Interested in leading a group to Ireland? Take a look at our sample itinerary below and fill out the form at the bottom of the page for a price quote on a personalized tour for your group.
Or join Andrew's group heading to Ireland in July 2018.
Ireland
I mean, every place is beautiful...but this country pulls you into it's beauty. It's something about the forever green meadows and steep craggy cliffs that engages me. The rain gets me thinking about life and gives opportunities for those famous rainbows (with leprechauns at the end, of course).
The stories too! They're sweeping expansive histories rife with heartbreak and true love and danger and magic. C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia found inspiration here. It's the land of fairies and leprechauns, luck filled clovers and St. Patrick. It's also the place where my family legacy is born, and I think anyone with an Irish heritage can feel the island pulling us back to connect with ancient roots - and even if you're not, we'll make sure you feel right at home.
Travel with us and we'll connect you with Irish friends and family who will make your trip unforgettable.
-Andrew
Sample Itinerary
Day 1 - Depart USA
Day 2 - Arrive Dublin: Welcome to Ireland
On arrival at Dublin Airport meet with your driver and your English speaking guide.
A Panoramic Dublin City Tour is the ideal introduction to “Dublin’s Fair City”. The tour will introduce you to the principal sites. You will visit the elegant Georgian squares, famous for its architecture and of course its famous – doors. Highlights of the tour will be a visit to Trinity College, to view the 8th century Book of Kells and the long room with its 200,000 books. No visit of Dublin would be complete without a visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral. Spend the balance of this day at your leisure in Dublin for some personal shopping and sightseeing.
Day 3 - Glendalough & Dublin
Today travel southwards towards Wicklow, also known as the garden of Ireland. Glendalough, an early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. Next, visit the Glasnevin Museum. This unique location is Ireland’s largest cemetery, a grand and impressive Necropolis. Overnight, dinner, bed & breakfast at your hotel in Dublin or area.
Day 4 – Dublin to Belfast
Today depart Dublin and head North to Belfast with en-route visits to Armagh and Downpatrick. We'll learn all about the history behind St. Patrick, the Patron Saint of Ireland. St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Cathedral is an imposing site, perched on the hilltop in Armagh and dominating its skyline. Then enjoy a visit to St. Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, where St Patrick founded his first church in 445 AD. Next stop is a visit at St. Patrick’s Centre. We'll then continue to Belfast.
Day 5 – Belfast
A guided city tour is an excellent way to discover Belfast City. The tour will take in the leaning Albert Memorial Clock tower(Ireland's answer to the Tower of Pisa) and the Opera House, which is one of Belfast’s great landmarks. We'll see the Queen's University Botanical Gardens and the Titanic Shipyards. A visit to the Shankill and Falls road will be of interest as it will give the visitor an indication of how life was in Belfast during the Troubles.
Day 6 – Belfast to Derry
Depart Belfast and journey to Derry via the town of Antrim and the North Antrim Coast. Next, we'll visit Northern Ireland’s favourite giant Finn McCool at the new Giants Causeway Visitor centre on the North Antrim coast which opened in the summer of 2012. It might even be possible to glimpse Northern Ireland’s favourite giant, Finn McCool whilst walking around these new trails! As we continue on, we'll stop to view the stunning Dunluce Castle - upon which C.S. Lewis famously based his Chronicles of Narnia castle: Cair Paravel. We'll then continue on to tour Derry. Founded in the 6th century by St Columba, Derry is the second largest city and port of Northern Ireland. Derry has a heavy historical past and has suffered a lot through violence. Today Derry enjoys the advantages of the new peaceful atmosphere in Northern Ireland politics and its city centre is again lively and pleasant. You will appreciate a walk in the colourful and well looked after historical city, which boast good shopping, pubs and cafes.
Day 7 – Knock & Ballintubber Abbey
This morning travel south towards County Sligo. We'll visit Tobernalt Mass Rock & Holy Well, a rock associated with being a penal mass rock, where illegal masses were said during the late 18th century penal laws. Continue to Knock for some time for prayer and reflection. Knock is a little town which has been famous for over a century as the site of visions, apparitions, and miraculous cures and has become the site of a famous Marian Shrine. Finally, we'll visit Ballintubber Abbey. Built in 1216 for the Canon Regulars of St Augustine, Ballintubber Abbey is the only church in Ireland that was founded by an Irish King and which is still in use today.
Day 8 – Connemara & Galway City
Today we'll journey to the Connemara region.Connemara is a land of lakes and rivers, bogs and mountains. A land of small villages where Gaelic is still the primary spoken language and where little has changed, little. It is without a doubt the wildest and the most romantic part of Ireland. Connemara is a vast peninsula bordered by the arid and rocky coastline of Galway Bay in the south. a land characteristic for its stone walls and thatched cottages. We'll stop there at Kylemore Abbey and head on to Spiddal for a short exploration of this Gaelic speaking town. Finally, we'll end the day in Galway City to explore on our own and find some fish and chips.
Day 9 – Cliffs of Moher & Burren Region
This morning, we'll get up early to travel through the Burren region on our way to the stunning drops and vistas of the Cliffs of Moher. After taking some time to breath in the magical breezes of the cliffs, we'll head out onto the water to enjoy a ride on the Shannon Car Ferry. This pleasant, 20 minute journey travels across the Shannon Estuary which is almost 100km in length and 13km wide at its widest point. Ecologically, the Shannon estuary has a unique value with a group of bottle nosed dolphins resident in the estuary, finally reaching Kerry.
Day 10 – Kerry to Dublin
Today leave Kerry and head back to Dublin. But first, we'll go see the famed Rock of Cashel. Possibly the most photographed site in Ireland, the Rock of Cashel towers over the town of Cashel from its perch on a 200-foot high outcrop of limestone. We'll head back to Dublin for a traditional Irish dinner and show.
Day 11 – Farewell
After a final farewell breakfast at your hotel departing for Dublin Airport for your return flight home.*
TOTAL PRICE: ontact us below for a quote today!
IDEAL GROUP SIZE: - 6-40 people
TOTAL DAYS GONE - 10-12 days
*Please note, all itineraries with Andrew W Lyon Travel are customized specifically for your needs and your group. These itineraries are based on standard tours and will be adjusted as we talk with you about your specific needs.
Is your organization or group planning a trip? Here's some information on different countries to which we specialize in taking groups and individuals. Contact us with the form at the bottom of the page if you'd like a custom itinerary quote.
Don't see your destination country on our list? No problem, we'll put together a unique itinerary just for you, just contact us with your planned destination.