Overview Itinerary Dates & prices Reviews Hotels, flights & FAQ

Irish Heritage Tour: Dublin, Cork, County Kerry & Galway

Duration: 11 days
Group size: 14-28
Reviews: 1

Discover green landscapes, welcoming cities, and ancestral stories.

On this adventure through Ireland, created in collaboration with Ancestry®, you’ll uncover the country’s highlights and enduring heritage. Start in historic Dublin and continue on through County Cork. After exploring the breathtaking Ring of Kerry, the mesmerizing Cliffs of Moher, and charming Galway, you’ll say goodbye to the Emerald Isle with a deeper understanding of your genealogy.

Your tour package includes

AncestryDNA® kit
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
5 dinners with beer or wine
7 guided sightseeing tours

Included highlights

Special AncestryProGenealogists® sessions
St. Patrick’s Cathedral
Cobh Heritage Centre
Cork
Muckross House

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Day-by-day itinerary

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Overnight Flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Dublin today.

Basic Pre-Trip Family History Review

Excursion (additional cost)

Intermediate Pre-trip Family History Review

Excursion (additional cost)

Premium Pre-trip Family History Review

Excursion (additional cost)

Dublin2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Dublin

Included meal: Dinner

Welcome to Ireland! Transfer to your hotel and get settled in. Then, get to know your fellow travelers and genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists® at an introductory meeting before sitting down to a welcome dinner with your group.

Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Dublin & National Library of Ireland

Included meal: Breakfast

This morning, take a comprehensive tour of Ireland’s capital 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

Afterward, get an introduction to Irish genealogy and the ways you will be tracing your heritage during a visit to the National Library of Ireland.

• Walk through the building, which houses a variety of Irish records including newspapers, photographs, and maps

• Listen to a presentation led by one of the library's staff members

• Look through the archives to find out more about your Irish ancestry

County Cork2 nights

Day 4: County Cork via County Kilkenny and County Wexford

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Travel to Cork, also known as the “Rebel County,” stopping in County Kilkenny and County Wexford along the way.

• Tour the Gothic St. Canice’s Cathedral, built in the 13th century

• Visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship & Irish Emigrant Experience for a guided tour of the museum

Later, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 5: Cobh & Cork

Included meal: Breakfast

Get a feel for the many sides of Ireland, from rural townlands and charming villages to vibrant cities and iconic castles.

• Discover the town of Cobh, a port once known as Queenstown, from which millions of emigrants left Ireland

• Visit Cobh Heritage Centre for a tour of the museum's exhibits, which tell the story of Irish emigration over the past 150 years

• Step inside the stunning St. Colman’s Cathedral

• Explore the city of Cork and enjoy free time to walk through the English Market, a traditional food hall

County Kerry2 nights

Day 6: County Kerry via Muckross House

Included meal: Breakfast

Travel to County Kerry today. On the way, stop at Muckross House, which was the seat of the Herbert landlord family. Take time to explore this Victorian mansion and stroll through its beautifully manicured gardens, then listen to your genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists® describe landlord-tenant relationships.

Later, enjoy a free evening in County Kerry or add an excursion.

Traditional Irish Music with Dinner

Excursion (additional cost)

Day 7: The Ring of Kerry & Killarney National Park

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Make your way 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

• Explore the picturesque villages that line the Ring of Kerry

• Stop for photos at Muckross Lake and Lough Leane in Killarney National Park

This evening, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Galway2 nights

Day 8: Galway via the Cliffs of Moher & the Burren

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Head north to Galway today, taking time to view spectacular scenery of County Clare en route.

• Walk along the mesmerizing coastline of the majestic Cliffs of Moher

• Pass through the Burren, a unique limestone plateau where fields of rock are dotted with wildflowers

This evening, get to know the living traditions of Galway on a walking tour led by your Tour Director.

• Stroll past Lynch’s Castle, the Druid Theatre Company, and Eyre Square

• View the city’s medieval walls and Spanish Arch

• Peruse authentic Claddagh rings in a local shop

Then, sit down to an included dinner with your group.

Day 9: Free day in Galway

Included meal: Breakfast

Spend a full free day in Galway or add an excursion.

Connemara History & Heritage

Excursion (additional cost)

Dublin1 night

Day 10: Dublin via Clonmacnoise

Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner

Stop to take a guided tour of Clonmacnoise, an ancient monastic site in County Offaly, as you travel east across the country to Dublin.

This afternoon, visit EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin.

• Explore the interactive, digital exhibits that highlight the emigrant experience

• Learn how Irish emigrants have shaped modern-day culture

Celebrate your trip with your fellow travelers and enjoy a summary of all you’ve learned about Irish heritage with your genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists® at a farewell dinner tonight.

