Road Trip: Ireland

take The Road less traveled 

DATES: TBD

“May the road rise to meet you, 
may the wind be ever at your back. 
May the sun shine warm upon your face, 
and the rains fall soft upon your fields...””

Total package price:
TBD

Includes car rental, hotel accommodations, tours and more. 

*Price is total for 2 people and both price and  availability are subject to change and are not guaranteed until completed through the booking process. 

 From breathtaking landscapes and enchanting castles, to other-worldly formations...
take the roads less traveled and explore the sights and secrets of Ireland. 

 

Day 1: 
ARRIVE in Ireland
Explore Dublin

When you arrive in Ireland you will pick up your rental car. 

After settling into your hotel, grab a bite to eat in the famed Temple Bar area of downtown (make sure to stop by during daylight hours, it gets a little crazy at night). 
 

Do make sure to check out Ireland’s prestigious academic institution, Trinity College.  The college sits in Dublin’s city center and boasts alumni including esteemed literary legends such as Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker, and Samuel Beckett. Founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592 for the exclusive use of Protestant men, the university now welcomes all religions and genders. Tourists from the world over come to wander the historic cobblestoned campus and see the Book of Kells, a prized medieval manuscript housed in the Trinity College Library.

The Book of Kells located within the walls of Trinity College Dublin was written around 800AD. This beautiful and fascinating masterpiece is considered the greatest example of medieval illumination for over 1,200 years.
Described in the Annals of Ulster in 1007 as ‘the most precious object in the western world,’ the historic and cultural significance of the Book of Kells has only increased over time.

You'll stay the next 2 nights in Dublin

Day 2: 
Explore Dublin

Enjoy the city by checking out some of the most popular sites! 

Here's a list of the sites you can see/explore: 
Upper O'Connell Street (City Sightseeing Shop)
Abbey Street
Abbey Street / Abbey Theatre
Nassau Street
EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum
Leinster Street
National Art Gallery
Merrion Square
Dawson Street
Pearse Street
College Green (Irish Whiskey Museum & Dublin Visitor Centre)
Dame Street / Temple Bar
Dame Street / Dublin Castle
Christ Church Cathedral
St. Patrick's Cathedral
Teeling Whiskey Distillery
High Street
Guinness Storehouse
Royal Hospital Kilmainham
Kilmainham Gaol
Heuston Station
Parkgate Street
Phoenix Park
Parkgate Street
National Museum of Decorative Arts & History
St. Michan's Crypt
Smithfield
St. Michan's Church
Constitution Hill
Brian Boru Pub
Glasnevin Cemetery
Mountjoy Square
Parnell Square
Croke Park

Day 3: 
Kilkenny
Rock of cashel
Cork

This morning, you'll check out of your Dublin hotel and hit the road! 

On the way to Cork, stop by the town of Kilkenny and the Rock of Cashel.

Kilkenny is an awesome little city in Ireland.
Explore the town in the morning, have lunch, and then continue your road trip, heading to the Rock of Cashel next.

Overlooking the Plains of Tipperary, the Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland’s most historic sights. This was the seat of the ancient kings of Ireland. St. Patrick baptized King Aengus here in 450 AD. Now visitors arrive every day to tour this historic complex of buildings.

You can tour the Rock of Cashel in about an hour, but make sure you also walk downhill to the much less visited and just as awesome Hore Abbey.

When you arrive in Cork, check into your hotel and hit the streets!

Downtown Cork is a maze of bridges that span the River Lee and connect the marshlands and small island where the city center was built. It’s a city that’s best explored by foot, where sights like the towering St. Finnbarr’s Cathedral literally spring from the streets. 
When visiting what locals call “the real Irish capital,” ring the famous Shandon Bells in the church looking over the city, or go deep into an Irish prison in the dungeon-like Cork City Gaol.

It’s also a city that’s often used as a base for visiting the Blarney Stone—the famous stone that’s believed to bring eloquence to anyone who gives it a kiss.

You'll stay overnight in Cork

Day 4: 
Cobh
Titanic Experience
Kinsale

This morning, you'll check out of your Cork hotel, and explore the surrounding area before heading to County Kerry. 

