The Best of Ireland featuring the Wild Atlantic Way
The Best of Ireland featuring the Wild Atlantic Way
The Best of Ireland featuring the Wild Atlantic Way
15 Days Starting in Dublin, Ireland and ending in Kilkenny, Ireland
Visiting: Dublin, Belfast, Giant's Causeway, Derry, Donegal, Enniskillen, Galway, Dingle, Kilkenny
Tour operator:
Tour code:
15239
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Embark on an unforgettable journey through Ireland with "The Best of Ireland featuring the Wild Atlantic Way" tour. Discover the vibrant culture and rich history of Dublin with a unique walking tour led by guides from Secret Street Tours. Marvel at the natural wonder of Giant's Causeway and explore Derry's political past. Experience the breathtaking Cliffs of Moher and the towering Slieve League Cliffs. Immerse yourself in Irish folklore with a traditional seanchaí and step back in time at the thatched cottages of Glencolmcille. Enjoy the thrill of a traditional Irish hurling game and savor the flavors of new Irish cuisine. From the lively streets of Galway to the scenic beauty of the Dingle Peninsula, this tour offers a perfect blend of iconic sights and hidden gems, ensuring a truly authentic Irish experience.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Overnight Flight
Location: Dublin
Accommodation Name: Hyatt Centric The Liberties
Rocky coasts, animated pubs, a storied past, and endless green hills – where else but Ireland? Experience the country like never before, visiting the traditional sites you’d expect as well as a few off-the-beaten-path spots you couldn’t find on your own. Connect with the locals, connect with your roots, and connect with the Emerald Isle.
Day 2 : Dublin, Ireland - Tour Begins
Location: Dublin
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Your Irish adventure starts in Dublin, built upon layered history and featuring a lively local culture. This evening, toast the start of your journey with dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 3 : Dublin
Location: Dublin
Accommodation Name: Europa Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Start your morning with an Impact Moment and walk with an expert from Secret Street Tours, a non-profit organization that encourages and supports citizens formerly affected by homelessness to be guides in their own city. See the city through their eyes and gain insight into their life story as you discover Dublin’s Liberties district. Visit EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, and trace how so many Irish fled to foreign lands. The remainder of the day is yours to explore on your own. Later you may join an optional tour to the Guinness Storehouse, followed by dinner at a traditional pub.
Day 4 : Dublin - Belfast, Northern Ireland
Location: Belfast
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
This morning, cross the border into Northern Ireland and arrive in Belfast. Ride through town in a traditional black taxicab with a guide, taking in different murals and iconic buildings along the way. Pause at the Peace Wall, which separates the Catholic and Protestant communities, adorned with political graffiti. This afternoon, enjoy time at leisure in Belfast before joining your fellow travelers for dinner at a local restaurant.
Day 5 : Belfast - Giants Causeway - Belfast
Location: Giant's Causeway
Accommodation Name: Mill Park Hotel
Visit the ethereal Giant’s Causeway, walking in the footsteps of mythical legends. Marvel at the hexagonal basalt slabs, that according to legend, were formed by gargantuan beasts crossing the crashing waves.
Day 6 : Belfast - Derry - Donegal, Ireland
Location: Derry
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Make your way to Derry, a growing artistic and cultural hub, and site of the infamous Bloody Sunday massacre. Delve into the city’s local history on a guided tour before continuing on to the pretty town of Donegal. Embark on an expert-led tour of castle ruins, right in the heart of the town. In County Donegal tonight, connect with an age-old heritage when an esteemed seanchaí – a traditional Gaelic storyteller – joins you for dinner.
Day 7 : Donegal
Location: Donegal
Accommodation Name: Lough Erne Resort
Set out to explore the Wild Atlantic Way. Visit the Slieve League Cliffs, offering stunning views over the Sligo Mountains and Donegal Bay. Three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher, these iconic cliffs are amongst the highest and most scenic in Europe. Afterward, travel back in time to 18th century Ireland when you visit the thatched cottages of Glencolmcille, a folk village maintained by the local community of southeast Donegal. Continue on to Donegal Town and enjoy time to shop and explore at your leisure.
