Thanks so much. Our guide Kelli was informative and fun as were all our local guides at various stops. "Gearoid arranged for tea and scones with Billy Keane at John B. Keane's Pub in Listowel, which was a hoot. ", "Stay in Dingle with the nighttime singing, dancing and falconer.". Day 7: the Aran Islands. Three California restaurants were recognized among the best Irish pubs in the U.S. just in time for St. Patrick's Day on March 17. We were lucky to catch Covid only on the last day. I made it to Ireland but my suitcase did not. ", We enjoyed all the Sites on our tour. We were amazed at the marine wildlife we encountered. Our tour was what it was billed as, the heart of Ireland. The guitarist was excellent as well as the singer. It was easy to see why people are so fiercely loyal to the places they call home in Ireland.". Joe was OUTSTANDING! It was everything wed hoped for and more. The tour was well-planned and well-executed. I think George is the best bus driver on the planet! The tour provided experiences that we would not have been able to duplicate on our own. I could spend a week there and be amazed every day.". Southern Ireland +1 more Travel Style Family, Private, Group +1 more Operated in English Operator Indus Travels Tour length 8 days Price per day $119 From US $949 Download Brochure View tour View Map In-depth Cultural Irish Spirit Self-Drive - 8 Days/7 Nights Destinations Surprisingly, several members of our group contracted Covid while on tour. The food left me so full but craving more. This quickly changed after our first meeting with our guide - Gearoid and meeting my fellow travelers. Enjoy Irish towns and country in detail. We were extremely lucky to have beautiful weather for most of the tour, so that made things so much more magical. Our guide, Kelly was so friendly, knowledgeable of past & present and funny. The world is over it. Everything went off with a hitch. The Heart of Ireland in 8 Days tour exceeded our expectations in every category: the depth and breadth of the tour experience, the quality and thoughtfulness of the tour guide and driver, the positivity and beauty of the country and people, the joy and love evident in the music, art, literature and cuisine, and the care and kindness demonstrated in the interactions we had throughout our journey. Really nice. The people were nice and the guide was good and really knew his country, "There was no wow moment but the Dingle peninsula and the Cliffs of Moher were very scenic". The Cliffs of Moher for sure but also the countryside in Dingle". They were mesmerizing. First RS tour and was a bit reserved taking a tour with a large group. I loved everything about this tour, including the hotels, restaurants, tour guides, and the bus was very comfortable. Tour guide was very good and informative. At my age of 65, I was also somewhat challenged with insomnia. We got to experience the heart of this great nation. We also found it to be a very beautiful country. "Listening to Billy Keane. In addition, we had an opportunity to experience falconry in Dingle, which was definitely a bucket list moment. Book online to secure your seats at the best rate guaranteed. Day 2: Glendalough Monastic site and night in Kilkenny. I loved not having to make any decisions and just putting all of my trust into our tour guide's hands. The weather was great and the food was delicious! "The Cliffs of Moher! The guide was exceptional & each day I learned more about Ireland, its history and its culture. Runner-up: standing in the central chamber at Newgrange.". Ireland is beautiful, and this is a good introduction to the country. Charming accommodations, fantastic guides, outstanding bus drivers! My waistline will take a while to recover, but it was worth it! It was great to be touring with a small-ish group. Slea Head was very beautiful and emotional. Since he is from Dingle, he was able to set up some entertainment that I dont expect other guides might have been able too. The entire tour was wonderful, with a nice mix of ancient and medieval sites plus gorgeous landscape and excellent tour guides. I have visited Ireland several times but never before with a tour guide. "Looking into the eyes of an owl that landed on my arm during the falconry demonstration in Dingle. Enjoyed the tour! This being my first RS tour and having enjoyed the PBS program for years I was excited to finally have this experience. Excellent tour guide. The speech reenactment of the 1916 rising led my emotional wow.". Slea Head Drive was incredible and I really enjoyed the visit to Newgrange". The falconry demonstration was unexpected and unique as well. Good value; good mix of time with activities