Where the River Lee flows out of Cork and into the Atlantic Sea, Cobh sits wrapped in the protective arms of its Cork Harbor surroundings. This picturesque port town was known as Queenstown until the late 1920s, and of the 6 million Irish citizens who immigrated to North America, it’s believed nearly half of them waved goodbye to their homeland here on the shores of Cobh. Even more infamous is the tale of the Titanic, which departed on its doomed North Atlantic crossing from right here in Cobh. Tours today still detail the time the Titanic spent in Cobh—including the original wooden dock that the Titanic’s passengers walked on.

Titanic Experience Cobh is located in the original White Star Line Ticket Office in the centre of Cobh, the departure point for the final 123 Passengers who boarded Titanic on the morning of April 11th 1912. The tour is presented in two parts, the first is an immersive audio visual tour retracing the footsteps of the 123 Passengers. With Fourth Officer Boxall as your virtual guide and with the use of innovative audio visual technology and replica set designs visitors will experience what life on board would have been like on board for those passengers.

The second part of the tour examines how it went wrong. Using computer generated graphics to recreate the collision and subsequent sinking, film analysis of Titanic on the seabed and expert interviews these interactive exhibits allow visitors to find out how and why the Titanic sank on that fateful night. Touchscreen computers allow you to look at personalities on board the ship and in particular the fate of our 123 Queenstown passengers.

Around lunchtime, travel to Kinsale, one of Ireland’s most picturesque towns. With colorful, winding lanes, fabulous restaurants, and a nearby golf course, Kinsale attracts a lot of visitors during the summer months. It’s also the starting point of the Wild Atlantic Way. 

Your roadtrip will take you on/off parts of the Wild Atlantic Way throughout your journey. Consider taking part of this roadway up the coast to your hotel in County Kerry, where you'll stay for 2 nights. 

Day 5:
Skellig Michael
Ring of Kerry
Skellig Ring

After breakfast, drive south on the Ring of Kerry to Portmagee.

Take Skellig Ring to Portmagee where you will board a ferry to Skellig Michael. (offered only in summer months)

Sail on a grand adventure to the majestic Skellig Islands, which lie 7 miles off the west coast or Ireland.
The first amazing sight is of the Small Skelligs and its snow covered-like appearance, when seen from a distance. Upon sailing closer you realize it is 75,000 nesting gannets that cover the Island. 
Onwards to Skellig Michael to marvel the monks, who built the monastery on this remote island 600ft above sea level.

See locations where scenes from Episode VII and Episode VIII of the Star Wars franchise were shot. You will quickly see why this incredible location was such an attractive inclusion for the production team in the Star Wars universe.
Skellig Michael also features birdlife in abundance - puffins, guillemots, kittiwakes to name a few all call these islands home throughout the year. You may also just encounter whales, dolphins, sunfish and even basking sharks roaming the surrounding waters.

After you return to the mainland, set off to explore the Ring of Kerry. 

As you cruise along the Atlantic Coast on this spectacular mountain road through the towns of Kells, Derrynane, and Glenbeigh, you’ll find a number of impressive sights, with various stopping points and photo opportunities. From Ross Castle and Muckross House to Torc Waterfall, Bog Village, and the glacial valley of the Gap of Dunloe, you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled and your camera out.
The ring also passes the golden beaches of Inch Beach, the Lakes of Killarney, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks mountains, Ladies View, and Dingle Bay looking out to the Dingle Peninsula.
The coastal side of the loop offers a taste of the Wild Atlantic Way, and in County Kerry’s Waterville, visitors tend to stop for photos with the waterfront Charlie Chaplin statue.

Insider Tip
As with many ring roads, there is little room to pass at some points. It’s good to note that all tour buses travel counterclockwise from Killarney and that self-driving travelers can head clockwise for less traffic.

At the bottom of the Ring of Kerry, you'll take a detour onto the lesser known, Skellig Ring. 

Skellig Ring is a predominantly coastal road that offers panoramic views of its namesake, the Skellig rocks. While it might be the Ring of Kerry’s lesser sister, it certainly is far more impressive.

From the highest point of the road you can climb the hill on the seaward side of the saddle in twenty minutes or so for the most magnificent views out to the Skellig Islands, across to the Dingle Peninsula and the Blaskets, and inland to the Iveragh Mountains. 

Day 6:
The Burren
Doolin
Cliffs of Moher

Check out of your hotel and take off on the road to Co. Clare and Galway. 

Towering 702 feet above the Atlantic Ocean at their highest point and stretching for five miles along the water, the world-famous Cliffs of Moher define the rugged west coast of Ireland. They are one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ireland.