Day 8 : Donegal - Enniskillen, Northern Ireland
Location: Enniskillen
Accommodation Name: The Connacht Hotel
Enjoy a morning with free time to explore before departing Donegal for Fermanagh, a county blanketed by lakes and waterways. Take in pastoral surroundings as you cruise* toward Devenish Island, a 6th century monastic site. Explore the ruins of this picturesque island, including one of the finest high towers in Ireland. This afternoon, arrive at your beautiful resort on the banks of Lough Erne.
Day 9 : Enniskillen - Galway, Ireland
Location: Enniskillen
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Arrive in Galway, a lively city of medieval relics and modern flare. Join a local guide to explore stories about the city, from its days as a medieval trading center through to the present. Tonight, dinner is at a local restaurant.
Day 10 : Galway
Location: Galway
Accommodation Name: Dingle Harbour Lodge
The day is yours. Perhaps you’ll pop into a pub for a drink with the locals, or peruse one of the city’s many museums, or go shopping along bustling Quay Street. Consider taking an optional tour to Kylemore Abbey, where you’ll drive through Connemara National Park before embarking on a tour of the monastery.
Day 11 : Galway - Cliffs Of Moher - Dingle
Location: Galway
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
Peek into Irish culture at a sheep farm, where you’ll watch a dog-herding demonstration and meet the friendly canine workers. Experience the Ireland you’ve always imagined at the Cliffs of Moher, where mossy cliffs plunge 700 feet into the ocean. After visiting one of the country’s most beloved sites, arrive in the colorful town of Dingle, located on the Dingle Peninsula. Tonight, enjoy dinner at a pub.
Day 12 : Dingle
Location: Dingle
Accommodation Name: Lyrath Estate
This morning, explore the spectacular scenery of the Dingle Peninsula, visiting Slea Head, where the locals will remind you that beyond the water, “the next parish over is Boston.” After returning to Dingle, the rest of the day is yours to explore how you choose.
Day 13 : Dingle - Kilkenny
Location: Dingle
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Lunch
Today, enjoy a lunch at a traditional Irish pub, owned by the same family for 200 years. Listen to stories about the family ancestors, and the social role that pubs play within rural communities. Afterwards, watch a hurling demonstration, a traditional sport of Ireland, with the opportunity to participate yourself! Continue to Kilkenny, one of Ireland’s most charming cities.
Day 14 : Kilkenny
Location: Kilkenny
Accommodation Name: Hotel
Meals Included: Dinner
This morning, it’s your choice! Enjoy a leisurely day to explore the town and Kilkenny Castle on your own -OR- travel just outside of town to the ruins of Jerpoint Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century. You will also attend a captivating demonstration at a family-owned glass company and learn about the important role Kilkenny plays in Irish design and craftsmanship. No matter what activities fill your day, come together in the evening for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. Sláinte!
Day 15 : Kilkenny - Tour Ends
Location: Kilkenny
Wish the Emerald Isle goodbye as you depart for home.
What's Included
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Walking Tour of Dublin
Embark on a walking tour of Dublin with a guide from Secret Street Tours, who was formerly affected by homelessness.
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Visit to Giant's Causeway
Experience the ethereal landscape of Giant's Causeway.
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Guided Tour of Derry
Learn about Derry's political history during a locally guided city tour.
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Visit to Cliffs of Moher
Take in the stunning Cliffs of Moher.
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Traditional Irish Storytelling
With a traditional seanchaí (Irish storyteller), listen to folklore and legends that have been passed down through generations.
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Exploration of Glencolmcille
Travel back in time when you explore the thatched cottages of Glencolmcille.
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Traditional Irish Game of Hurling
Enjoy a traditional Irish game of hurling.
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Dinner in Dublin
Savor new Irish cuisine during dinner in Dublin.
