CIE Tours: 2025 - 8 Day Best Of Ireland South - Tour A
Day 1 Independent Exploration in Dublin
Explore Dublin independently onboard the Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour and see this vibrant city of Georgian squares, bustling pubs, and the River Liffey. Choose a visit to one of Dublin’s top attractions using your voucher: the Guinness Storehouse, EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, Jameson Distillery Bow St. Experience, or the GPO Museum. You are free to explore the restaurants and pubs of the city center, or return to your hotel, for independent dining as you wish.
Day 2 Dublin Tour & Taylors Three Rock
Enjoy a free morning in Dublin for further independent sightseeing. Depart from your hotel at 2:00 PM for a panoramic tour of Dublin city center. Visit the award-winning Teeling Distillery in the heart of the historic Liberties. When it opened in 2015 it was Dublin’s first distillery to open in 125 years. Return to your hotel for a welcome drink and then visit Taylors Three Rock for dinner and an evening of Irish music and dance. (B, D)
Day 3 Sheepdog Demonstration, Blarney Castle & Killarney
Relax and enjoy the farmlands of the picturesque midlands. Savor farm life as you visit a traditional farm; enjoy homemade scones with tea, and watch trained dogs show off their skills herding sheep. Visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence” or explore the tranquil gardens. Travel through Macroom and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous. Arrive in the charming town of Killarney. (B, D)
Day 4 Dingle Peninsula, Traditional Irish Dinner at Muckross Schoolhouse
Discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula; the rugged coastline provides some of Ireland’s most spectacular vistas. Visit the Blasket Centre, a fascinating museum exploring the lives of the community who occupied the nearby Blasket Islands until 1953. Travel to Slea Head at the westernmost tip of the peninsula for awesome views of the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy an evening of traditional Irish entertainment at Muckross Schoolhouse. (B, D)
Day 5 Jaunting Car Ride, Adare & Limerick Panoramic Tour
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car through the Killarney National Park to Ross Castle and Kenmare Estate. Visit Moriarty’s in the Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner. Stop in the picturesque village of Adare, with its thatched cottages and colorful garden, then on to Limerick for a panoramic tour. Dine at a medieval-style feast, where lords and ladies will serenade you with songs and music from days of yore. (B, D)
Day 6 Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Travel along the coast of County Clare to the spectacular Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the churning Atlantic. Drive through the austerely beautiful landscape of the Burren on your way to Galway. Join a local guide in Galway for a walking tour of this thriving historic city; see its charming medieval streetscape, filled with small local shops, cafes, and many street musicians. Return to your hotel in Clare for dinner. (B, D)
Day 7 Irish National Stud & Dublin
Enjoy the scenic Irish countryside on your way to Kildare where you’ll visit the home of equine royalty, The Irish National Stud. Here you’ll see impeccably-bred stallions alongside protective mares, frolicking foals, and athletic yearlings. Stroll around the delightful grounds to explore St Fiachra’s Garden, and the miniature Japanese Gardens. Spend the rest of the day at your leisure and dine at your choice of Dublin’s many restaurants and pubs. (B)
Day 8 Tour Ends in Dublin
Your tour ends after breakfast today. (B) >
Dublin
Dublin enjoys one of the loveliest natural settings in Europe. Dublin attracts visitors from around the world with its old world charm and friendly atmosphere. Most of the architecture dates from the 18th century, when Dublin enjoyed great prominence and prosperity. Also of interest are stately Georgian houses which front Merrion Square. O'Connell Street is considered the commercial center of Dublin. Perhaps the most memorable feature of Dublin is the traditional pub, where visitors can enjoy conversation over fine Irish brew. The city also offers many fine parks, including St. Stephen's Green and Phoenix Park. National Gallery's renowned collection includes works by such famous masters as Rembrandt and Monet. Trinity College's Old Library is home to the most cherished treasure, the Book of Kells, a manuscript of the Gospels. Admire Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Enjoy the exhibits in impressive National Museum. Self-guided walking tours include Old City Trail, Georgian Heritage Trail and the Cultural Trail.
Excursions
Dublin: Highlights of Dublin City - 8 hours
Dublin: Highlights of Dublin City - 8 hours
Ireland, known affectionately as the “the Emerald Isle” is renowned for its excellent hospitality and you can be assured of a warm welcome by your guide and driver, who will meet you at the port. Discover the history, literary heritage and culture that lies behind Dublin’s elegant Georgian architecture and famous landmarks, during your full-day tour.