Once at the cliffs, you can wander a number of winding coastal trails and pathways, capture photos of the dramatic scenery, and walk out to peer over cliff edges at the waves below. The onsite underground Visitor Centre features educational exhibits and a number of arts and crafts gift shops, while the viewing platform atop the historical O’Brien’s Tower provides stellar views stretching west to the Aran Islands, north to Galway, and out along the Atlantic Coast.

After seeing the Cliffs of Moher, stop by Fitzpatrick's Pub in Doolin. The local seafood is particularly good here, and the cliffs can become especially crowded between 11am and 4pm. This will be a great way to dodge the masses, fill your bellies and see the village of Doolin. 

With allegedly more musicians per square mile in this county than anywhere in the world, it’s unsurprising that this small fishing village is hailed as the capital of Irish folk music. Musical traditions still reign strong today, and those looking for an authentic taste of traditional Irish music won’t have to look far in Doolin.

You may want to come back here again for dinner. The village’s three historic pubs, Gus O’Connor’s, Mcdermott’s and Mcgann’s, all host nightly music sessions, where you can hear Gaelic poetry set to music and admire the soulful timbre of traditional instruments like Celtic harps, tin whistles, fiddles and Irish flutes. Musicians from all over the globe visit Doolin in search of the genre’s roots, and a number of events throughout the year bring together local and international musicians for impromptu jam sessions.

After lunch, drive the short distance to the The Burren, one of Ireland’s most unique and photogenic landscapes.  
Stretching over 160 square km, the Burren, derived from the Gaelic word Boireann meaning ‘rocky place’, is one of the most visited attractions in the Shannon region.
Aptly named, the karst topography is characterized by its unusual limestone formations, naturally sculpted through acidic erosion over thousands of years. The natural landscape is an otherworldly terrain - a giant jigsaw of rocks, made up of grikes (fissures) and clints (isolated rocks jutting from the surface), with pockets of lush greenery poking between the expanses of bare rock.

When you've finished checking out the Burren, drive north to your hotel in Galway. 
You'll stay 3 (or 4) nights here. 

Day 7:
Explore Galway

Known as the ˜City of the Tribes", the vibrant city of Galway has plenty to keep visitors entertained, with awe-inspiring architecture, a riotous nightlife and some of Ireland's principal attractions right on its doorstep.

In fact, one of those tribes that Galway is known for is the Joyce Family, who gave us the Claddagh ring!
Explore the Claddagh area on a tour (food, history, whiskey), or on your own!

Be sure to visit the Galway Cathedral, though!
The cathedral’s copper domed roof, visible for miles around, has become one of Galway’s most beloved landmarks, but it’s the resplendent interiors that visitors find most impressive. An eclectic blend of artistic and ceremonial decorations, the lavish cathedral hall draws inspiration from a myriad of architectural styles including gothic-style rose windows by George Campbell, Romanesque stone carvings and a Renaissance-style Crucifixion mosaic by Patrick Pollen. Above all though, it’s an incredible achievement of artistry, from the intricate woodcarvings to the vast wall paintings, seamlessly blending generations of Irish art and design styles.

If you feel like visiting another castle, be sure to see Dunguaire Castle!

Sitting on an outcrop jutting into Galway Bay, the 16th-century Dunguaire Castle appears like a fairy-tale vision to drivers traversing the coastal road, prompting many to pull over and reach for a camera. The site housed prominent local clans for centuries before famous Irish surgeon, poet, and playwright Oliver St. John Gogarty bought it in 1924. He then turned it into a hangout for Ireland's literary elite, including Lady Gregory, W.B. Yeats, Sean O'Casey, and George Bernard Shaw. Today, most travelers admire the castle from afar, though some do venture inside.

You can explore the castle's modest interior and climb to the top of the 75-foot (22-meter) tower for daytime views over Galway Bay, and in the evening, if you’d like (extra cost), you can enjoy a medieval banquet, which includes a 4-course candlelit dinner complete with Celtic music, mead, and storytelling.

Day 8:
Aran Islands- Inis Oirr
Bunratty Castle Banquet

 The Aran Islands are one of Ireland’s most unique destinations, but most visitors only admire them from afar. Today, you'll take a round-trip ferry from Doolin to Inis Oirr to give you the whole day to explore independently and visit sights that others only dream about... 

