St Patrick's Day in Ireland 
March 16-23, 2022

Day 1, March 16 (Wednesday): ARRIVE DUBLIN 
Upon arrival in Dublin, meet your guide and transfer to your 4 star hotel.  The afternoon is yours to relax and enjoy Dublin before meeting the group for a special Welcome Dinner. The Merry Ploughboy pub is one of most famous in Ireland and features The Merry Ploughboys, a traditional folk group from Dublin.  The Ploughboys are fundamentally about the Irish song tradition, and influenced by the collective legacy of the Irish folk music revival scene of the 1960s-1980s.  Their sound has the raw authentic energy of the classic balladeer as they work effortlessly through a packed set list that is often funny, compelling, engaging, exhilarating, and always entertaining. (D)

​

Day 2, March 17 (Thursday): DUBLIN - ST PATRICK'S DAY 
Today we celebrate with locals in the grandest St Patrick’s Day party and parade in the world.  Our guide will be available to make suggestions on places to visit and answer any questions. Overnight in Dublin. (B)
​
Day 3, March 18 (Friday): BLARNEY CASTLE & KILLARNEY 

After breakfast, we make our way to Blarney Castle.  the world-famous medieval stronghold built 600 years ago by legendary Irish chieftain Cormac MacCarthy, Blarney Castle sits impressively amongst 60 beautiful acres of stunning gardens and sweeping valleys. Most people visit here to plant a kiss on the legendary Blarney stone - according to ancient superstition,  puckering up on the 330-million-year-old limestone is said to bestow the kisser with the ‘gift of the gab.’  We then carry on to four star hotel in Killarney.  Dinner at a local pub. (B|D)

​

 

Day 4, March 19 (Saturday): RING OF KERRY 

After breakfast it' off for the Ring of Kerry.  With its meandering roads, incredible views, lofty peaks, and glittering loughs, the iconic Ring of Kerry embodies the quintessential fantasy of Ireland come to glorious life, Beginning and ending in Killarney and including pretty much all of the county’s iconic landmarks  – Moll’s Gap,  the Torc Waterfall,  and the Gap of Dunloe being the big scene-stealers – this 179-kilometre-long circular route of the Iveragh (pronounced eev-raa) Peninsula in County Kerry is literally breathtaking. We'll have lunch at a local pub along the way before returning to Killarney for dinner on our own and overnight. (B|L)

​

 

Day 5, March 20 (Sunday): CLIFFS OF MOHER - DOOLIN - BURREN - GALWAY

Today we depart Kerry and head north to the Cliffs of Moher.  Towering over the wild sea swells below and slicing into the wild Atlantic Ocean at the southwestern edge of County Clare, the 700ft high Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s most celebrated landmarks, will steal your breath away. A designated UNESCO Geopark, people come here for the sheer drama and beauty of the 5 miles long dark limestone landscape and the epic views across the ocean that stretch beyond the Aran Islands and hills of Connemara.  After lunch at a local pub, we will visit the Burren Smokehouse to sample the famous Irish smoked salmon and learn the process.  We'll also enjoy sampling of beers from the local Burren Brewery.  We then carry on through the Burren on our way to Galway for overnight. The vast, moon-like Burren in County Clare is one of Ireland's most compelling landscapes. Here, cool grey rock etched with crevices and cracks tumbles down to the wild blue Atlantic Ocean. The result is one of nature's most extraordinary phenomena: a huge rocky pavement dotted with rock formations, caves and fossils, as well as an incredible array of flowers, from native species to Arctic, Alpine and Mediterranean plants. Arrive in Galway and check-in to our four star hotel.  (B, L)

 
Day 6, March 21 (Monday): GALWAY

Today is a free day in Galway to explore this wonderful city with our guide available throughout the day.  Included is a full day pass to the Hop On - Hop Off Bus, The double decker bus tours are the top rated and best way to experience Galway City.  The tour route covers Eyre Square, Galway Harbor, Spanish Arch, Claddagh, National Famine Memorial, Salthill Promenade, Blackrock Diving Tower, Garden of Life, Salthill Village, National University of Galway and Galway Cathedral. This highly rated tour explores the theme of "What Makes Galway City Different?". The answer to this lies in the history of how the City originated, how the City developed into the Cultural Capital is is today and, of course, the many many characters that have been lucky enough to call Galway City their home.  The story of Galway is underpinned and celebrated at dozens of sites and monuments across the five borough's of the City, and this tour of Galway gives you that access to explore at your heart's content!  Your ticket is valid for 24 hours, during which time you can hop-on an off as often as you wish. Dinner tonight at a local restaurant.(B, D)

​

Day 7, March 22 (Tuesday): GALWAY - DUBLIN

Today we depart Galway and return to Dublin.  We will enjoy a walking tour of Dublin that includes the magnificent Dublin Castle and the Guinness Storehouse. Playing a seminal role in Ireland’s extraordinary history, the one-time seat of English, and then British rule until the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922, Dublin Castle enjoys its reputation today as one of the most fascinating and instantly recognizable fortresses in Ireland.  Located in the heart of the city’s St James’s Gate, the 7-story Guinness Storehouse has been the site of the world-famous Guinness Brewery since 1759 when Arthur Guinness famously signed a 9,000-year lease and ensuring he had more than enough time to secure the future of one of the world’s most iconic drinks. Dinner on our own. (B)

​

Day 8, March 23 (Wednesday): DEPARTURE DAY
After breakfast we will transfer to the Dublin airport for our flights back home.  As the Irish say, once you've visited Ireland, you may leave Ireland but Ireland never leaves you.  Erin go Bragh! (B)