The majesty of noble estates and aristocratic palaces accentuate the rich heritage and the gorgeous scenery found during your luxury castle vacation in Ireland. Relax in the lavish décor of antique rooms and discover period furniture decorating historical Great Halls, and then delve into the vibrant past of ancient mound tombs and explore the captivating panoramic views along the Atlantic coast. From manors in Mohill to pathways in Portmarnock, the Cliffs of Moher to the pubs of Dublin, you will...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Dublin – Arrive in Dublin with a Welcome Tour of the Famous City
Graceful Georgian architecture commands the streets, and the skyline is divided by green parks and an inspiring legacy of literary figures from Yeats to Beckett, Joyce to Wilde. Layers of history found in the city date back to the 9th-century arrival of Vikings while cobbled lanes bring a sophisticated elegance. Musicians perform on the sidewalks of Grafton Street and the ambiance buzzes with classical quarters, traditional fiddle players, and songwriters eager to get noticed.
Your flight will arrive at Dublin International Airport, and your private transfer will greet you at customs. After settling into the comforts of your luxurious accommodations in the heart of the city, your guide will meet you in the lobby ready to introduce you to the splendor of what was once the British Empire’s second city.
Trinity College acts as the perfect welcome to Dublin embodying both history and sophistication at the center of the city. Established in the 16th century, the grounds overtake 40 acres and feature cobbled plazas, radiant gardens, and immaculate green lawns that lead to the timber-tiled archway of the entrance opposite the old Irish Parliament building. The Old Library was erected in the 1700s with the main chamber possessing approximately 200,000 antique volumes filling the stacks of the room’s 213-foot long gallery. Your guide will lead you to the remarkable display of the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript from the 9th century telling the stories of the four Gospels of the New Testament.
What's Included:
Day 2
Dublin – Continue Exploring Dublin’s Charms, Culture, and History
Day 3
Mohill – Stop at the Boyne Valley en route to Mohill
Day 4
Mohill – Discover the Beauty of the Wild Atlantic Coast
Day 5
Mohill – Traverse Clifden’s Scenic Sky Road and Connemara
Day 6
Portmarnock – Visit Malahide and Enjoy the Charm of Portmarnock
Day 7
Portmarnock – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Relish the luxurious life of Irish nobility as you stay in lavish castle estates across Ireland
- Experience the grandeur of Ireland’s famous natural landscape as you stroll along the steep and rugged Cliffs of Moher
- Embrace the charm of Ireland’s villages in the welcoming ambiance of Clifden and as you see the expansive seaside panoramas of the Scenic Sky Road
- Sample the historical flavors of true Guinness after an engaging tour of the famous Guinness Storehouse
- Witness the stunning gilded background and intricate lettering on the pages of the ancient Book of Kells illuminated manuscript displayed in Dublin
- Discover the gorgeous manicured gardens and surprising sophisticated bog-side architecture of Kylemore Castle in Connemara
- Traverse the distinctive ancient history of Newgrange, home to a massive mound tomb dating back 5,000 years
- Visit the infamous cells and explore the history of Dublin’s 18th-century prison, Kilmainham Gaol
- View the unique oak carvings at Malahide Castle depicting six complex scenes from the Bible
Detailed Description
Visit old strongholds and rest in dramatic manors during your 7-day Ireland castle tour that will illustrate the cultural heritage and fantastic history for which the country is known. Enjoy an adventure through the celebrated scenery while experiencing the luxuries of Ireland’s eastern shores, western cliffs, and shimmering Midlands. Contemporary and ancient politics play an elaborate role in the shaping the modern customs, and the natural drama of the scenery only adds to the illustrious stories that have passed down in the towns scattered around the bays, hills, and bogs.
Your exploration of Ireland will begin with two nights in Dublin as the capital of Ireland provides insight into the depth of culture that dates back to the Vikings. Trinity College, the Guinness Factory, and Kilmainham Gaol offer a sense of the city’s evolution over more than a millennium, and whether touring the collection of castles in and around the city or visiting the highlights of Dublin, the city will cast its welcoming charms. Three nights in Mohill bring a grand introduction to Ireland’s Midlands, and the west coast provides the epic landscape of the Cliffs of Mohr and the Burren to the forefront of your adventure.
Fascinating ancient tombs look like natural hills, but actually hide unique architectural details. Scenic roadways connect enchanting villages, ancient ruins, and striking panoramic views of the country’s stunning coastline, as well as fantastical contoured landscape. One night in Portmarnock brings you back to the eastern shoreline to enjoy the selection of castles around Dublin. With everything from storybook towers marked with the gray stone of medieval aesthetic to the unique white façade of an Elizabethan castle from the 16th century, incredible beauty will abound. Consider reading some of our travelers’ Ireland tour reviews for more ideas to perfect your dream Ireland vacation.
Starting Price
$4,600 per person (excluding international flights)
Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
Reviews of Zicasso's Referral Service
4.85 stars based on 487 reviews.
We had a wonderful trip. Everything was executed flawlessly, which made it so easy and relaxing for us. The hotels that were chosen were great. Our driver/guide was amazing and the perfect companion.
The only advice I would give is to include driving times on the itinerary so we would know how far things were from each other. But I would 100% recommend Zicasso's travel company to anyone traveling to Ireland. I can’t wait to go again!
Reviewed By Katie M.
This was our first time booking a trip through Zicasso and we were very happy with the experience. We were connected with an exceptional agent in Ireland who knew all the great, off-the-beaten-path sites. Our accommodations were beyond our expectations. Each driver we had was friendly and knowledgeable.
Reviewed By Holly F.
We had an exceptional experience with the team at Zicasso's travel company, particularly our agent. She listened to our hopes and needs for a very complex trip, and created a journey that exceeded our expectations in every way.
Reviewed By Lorraine M.
Words cannot describe how thankful we are to Zicasso's travel company. Our agent and her team put together an itinerary that hit everything we wanted to see, plus the things we didn’t know we needed to see.
They handled everything from the hotel reservations to entrance tickets and dinner reservations, and were readily available throughout our trip to make sure everything went smoothly.
The best part of our entire trip though, was our wonderful driver. He never missed a beat, was incredibly knowledgeable and kind, and went out of his way over and over again to make sure we had the best time possible. It’s not easy traveling with a group of nine people with ages ranging from 27 to 75, but our travel company made it easy and unforgettable.
It was a trip of a lifetime and our agent and driver exceeded our expectations. Highest of recommendations.
Reviewed By Sarah M.
The trip was fantastic! We had a great driver. He gave us great restaurant recommendations. We were busy the whole trip, a positive in our book.
The hotels were also nice and met expectations. Some rooms were a tad warm, but we were traveling in July.
Some of our tickets were only for six people rather than the seven we booked for. Also, the last hotel tried to charge us extra for a third person in the room. We are not sure who was responsible for that issue, but it did throw a curveball before leaving that hotel.
Although our driver for the last two days did a good job, we did not appreciate losing our first driver.
Reviewed By Desiree K.
It was a great trip and Zicasso's travel company did a great job.
Reviewed By Babak K.