Make your way to Doolin Pier in time for a 10am departure. Set sail on the around 1-hour and 15-minute journey to Inis Oirr, the closest and smallest of the Aran Islands, and enjoy spectacular views of Galway Bay and the Cliffs of Moher as you cruise out across the Atlantic.
From the moment you step aboard the gangway, you are treated to a feast of maritime activity, including dolphins following our wake! There is an air of anticipation as the ship sails ever closer to the island. Inis Oírr is just 30 minutes away, and reassuringly visible from Doolin pier.

The voyage to the island pier passes some of its famous landmarks en route – the iconic Plassy shipwreck, O’Brien’s Castle and the Dun Formna stoneage fort on the hill, the white sandy beach with its crystal turquoise waters and possibly the most beautifully located graveyard in Ireland. Coming down the gangway is almost like stepping back in time, where it is easy to picture life in times gone by.
On this island, you can (for example) visit an authentic cottage, where you can learn about the traditions, customs and clothing of the Aran Islands. Take a guided tour on a pony and trap, and enjoy the sensation of being transported at a leisurely pace along tiny roads, surrounded by an impossible vista of stone walls stretching in every direction.
Rent a bicycle and explore the nooks and crannies in your own time. Let the children play in the fantastic adventure playground built on the sand. Feast on a lunch of the freshest seafood in one of the island's charming pubs.
Choose to return at 2pm or 4:45pm, arriving back to Doolin pier with a treasure trove of memories of an unforgettable day.

This will give you some time to go back to your hotel, change (drop off any souvenirs you may have purchased) and get ready for your late dinner banquet at Bunratty Castle. 

Arrive a little before the starting time of your banquet at Bunratty Castle in County Clare, so you won’t miss a thing. **may not be available due to COVID-19 restrictions

Please note the characters you meet throughout the evening are playing a part of someone who might have existed during the medieval times.
This 2-hour banquet is being thrown by Earl of Thomond. Be greeted at the castle’s front entrance by a playing piper in a kilt, then cross over the drawbridge into the castle and be offered a ‘Bite of Friendship’ by your host.
During this experience, make a toast with honey mead, watch the crowning of the Earl and his lady, and be serenaded by Irish music. Enjoy a 4-course meal by candlelight in a traditional medieval banquet hall with long wooden tables and wooden benches. You're in store for a lovey night filled with food, friendship, music, and a few surprises. 

Day 9: 
Connemara
Sky Road
Kylemore Abbey

This morning you will head west along the southern shores of Connemara, looking out across beautiful Galway Bay. As you pass through the picturesque villages of Barna, Furbo, Spiddal and Inverin, you will see thatched cottages, dry stone walls, mountains, woodlands, rivers and streams, lakes, Connemara ponies, amazing beaches and unspoilt bogs and deserted islands.
Your first scheduled stop of the day could be Pearse’s Cottage. Patrick Pearse was one of the leaders of Irish Nationalism and a signatory to the Irish Proclamation of Irish Independence, read out by him outside the GPO in Dublin during the Easter Rising 1916.
Then it’s on through Connemara’s hidden jewel, Bothar na Scragoige. View the wilderness bog landscape and experience the tranquility and isolation of Connemara.

Stop by your castle hotel, Ballynahinch Castle, to check into your accommodations for the next two nights. Then, after you've put your things down, head back out on the road to explore the rest of the Connemara! 

Head out along the Wild Atlantic Way. To your left will open up the iconic Dog’s Bay Beach stretching a mile out into the Atlantic.
Next is Derrygimlagh Bog (Wild Atlantic Way – Signature Point). This remote site was the centre of the communications (Marconi) and aviation world (Alcok & Brown) in the beginning of the 20th century. After travelling through Clifden, the capital of Connemara, you head skyward.
Renowned worldwide for its heart stopping twists and turns, the Sky Road (Wild Atlantic Way – Discovery Point) swoops and soars above the Atlantic Ocean. The views and photo opportunities from this ‘Discovery Point’ have to be seen to be believed.
Next stop to explore and hike in the Connemara National Park. 
Your final stop of the day is at the magical 19th century limestone and marble Kylemore Abbey.

Tucked in the shadows of the mighty Seven Pins Mountain range, Kylemore Abbey cuts a striking figure against its majestic backdrop. A Benedictine monastery founded in 1853, the Abbey took seven years to build and remains in use today as an all girls’ school governed by Benedictine Nuns - the only Benedictine Community in Ireland - as well as opening its grounds to tourists. With its idyllic surroundings encircled by woodlands and postcard-worthy façade fronted by a glistening lake that perfectly reflects the grand building, Kylemore Abbey has fast become one of County Galway’s most popular iconic sights. 

