A Week In... Ireland

Tour begins: 6:00 PM, Dromoland Castle. A transfer is included from Shannon Airport to Dromoland Castle, your royal home for two nights. Join us this evening for a welcome cocktail reception and dinner in the castle. Please note: Airline schedules and arrival airport details may fluctuate; ask at time of booking.

Make your way today through The Burren, an eerie landscape of limestone outcrops, en route to the Cliffs of Moher. Over five miles long and towering up to 660 feet, the cliffs reign unrivaled over the Atlantic Ocean coastline, offering amazing views. Sample a taste of country life during lunch in Ennis; return to Dromoland Castle for a day spent as you please.

Your travels take you to County Cork today for a two-night stay in an elegant manor house hotel and an in-depth discovery of all things Irish – including a visit to legendary Blarney Castle; get ready to pucker up for the "gift of gab" if you climb its ramparts to kiss the magical stone. After time to explore Blarney's castle and village and enjoy lunch on your own, continue on to Cork and the Hayfield Manor Hotel, your stately home for the next two nights. This evening, you're invited to a private recital at St. Fin Barre's Cathedral before returning for dinner at your hotel.

Drive to the picturesque harbor village known as Summer Cove of Kinsale harbor, for a visit to Charles Fort, a star-shaped military fortress and one of Ireland's best examples of 17th-century fortifications. Kinsale's architecture is a picturesque blend of narrow winding streets lined with colorful 18th-century buildings, reflecting its rich maritime history and creating a vibrant, photogenic townscape. Stroll through the town and enjoy lunch as you please this afternoon; it is renowned as a gourmet capital with an array of seafood restaurants, popular with food lovers. Return to Cork for a free afternoon in town; dinner tonight is at one of the hotel's restaurants.

Today you are in for a tasty treat! This morning, drive to Ballyknocken for a stop at the Ballyknocken Cookery School. Nestled between lush herb, vegetable and fruit gardens, Ballyknocken House and Cookery School is the fulfilled dream of Wicklow native and Irish celebrity chef, Catherine Fulvio. Discover an infectious passion for good food (using fresh & quality ingredients) and develop new skills during a culinary experience with one of the school's tutors. Drive to your hotel in Dublin and get ready for an Irish evening experience tonight.

Experience an in-depth introduction to Dublin on a sightseeing tour that includes lively O'Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and beautiful parks. This afternoon, take some time to enjoy the city as you wish, perhaps wandering along eclectic Grafton Street, strolling along the River Liffey, exploring St. Stephen's Green (on which your hotel is situated), or experiencing the grandeur of Merrion Square; laid back and laden with charm, Dublin is small, compact and made for walking. Have dinner on your own tonight; Dublin restaurants – of which there are many to choose from close to your hotel – and Irish cuisine have earned high marks on the European culinary scene.

Extend your Ireland travel outside Dublin into the hills of Wicklow to the monastic settlement of Glendalough, founded in the 6th century, via Tauck's scenic Yellow Roads. Most of the ruins and sites date from the 10th century and are remarkably preserved; see some of the most significant ones on a guided tour. Return to Dublin midday for more time to explore this legendary city at your leisure. Please join us tonight for a farewell reception followed by dinner at your stately hotel on St. Stephen's Green; your Irish eyes will be smiling as you celebrate the new friendships you've made and the fun you've had on the Emerald Isle!

Tour ends: Dublin. Fly home anytime. A transfer is included from The Shelbourne, Autograph Collection to Dublin Airport; allow a minimum of 3 hours for flight check-in.