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Taste of Traditional Irish Flavors
Taste the traditional flavors of Ireland in a local pub.
What's Not Included
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Optional Tour to Guinness Storehouse
An optional tour to the Guinness Storehouse, followed by dinner at a traditional pub, is not included.
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Optional Tour to Kylemore Abbey
An optional tour to Kylemore Abbey, including transportation and a guided tour, is not included.
Experiences
With a traditional seanchaí (Irish storyteller), listen to folklore and legends that have been passed down through generations.Travel back in time when you explore the thatched cottages of Glencolmcille.Enjoy a traditional Irish game of hurling.
Options
Connemara: Kylemore Abbey Venture though Connemara National Park, where bogs and forests cut through the rolling mountains. Take in breathtaking scenery before arriving at Kylemore Abbey, situated on the shores of Pollacapall Lough. The monastery was founded in 1920, but the castle that houses the abbey was previously a private home. Explore the abbey with an expert guide, getting a glimpse into this storied building’s past. Containing over 50 rooms, in addition to incomparable views of the natural landscape, a visit to Kylemore Abbey is more than you would expect of an Irish monastery. With free time to discover the area more on your own, perhaps you’ll wander through the extensive gardens or rest along the shore. Duration approximately 5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
Dublin: Guinness Storehouse & Dinner This culinary and cultural adventure begins at the Guinness Storehouse, Ireland's top international visitor attraction. This self-guided tour allows you time to wander over 7 floors with your audio guide, learning about how Guinness is brewed, it's various advertising campaigns over the years, and of course you get to taste the iconic drink at its spectacular Gravity Bar. Enjoy a sweeping 360º view of Dublin as you savor a complimentary pint. Then, indulge in a quintessential Irish dinner at a contemporary restaurant that explores “New Irish Cuisine,” serving up cutting-edge dishes using the freshest, local ingredients. Duration approximately 5 hour(s). Transportation is included. A minimum of 15 passenger(s) is required to operate this option.
This option must be booked at least 7 days prior to departure, and will not be offered during Dublin's St. Patrick’s Day Festival (March 14-18). Children under the age of 18 MUST be accompanied by an adult and may not participate in the tasting.
Can be pre-sold up to 7 days before departure.
Culinaries
Savor new Irish cuisine during dinner in Dublin.Taste the traditional flavors of Ireland in a local pub.
Must See
Impact Moment: Embark on a walking tour of Dublin with a guide from Secret Street Tours, who was formerly affected by homelessness.Experience the ethereal landscape of Giant's Causeway.Learn about Derry's political history during a locally guided city tour.Take in the stunning Cliffs of Moher.
Choice Highlights
Dublin Dublin is the capital and the largest city in Ireland. Dublin is located on Ireland’s east coast, and sits at the mouth of the River Liffey. Dublin was founded in 841 by the Vikings. Today, Dublin is the economic center of Ireland and the historical and contemporary center for industry, education and the arts.
EPIC Immigration Museum
Belfast Belfast is the capital and largest city in Northern Ireland. Belfast is known as the city where the Titanic was built. Due to the ship's construction here, a popular attraction to see in Belfast is the Titanic Belfast, the world’s largest Titanic visitor experience.
Giant's Causeway At the foot of the basalt cliffs on the coast of Northern Ireland’s County of Antrim lies the stunning Giant’s Causeway. Travelers flock to this UNESCO World Heritage site to experience the 40,000 massive dark columns rising from the sea. The natural phenomena has sparked legends of giants and magic, but its unique geology points to volcanic activity from over 50 million years ago. Walk along the gorgeous sea coast…step on the hexagonal formations of the sea-level Causeway itself…and behold the Giant’s Boot and Chimney Stacks. Just don’t forget your camera. The Giant’s Causeway is one of the most beautiful sights in all of Ireland and the experience of a lifetime.
Derry Derry, officially Londonderry, is the second largest city in Northern Ireland. Derry is an old walled city that lies on the banks of the River Foyle. Derry is the only remaining completely intact walled city in all of Ireland. The walls were built between the years 1613 and 1619 by the Honorable Irish Society.
