to our overnight hotel in North Wales. Saturday We drive through Wales enjoying the scenery and make a lunchtime stop in Welshpool whose main streets are lined with fine Georgian buildings.
Holiday Inclusions:
- Return coach travel
- Tours as indicated (including Waterford Crystal, Mount Congreve Gardens, Burren Visitor Centre plus Smokehouse and lunch, Foynes Flying Boat Museum and Cliffs of Moher)
- Ferry crossings
- Hotel accommodation of bed, breakfast and evening meal