Feel good about booking your tour today. Enroll in AutoPay or pay in full when you book and if you change your mind, you have 60 days to receive a full refund of your payment.
Ireland’s green landscapes, welcoming cities, and rich culture await.
On this adventure through the Emerald Isle, you’ll see that even the oldest traditions continue to thrive. Discover the country’s highlights, starting in historic Dublin and continuing on through County Cork, “The Rebel County.” After exploring the breathtaking Ring of Kerry, the mesmerizing Cliffs of Moher, and the charming coastal city of Galway, you may find it hard to say goodbye to Ireland.
Your tour package includes
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
4 dinners with beer or wine
1 liquor tasting
7 sightseeing tours
Read more
Included highlights
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Kilkenny Castle
Rock of Cashel
Cobh Heritage Centre
Cork
Read more
Start planning today
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 comprehensive tour of Ireland’s capital city with a local expert leading the way.
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 Grafton Street to the Molly Malone statue, ending in the Temple Bar district
Enjoy a free afternoon in Dublin or add an excursion.
Please note: The departure time of the Glendalough optional excursion may vary.
Glendalough
From $65 per person
County Cork2 nights
Day 4: Cork via the Kilkenny Castle & Rock of Cashel
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Travel to Cork, stopping for several guided visits along the way.
Stop in Kilkenny, Ireland’s best-preserved medieval town
Tour the imposing 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, overlooking the River Nore
Take a tour of the iconic Rock of Cashel, commanding stone buildings that date back to the 12th and 13th centuries
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 5: Cobh, Cork & Blarney Castle
Included meal: Breakfast
Get a feel for the many sides of Ireland, from charming villages to vibrant cities and iconic castles.
Discover the town of Cobh, once a launch site for ships bound for North America
Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, whose exhibits tell the story of Irish emigration over the past 150 years
Pass through Cork, also known as “The Rebel City," and enjoy a brief walking tour around the city center
Stop at Blarney Castle to kiss the legendary Blarney Stone
County Kerry2 nights
Day 6: County Kerry via Muckross House
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to County Kerry today, stopping at Muckross House. Take time to explore this Victorian mansion and stroll through its beautifully manicured gardens.
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 7: The Ring of Kerry & Killarney National Park
Included meal: Breakfast
Set out on 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”
Galway2 nights
Day 8: Galway via Cliffs of Moher & the Burren
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 and discover the local energy and living traditions of Ireland’s third-largest city with your Tour Director.
Stroll past Lynch’s Castle, the Druid Theatre 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 Galway or add an excursion.
Castle Banquet Dinner
From $169 per person
Day 9: Free day in Galway
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Galway or add an excursion.
Aran Islands
From $165 per person
County Dublin1 night
Day 10: Transfer to County Dublin & Teeling Whiskey Distillery
Included meals: Breakfast, Liquor tasting, Farewell dinner
Travel to Dublin and take a guided tour of the Teeling Whiskey Distillery.
Learn about the process and history of distilling whiskey
Sample some of the whisky during a tasting
This evening, celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers in County Dublin.
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or continue on to Belfast.
Extension to Belfast
Journey to Belfast, the cultural heart of Northern Ireland. You’ll join a local guide on a citywide tour past the Grand Opera House and shipbuilding docks where the Titanic was built.
Belfast2 nights
Day 11: Sightseeing tour of Belfast
Included meal: Breakfast
Journey to Belfast, the cultural heart of Northern Ireland, where you’ll get the local perspective of the city 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
Day 12: Free day in Belfast
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Belfast or add an excursion.
Tonight, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers.
Giant's Causeway
From $115 per person
Flight Home
Day 13: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Patricia our tour director was sensational! She was attentive to everyone's needs and did a great job of managing our group. Her knowledge and passion in educating our group on Ireland's history, sites, people, literature, etc. was unsurpassed.
Daclain our driver was professional, courteous, and e...
Read more +
5.0 star rating
Fabulous trip
5/26/23 by 1st-time traveler Nicole
Booked this trip solo trip for my 50th birthday! Chris our tour guide was amazing, knowledgable & friendly. Our bus driver was great & funny. Met many wonderful new friends while touring beautiful Ireland & can’t wait to go back. Definitely liked the small towns & countryside best.
5.0 star rating
Fantastic way to celebrate our 50th anniversary !
8/25/23 by 1st-time traveler Bev
This trip is the highlight of my life! Not only did it fulfill my bucket list, my husband also proposed to me at the Sneem Hotel! 50 more years to spend with my husband.
Our tour guide Michael was so much fun and extremely knowledgeable! Our best s driver Noel kept us safe on those narrow roads.
...
Read more +
EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 9/19/23
Hi Bev, thank you for your review. What an amazing...
Read more +
Show more reviews
Traveler photos
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.
Imperial Hotel Galway
The Galway City Hotel is less than a minute to the main shopping thoroughfare Shop Street and the renowned nightlife and atmosphere of Quay Street in ...
Read more +
Clayton Cardiff Lane
This modern hotel is located in Dublin’s city center. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, fitness center, and Vertigo Bar. Nearby, you'll find the Samuel Bec...
Read more +
Garryvoe Hotel
This contemporary hotel is located on the coast of Garryvoe in County Cork. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and health club. Nearby, you’ll find Garry...
Read more +
Sneem Hotel
This colonial hotel is located in the Golden Heights neighborhood of Sneem. Guests enjoy the fitness center, rotating art gallery shows, and live musi...
Read more +
Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport
This deluxe hotel is located a few minutes away from the Dublin Airport, Guests enjoy the coffee bar, fitness center, and on-site restaurant. Nearby y...
Read more +
Maldron Belfast City
This modern hotel is centrally located in Belfast. Guests enjoy the on-site coffee house, bike rentals, restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find Belfast City H...
Read more +
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
This tour visits Ireland (plus the United Kingdom on the tour extension). In order to enter these countries, 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 EIR.
You will walk for at least 1 hour daily across moderately uneven terrain, including cobblestone streets and paved roads, 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.
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 Dublin (or from Belfast 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.
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 EIR.
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.
Ireland (plus Northern Ireland on the tour extension) operates 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 (plus the Pound sterling in Northern Ireland on the tour extension).
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 $8USD 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.