The Emerald Isle bids you a hundred thousand welcomes on this comprehensive tour including Northern Ireland travel. Splendid scenery, fascinating history, a vibrant culture and warm, hospitable people all contribute to the great charm of Ireland. Enjoy stays in two castle hotels and visit farms, a historic whiskey distillery, a folk park and the fabled Giant's Causeway. Experience the sophistication of Dublin and Belfast, and the peaceful ambience of small villages. Have a pint with friendly locals at a lively pub. All that is best about Ireland is yours to enjoy on this memorable journey.

Day 1 – Welcome to Ireland
Tour departs: 9:30 am from Shannon Airport. As your Ireland tour featuring Northern Ireland travel begins, journey through emerald countryside and along the coast to the Cliffs of Moher en route to legendary Ashford Castle. Meet your Tour Director and your fellow travelers at our welcome dinner this evening.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Lodging: Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland

Day 2 – Discover Connemara
Connemara is one of the more scenically diverse regions seen on any Ireland and Northern Ireland travel adventure, with glistening lakes, bogs, mountain vistas and the craggy Atlantic coastline. At Kylemore Lough, see Kylemore Abbey, a splendid Gothic-revival castle.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Ashford Castle, Cong, Ireland

Day 3 – Ulster-American Folk Park and Derry
Your Northern Ireland travel begins today as you journey north from Ashford Castle into Ulster. Learn the story of the Irish immigration to America from Ulster during the 18th and 19th centuries at the Ulster-American Folk Park. Take a guided walk along the impressive 17th-century city walls of Derry.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: City Hotel, Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Day 4 – Irish Whiskey / Giants Causeway
A highlight of any Northern Ireland travel adventure is a private guided tour of the world-famous Old Bushmills Distillery, revealing how Irish Whiskey is produced; enjoy tasting the finished product. Irish legend has it that the giant Finn McCool single-handedly built the Giants Causeway to bring his equally giant ladylove across the sea to him; see this natural wonder as well as Dunluce Castle today as you drive to County Down.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Hastings Culloden Hotel, Holywood, Northern Ireland

Day 5 – From Belfast to Dublin
Before departing Northern Ireland travel to Belfast for a tour with a local guide, exploring the historic city's past and present; continue south to Dublin for a two-night stay in a historic hotel near Trinity College.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: The Westin Dublin, Ireland

Day 6 – Discover Dublin’s Fair City
Ireland’s capital and largest city, Dublin is known for its rich literary history, the intricate glass lace found on the doors of its Georgian townhouses, and its lively pubs proudly serving locally-made Guinness Stout. Read a page from the Book of Kells at ancient Trinity College, and visit Dublin Castle before spending the rest of the day experiencing Dublin life as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: The Westin Dublin, Ireland

Day 7- Through the Wicklow Mountains to Kilkenny
Today’s adventures are a highlight of any Ireland and Northern Ireland travel experience. The 19th-century Powerscourt Gardens, in the beautiful Wicklow Mountains, are a treat for the senses. The medieval town of Kilkenny is as well known for the quality and variety its crafts as for its rich history.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Mount Juliet Conrad, Thomastown, Ireland

Day 8 – Waterford Crystal and Historic Cobh
Watch as gifted artisans create treasures in glass at the Waterford Crystal factory. The last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic, Cobh also saw the sailing of the first steamship to cross the Atlantic; discover the role that Cobh has played in maritime history at the Cobh Heritage Center. Your Ireland and Northern Ireland travel adventure continues in Cork, where you'll spend the night in an elegant country manor house.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hayfield Manor Hotel, Cork, Ireland

Day 9 – From Blarney to Killarney
Few visitors to 15th-century Blarney Castle can resist the opportunity to kiss the famous Blarney stone in the hope of being gifted with legendary Irish eloquence. Journey into County Kerry, stopping at the historic town of Kenmare en route to Killarney and a visit to Muckross House. Tour this Elizabethan-style mansion, with time to enjoy its lovely gardens.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa, Killarney, Ireland

Day 10 – Explore the Ring of Kerry
One of the most famous drives in the world, the 100-mile route around the Ring of Kerry reveals some of Ireland’s most splendid scenery. Return to Killarney for time at leisure, adding more enjoyment of the countryside’s rich cultural heritage to this Ireland tour with Northern Ireland travel.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa, Killarney, Ireland

Day 11 – From a Farm to a Castle
Enjoy a visit and lunch with Irish farmers at their working dairy farm and discover the role of farming in the west of Ireland. Then, it’s off to Dromoland Castle to stay for the night. Prior to becoming a world-renowned hotel, this magnificent baronial manor was home to the O’Brian family for over 500 years. Join your new friends at a festive farewell reception and dinner tonight as your Ireland and Northern Ireland travel adventure draws to a close.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Lodging: Dromoland Castle, Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ireland