Founded in the 16th-century, Trinity College is Ireland's oldest university and holds the Book of Kells, a greatly treasured example of early Irish manuscript illumination. History lovers may opt to visit the nearby Treasury of the National Museum or EPIC - the interactive museum commemorating the emigration of 10 million Irish. For those interested in art, the National Gallery houses a superb collection.
Afterwards make a lunchtime pit stop at the Guinness Storehouse, where you learn how a pint of the world-famous Guinness is created. The heart of the building is modelled on a giant pint glass, which would hold approximately 14 million pints of Guinness beer if filled! Enjoy a complimentary pint of Guinness in the Gravity Bar, which boast 360-degree views of the capital.
Complete your touring this afternoon, with a visit to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland and final resting place of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels. Here, take a guided tour of the impressive staterooms which are a longtime symbol of British rule in Ireland, before being transferred back to your ship.
Highlights:
- Admire the grandeur of St Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland and final resting place of Jonathan Swift, author of Gulliver's Travels
- Pour yourself a pint of Ireland’s finest at the Guinness Storehouse to discover the country’s most famous export
Tour Duration: 8 hours
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by Mercedes E-class or similar for 1 and 2 passengers, VW Caravelle (7 passenger seats) or similar for 3 and 4 passengers and 12-seater or similar for 5 and 6 passengers.
- Expert local guide for 8 hours of sightseeing in Dublin
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Exclusions
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
- Supplement for public holidays
- Anything not specifically mentioned in the "inclusions" list above
Dublin: An Introduction to Dublin - 4 hours
Dublin: An Introduction to Dublin - 4 hours
Disembark for a city adventure this morning accompanied by your expert guide and driver. Your tour of Dublin begins with the impressive Trinity College; Ireland's oldest university. Explore the Old Library, which houses 200,000 antiquarian texts and the oldest surviving harp in Ireland. Here you will see the world-famous Book of Kells; a fabulous example of early Irish manuscript illumination. Hand-crafted by monks, it contains the four gospels and has been resident at Trinity College since the 17th century. Continue to St. Patrick's Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland, where you have the opportunity to see a memorial to Jonathan Swift, the author of 'Gulliver's Travels', who became Dean of St. Patrick's in 1713. Afterwards you are transferred back to port.
Highlights:
- See the world-famous Book of Kells, a fabulous example of early Irish manuscript illumination
- Continue to St Patrick’s Cathedral, the largest church in Ireland and home of a memorial to the writer Jonathan Swift
Tour Duration: 4 hours
Tour Can Operate: Morning/ Afternoon
Wheelchair Accessible: Please enquire for more information
Physical Activity Level: Light
Inclusions:
- Private transport by luxury car or minivan
- An expert local driver-guide for 4 hours
- Entrance fees to all sights and museums
- All taxes
Exclusions:
- All cruise travel, personal items, meals and associated costs
- Gratuities
Dublin - Dublin City & Powerscourt - Full Day Tour
Dublin - Dublin City & Powerscourt - Full Day Tour
Upon arrival in Dublin Port, you will meet with your private driver/guide and transfer directly to Powerscourt House & Gardens in Co. Wicklow
This stunning 18th Century Stately home comprises extensive gardens, which are open to the public; as is the Main House. There is a lovely restaurant in the house, overlooking the gardens and Wicklow Mountains, which offers the finest in Irish artisan, home cooked cuisine. The 34,000 acres of this estate extend along both shores of the River Dargle . Powerscourt is one of the finest properties in Europe, designed and laid out by Daniel Robertson between 1745 and 1767. This property is filled with splendid Greek and Italian-inspired statuary, decorative ironwork, a petrified-moss grotto, lovely herbaceous borders, a Japanese garden, a circular pond and fountain with statues of winged horses, and an occasional herd of deer. Opportunity for shopping at Avoca Handweavers now located in Powerscourt House. Enjoy lunch here at Powerscourt or at a traditional Irish pub in the city centre.
Upon your return from Powerscourt Estate, your private driver guide will take you on your tour of Dublin City.
Whilst Dublin is a vibrant and bustling city, by European standards it is a small city with a population of just over 1 million people. Much of Dublin’s streetscapes are adorned with beautiful 18th century townhouses and a number of city parks, such as St. Stephen’s Green and indeed Merrion Square. The highlights of any tour in Dublin may include a visit to Trinity College, the Guinness Storehouse… and –if time permits –St. Patrick’s Cathedral.
Following the city tour, your driver will return you to your ship.
Inclusions
- Private Driver Guide
- Entrance to Powerscourt House & Gardens
- Lunch