Seanchai Experience
Choice on Tour: Kilkenny Castle or Jerpoint Excursion In Kilkenny, you have the choice between two activities. Your first option is to enjoy time on your own, spending the morning in Kilkenny however you please. You will be provided complimentary entrance into Kilkenny Castle, one of the city’s top visitor attractions, to tour at a time of your choosing. Your second option is to experience the wonder of monastic Ireland with a visit to the ruins of Jerpoint Abbey, a Cistercian abbey founded in the 12th century. Visit the Romanesque church and admire intricately carved tombs and pillars from centuries past. While in Jerpoint, you will also attend a captivating demonstration at a family-owned glass company and learn about the important role Kilkenny plays in Irish design and craftsmanship.
Kilkenny Castle and Time at Leisure - NEO Day 13
Activity Level: 1
Travelers can enjoy a day at leisure in Kilkenny and will be provided complimentay entrance into Kilkenny Castle, the city's top visitor attraction. This is a self-guided experience. Your Tour Manager will not be with you during this time.
Jerpoint Excursion - NEO Day 13
Activity Level: 2
Travel just outside of town to visit the ruins of Jerpoint Abbey. You should wear comfortable walking shoes and appropriate attire as the abbey is open to the elements. There is a visitors center on site. Your Tour Manager will be with you.
Galway Galway is a city in western Ireland in the province of Connacht. Galway lies on the River Corrib and is surrounded by County Galway. Galway is known as Ireland’s cultural heart and for its numerous festivals, events and celebrations. The area of Galway is famous for its association with the Claddagh ring, a traditional Irish ring featuring two hands, a heart and a crown which represent friendship, loyalty and love.
Cliffs of Moher The Cliffs of Moher are a series of cliffs located on the Atlantic coast of County Clare in the west of Ireland. They are 5 miles/8 kms long and 702 feet/213 meters tall at their highest point. On a clear day one can see the Aran Islands and Galway Bay. These cliffs are Ireland’s most visited natural attraction with up to 1 million visitors every year.
Dingle Dingle is a town in County Kerry Ireland and the only town on the Dingle peninsula. It is located on the Atlantic coast and sits 40 miles northwest of Killarney. Tourism, agriculture and fishing are the principle industries in Dingle, as Dingle is a major fishing port.
Kilkenny Kilkenny is a city located in the southeast part of Ireland in the county town of County Kilkenny. It is built on the banks of the River Nore. Killkenny is rich in history as it was the seat for political power in the Middle Ages. Much of the city's architecture dates back to the 17th century.
Hurling Experience
Mode of Transport
Travel through Ireland and Northern Ireland using a combination of traditional black taxicabs, leisurely cruises, and comfortable coach rides, ensuring a seamless and scenic journey across the Emerald Isle.
Accommodation
Stay at the Hyatt Centric The Liberties in Dublin, the Europa Hotel, Mill Park Hotel, Lough Erne Resort, The Connacht Hotel, Dingle Harbour Lodge, and Lyrath Estate, offering a mix of modern comfort and traditional charm throughout your journey in Ireland.
Check out our Q&As
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What unique experience does the tour offer in Dublin?
In Dublin, the tour offers an 'Impact Moment' where you embark on a walking tour with a guide from Secret Street Tours, a non-profit organization that supports citizens formerly affected by homelessness to be guides in their own city.
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What can I expect to see at the Giant's Causeway?
At the Giant's Causeway, you can expect to marvel at the hexagonal basalt slabs, which according to legend, were formed by gargantuan beasts crossing the crashing waves.
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What cultural experience is included in Donegal?
In Donegal, you will connect with an age-old heritage when an esteemed seanchaí, a traditional Gaelic storyteller, joins you for dinner to share folklore and legends.
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What is special about the Slieve League Cliffs visit?
