Galway & Contrasts of Connemara

Wild by name, wild by nature; the Wild Atlantic Way runs the length of Ireland’s west coast and provides the world’s most enchanting coastal touring route. We combine this breathtaking scenery with the diverse landscapes of the Connemara National Park as well as the contrasting convivial urban atmosphere of Galway and Dublin. With visits to the beautiful Westport House, a heritage Victorian Walled Garden, plus the ancient Achill Island also included, this break is the perfect chance to absorb the natural beauty and history of the west of Ireland.


Travel Options


Holiday Highlights

  • Return coach travel and ferry crossings
  • Overnight stay at the 3-star Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar with dinner & breakfast
  • 3 nights at the 3-star Breaffy Woods Hotel, Castlebar with dinner & breakfast
  • Overnight stay at a selected 3-star hotel in the Dublin area with dinner & breakfast
  • 1 breakfast on the return ferry
  • Excursions to Galway, Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden, Connemara National Park, Westport, Achill Island & Dublin
  • Guided city tour of Galway with our tour manager
  • Escorted by a tour manager in Ireland

    Optional locally guided city tour of Dublin (£14pp)
  • Return flights to Dublin* ATOL Protected
  • Airport taxes and luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)
  • Airport transfers in Ireland
  • 2 nights at a selected 3-star hotel in the Dublin area with dinner & breakfast
  • 3 nights at the 3-star Breaffy Woods Hotel, Castlebar with dinner & breakfast
  • Excursions to Galway, Glen Keen Sheep Farm, Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden, Connemara National Park, Westport House and Gardens, Achill Island & Dublin
  • Guided city tour of Galway with our tour manager
  • Sheep herding demonstration, tea, coffee and scones at Glen Keen Sheep Farm
  • Escorted by a tour manager in Ireland

    Optional locally guided city tour of Dublin (£14pp)

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Breaffy House Resort

The 3-star Breaffy Woods Hotel is situated in 90 acres of woodland estate just outside the town of Castlebar. The en-suite rooms feature complimentary Wi-Fi, satellite TV and tea and coffee-making facilities. The hotel also features a bar and restaurant plus an indoor pool, Jacuzzi, steam room, gym and spa (spa treatments at extra cost).

We also spend the first night of our stay at the 3-star Bloomfield House Hotel in Mulligar and the last night at a conveniently located 3-star hotel in the Dublin area.

Day 1

We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin where our tour manager joins us. We continue onwards to the Bloomfield House Hotel in Mullingar for our overnight stay .

 

Day 2 – Guided city tour of Galway & Castlebar

Leaving our hotel, we head across to Galway, a thriving, cosmopolitan city with the added bonus of a seaside setting. We enjoy a guided city tour with our tour manager, followed by free time to explore the city, which was named as the European Capital of Culture for 2020!

Later we continue to Castlebar where we check in to our hotel for the next three nights.

 

Day 3 – Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden & Connemara National Park

We start the day at Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden. We visit the restored rooms of the beautiful Gothic Abbey, home to a monastic community of nuns since 1920, and explore the six-acre Victorian Walled Garden where only flower and vegetable varieties from that era are grown. This was one of the last walled gardens built in Ireland during the Victorian period, and its magnificence at the time was compared to London’s Kew Gardens.

Finally we explore the scenic mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands that make up the Connemara National Park. Covering around 3,000 hectares of scenic countryside, the park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna including the famous Connemara ponies.

 

Day 4 – Westport & Achill Island

After spending some free time in the picturesque town of Westport, we enjoy a scenic drive around Achill Island, the largest of Ireland's offshore islands. The island’s striking natural beauty and rugged landscapes feature spectacular mountains, remote lakes, soaring cliffs and secluded beaches. First inhabited 5,000 years ago, the island is peppered with ancient forts, historic churches and megalithic tombs.

Day 5 – Dublin (with optional guided tour £14pp)

Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we spend an afternoon at leisure. There are plenty of historic sites and iconic monuments to see from the oldest, Dublin Castle, to one of the newest, the Spire of Dublin. 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.

 

Day 6

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

 

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

 

Day 1
We fly to Dublin airport and are transferred to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Day 2 – Galway & Castlebar
Leaving our hotel, we head across to Galway, a thriving, cosmopolitan city with the added bonus of a seaside setting. We enjoy a guided city tour with our tour manager, followed by free time to explore the city, which was named as the European Capital of Culture for 2020!