While parts of the 1000-acre estate remain closed to the public, visitors can tour many of the most impressive sights, including the magnificent Gothic Chapel and the Abbey’s beautifully restored main hall. The 6-acre walled Victorian Gardens are another highlight, where pretty walkways, 19th-century flowerbeds and a series of greenhouses are divided by a gurgling stream and enclosed by a brick and limestone wall. The onsite crafts shop and café, where the nuns serve up home-cooked food, are also popular, with the teahouse terrace offering wonderful views over the nearby Connemara National Park. 

Day 10: 
Ashford Castle
12p - Hawk Walk
2pm- Lunch reservations
(inside Ashford Castle)

Massive, flamboyantly turreted, Ashford is the very picture of a romantic Irish castle. This famed mock-Gothic baronial showpiece, dating from the 13th century, and rebuilt in 1870 for the Guinness family, has been wowing visitors like President Reagan, John Travolta, Brad Pitt, and Pierce Brosnan—who got married here—ever since.
Nearly bigger than the entire neighboring village of Cong, it is strong on luxury and service, yet maintains a relaxed atmosphere in which guests of all ages feel totally at ease. Kids immediately associate the castle with Hogwarts... and better yet, you don't have to stay here to see the grounds! 
While a small fee will allow you entrance to the grounds and gardens, lunch reservations will allow you a sneak peak inside the castle (closed to guests not staying the night).

After your meal, head outside to have a truly unique experience... 

Ireland’s School of Falconry is the oldest established falconry school in Ireland. During your one hour private Hawk Walk, YOU fly their Harris hawks. 

Your instructor will introduce you to your hawk and, within minutes, you will be setting off around the magnificent woodlands to fly your hawk free. As you fly the hawks, your instructor will explain about the hawks’ exceptional eyesight, their speed and agility and how the hawks were trained. The hawks will follow you from tree to tree through the woods before swooping down to land on your gloved fist. This is truly a one of a kind, lifelong memory. 

Once you have finished exploring Ashford Castle, continue on your day by driving north to Northern Ireland. 

You'll be leaving the country of Ireland and entering Northern Ireland. The border is almost non-existent (you'll know you are in Northern Ireland when the yellow broken line on the left side of the road - changes to a solid white line. ... and when the speed limit signs change from KM/Hr to MPH). 
Still, have your passports ready!

You'll check into your Northern Ireland hotel for just one night.

Day 11: (optional)
Dunluce Castle
Giant's Causeway
Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge
Dark Hedges

After checking out of your hotel this morning, begin exploring the area with a stop by Dunluce Castle.
Surrounded by 100-foot cliffs on all sides, Dunluce Castle commands a dramatic location on the North Antrim Coast. One of the most picturesque castles in Northern Ireland, it may date as far back as the 14th century, although records only confirm its existence back to 1513, when it belonged to the MacQuillen clan. Later the headquarters of the MacDonnell clan, the castle was surrounded by a village until a fire wiped it out in 1641.

Today, the mainland courtyard of the castle leads downhill to a narrow crossing where you’ll find buildings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Dunluce Castle is thought to have been the inspiration for Cair Paravel in C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia and has been the site of movies such as Jackie Chan’s The Medallion. 

Just a few minutes down the road is the UNESCO World Heritage site, The Giant's Causeway. 

The Giant's Causeway is a cluster of approximately 40,000 basalt columns, around 50,000,000 years old rising out of the sea on the Antrim Coast of Northern Ireland. The area draws thousands of tourists each year who come to marvel at and photograph this natural wonder.

Irish Folklore
These rock formations get their name from an old legend stating that Irish warrior Finn McCool built the path across the sea to face his Scottish rival, Benandonner. There are several variations of the story from this point, but each one ends with Finn dressing as a baby and scaring off Benandonner, who thinks the disguised Finn is actually the child of a giant and is too afraid to face his opponent. On his way back to Scotland, Benandonner tears up the path behind him, leaving just what exists today on the Northern Irish coast and the Scottish island of Staffa, which has similar rock formations.

