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Ireland
The Republic of Ireland has long been a favourite destination for ECE touring programmes. With a wide range of accommodation, from 4 star hotels to friendly guesthouses, from city centres to typically Irish villages and from beachfront to farm-based locations, we create programmes to suit your budget.
There are many activities to choose from in Ireland including farm stays, water-based activities, guided walks, traditional Irish music and poetry evenings, home stays, discovering peat bogs and travelling in jaunty cars (pony and trap) through beautiful countryside.
Irish programmes link conveniently with Welsh itineraries by taking the ferry across the Irish Sea to Holyhead or Fishguard or even with Scotland via Belfast / Stranraer - so please don't hesitate to contact us for further suggestions.
Below are two sample itineraries that can be modified to suit.
On the Crystal Trail
Day 1
Start your day with a panoramic guided tour of Dublin taking in the sights of this most fascinating city. Visit the Gaelic Athletics Association stadium for an insight into Irish history followed by a tour of this shrine to Irish sport. In the afternoon, visit the Guinness factory to see how this famous beer is made and explore St Stephens Green and Grafton Street.
Day 2
This morning stop off at the seaside town of Bray just south of Dublin before entering the Wicklow mountains to visit Glendalough and the 6th century monastery of St Kevin. Travel on to Wicklow to see the famous gaol.
Day 3
Today visit Waterford and enjoy an interactive guided tour of the world famous crystal factory and souvenir shop! In the afternoon travel to Blarney castle to kiss the famous stone and end your day in Eire’s second largest city Cork.
Day 4
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After a panoramic tour of Cork travel on to Killarney for a magical journey by horse and cart through the Gap of Dunloe on the famous Ring of Kerry followed by a cruise on the beautiful lakes of the Killarney National Park.
Day 5
Depart your hotel after breakfast.
A Kerry Mystery
Day 1
The Ring of Kerry is part of the mystical and unspoilt region of Ireland that has attracted visitors for hundreds of years and has some of the finest beaches in Europe. Today enjoy a journey through the famous Gap of Dunloe in a horse and cart in the company of an informative ponyman. After lunch, cruise on the beautiful Killarney National Park lakes before travelling to an archetypal Irish village for an evening of Irish tales and music from a Shanakee or storyteller.
Day 2
This morning enjoy a walking tour of the village and surrounding countryside, learning about the flora and fauna of this idyllic location. In the afternoon, learn about and play Irish sports such as hurling or Gaelic football.
Day 3
Travel to County Cork to discover Eire’s second largest city of music and enjoy a panoramic tour. Then in the afternoon, visit Cobh and its Heritage Centre - the last point of departure for so many Irish emigrants around the world.
Day 4
Today you will kiss the famous Blarney Stone and receive the ‘gift ‘o the gab’ before travelling to the city of Waterford. Learn about the world-famous crystal of the same name via an interactive guided tour of the factory and spend time discovering this Irish quayside city.
Day 5
Depart your hotel after breakfast.
