Grand Tour of Ireland

11 Days
TBC
From Only £1,999.00
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Overview

From rolling hills and sparkling lakes to the iconic Giant’s Causeway and vibrant cities like Dublin and Belfast, this journey offers a perfect mix of guided experiences and free time.

Includes

  • Return Select coach travel
  • Return ferry sailings
  • Escorted by a Skills Holiday Crew
  • 10 nights half board in various hotels
  • Admission into Blarney Castle and Gardens & Titanic Experience Belfast
  • Journey in a Killarney Jaunting Car and cruise on Lough Leane
  • Guided tours of Belfast & Dublin
  • Scenic drives along the Ring of Kerry & Antrim Coast Road
  • Excursions to Adare & the Giants Causeway Visitor Centre
  • Free time in Ennistymon & Dublin
  • Optional excursion to The Burren & The Cliffs of Moher

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Tour Sections

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We board our tour coach and set sail for the Emerald Isle, enjoying a two-course dinner on board the ferry. Later this evening, we arrive in Waterford for our first overnight stay.

After breakfast, we travel to Blarney Castle and Gardens, built nearly six hundred years ago. Here, you can kiss the legendary Blarney Stone, said to grant the gift of eloquence. We continue to Killarney for a three-night stay.

Today we experience Ireland's most traditional transport with a horse-drawn Jaunting Car ride through Killarney's stunning National Park. After pausing at Ross Castle, we enjoy a relaxing cruise across picturesque Lough Leane before returning to our hotel.

Prepare for a highlight of the tour - an unforgettable journey around the Ring of Kerry. This spectacular scenic drive offers breathtaking coastal and mountain views. We stop in Waterville, once a favourite of Charlie Chaplin, and visit Sneem. Returning via Molls Gap and Killarney National Park, we pause at Ladies View for more stunning photo opportunities.

We enjoy a stop in Adare, one of Ireland's prettiest village, before a visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, where historic Irish life is vividly recreated. We finish the day at our next hotel in Ennistymon, a traditional market town.

Enjoy free time in Ennistymon or join us for an optional excursion to the Burren Visitors Centre, offering insight into this remarkable UNESCO Geopark shaped over thousands of years. As we travel through its lunar-like landscape, you'll discover rare flora, fauna and cultural heritage. We stop in Lisdoonvarna for lunch before continuing to the Cliffs of Moher, rising 200 metres above the Atlantic.

After breakfast, we travel via Cong, the setting of the John Wayne film The Quiet Man, before continuing to the picturesque town of Sligo, associated with poet W.B. Yeats. Later, we arrive at our hotel in Donegal for the night.

Crossing into Northern Ireland, we visit the Giant's Causeway Visitor Centre, where you can take in views of the famed basalt columns (optional shuttle bus to Giant's Causeway available locally). We then drive along the spectacular Antrim Coast Road before enjoying free time in Ballycastle. We continue to the Dunadry Hotel near Belfast for a two-night stay.

Today's guided tour of Belfast reveals a city rich in history and character, blending Victorian architecture with modern culture. See the famous Peace Walls and admire City Hall. We include entry to Titanic Belfast, where you'll discover the story of the world-renowned ship built here in 1909.

We travel to Dublin, Ireland's vibrant capital, known for its fascinating history and lively atmosphere. Explore its iconic landmarks and famous pubs and enjoy a guided coach tour of the city before heading to our final hotel in Bray.

After a memorable trip, we take an early ferry with breakfast onboard and return home.

VARIOUS HOTELS

Dooley's Hotel Waterford 3*, Waterford (1 night bed & breakfast)

In Waterford's centre, Dooley's is a family-run hotel offering spacious rooms and full Irish breakfasts.

 

Killarney Towers Hotel 4*, Killarney (3 nights half board)

Nestled in the heart of the quaint and beautiful Killarney town, the hotel offers a range of modern and comfortable facilities and friendly and courteous service. Guest rooms are all furnished to high standards and are ideal for those looking to spend a peaceful and relaxing time in this beautiful Co. Kerry town.

 

Falls Hotel & Spa 4*, Ennistymon (2 nights half board)

Nestled in a scenic wooded valley beside the River Inagh in Ennistymon, this charming spa hotel is a short walk from the town centre and around a 10-minute drive from the iconic Cliffs of Moher. The hotel features a restaurant, a cosy bar, and a full-service spa, while leisure facilities include an indoor pool, fitness centre, sauna, steam room and an outdoor hot tub overlooking the river. Surrounded by extensive woodland grounds and riverside walks, it provides an ideal base for exploring County Clare and the Wild Atlantic Way.

 

Abbey Hotel 3*, Donegal (1 night half board)

Set in the vibrant heart of Donegal Town, this welcoming hotel overlooking Donegal Bay is just a 1-minute walk from Donegal Castle and a 10-minute walk from the Donegal Railway Heritage Centre. The hotel offers a popular restaurant, a lively bar with regular live music and a casual food hall. Additional amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi plus events and entertainment spaces.

 

Dunadry Hotel & Gardens 4*, Dunadry (2 nights half board)

This modern and comfortable hotel offers guests complimentary leisure facilities, including a swimming pool, spa pool, steam room and fitness conditioning suite. The hotel's restaurant is locally renowned, and guests can enjoy various dishes to suit all appetites.

 

Wilton Hotel 3*, Bray (1 night half board)

With spacious rooms and free Wi-Fi, Wilton Hotel Bray is about 1.2 miles from Bray's seafront promenade and beach. All rooms are en-suite and have a TV, work desk and tea/coffee-making facilities.

Pick-up Points

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Name Address
Alfreton Bus Station, Hall Street, Alfreton, DE55 7BT
Arnold High Street Bus Stop, Outside Leisure Centre Car Park, Arnold, NG5 7EE
Beeston Lace Road, behind the Cricketers Pub Beeston, NG9 2LA
Bulwell Aldi (Bus Stop SW12), Sellers Wood Drive, Bulwell, NG6 8GE
Chesterfield Coach Station, Beckingham Way Chesterfield, S40 1TH
Derby Bus Station, Bay 27 & 28, Derby, DE1 2AY
Heanor Market Place, Wilmott Street (Market Square side) Heanor, DE75 7EG
Ilkeston Wharncliffe Rd, Market Place, Ilkeston, DE7 5GF
Leicester St Margarets Bus Station, Stand SA, Gravel Street, Leicester, LE1 3AG
Leicester Fosse Park Leicester Fosse Park, Bus Stop, Fosse Park Avenue Next to ASDA (opposite petrol station), LE3 2LL
Long Eaton The Green, Outside The Butchers, Long Eaton, Notts, NG10 1HQ
Loughborough Amber Rooms, The Rushes Loughborough, LE11 5BE
Lutterworth George Street, Outside Wycliffe Rooms Lutterworth, LE17 4EG
Mansfield Fire Station Bus Stop, Rosemary Street Mansfield, NG19 6AA
Nottingham Mount Street, Alongside the Grosvenor Casino, Nottingham, NG1 6HE
Ripley Market Place, Express Stand Ripley, DE5 3FJ
Rotherham Interchange Bay C1/ C2, Frederick Street, Rotherham , S60 1QB
Sheffield Pond Hill, Opposite Penny Black Public House Sheffield, S1 2BG
Toton Tram Stop Park and Ride, Toton Lane Notts, NG9 7JA

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