included and then time on our own. Well organized and relaxed . It was a great experience! It was everything I hoped to see in Ireland, and it was the absolute perfect way to open the trip and introduce us to the country.". Tour guide very knowledgeable and friendly. Moderate walking: 26 miles throughout the day with some hills and stairs. ", Well organized. Here's what you'll see and do on our Heart of Ireland tour: Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. It was like becoming a local for a short period of time, rather than just being a tourist and looking at spectacle. Most of the places we went to were good. Sleep in Ennis. Everything was well organized and went smoothly. The tour itinerary was well composed. You know when you are having a good experience when half way through the tour you are already planning a return trip. The bus rides between stops were entertaining with our Irish guides offering their unique witty perspectives on their homeland. ", "The falconry in Dingle and the scenery on the drive around the Dingle peninsula.". I came away with an appreciation of Irish history, land, and people. "The Cliffs of Mohr were breathtaking and stunning! "Each town and park was very impressive - however the falconry exhibit in Dingle was unexpected and literally eye popping.". The Dingle gin and tonics with a rainbow! What may, at first, appear to be a sleepily coastal town soon shows its majestic beauty in the surrounding nature, its charming town brimming with friendly locals, and fun pub culture.". Meanwhile, the . Everything was just perfect. He was so knowledgeable, funny, and attentive to us all. I feel that I had experienced the Ireland of legend.". Great guide and driver. Our tour guide, Garoad, did a fantastic job and made the overall experience very enjoyable. I enjoyed just being in the lovely scenery of Ireland. "There were many, but Glendalough is stunning.". If you have 6 days in Ireland you can use one of these itineraries to plan your time according to your interests. Accommodations and meals great. I thoroughly enjoyed the free time. Upon arrival in Kilkenny, we'll take an orientation walk through the medieval town center and visit Kilkenny Castle, a symbol of Norman occupation since the 12th century. The guide was knowledgeable and entertaining and was able to manage all of us quite nicely. I love the history that he provided to us throughout the trip! We had an awesome time! That makes it difficult to pick only one wow moment. The tour was fantastic! Kelli as a guide in training brought cool archeological perspective and gave a side tour of peat mummies in the museum. The Falcon, Hawk, Owl and Eagle experience is unforgettable.". I loved the music he played to accompany us through areas it had connections to. Ireland Tourism Ireland Hotels Ireland Bed and Breakfast Ireland Vacation Rentals Ireland Vacation Packages Flights to Ireland Ireland . "I am not sure I could pick one. Everything about tge tour was excellent. Shakib Al Hasan and debutant Towhid Hridoy both narrowly missed centuries but Bangladesh still hammered Ireland's attack to post 338-8 in Saturday's first of three one-day internationals in Sylhet. Each of our specialized guides were also phenomenal, and Joe had clearly worked with many of them before. His pride and love for his country really showed, which made for an outstanding experience. Perhaps learning the history of the Blasket Islands and the scenery that went with it, if I really had to choose. The coach was comfortable. A second night in Kilkenny would have been nice. "Everything in Dingle (especially Dingle Crystal, falconry, and the musicians' visit); dinner and Kytelers Inn in Kilkenny; Newgrange.". "The beauty of Dingle, the calmness of a small city. Finely tuned itinerary. The Slea Head Drive stops and Glendalough were big wows. "The Cliffs of Moher actually brought me to tears with their splendor. I found the people so helpful and kind. The tour was really well done. We were very impressed with the knowledge and friendly professionalism of our main tour guide, Joe Darcy. "Experiencing Slea Head Drive took my breath away!! "The Dingle Peninsula bus tour was fabulous. Our guides and driver, Stephen, took excellent care of us and taught us so much about the history and culture of this beautiful island. Cobh. Biden is set to host Ireland's prime minister on Friday, March 17, 2023, after the pandemic scuttled the longstanding St. Patrick's Day meetup two years in a row. Ten days is just enough time to visit the highlights of Ireland, including Dublin, the Rock of Cashel, Galway, the Cliffs of Moher, the Dingle Peninsula, and Northern Ireland. Beautiful, atmospheric, unique