While the legend surrounding Giant’s Causeway makes for an interesting story, geologists have a different explanation for the creation of the Giant's Causeway: volcanic activity. It’s said that millions of years ago, a volcanic eruption produced a lava flow that cooled quickly from both the top and sides, shaping the lava into hexagonal columns. Over time, the elements have continued to sculpt these columns into various shapes, and some are known to resemble objects. Notable formations include the Chimney Stacks, Giant's Harp, and Honeycomb, all of which are favorites of visiting photographers. Spot these formations and other stunning views framed by the windswept cliffs on your walk over the columns to the edge of the sea.

Then, the brave-at-heart have the opportunity to cross the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge. Carrick-a-Rede is an abandoned fishing island located just a few miles from the Giant’s Causeway. This 65-foot-long bridge is built from rope, and the views from it are arguably some of the best in Ireland.

Considered one of the world’s scariest bridges, the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge is not for the faint of heart. Spanning a chasm that is almost 100 feet deep and nearly 70 feet wide, this Northern Ireland bridge connects Carrick-a-Rede Island to the mainland and attracts a quarter of a million visitors every year. The original structure was built by fishermen more than 300 years ago, and as recently as the 1970s, the bridge had only one handrail and large gaps between the slats.

The current bridge is less than 10 years old and is made of wire and Douglas fir. There is no record of anyone falling off the bridge, but it is not uncommon for visitors to get cold feet after crossing once, requiring a boat to bring them back to the mainland. 

Your last sight of the day will take you to Dark Hedges. 
Off the Antrim Coastal Road, you will find one of the most unique and most photographed attractions in Northern Ireland: a row of trees known as the Dark Hedges.  Planted by the Stuart family back in the 18th century, these beech trees are now overgrown and intertwined, creating a tunnel along the stretch of Bregagh Road that once led to Gracehill, the Stuart family manor.

Legend has it that the trees are haunted by a mysterious gray lady who weaves in and out of the trees at dusk.
In addition to being a popular subject to artists, the trees also serve as a frequent backdrop for wedding photographs and have been use for scenes in the show Game of Thrones, representing the Kings Road.

When you're done seeing these remarkable sites, drive back south to Dublin. You'll stay the night near the airport for your morning flight, tomorrow. 

Day 12:
Depart for home

Today you will bid farewell to Ireland. You'll return your rental car at the DUB airport and board your flight home. 

“...and until we meet again, 
may God hold you in the palm of His hand.””

TRAVEL DETAILS

CAR RENTAL

Vehicle type is TBD

Due at pick-up: $TBD

HOTELS 

These hotels or something similar:

Dublin:
The Morgan Hotel

Cork: 
Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Cork
(breakfast included)

County Kerry:
Ballyseede Castle
(breakfast included)

Galway:
Hotel Meyrick
Eyre Square, Galway
(breakfast included)

Coleraine (Northern Ireland):
The Lodge Hotel
(breakfast included)

Dublin: 
Holiday Inn Express Dublin Airport
(breakfast included)

F.A.Q.

What time does the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet start?

The banquet starts at 845pm and goes until 11pm

 

What is included in the Bunratty Castle Medieval Banquet?

Inclusions

  • Entrance fees

  • All taxes, fees and handling charges

  • Beverages

  • Dinner

  • Unlimited wine

  • Live entertainment

  • 2-hour medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle in County Clare, Ireland

  • Be greeted by the music of a kilted piper before watching a crowning

  • Enjoy a 4-course meal with wine and honey mead in a traditional medieval-themed banquet hall

  • Vegetarian options are available upon request at the time of booking

  • Listen to beautiful melodies played on an Irish harp and fiddle

Exclusions

  • No beer available

Money

  • The Euro (€) is the official currency of the Republic of Ireland. In Northern Ireland (U.K.), the British Sterling Pound (£) is the official currency. U.S. dollars are not accepted. 

  • Want to check the current exchange rates? Here's a foreign currency converter: http://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/

  • In Northern Ireland, you will need British Pound Sterling.

    • ATMs are readily available in Northern Ireland. 

  • Our recommendation is to use ATMs, credit cards, and avoid travelers checks. Banks have odd opening and closing times and smaller towns may not have the capability to exchange foreign currency. Some banks in Ireland don't cash travelers checks any more.

    • ATMs are available in the Dublin airport and all across Ireland. 

      • Check the back of your debit/ATM card to verify it is a Cirrus or PLUS account. If you don't see Cirrus or PLUS and the debit card is a MasterCard or Visa, look for an ATM with your card's logo (MasterCard or Visa) and your debit card should work there. 

