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Delve beyond the sheep-dotted green landscapes to the cities and villages that span the country, all the way from Dublin to Derry. Mingle with Dubliners in traditional pubs, pick up a souvenir in Waterford, drive along the Ring of Kerry, and walk across Giant’s Causeway. After two weeks of exploring, you’ll leave feeling like a local (if you can even bear to leave at all).
Your tour package includes
12 nights in handpicked hotels
12 breakfasts
1 lunch
4 dinners with beer or wine
12 sightseeing tours
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Included highlights
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Glendalough
Kilkenny Castle
Waterford Crystal Factory
Cobh Heritage Centre
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An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Welcome to Ireland! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Dublin
Included meal: Breakfast
Take a guided tour of Ireland’s charming capital city.
Stop in Phoenix Park, site of the presidential residence, and pass by the Guinness Brewery
Step inside the soaring St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest church
Pass St Stephen’s Green and admire the Georgian architecture of Merrion Square as you go
See Trinity College and walk past the entrance of Grafton Street to see the Molly Malone statue
End your tour in the iconic Temple Bar district
Enjoy a free afternoon in Dublin or add an excursion.
Powerscourt Estate & Gardens
From $75 per person
Waterford2 nights
Day 4: Waterford via Glendalough & Kilkenny
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Leaving Dublin, travel a short distance southwest to County Kildare.
Enter Wicklow Mountains National Park and make your way to the Glendalough Visitor Centre to learn about the historic site
Explore the ancient monastery, passing by the Round Tower, stone churches, and decorated crosses
Continue to Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval town
Tour the imposing 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, overlooking the River Nore
Pass by the Gothic St. Canice’s Cathedral, built in the 13th century
Please note: the sightseeing tour of Kilkenny may take place on day 5 and the sightseeing tour of Waterford may take place on day 4 November through February due to site closures.
Continue on to Waterford and sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 5: Sightseeing tour of Waterford & Rock of Cashel
Included meal: Breakfast
Today, a local guide introduces you to Waterford’s legendary sites and exports.
Learn about the city’s roots as a Viking settlements as you walk through the Waterford Viking Triangle
Pass Reginald's Tower, a replica Viking ship, and the Dragon Slayer’s Sword
See the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, the oldest Roman Catholic cathedral in Ireland
Visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to learn about its world-famous crystal
Please note: the sightseeing tour of Kilkenny may take place on day 5 and the sightseeing tour of Waterford may take place on day 4 November through February due to site closures.
Continue on to the Rock of Cashel, an outcrop of limestone dominating Tipperary Plain.
View the ruins of the ancient seat of the kings of Munster and the 12th-century Round Tower
See one of the country’s finest examples of Romanesque stone carving, which dates back to 500 B.C., at Cormac’s Chapel
County Kerry2 nights
Day 6: County Kerry via Cobh & Blarney Castle
Included meal: Breakfast
On your way to County Kerry, get a feel for the many sides of Ireland, from small villages to vibrant cities and iconic castles.
Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre to see exhibits that highlight the story of Irish emigration over the past 150 years
Climb to the top of Blarney Castle to kiss the famed Blarney Stone, which is said to grant the “gift of gab”
Day 7: The Ring of Kerry & Killarney National Park
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel around the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal route that covers some of Ireland’s most spectacular scenery.
Pass the pristine Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park and gaze across Dingle Bay
Enjoy unsurpassable views of mountains, beaches, and the Atlantic Ocean
Explore the picturesque villages that line the Ring of Kerry including the village of Sneem, “The Knot in the Ring”
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
County Galway2 nights
Day 8: County Galway via County Clare
Included meal: Breakfast
Head north to Galway today, taking time to view spectacular scenery en route.
Walk along the mesmerizing coastline of the Cliffs of Moher
Pass through the Burren, a unique limestone plateau where fields of rock are dotted with wildflowers
Continue on to Galway for a sightseeing tour of the city led by your Tour Director.
Stroll past Lynch’s Castle, Galway Cathedral, the Druid Theater Company, and the broad expanse of Eyre Square
View the city’s medieval walls and Spanish Arch
Peruse authentic Claddagh rings in a local shop
Enjoy a free evening in County Galway or add an excursion.
Traditional Irish Music & Dance Show with Dinner
From $135 per person
Day 9: Free day in Galway
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in County Galway or add excursions.
Castle Banquet Dinner
From $169 per person
Kylemore Abbey & Connemara National Park
From $105 per person
Sligo1 night
Day 10: Sligo via Glen Keen Farm
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Pay a visit to Glen Keen Farm, one of the largest sheep farms in Ireland, on your way to Sligo.
Learn about sheep farming while soaking in the natural beauty that defines the area
Watch an interactive sheep herding demonstration
Enjoy a traditional lunch at Glen Keen Farm, dessert, coffee, and tea
Please note: Vegetarian options are available for the included lunch.
After, continue on to Sligo.
Belfast3 nights
Day 11: Belfast via Derry
Included meal: Breakfast
On your way to Northern Ireland, journey through the landscapes immortalized by the poetry of William Butler Yeats.
Pay your respects at Yeats’ grave in the Drumcliffe churchyard and learn about this cemetery's unique history from a chaplain
Continue on to Derry, Northern Ireland’s second-largest city, for a guided tour
See the 17th-century city walls and learn about the history of the conflicts that took place between the Protestant and Catholic populations
Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Belfast
Included meal: Breakfast
Get to know Belfast, the cultural heart of Northern Ireland, from a local’s perspective on a guided tour.