The Slieve League Cliffs are amongst the highest and most scenic in Europe, offering stunning views over the Sligo Mountains and Donegal Bay, and are three times higher than the Cliffs of Moher.
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What historical site will be explored on Devenish Island?
On Devenish Island, you will explore the ruins of a 6th century monastic site, including one of the finest high towers in Ireland.
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What traditional Irish sport can participants try during the tour?
Participants have the opportunity to watch a hurling demonstration, a traditional sport of Ireland, and even participate themselves.
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What is the significance of the Peace Wall in Belfast?
The Peace Wall in Belfast separates the Catholic and Protestant communities and is adorned with political graffiti, serving as a historical reminder of the city's past conflicts.
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Can I pre-purchase optional excursions/activities?
Yes, the majority of optional excursions and activities are available for advance purchase for applicable tours provided that you make your options purchase prior to 15 days of the tour departure. Collette makes it convenient to reserve presold options by visiting our website for a full listing of activities and excursions or when your reservation is made with our reservations staff. In addition, there are benefits to prepurchasing options including a price guarantee once your tour is paid in full. So, while the cost of an optional activity may change from the time you book your tour, once payment is received in full, your preselected options are guaranteed by Collette at their original price. Although you can still purchase options while on tour, reserving them ahead of time ensures you a spot in the event that the activity sells out. Collette will provide a refund if you cancel a presold option prior to tour departure. Any presold options canceled while on tour are nonrefundable.
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Can my children travel on tour?
Children over the age of 5 may travel on a Collette tour accompanied by an adult. Child land rates are valid for ages 5-12, sharing a room with two full-paying adults. Participation in any products that include Safari or Game Drive components, is limited to travelers aged 13 and up. This will include tours to Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa and India.
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What is the difference between a twin room and double room?
In certain countries, hotel rooms tend to be smaller than U.S. standard accommodations. A double room is designed to accommodate two people, but may not have two separate beds. A twin-bedded room has two separate beds of any size, and is the type most commonly utilized.
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Do you provide VISA processing for all applicable destinations?
Collette does not process VISAs. Every nation has its own specific requirements. Check the embassy or consulate website for the country you are visiting to find the forms and information you need. The process of getting a VISA can take two weeks to two months.
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Do I need a passport?
Government-issued ID is required for all air travel. A valid passport is required for all trips outside the USA. All passengers should check with the appropriate foreign consulate for entry and validity requirements. We recommend that your passport has six months validity, and at least 3 blank pages. Passports and visas are the responsibility of each client. International Borders. Any child under age 16 (traveling without a parent or legal guardian to Canada) must have written permission from a parent or legal guardian. Please be advised that if you have been convicted of an offense, or have committed a criminal act that is an offense under the laws where it occurred and would be an offense in Canada, you may be inadmissible into Canada. You will need to apply for a Minister's Permit of Approval of Rehabilitation at a Canadian Consulate. All other travelers should contact the appropriate consulate for entry requirements in other international destinations. In South Africa, children are required to have a passport as well as additional documentation to travel with you into and out of the country. Please consult the South African Embassy for the current specific requirements related to your travel dates. If travelling internationally with a child under the age of 18, please check directly with the airline for the legal documentation that is required. It is the sole responsibility of the guest to procure the proper documentation to travel and many requirements vary by airline and destination. Collette will not be responsible for costs incurred for missed flights or canceled tours where a guest fails to secure proper documentation.
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Is there a lot of walking on tour?
We pride ourselves on bringing travelers the very best experiences a destination offers. Our itineraries include many activities and may consist of walking on uneven terrain or significant walking at times. Some of the most unique sightseeing can mean accessing locations that restrict motorcoaches, especially in historic areas. Some hotels/lodges in remote locations may not have elevators. For your comfort, we recommend bringing walking shoes.
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Free Date Changes
CTS demo white label allows you to make 20 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 0 days before the start of the tour.
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Low Deposit
CTS demo white label requires a minimum deposit of 55% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 30 days before departure.
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