every time.". Also meeting Billy Keene was just a fun extra!!!". Our group was very congenial, yet we had time to ourselves if we wanted it. "One evening in Dingle, we sat in Milltown House atrium listening to the musicians play concertina and elbow pipes while we sipped on Dingle Gin & tonics and tapped along to the beautiful Irish music. This morning we'll head back in time with a visit to Glendalough, Ireland's most impressive monastic settlement. Our guide was exceptional.". Group sightseeing events subject to change. After a walking tour, we'll enjoy a gourmet dinner of local specialties followed by an evening of Gaelic tunes. I was impressed because our guide, Stephen, was extremely knowledgeable about the history of the island. "The scenic drive around the Dingle Peninsula. The stunning views exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend our tour guide Pascal. "The surprise falconry experience is one that I will never forget! Answer 1 of 13: Putting the finishing touches on my 8 day itinerary. Tonight we'll compare notes and celebrate our marvelous week together over a farewell dinner. I've previously posted and wasn't sure whether or not I'd have a car, but I have confirmed that I am renting a car from Hertz in Shannon. Our tour Guide, Gearoid OConnor was wonderful. Tour exceeded my expectations. Of particular note was the Monastic settlement at Glendalough, the Rock of Cashel, the falconry experience in Dingle and the Cliffs of Moher. Ireland is such a beautiful country. "Dingle Pennisula was great. Everyone else on our tour seemed to be charmed by the visit, too. The ancient history is mind blowing and the opportunity to walk inside the 3500BC mound was amazing. Overall outstanding experience. This was the first Rick Steves Tour for my adult daughter and myself, although I have used Ricks books and watched his shows for years. Additionally, there are great hiking trails along two different lakes and several spots to stop and admire nature. since landing in Shannon returning from Desert Storm. Garoid made arrangements to have his childhood friend, David Geaney, dance for us at our B&B. Would be glad to travel again with this group. In case you wish to book pre- or post-tour hotel accommodations, the contact information for the tour's first and last hotels is included in your tour confirmation email, as well as in the Itinerary section of your tour account. 5 c. 67) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom.The Act's long title was "An Act to provide for the better government of Ireland"; it is also known as the Fourth Home Rule Bill or (inaccurately) as the Fourth Home Rule Act.The Act was intended to partition Ireland into two self-governing polities: the six north-eastern counties were . Two nights' accommodation, entrance fees, and round-trip transport from Dublin are included. "The beauty of the Dingle Peninsula was our wow place, but Stephen, our guide, made this whole experience a wow experience for us! I liked having the tour, but your own personal time too, "So many, but I especially loved the town of Dingle. 5 or 6 Day Tours. So many horrible things done to them, its no wonder they are still so bitter towards them. I would do another tour sometime if possible. More driving than most trips but great views the obsession of RS with Covid diminished the trip somewhat. My man made favorites were the Rock of Cashel, Gallarus Oratory, and the passage tombs, Knowth and Newgrange. We have suggestions for improvements in that area. Good balance of planned itinerary and free time. Ireland is a delightful country. 8 Day -Best of Southern Ireland Tour; 6 Day - A Taster of Ireland Tour; 14 Day - The Entire Coast of Ireland Tour; 12 Day - Luxurious Castles and Manor Houses Ireland Tour; 11/14 Day - Wild Atlantic Way Coastal Route Tour; 10/14 Day -Step Back in Irish History Tour; Joe Darcy was an excellent tour guide and we really enjoyed the tour up until several of us came down with Covid. 