      • If you have any questions about using your debit card abroad, please check with your bank.

        • Also, it is a good idea to let your bank know when and where you're traveling to and to ask if there are foreign transaction charges. 

    • For credit and debit cards, Visa and MasterCard are commonly accepted.
      ** For U.S. credit cards when doing a transaction in Ireland, you may be asked if you'd like the amount processed in US dollars or the local currency, Euros (Republic of Ireland) or Pound Sterling (Northern Ireland). We recommend choosing the local currency so you will get the best exchange rate. If you choose US dollars, typically a 3.5% additional fee is added to your total. 

  • Should I take money (Euros or Pound Sterling) to Ireland with me?

    • We recommend obtaining about €100 in cash (denominations of 20s or smaller) from your home bank prior to your arrival in Ireland. You can then take out more money from an ATM as needed during your trip.

    • When traveling in Ireland, one strategy is to use cash for smaller purchases and your credit card elsewhere. 

Chip and Pin Credit Cards

  • Ireland has "Chip and Pin" technology for their credit cards. Irish people enter a PIN with all their credit card transactions. If you have a "Chip and Pin" credit card, you will be asked to enter your PIN with a transaction.

  • American credit cards typically have "Chip and Signature" technology. Your credit card can be inserted into the slot for chip cards and a receipt will print out for you to sign.

WiFi

  • Ireland is a very connected country! WiFi is available in the majority of your accommodations and at bars, coffee shops, etc.

Mobile / Cell / Smart Phones

  • Check with your current carrier to see if an International plan is available.

  • Check if your phone can be unlocked and is compatible with different SIM cards. You can then buy a SIM card and a calling/data/text plan in Ireland

Hair Dryers

  • Most of the accommodations have hair dryers but the Irish don't usually keep them in the bathroom.

  • Look for the hair dryer in a dressing table drawer, bedside table, or a closet.

Electrical Items

Q: What do you need to run a U.S. or Canadian electrical device in Ireland? 

A: There are two parts to the electrical equation: Voltage and the Electrical Plug Adapter.

The first part - Voltage. Ireland and the U.K. has 240 volt currency and the U.S./Canada has 110 volt.

  • Check the electrical device's power supply and see if it accepts voltage from 100 to 240.

    • If YES, you do NOT need anything to convert the voltage.

    • If NO, you need to buy an electrical transformer to convert the voltage. This can be purchased at most hardware or home stores.

  • Please Note: Many computers, tablets, phone chargers, and camera battery chargers have power supplies that accept 100 - 240 volts so you would NOT need a transformer (also known as voltage converter). For example, this camera battery charger accepts 100 - 240 volts.

The second part - Electrical Plug Adapter

  • The Ireland and United Kingdom electrical plug has three large prongs.  

 

  • To plug in your device, you need an electrical plug adapter. The technical name is Type G. This can be purchased at a hardware or home store.

Here's a picture of an Irish electrical outlet. Notice how there's an On/Off switch with each plug. When you see the red, that means On.

 

Here are a couple of electrical charging examples:

  • Charging your cell phone and the power supply accepts 100 - 240, you only need the electrical plug adapter.

Cell Phone Charger plugged into ---> Plug Adapter plugged into -----> Electrical socket

  • Charging an item that needs the voltage transformer, you need the transformer and the plug adapter.

Electrical Item plugged into ----> Voltage transformer plugged into ---> Plug Adapter plugged into -----> Electrical socket

Pricing details

price Per Person: 

TBD

*All pricing & availability is subject to change until completed through the booking process. If your vacation package includes airfare, baggage fees may be an additional cost. For international travel, a passport book is required. Most locations require at least 6 months before expiration on your passport, as well as 2 blank visa pages. Please make sure to have the correct and updated documents if applicable. If you have a criminal background, you are responsible for knowing the travel restrictions pertaining to the offense.

