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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. There’s no better time to discover the country’s vibrant spirit than during St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin. Kick off your tour in Ireland’s capital city, where you’ll take in historic sights and join the locals at the legendary St. Patrick’s Day parade. Then, take off to discover the ins and outs of this charming country, from “The Rebel County” to the breathtaking Ring of Kerry.
Your tour package includes
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
3 dinners with beer or wine
1 liquor tasting
Expert Tour Director & local guides
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Included highlights
St. Patrick’s Day in Dublin
Kilkenny Castle
Rock of Cashel
Cobh Heritage Centre
Cork
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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
Set out on a 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
Spend a free afternoon in Dublin or add an excursion.
Glendalough
From $69 per person
Day 4: St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Dublin
Included meal: Breakfast
Travel into Dublin to celebrate your own way today—catch a glimpse of the legendary St. Patrick’s Day Parade, or take advantage of the cultural events held across the city.
County Cork1 night
Day 5: Cork via the Kilkenny Castle & Rock of Cashel
Included meal: Breakfast
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
County Kerry2 nights
Day 6: County Kerry via Cobh, Cork & Blarney Castle
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to County Kerry today, stopping in Cobh, Cork, and Blarney on the way.
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
Sit down for an included dinner this evening.
Day 7: The Ring of Kerry
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 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
Day 9: Free day in Galway
Included meal: Breakfast
Spend a free day in Galway or add an excursion.
Kylemore Abbey & Connemara National Park
From $119 per person
County Dublin1 night
Day 10: Travel 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 with your group during a farewell dinner at a traditional Irish pub.
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to visit 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.
This evening, enjoy a farewell drink as you celebrate your trip with your fellow group members.
Giant's Causeway
From $129 per person
Flight Home
Day 13: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
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Reviews
4.8 star rating
Overall rating 4.8 out of 5
Based on 15 authentic traveler reviews
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Featured
4.0 star rating
Ireland is the real green thing
3/14/23 by 1st-time traveler Chiara
My eyes are green, but wanted that green reflection from the Ireland hills’ landscape and scenery to be permanently absorbed by my eyes. The country could be called out an overall “country side”, not so populated, but with very friendly people keeping their traditions and welcoming visitors from al...
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5.0 star rating
Traditions of Ireland Tour
3/14/23 by 1st-time traveler Cheryl
We had an excellent experience with EF Go Ahead tours. We had issues with the pandemic and EF Go Ahead maintained excellent customer service and got us there the next year.
All of the Hotels were top notch, the services promised were exactly as advertised. The Tour Guide we had was Irish with enorm...
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5.0 star rating
3/14/23 by 1st-time traveler Anonymous
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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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Castle Hotel
This boutique hotel is located in downtown Macroom. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and gym. Nearby, you’ll find the Macroom Golf Club, the Gearagh, a...
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Arbutus Hotel Killarney
This charming hotel is located in Killarney town centre. Guests enjoy bike rentals, home-cooked, traditional Irish recipes from the on-site Buckley's ...
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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 Dublin Airport
This modern hotel is located near the Dublin airport. Guests enjoy the soundproof rooms, on-site restaurant, and fitness center.
Clayton Hotel Belfast
This modern hotel is located in the Linen Quarter in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, fitness center, and Wi-Fi. Nearby, you’ll...
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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 on the tour extension), 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 EIP.
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 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 EIP.
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 (and the Northern Ireland) operates 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 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 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.
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