2.6 Where to stay in Dublin. It was not on our original itinerary. A truly exhilarating experience!". ", "I am only 14 so everything was a "wow" moment but I especially liked the Cliffs of Moher. "There are many but here are a couple: being inside a Neolithic burial site and having a delicious seafood chowder at a restaurant in Dingle". However, the months of April, May, September, and October are best for offering fewer crowds, mild weather, and the full range of tourist fun. Would have liked another night there. "Touring Knowth and New Grange ancient sites.". Lodging, provided meals, activities and staff were as good as it gets. Its as like more hours on a coach flight than a comfy excursion. Great tour with informative and cheerful guide, Stephen McPhilemy. "Bru na Boinne was absolutely phenomenal, not like anything I had ever seen before. Exceeded expectations. The tour bus was a brand new Mercedes coach, with an experienced driver. Southern Co. (SO) closed the most recent trading day at $67.90, moving -0.32% from the previous trading session. The weather was perfect for our tour, so every stop was beautiful. "I have no good answer for this. I think I used up my IPhone battery just taking pictures that day!". "Overall the views of the countryside were amazing. "The private concert by two local musicians in Dingle. Our guide, Stephen, made it an great experience. My 6th Rick Steves tour. Day 7. This was a fantastic tour! ", It was well organized and informative. loved the tour! The Irish people and their love for music were enchanting. The places we visited were really the highlights of Ireland and represented areas of the countryside, the coast, towns, and cities. "This is hard to narrow down. We were so taken with the willingness of every native we were in contact with to assist us and engage in conversation. All in the same evening. No "trip logistics" hiccups, good weather and fun sightseeing. THE 7 DAY IRELAND ITINERARY Interactive Map Day 1 - A Peek Inside the Ancient East Day 2 - From Castles to Kissing to a Ring Called Kerry Day 3 - Magic on Skellig Michael Day 4 - A Day In Killarney Day 5 - Coastal Adventures on Dingle Peninsula Day 6 - Mighty Cliffs and The Burren Day 7 - Clash of Gaelic Sport and Dublin Delight The rest of your day will be free to take in some of Dublin's other world-class sights, such as the National Museum of Archaeology or Dublin Castle. The Dingle peninsula stands out. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed Ireland in 8 Days tour. You can have an adventure on Ireland's Ancient East visiting places like Cork, Cahir, Glendalough and the Rock of Cashel. Therefore, the physical aspects, such as standing and some walking were difficult. Delve into the outstanding natural beauty of South West Ireland on a 4-day trip to Galway and Killarney from Dublin. Most tour members arrange to fly into Shannon (SNN) and out of Dublin (DUB) "multicity" on flight booking websites. Enjoyed the Dingle Crystal demonstration also. Ireland was amazing. Day 4: Dingle Peninsula| stay in Killarney. After lunch, we'll visit the Dingle Falconry Experience for an intimate introduction to their majestic birds of prey. Made many new friends & hope to join some on another tour in the future..The weather was perfect and the scenery on our bus drives were breathtaking. View Trip. Timing, weather, tour guide, accomodations, extra treats! "Falconry experience. CALIFORNIA. There are just so many museums in Dublin you need extra days. He was well organized and really knew his country well. Any changes such as when the weather did not permit an anticipated visit to a falconry was quickly replaced with a different local experience. "Our visit to Dingle was the highlight for me. Lots of extra things about the tour that made it much better experience than trying to do on your own. I liked the pace and extras . Ireland was picturesque, the tour and coordination by Stephen seamless, and the history incredible. Tour from Dublin. Our tour guide was very entertaining, and we came away with a better understanding of Ireland's history and current affairs. The Heart of Ireland in 8 Days Rick's personal "best of" distillation of our two-week Best of Ireland tour starts in Ennis (just down the road from Shannon Airport) and ends in Dublin. I was particularly inspired by the breathtaking scenery at the Cliffs of Moher and Slea Head Drive. Also, the fact tht the Gallarus Oratory was built 1200-1300 years ago without mortar is still intact!". Excellent!". It is not every day that you get to hug a gentle giant (one weighed in at 200 lbs, and the other at 185 lbs!). The local guides also added to a great experience. ", This was my first Rick Steves tour I have previously researched and made my own plans. I did pay extra to ensure privacy as I was solo. Join us for the Heart of Ireland in 8 Days! Met a great group of people and saw awe inspiring sites. Guide was happy to suggest things to do in free time, Joe, our guide was informative, funny, and easy to work with. This was a brief, although terrific, introduction to Ireland. Overall it was a great trip. Our bus driver George was a star too! Our guide Lynn was the absolute BEST and made Ireland come alive. Reykjavik. The tour was excellent. I loved having conversations with regular folks from the town. 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