Flight Home

Day 11: Departure

Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

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Reviews

5 average

Our reviews are authentic and unedited.

First Bus Tour

09/16/2019 by 2nd time traveler Martha J.

Catherine and Frank were wonderful tour guide and driver. Felt completely safe with Frank at the helm and Catherine was kind, patient, entertaining, and kept us on time. She gave wonderful comentary and advise on what to do and where to eat. Didn't give 5 stars to the hotels because the furniture at...

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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.

Cassidy's Hotel

This boutique hotel is located in Dublin's city center. Guests enjoy Wi-Fi, a fitness suite, and hotel bar. Nearby, you'll find Trinity College, Dubli...

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Garryvoe Hotel

This contemporary hotel is located on the coast of Garryvoe. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and health club. Nearby, you’ll find Garryvoe Beach and b...

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Meadowlands Hotel

This charming hotel is located on the Wild Atlantic Way. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and garden. Nearby, you’ll find downtown Tralee, Ashe Memoria...

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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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Clayton Hotel Belfast

This modern hotel is located in the Linen Quarter. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, fitness center, and Wi-Fi. Nearby, you'll find Albert Memorial Clock, ...

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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

Find out more about flights

Local weather

Belfast, Ireland

Weather averages

Today
High 66°F Low 53°F

Dublin, Ireland

Weather averages

Today
High 67°F Low 53°F

Galway, Ireland

Weather averages

Today
High 61°F Low 55°F

FAQ

Print FAQ

About your Heritage Tour

This tour was created in collaboration with Ancestry®, the global leader in family history and consumer genomics. Ancestry® harnesses the information found in family trees, historical records, and DNA to help people gain a new level of understanding about their lives.
As part of your tour package, you’ll receive an AncestryDNA® kit within one month of booking your trip. Please complete the simple test as soon as possible to receive your DNA results.
AncestryProGenealogists® offers three types of optional pre-trip family history review packages. These include:
Basic pre-trip family history review with AncestryProGenealogists®: $625USD/$820CAD per person for five hours.
Intermediate pre-trip family history review with AncestryProGenealogists®: $1,250USD/$1,630CAD per person for ten hours.
Premium pre-trip family history review with AncestryProGenealogists®: $1,875USD/$2,450CAD per person for 15 hours.
If you purchase one of the optional pre-trip family history review packages, we will contact you prior to your tour to schedule your review with AncestryProGenealogists®.
A genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists® specializing in Irish research will accompany your group and provide unique genealogical and heritage insight throughout the entire trip.
Ancestry® offers customized ancestral home visits during and after the main trip for an additional cost. With these, one of the AncestryProGenealogists® staff will accompany you to the exact town, parish, or townland in Ireland where your own specific ancestors lived. If you purchase one of the optional pre-trip family history review packages, ask about organizing an ancestral home visit during your review. If you don't purchase one of the optional pre-tour family history review packages, visit progenealogists.com/ancestral-home-visits to organize an ancestral home visit. You must also contact our Customer Experience Team to plan your flight itinerary around your ancestral home visit.

Passport & visa requirements

In order to enter Ireland, 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 your destination country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.

Tour pace

You will walk for about 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.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

Transportation & arrival information

Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Dublin. 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 withGo Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
All other included transportation on this tour is by private motor coach.
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.

Baggage allowance

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.

Clothing & packing tips

We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, and 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).

Health

There are no major health risks associated with traveling to Ireland.
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 (https://www.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.

Cuisine

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 a meal. 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.

Electricity & air conditioning

Ireland and the United Kingdom operate within 230-240 volts and uses 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 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.
Your hotel may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances. However, these amenities cannot be guaranteed.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
There is no Wi-Fi on any of the motor coaches.
Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges and purchasing an international data plan.

Time zones

Ireland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
When it’s noon in New York, it’s 5pm on tour.

Currency

You will use the euro on this tour.
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.

Tipping

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.
Tips can only be paid in cash.
Your genealogist from AncestryProGenealogists® will not be expecting a tip.

Purchasing excursions on tour

Most optional excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour.
Your Tour Director will only accept cash (in USD only), Visa, or MasterCard as payment for optional excursions.
Please be advised that if you pay for an excursion by credit card while on tour, it may take up to three months for your card to be charged.
Some optional excursions may only be purchased in advance. See page four of your tour itinerary for more information. International travel is, by its very nature, unpredictable. We must therefore reserve the right to change this itinerary, without advance notice, to meet with local conditions at the time of travel. We appreciate your understanding. Please refer to our website for Terms & Conditions, dates, and prices.

Dates & prices

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2020