Later we continue to Castlebar where we check in to our hotel for the next three nights.

Day 3 – Glen Keen Sheep Farm, Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden & Connemara
We start the day at Glen Keen Sheep Farm, one of Ireland's largest sheep farms located on the Wild Atlantic Way, with a spectacular backdrop of mountains. We enjoy a sheep herding demonstration followed by tea, coffee and scones.

Next is Kylemore Abbey and Victorian Walled Garden. We visit the restored rooms of the beautiful Gothic Abbey, home to a monastic community of nuns since 1920, and explore the six acre Victorian Walled Garden where only flower and vegetable varieties from that era are grown. This was one of the last walled gardens built in Ireland during the Victorian period, and its magnificence at the time was compared to London’s Kew Gardens.

Finally we explore the scenic mountains, bogs, heaths, grasslands and woodlands that make up the Connemara National Park. Covering around 3,000 hectares of scenic countryside, the park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna including the famous Connemara ponies.

Day 4 – Westport House and Gardens & Achill Island
After spending some free time in the picturesque town of Westport, we visit Westport House and Gardens. This beautiful historic house has been home to the Browne family for over 300 years and is full of original antiques and artwork. With over 30 rooms on show, we can discover what life was like here through the centuries. The house enjoys a superb parkland setting with a lake, terraces, wonderful gardens and magnificent views overlooking the Atlantic Ocean.

We end the day with a scenic drive around Achill Island, the largest of Ireland's offshore Islands.

The island’s striking natural beauty and rugged landscapes feature spectacular mountains, remote lakes, soaring cliffs and secluded beaches. First inhabited 5,000 years ago, the island is peppered with ancient forts, historic churches and megalithic tombs.

Day 5 – Dublin (with optional guided tour £14pp)
Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we spend an afternoon at leisure. There are plenty of historic sites and iconic monuments to see from the oldest, Dublin Castle, to one of the newest, the Spire of Dublin. 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.

Day 6
We transfer to Dublin airport for our return flight home.

*Air holiday prices are correct at the time of publication but are subject to fluctuation and availability. Other regional airports may be available and the final price will depend on your chosen airport, airline and flight time. This will be advised at the time of booking.

One piece of checked-in hold luggage PER PERSON is included however; the weight allowance does vary between airlines. Please ask for details.

You will be met at Dublin airport and transferred in the late afternoon to join the tour coach in the Dublin area as it arrives from the ferry. This will be done in shared vehicles so you may also have to await passengers arriving on other flights; for your convenience we will do our utmost to keep the waiting time to a minimum. On the return day, you will be transferred from the overnight hotel in the Dublin area back to the airport.

Holiday operated by Just Go! Holidays under ATOL No.10889

Please note the following information when booking flights.

  • We will need passenger names (First and Last name only) and dates of birth as per passport. These names MUST match with your passport (please add in the “notes” section of the booking process)

  • Please note the flights will be booked in the names given to us during the booking and that changes to names will incur a charge from the airline which will be passed on to you, along with a £25.00 Just Go! amendment fee. (If you do not enter a full name during the booking process one of our reservations staff will contact you following your booking)

  • Are you travelling on a British passport? (If not please let us know)

  • Do you or any of you party require assistance at the airport

  • Luggage will be booked as per the flight terms above. Where hold luggage is included this will be the airline minimum usually 15 or 20kg per person.

  • Flight times will be given with final documents approximately two weeks prior to departure. (Flights booked outside the hours of 0600-18:00 customers will be contacted.)

  • Flight arrivals/departures are grouped for transfers and passengers may have to wait up to an hour on arrival for incoming/delayed flights.

  • Flights are non-changeable and non-refundable once they are booked by our air department.

  • All passengers are responsible to do their own on-line check-in

  • For Irish holidays on arrival at Dublin airport please collect your luggage and clear customs - your will be transferred from the airport to a local hotel to await the arrival of your tour coach. Your transfer will take place at 16:30 hrs and at 18:00 hrs and our representative will be waiting from 17:00 hrs in both Terminal One and the Main Terminal to assist you in finding the correct transfer vehicle. Afternoon flights will be booked to tie in with the above transfers times.

*Please note: due to our early departure, breakfast on the final morning will be taken on the ferry.

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