Quintessential Irish Pilgrimage Tour

Today, you will stroll through Dublin’s cobbled streets beneath the age-old Georgian architecture that lines them as you tour the city’s beloved districts extensively. In the city, the famous Book of Kells lays tucked away within the confines of the Trinity College and the renowned black bitter Guinness beer is poured in generous doses at the Guinness Storehouse. After savoring a sip of the quintessential beverage, continue your pilgrimage to the cathedral of St. Patrick and the Merrion Square before settling into a traditional Irish pub poised in the harbor town of Dalkey.

You will be whisked away from the hustle and bustle of Dublin and retreat to a hideaway corner composed of the spectacular Irish landscape, County Laois. The rolling emerald hills of the Slieve Bloom Mountains will entice you to wander to their summit, where you will catch a glimpse of all the counties in Ireland before unraveling the history on which this destination rests within the ancient castle ruins at the Rock of Dunamase. Enter the grandeur of the Irish countryside afterward as you trace back century-old heritage at the palatial Emo Court House and the glorious St. Canice's Cathedral.

Stationed on the Wild Atlantic Coast, County Clare is a dreamy destination that features remarkable stretches of wilderness inland and spectacular seascapes along its coastline. The Cliffs of Moher command a dramatic seascape slowly formed from the beating of the thrashing sea against the rocks while the wildflowers blooming across the silent Burren veil its sparse limestone bedrock. Today, you may enjoy the majesty of this far-flung county before savoring sumptuous flavors of traditional Irish cuisine at an authentic pub in the charming town.

You will explore County Clare in greater detail today as you set off on a tour of the surroundings, leading first to the River Shannon Estuary, a vast expanse of water that will dance under the glimmering sun. You will continue sweeping around the Loop Head peninsula, a dramatic mountainous landscape that sticks out into the sea and is pinned by a spellbinding lighthouse surrounded by nothing else. Your adventures will lead you to the Aran Islands, where you will encounter the World Heritage Site Dun Aonghasa hemmed into the crest of a towering 300-foot cliff.

County Kerry is a breathtaking untamed destination, legendary to those who live in Ireland and those fortunate enough to visit its countryside. The mythic landscape hosts the crown jewel town of Kenmare, a heritage destination stationed at the foothills of the Caha Mountains along the unspoiled seashore. You will spend your arrival besotted with this majestical destination as you stroll down quiet alleys to modest cafés nestled on the boulevards or seek out a peaceful place to picnic in the many pristine gardens of Kenmare.

Images of County Kerry will seduce you this morning as you circumvent the Iveragh Peninsula, weaving along the untouched landscape past medieval ruins and mist coated mountains. The mesmerizing scenes will absorb your every sense as you can hear the echo of the crashing waves and smell the fresh fragrance of the blooming flowers while standing on craggy cliffs overlooking the Atlantic’s island-dotted seascape. A further county discovery along the tiny, winding roads that bend around the Beara Peninsula will showcase the rarely traveled beauty of Ireland.

On your final day in County Kerry, you will appreciate the landscape and wildlife from new vantage points as you come up close with nature. Starting with a horseback ride through the Gap of Dunloe, you will admire the red sandstone cliffs that compose the Macgillycuddy Reeks glacial valley before trekking to the tranquil, sparkling lakes of Killarney National Park and swooning over the archaic construct of the Ross Castle. In the afternoon, sail across the still lake to the Skellig Michael, a 6th-century monastic that remains preserved on a twin-pinnacled crag standing in the sea.

With one more day left to explore Ireland’s emerald isle, you will venture out early in the morning headed for Ardmore. This lesser-known part of the southern coast is as beautiful as ever, and you will treasure the unspoiled scenes as you stroll a clifftop path to a secluded beach and fishing village. Afterward, you will visit the Norman seaport of Youghal, where you will cherish moments spent in the Lismore village. A last stop at Cork’s buzzing English Market before you arrive in Waterford and a kiss of the Blarney Stone will top off your exquisite vacation.

You may hear the chiming of bells or quiet songs of the birds in the morning as you rise in your room in the heart of Waterford. As the sunshine envelops the city, you may savor your last Irish breakfast before you step outside into the exuberant neighborhood and wander around appreciating your final moments in Ireland. Whether you wish to peruse the charming boutique stores or indulge in a sip of bold Irish coffee, you will treasure this last opportunity to explore Ireland before you transfer to the airport later on.