INCLUDED IN THE QUOTE

  • Car rental*

    • Car Type TBD

    • Picking up and dropping off at DUB airport

  • Hotel accommodations** (some include breakfast)

    • 2 nights in Dublin (first stay)

    • 1 nights in Cork

    • 2 nights in County Kerry

    • 2 nights in Galway

    • 1 night in Coleraine (Northern Irealnd)

    • 1 night in Dublin (second stay)

  • Tours

    • Titanic Experience: Original White Star Line Ticket Office

    • Skellig Michael Ferry and Tour (based on availability)

    • Inis Mor- Aran Islands ferry from Doolin

    • Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle

    • Hawk Walk

  • Most taxes and fees

    • Tour taxes and fees

    • Service fees and commissions

*Car rental is payable onsite only
**Some hotel reservations require you to pay taxes, VAT and resort fees onsite onsite

NOT INCLUDED

  • Airfare

  • Access fees to most sites (payable onsite only), unless included in a tour/experience

  • Fuel/extras for car rental

  • Most meals/beverages (unless included in hotel and/or tour) 

  • Some hotels may require payment of city taxes, VAT and resort fees onsite

  • Tips to guides, drivers and hotel staff

  • Optional Travel Insurance

    • Standard ($TBD)

    • Cancel for Any Reason ($TBD)

 

SUGGESTED PAYMENT SCHEDULE

There are two payment options available to you. 
*payment schedule does not include insurance costs. Insurance is due within 10 days first payment. 

Option 1:
(most secure, least likely to change in price and availability)
Full payment due now ($TBD) (plus insurance)
(car rental is paid onsite)

Option 2: 
(prices and availability are subject to change and are not guaranteed until completed through the booking process and payment is in full)
(some items have a slight increase  with this option, additionally there is a $50/pp fee added to the bill for this delayed payment option)
Ask for pricing breakdown. 

 

REGISTRATION 

  • A completed registration form (per person) 

  • Photo copy of picture/information page of each traveler passport emailed to: christian@zone-travel.com 

  • Credit Card Authorization form with copy of credit card and Government issued photo ID (like a drivers license or passport) 

    • Please make sure the credit card belongs to the driver of the rental car

 

Travel Insurance

TRAVEL INSURANCE - AVAILABLE FOR ALL USA CITIZENS - DUE WITH INITIAL PAYMENT

Zone Travel LLC strongly suggests purchasing Trip Cancellation insurance. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider as most U.S. medical coverage will not cover you outside of the country.

Insurance costs are based on the total package cost, including air taxes and charges listed under "Included."

Approximate amounts can be given at time of reservation in order to purchase the appropriate amount of insurance.



BASIC PLAN:

The Basic Plan is so affordable you can have your fun and protect it too - all while staying within your budget. The plan has a wide-variety of covered reasons for trip cancellation and interruption, and it can also include coverage for existing medical conditions so you can book your trip with complete confidence.
Please Note: This plan does NOT include epidemic or pandemic-related illness, individually-ordered quarantine, and denied boarding.

Trip Cancellation: Trip Cost

Trip Interruption: Trip Cost

Emergency Medical/Dental Coverage: $10,000.00

Emergency Medical Transportation: $50,000.00

Baggage Coverage: $500.00

Baggage Delay: $200.00

Travel Delay: $300.00

24-Hour Hotline Assistance: Included

 

CANCEL ANYTIME: 
(NY RESIDENTS-PLEASE ENQUIRE ABOUT SIMILAR OPTIONS)

The Cancel Anytime Plan gives you the extra flexibility of knowing you can cancel your trip for almost any unforeseen reason that the Classic plan does not already cover at 100% and receive 80% of your non-refundable trip costs back. It includes benefits like trip cancellation protection, primary emergency medical benefits, 24-hour travel assistance, and more. This plan also has SmartBenefitsSM that can pay you proactively and simplify your claims process with no receipts required. Under certain conditions, covered reasons for some benefits of this plan include epidemic or pandemic-related illness, individually-ordered quarantine, and denied boarding.
Please note: This plan must be purchased within 14 days of your initial trip deposit and must cover the full non-refundable trip cost ($10,000 maximum). You could also be eligible for pre-existing condition exclusion waiver if all requirements are met (please refer to plan documents for details).
Important information about this plan: Plan charge includes costs of insurance benefits and assistance services. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, your plan excludes losses due to that condition unless you qualify for a waiver under the terms of your plan. See Plan and Pricing Details for more information.

Trip Cancellation: Trip Cost

Trip Interruption: Trip Cost

Emergency Medical/Dental Coverage: $25,000.00

Emergency Medical Transportation: $500,000.00

Baggage Coverage: $1,000.00

Baggage Delay: $300.00

Change Fee Coverage: $500.00

Loyalty Program Redeposit Fee Coverage: $500.00

Travel Delay: $800.00

24 Hour Hotline Assistance Plus: Included