Essence of Ireland: Dublin & Galway

Welcome to Dublin! Upon arriving at the airport, track down your bags and enjoy a relaxing ride via private vehicle into the city centre to your hotel for the next few days. After checking into your room, explore the city with admissions to both the Hop On and Off Bus and Epic Ireland. 

The Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour allows you to experience all the history and culture of Dublin in one visit. There are two routes on the tour, the Original route is 1 hour 45 minutes long with 26 stops conveniently located close to Dublin's most popular attractions. You can hop-off at any time to go visit attractions like Dublin Zoo, the Guinness Storehouse or The Book of Kells in Trinity College. Your guide will point out all the most famous landmarks and points of interest along the way, showing you where famous Dubliners like James Joyce, Oscar Wilde and Samuel Beckett (among others) lived and spent their time.

The second route is through Dublin's Docklands, and takes 45 minutes with 9 stops including The Jeanie Johnston Famine Memorial ship, The Bord Gais Energy Theatre and The National Convention Centre. You can also hop-off at Stop 7 to take a Dublin Bay Cruise. Buses start at 9am daily, and arrive at each stop every 10-15 minutes. You'll enjoy live commentary from our Failte Ireland trained drivers, all native Dubliners who will charm and entertain you.

Epic Ireland is the dramatic 21st Century visitor experience showcasing the unique journey of the Irish people around the world through the ages, centrally located in the beautiful vaults of the 1820 CHQ building. Through 21 remarkable galleries, using cuttingedge interactive technologies, visitors explore the many tales of migration, the forces that have driven it, and the impact that it has had on the world. This is the authentic and epic story of 10 million journeys and the roots of 70 million people, told with memorable style and passion. Epic Ireland is a "must see" visit in any tour of Dublin and Ireland. It is located at the heart of Dublin, at Custom House Quay on the River Liffey, the original departure point for so many of Ireland's emigrants.

Today is yours to discover with admission to The Guinness Brewery, Europe's largest stout producing brewery and home to the Guinness Storehouse. Visitors will discover what goes into the making a pint of Guinness - the ingredients, the brewing process, the time, the craft and the passion. The exhibition shows how the brew has been marketed and how it is today sold in over 150 countries. Once the tour has finished, the guest is invited to the Gravity Bar to enjoy their pint of Guinness. Regular demonstrations on the art of pulling a pint of Guinness also take place in the Storehouse. 

Following your tour, enjoy the rest of the day until your evening, when it's time to head to The Merry Ploughboy Pub and its "Merry Ploughboys Traditional Night", a highly entertaining night of Irish music, song and Irish dancing. From start to finish, this is a show based on a living traditional culture and fantastic interaction between performers and the audience. First enjoy the banquet from our restaurant and then be entertained by the Merry Ploughboys Irish music band. This is followed by a specially commissioned show from all Ireland and world champion Irish dancers.

The tour departs Dublin at 7:00am from the Starbucks Cafe on Dame Street and will pass through the Boyne Valley, home to the five-thousand-year-old Hill of Tara. You will have a dedicated tour guide who will tell you the many stories and historical events which have occurred in this area of Meath over the centuries. The tour will then cross the border into the north of Ireland and arrive in Belfast city at approximately 9:30am. You can choose to enjoy the world-famous Black Taxi Tour of Belfast where your local guide will talk you through the highs and lows of Belfast's fascinating political history. Alternatively, you can choose to visit the Belfast Titanic quarter and the state-of-the-art Titanic Visitor Experience.

The tour will then depart Belfast at approximately 11:50am. On the way to the Giant's Causeway, you will see the Dunluce Castle and pass spectacular scenery including the village of Bushmills. You will arrive at the Giant's Causeway at 1:20pm where you will be spending two hours. Here you will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch (not included).

At 3:25pm, you will continue your day trip to the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge close to Ballintoy, arriving at 3:40pm. Please note that the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is currently closed for public tours. Until further notice, you will visit the Dark Hedges in lieu of Carrick-a-Rede. You will arrive back in Dublin at approximately 8:30pm.

Today is totally free and at leisure. You can take advantage of any optional activities available or simply relax.

Departing Dublin this morning, the tour takes you first to a new and unique attraction, Beyond The Trees. Here, enjoy the Treetop Walk and viewing tower at Avondale, affording incredible views of the Wicklow countryside. For an additional fee (paid locally), you can even slide down the tower.

Then, continue on to Monastic Glendalough. The monastery at Glendalough was founded in the 6th century, but most of the buildings there today date from the late 10th century to the 12th century. The round tower and the Cathedral are particularly impressive. Here, you'll have 90 minutes to explore and take in the stunning scenery and surrounding lakes.

Next, you'll take the short trip to Hollywood, what is known as "The Original Hollywood". Here, you'll have time for a photo stop of Wicklow's version of the Hollywood sign before the tour takes you to a working sheep farm. At the farm, meet the local farmer who will give you a glimpse of rural life in Ireland. Then, you'll be treated to a sheepdog demonstration before returning to Dublin this evening.

Enjoy one last Dublin breakfast before packing up and heading to Galway for the second half of your trip! Upon arrival to Galway, check into your next hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring at your leisure. 

Spend the day at one of Ireland's must see attractions.Taking you along Galway Bay, your first stop is at the fishing village of Kinvara to see Dunguaire Castle and into The Burren - home to 75% of Ireland's native flora and location of numerous ancient monuments many of which you visit including the Gleninsheen Wedge Tomb, the 5,800 year old Poulnabrone Dolmen and Ballyalban Fairy Fort- home of little men with green hats and orange beards!

Stopping also at Kilfenora to see the famous Celtic Crosses (Irish High Crosses), you will make your way to the coastal village of Doolin for your lunch stop before visiting the 200-metre high, 8kms long Cliffs of Moher. Enjoy stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands and take your time to soak up the natural beauty of the Cliffs of Moher. (minimum 1.5 hour stop- FREE admission to Cliffs!) You return via the Coast Road with views of Galway Bay and the Aran Islands, making a short stop to walk on the lunar like landscape of the Burren and take in sights such as Leprechaun Head before returning to Galway shortly after 6:00pm

Enjoy a taste of Ireland today on a 2 hour culinary walking tour of the city. It gives a great overview of it's passionate people and beautiful produce which combine to make Galway one of Ireland's gourmet jewels. During the tour you will get to experience a taste from artisan producers, cheese makers, creative beer projects, artisan chocolatiers, traditional family run businesses to young entrepreneurs with devotion and commitment to showcase the best of Irish produce.

With experienced & local guides, giving you the insights to their favorite places and treasured ingredients.

Treat yourself! Bring little piece of Galway home with you.

Spend the day at exploring at your leisure before enjoying a true Irish experience - Irish Whiskey in the company of friendly local people. An Irish pub is a perfect place to relax, meet new people, and experience what it truly means to be Irish with a whiskey in hand. "Let the music of whiskey falling into a glass be an agreeable interlude". Galway is steeped in history, art and culture which provides the perfect setting to share a drink.

Enjoy one last breakfast before grabbing your bags and heading to the airport for your flight home!