Explore the Emerald Isle, Ireland

A Borton Overseas Group Specialist will meet the group at Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport for an evening departure. Borton Overseas can assist with departure arrangements from other US locations – please inquire!

Welcome to Ireland! After luggage collection in Dublin, we will board our deluxe motorcoach for the trip to Galway. Our Irish driver guide will be with us for the entire journey, telling stories of the history, the culture, and landmarks. A stop will be made along the way in the city of Athlone Towne for everyone to purchase lunch before continuing on our way. Upon arrival in Galway, we will enjoy a drive-around tour of the city before checking into our hotel. We will have time to relax and/or enjoy Galway City Centre before gathering for an early Welcome Dinner at the hotel.
Overnight at Park House Hotel, Eyre Square Galway City

Our journey continues today with the loop of Connemara via Oughterard and Maam Cross. This landscape is a mixture of rivers, lakes, woodlands, rich meadowlands, rugged hills, dramatic mountains, and as we get near the coast, we will find ourselves among a stunning unpolluted coastline of sandy beaches and blue waters.

Next up, a visit to Glengowla, home to a working sheep farm where the Geoghegan family have farmed for generations. The sheepdogs, who are an integral part of the farming family, will demonstrate their skills for us before our next visit to Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden. The story of Kylemore is a truly remarkable one, creating a fascinating history spanning over 150 years. Kylemore is home to a community of nuns of the Benedictine Order who came here in 1920 after their abbey in Ypres, Belgium was destroyed in World War I. Settling at Kylemore, the Benedictine Community opened a world-renowned boarding school for girls and began restoring the Abbey, Gothic Church and Victorian Walled Garden to their former glory.
Overnight at Park House Hotel, Eyre Square Galway City

The Cliffs of Moher, one of Ireland’s favorite visitor experiences, is our first stop today. The cliffs tower over the rugged West Clare coast. Walk the safe, paved pathways and view the incredible Cliffs that sit on Europe’s most westerly tip and enjoy the spectacular vistas over the Atlantic Ocean and the Aran Islands. Then travel through the Burren, famous for its Lunar-like limestone landscape and its unique flora – about 20 species of orchids grow wild here.

Shannon Ferry will take us on this memorable 20-minute journey across the estuary linking the iconic tourist destinations of the Banner County of Clare to the Kingdom of Kerry. And if we’re lucky, we might even catch a glimpse of dolphins. A group dinner at the hotel is planned for this evening.
Overnight at Dromhall Hotel, Killarney

Our day begins with a morning hawk demonstration at Falconry Kerry in Killarney, where we will be entertained and educated about birds of prey, their importance in the ecosystem here in Killarney, and also throughout history, hunting together with humans.
Next, we embark on a full day tour of the Ring of Kerry via Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, Coomakesta Pass with its magnificent views over Derrynane. Travel on via Sneem, Moll’s Gap, Ladies View, Killarney National Park and along the Lakes of Killarney with a stop for lunch and a pint along the Ring of Kerry.

Everyone will be free to explore Killarney on own this evening.
Overnight at Dromhall Hotel, Killarney

Today’s tour will include a visit to Kilkenny where we will visit Blarney Castle. The castle was built in 1446 as a defensive fortress. The castle which stands today is in fact the keep of a much larger fortress. Kiss the famous Blarney Stone, high up on the castle battlements. Tradition holds that those who kiss the Blarney Stone will be endowed with the gift of eloquence – “the gift of the gab” as the locals call it. After the castle, the option to visit the Blarney Woolen Mills Store for some shopping and time for lunch.

Our next tour is at the Jameson Distillery Midleton where we see and learn about the machinery and manual tools used in the past. There is also a giant waterwheel which once powered all the machinery and still turns today. Our distillery guide will explain the process of distilling whiskey and will show us the largest pot still in the world. The tour ends in the Jameson bar where we will taste the fruits of the Jameson story (whiskey tasting)!

We all have some free time to explore Kilkenny on our own before a group dinner at the hotel, located in the middle of town, and a short walk to Kilkenny Castle. Overnight at Pembroke Hotel Kilkenny

We will start our day exploring Kilkenny Castle, which has been an important site since Strongbow constructed the first building – a wooden tower – in the 12th century. Next, a stop will be made at Irish National Stud & Gardens for a guided tour. This is a thoroughbred horse breeding facility, formally established in 1946 under the National Stud Act and owned by the Irish Government. The gardens were created from 1906 to 1910 and are acclaimed as the finest Japanese gardens in Europe. Both mares and foals can be seen running freely in the luscious green paddocks. There will also be time for lunch at the Café.

We arrive in Dublin later this afternoon and our evening is free to explore this friendly city. Overnight at Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham, Dublin

This morning a local Dublin guide will take us on a panoramic sightseeing tour of Dublin, including O’Connell Street, Phoenix Park, Leinster House. A visit will be made to EPIC, The Irish Emigration Museum. The museum was founded on the belief that emigration is one of the most interesting ways to fully understand a country. We will visit Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. The cathedral was begun in 1038 by King Sitric Silkenbeard, the Danish Viking King of Dublin, and is officially claimed as the seat of both the Church of Ireland and Roman Catholic archbishops of Dublin.

Guinness Storehouse awaits us next. The Storehouse was originally built in 1904 to house the Guinness fermentation process. The core of the building is modelled on a giant pint glass. The tour takes us step by step through the brewing process, finishing at the Gravity Bar where a complimentary pint of Guinness is served as we marvel in the panoramic views over Dublin city.

This evening will be very special with dinner and a show at The Merry Ploughboy, widely regarded as the best traditional music show in Dublin. A highly entertaining performance of live traditional Irish music, song, and Irish dancing. The very best of fresh Irish food is served and offers a choice menu. Overnight at Hotel Riu Plaza The Gresham, Dublin

After breakfast, we will transfer via motorcoach to the Dublin airport for our flight back to Minneapolis/St. Paul.