Glimpse the copper-domed City Hall and the recently restored Grand Opera House
Learn all about Belfast’s long history, from its origins in the Bronze Age and rise as an international seaport to its role in the conflict known as “the Troubles”
Enter the Titanic Belfast Museum for a look at the vessel’s infamous history
Enjoy a free afternoon in Belfast or add an excursion.
Castles of Northern Ireland & Afternoon Tea
From $169 per person
Day 13: Free day in Belfast
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Enjoy a free day in Belfast or add an excursion.
This evening, celebrate your trip with your group at a farewell dinner.
Giant's Causeway
From $115 per person
Flight Home
Day 14: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to visit Scotland.
Extension to Glasgow & Edinburgh
Continue your tour by crossing into Scotland. You'll explore the historic cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh on guided tours and discover the charms waiting at the end of every close. Spend your extra time in each locale however you'd like, and lean on your Tour Director to point you toward the most exciting sites.
Glasgow1 night
Day 14: Ferry to Glasgow & sightseeing tour
Included meal: Breakfast
Board a ferry in Belfast for your voyage across the Irish Sea to the village of Cairnryan, Scotland. Then, continue on to Glasgow for a tour with a local guide.
Discover local highlights, including George Square and the River Clyde
Admire the city’s university and medieval cathedral
Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which features everything from medieval suits of armor to a collection of works by Scottish artists
Edinburgh2 nights
Day 15: Edinburgh via Stirling Castle
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel through the picturesque Scottish countryside to explore Stirling Castle, where King James VI once lived.
Then, continue on to Edinburgh and spend a free evening in the city or add an excursion.
Scottish Céilidh
From $145 per person
Day 16: Sightseeing tour of Edinburgh
Included meal: Breakfast
Get to know Edinburgh in all its medieval beauty on a tour led by a local expert.
View the elegant Georgian New Town and the Royal Mile, two UNESCO World Heritage sites
Pass the King George statue, Bute House, and Sir Walter Scott monument
Enter Edinburgh Castle to view the Scottish crown jewels and Stone of Scone
Spend a free afternoon in Edinburgh or add an excursion.
Abbotsford House & Melrose Abbey
From $129 per person
Flight Home
Day 17: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport to board your flight home.
Spectacular combination of beautiful natural scenic views and culture. All personnel involved were professional, polite, and pleasant. They helped to make the adventure an enjoyable experience. Dealing with protocols for Covid needed improvements, and I am sure that issues have been addressed.
09/28/22 by 1st-time traveler Anonymous
Not bad but so expensive. Would have thought the rooms would be nicer and the bus would be pristine.
Grand tour of Ireland
10/12/22 by 1st-time traveler Kathy
Our Grand tour of Ireland lived up to its name. We toured around the whole island and saw so many wonderful things. Some of our favorite things were the Glenkeen Farm and Kylemore Abbey. Our tour director Sean and our driver Frank were the best. We met so many really nice people in our group. I woul...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
Maldron Hotel Parnell Square
This charming hotel is located in Parnell Square in the Dublin city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant and lounge, bar, and free Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll ...
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The Granville Hotel
A charming and elegant 4-star hotel, the Granville Hotel overlooks the waterfront and is just a short distance from the business & shopping center...
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Meadowlands Hotel
This elegant hotel is located in Tralee, County Kerry along the Wild Atlantic Way. Guests enjoy the manicured gardens and intimate second floor bar. N...
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Maldron Sandy Road
This comfortable hotel is located near the center of Galway. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a hotel bar, and restaurant. Nearby, you'll find the Galway Shop...
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Glasshouse Hotel
This modern hotel is located in the city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, fitness center, and two bars. Nearby, you’ll find the Model, Yeats Memoria...
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Maldron Belfast City
This modern hotel is centrally located in Belfast. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find Belfast City Hall, the Grand ...
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Maldron Hotel Glasgow City
This brand new hotel is located in Glasgow. Guests enjoy the fitness center, bar and locally sources meals. Nearby you’ll find Glasgow Cathedral, the ...
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Leonardo Royal hotel Edinburgh Haymarket
This stylish hotel is located in the Haymarket area of Edinburgh, Scotland. Guests enjoy the spacious rooms, bar and lounge, and convenient location. ...
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter Ireland and the United Kingdom, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code LSS.
You will walk for at least 1 hour daily across moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and unpaved trails, with some hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of ferries on the tour extension.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Dublin and depart from Belfast (or Edinburgh on the tour extension). A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
A ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan is included in the price of the tour extension.
All other included transportation is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code LSS.
Irish pubs serve up hearty lunches, such as the traditional stew of bacon and boiled cabbage. Soda bread is delicious, very filling and served with many meals. Nibble a scone at afternoon tea, with a pat of high-quality butter from County Kerry. Guinness stout is an international sensation, but locals might favor Murphy's, depending on where you are.
Dublin has seen something of a culinary revolution, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting cuisine with continental Europe, Asian, and even American influences.
Scottish cuisine, on the tour extension, relies on readily available ingredients like game, dairy, and fish, with little use of exotic spices. Pickled kippers and smoked salmon are popular as well as hearty dishes like Scotch broth (stew of meat and root vegetables) and haggis (a savory pudding of sheep innards). Scotch whisky is a legendary local spirit, and Scottish ales are world-famous.
Ireland and the United Kingdom operate within 230-240 volts and use a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
You will use the euro in Ireland and the Pound sterling in the United Kingdom.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $7USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
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