Day 12 – Journey Home
Tour ends: 7:00 am at Shannon Airport. Persons who are departing at other times should secure their own transportation to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast

Night 1 & 2: Ashford Castle
Cong, Ireland

Ashford Castle has the distinction of being named one of the best hotels in world by the readers of both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler. Guests experience the royal lifestyle at this fairy-tale castle dating back to the 13th century. Stately Ashford Castle sits regally amidst a 350-acre private estate, surrounded by woodlands. Facilities include a championship nine-hole golf course, two outdoor tennis courts, a superb health and leisure center offering a plunge pool, whirlpool and a wide range of health and beauty treatments.    

Night 3: City Hotel
Londonderry, Northern Ireland

Set on the banks of the River Foyle in the center of Derry, the City Hotel is a bright, contemporary base from which to explore the city. The comfortable guests rooms were designed to a high standard, and the hotel’s leisure facilities include a Jacuzzi, steam room, sauna, a gymnasium, and a 15-meter swimming pool.

Night 4: Hastings Culloden Hotel
Holywood, Northern Ireland

A member of the prestigious Small Luxury Hotels of the World, Hastings Culloden Hotel is situated on wooded slopes overlooking lovely Belfast Lough and the County Antrim coastline. Considered by many to be Northern Ireland’s best hotel, Hastings Culloden Hotel was built as the palace for a Bishop in the mid-1870s, and today retains a baronial ambiance. While it cherishes its history and tradition, the hotel is proud to offer one of the most comprehensive, modern leisure centers and spa facilities in Northern Ireland. 
  
Night 5 & 6: The Westin Dublin
Dublin, Ireland

Located opposite famed Trinity College and just steps away from bustling O’Connell Street and Temple Bar, The Westin Dublin offers an ideal location from which to see and sample all the many pleasures of Dublin’s fair city. This thoroughly modern hotel in the very heart of Dublin resides behind the impressive historical facade of the 1863 Irish Allied Bank building that bespeaks traditional Irish elegance and charm. Guest rooms reflect Irish charm and elegance with traditional mahogany furnishings and Westin’s signature Heavenly Beds®. The Fitness Center offers the latest Technogym® equipments. Dine in one of three fine restaurants within the hotel.  
 
Night 7: Mount Juliet Conrad
Thomastown, Ireland

The baronial Mount Juliet Conrad regally reigns over what once was Ireland’s largest estate. Operating as a luxury hotel since 1989, the opulent Georgian mansion that lies at the heart of the Mount Juliet Conrad is a grand tribute to 18th-century craftsmanship. The Mount Juliet Conrad features the only Jack Nicklaus signature golf course in Ireland as well The Spa, which offers a wide range of pampering programs. Leisure activities, such as angling, horseback riding and clay target shooting, tennis and croquet, are available. The Mount Juliet Conrad is included in the Condé Nast Traveler 2006 Gold List.
   
Night 8: Hayfield Manor Hotel
Cork, Ireland

Located just five minutes from the lively center of Cork, the Hayfield Manor Hotel has the look and feel of a centuries-old grand residence of the wealthy elite, surrounded by gracious gardens and ancient trees. Although the atmosphere is one of traditional charm, the hotel’s Leisure Facilities complex is state-of-the-art and offers a lovely indoor heated swimming pool, an outdoor Jacuzzi, gym and steam room as well as extensive spa treatment alternatives to soothe the body and the soul.    

Night 9 & 10: Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa
Killarney, Ireland

Located high on a hill in the midst of the emerald-green County Kerry countryside, the Aghadoe Heights Hotel & Spa offers a luxurious and serene ambience surrounded by the sweeping panorama of the Killarney’s lakes and mountains. Indulge yourself at the impressive Spa, take a swim in the lovely indoor pool, walk in the hills or in the gardens, play a game of tennis or fish for salmon and trout from the hotel’s nearby private stretch of riverbank.

Night 11:
Dromoland Castle
Newmarket-on-Fergus, Ireland

In 2005, the readers of Travel + Leisure named Dromoland Castle the number 1 hotel in Ireland and the readers of Condé Nast Traveler voted it the number 2 hotel in all of Europe. One of the world’s most famous castle hotels, Dromoland Castle is magnificently steeped in history and tradition. In addition to all the pleasures to be found within the castle, to include the full-service spa and indoor pool, guests can enjoy superb golf, boating, shooting, fishing, tennis, walking and cycling within the extensive grounds of the estate.