Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry

We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin where our tour manager joins us. We continue onwards to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Leaving the hotel we head to the medieval Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s most famous visitor attractions. Here we have time to kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence, as well as browse Blarney town’s Woollen Mills retail outlet. We then continue on to our hotel in the charming coastal town of Bantry, our base for the next three nights.

We head to pretty Killarney, famed for its jaunting cars (horse-drawn carts) operated by the local jarvies that take visitors on guided tours of the town.

Our tour manager then takes us on a scenic guided tour of the Ring of Kerry, journeying through an untouched landscape of tranquil lakes and a skyline of dozing mountainous peaks, passing through charming towns such as Killorglin, Waterville and Kenmare.

This morning we head out on a scenic drive of the wildly beautiful Beara Peninsula which stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean. The breathtaking rural scenery includes mountains and valleys rich in archaeological sites such as mysterious stone circles, picturesque villages and towns and a spectacularly rugged coastline.

Afterwards, we board the small ferry boat which takes us to Garnish Island, a tranquil island garden located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. The world-renowned gardens contain an incredible range of exotic species that flourish in the unique microclimate.

Back at the hotel in the evening, we enjoy an Irish coffee-making demonstration (Westlodge Hotel only).

Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we spend an afternoon at leisure. Just some of the sights here include the historic Temple Bar area, known as the entertainment and cultural quarter of Dublin, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland set in 40 acres of cobbled squares, gardens and parks. We also have the option to join a locally guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.

We check out of our hotel very early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore, we will either be provided with a takeaway breakfast from the hotel or a voucher for breakfast on board the ferry. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.

Due to ferry times, coach pickup times may be very early in the morning.

We fly to Dublin airport where our coach and tour manager joins us. We continue onwards to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Leaving the hotel we head to the medieval Blarney Castle, one of Ireland’s most famous visitor attractions. Here we have time to kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence, as well as browse Blarney town’s Woollen Mills retail outlet. We then continue on to our hotel in the charming coastal town of Bantry, our base for the next three nights.

We head to pretty Killarney, famed for its jaunting cars (horse-drawn carts) operated by the local jarvies that take visitors on guided tours of the town.

Our tour manager then takes us on a scenic guided tour of the Ring of Kerry, journeying through an untouched landscape of tranquil lakes and a skyline of dozing mountainous peaks, passing through charming towns such as Killorglin, Waterville and Kenmare.

This morning we head out on a scenic drive of the wildly beautiful Beara Peninsula which stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean. The breathtaking rural scenery includes mountains and valleys rich in archaeological sites such as mysterious stone circles, picturesque villages and towns and a spectacularly rugged coastline.

Afterwards, we board the small ferry boat which takes us to Garnish Island, a tranquil island garden located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. The world-renowned gardens contain an incredible range of exotic species that flourish in the unique microclimate.

Back at the hotel in the evening, we enjoy an Irish coffee-making demonstration (Westlodge Hotel only).

Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we spend an afternoon at leisure. Just some of the sights here include the historic Temple Bar area, known as the entertainment and cultural quarter of Dublin, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland set in 40 acres of cobbled squares, gardens and parks. We also have the option to join a locally guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.

We transfer to Dublin airport for our return flight home.