Cost (not including international airfare):

$5100.00 per person (double occupancy)


Single Supplement: $960

Includes:

- Airport Transfers

- Top Rated Accommodations

- All meals & beverages (as indicated in the itinerary)

- Entrance & Speaker Fees

- Transportation by private bus

- Tips/gratuities for guides, drivers, meals, hotel staff (as indicated in itinerary)

- Expert English-speaking guides

- Dedicated Tour Hosts from Sunlight Tours

Does not Include:

- International Airfare*

- Incidentals/personal expenses

- Any passport/visa fees not already indicated in itinerary

- Travel insurance**

- All other services/gratuities not mentioned as included

Other Trip Notes:

*We can book your airfare (not included in trip price) for you or you are welcome to book your own.We would like to work with you on your arrival and departure times so that we can best arrange for transfers to and from the airport. All flights will be arriving at Dublin Airport (DUB) and departing from Shannon Airport (SNN).

**Travel Insurance is highly recommended. As a way to help protect your trip experience, Sunlight Tours offers travel insurance options through our trusted travel partner, Yonder. Free quotes and special group rates are available. Please contact us with any questions.

Registration deadline is December 31, 2024.

Non-refundable deposit required for this trip: $500

Other payments due: first half payment is due by October 22, 2024 and final payment is due by January 22, 2025. Airfare payments (not included in trip price) are due upon airfare booking.

Cash/Check/Credit Cards accepted.

*meals provided listed in ( )


Day 1: Tuesday, April 22, 2025

We depart from the US to fly into Dublin Airport (DUB).

(see trip notes for Airfare information)

Day 2: Wednesday, April 23, 2025

We arrive in Dublin in the morning. Once everyone in the group has gathered, we will head out by coach to the city center of Dublin. We visit the City Quay Church (Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church) located along the shores of the River Liffey. Stuck between two modern buildings, this classic piece of Dublin Architecture has a long history in the city. We will have lunch at O’Neill’s Victorian Pub where we experience our first authentically Irish food. We will also visit the Famine statues that share the story of the Great Famine of 1845-52 that created a permanent change in the country’s demographic, political and cultural landscape. We check in to our hotel to rest a bit before dinner. Hotel: Clayton Charlemont Dublin (L, D)

Day 3: Thursday, April 24, 2025

After breakfast at our hotel, we head over to Trinity College for a tour of Dublin’s oldest university. Established in 1592, this college boasts such alumni as Oscar Wilde, Bram Stoker and former president of Ireland, Mary McAleese. Our tour takes us through the hidden gems of this institution and ends with the Book of Kells Experience. The Book of Kells was written by monks around the year 800 and is accompanied by a visit to the Old Library and the Long Room. After lunch, we head to the former prison, now museum Kilmainham Gaol. The prison operated for more than 100 years and held thousands of men, women and children. Our visit takes us on a journey through Irish history and his long struggle for independence. Tonight we have dinner out in Dublin. Hotel: Clayton Charlemont Dublin (B, L, D)

Day 4: Friday, April 25, 2025

This morning, we check out of our hotel and head out of Dublin to the historic UNESCO World Heritage site of Newgrange. Nestled in the lush landscape of the Boyne Valley, this enigmatic tomb dates back over 5,000 years and has mystified historians, archaeologists, and visitors alike. This historic site predates Stonehenge and the Great Pyramids of Giza and features intricately carved megalithic art. We will have lunch at the café onsite then head across central Ireland to our next stop in Westport. Dinner out in Westport. Hotel: Clew Bay Hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Saturday, April 26, 2025

After breakfast at our hotel, we will visit the Atlantic coast and board a ferry to visit Clare Island. This Island was the home of Gráinne Ní Mháille (Grace O’Malley), the famous pirate queen of Ireland. Grainne ruled this region of the country for many decades in the 1500s. This quiet island is Gráinne’s burial place and features and abbey and a lighthouse. We will have a guided tour of the island and lunch before taking the ferry back to the mainland. Dinner tonight at the hotel in Westport. Hotel: Clew Bay Hotel. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Sunday, April 27, 2025

We check out of our hotel today and continue our tour along the Wild Atlantic Way towards Galway. On the way, we will visit Kylemore Abbey where we will experience the beautiful Victorian castle and hear its story from generation to generation. This 1,000 acre estate was built in the late 1800s along the lakeshore of the Pollacapall Lough and is also home to a beautiful Victorian Walled Garden. After lunch, we continue our tour with a visit to Cong Abbey. This abbey, which now lies in ruins, was built in the 12th century by Turlough O’Connor, High King of Ireland. At one time the abbey had 3,000 inhabitants, who were excellent scholars and skilled craftsmen. Today, the site not only features the ruins of the abbey, but also a beautiful nature walk and a quaint town with shops, a bakery and several cafes.  We then head to Galway to check into our hotel and go out for dinner. Hotel: Adare Guesthouse. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Monday, April 28, 2025

This morning, after a delicious made-to-order breakfast at our guesthouse, we will visit the Galway Cathedral. It is the newest of Europe’s great stone cathedrals, dedicated in 1965, and dedicated to Our Lady Assumed into Heaven and St. Nicholas. After that, we travel back in time and visit Brigit’s Garden, where we learn about the ancient Celtic spirituality. Our light lunch will be followed by a wander in the garden and a guided talk about the aspects of Celtic practices. We will be back in Galway early to allow time to shop and explore the city. We will gather for dinner out. Hotel: Adare Guesthouse. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Tuesday, April 29, 2025

After another lovely breakfast at the guesthouse, we travel by bus and ferry to reach the island of Inis Mor. This is the largest of the Aran Islands located off the coast of Galway. Our guided tour shows us the history of the island and its Celtic and Catholic traditions. We will have lunch on the island and a bit of time for shopping. Ferry and bus get us back into Galway in time for dinner out. Hotel: Adare Guesthouse. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Wednesday, April 30, 2025

After our final morning breakfast at the guesthouse, we continue down the coast to visit the iconic Cliffs of Moher. These Atlantic cliffs are a must-see when visiting the west of Ireland. The site also hosts two cafés and a visitor center. Our drive to Killarney brings us deeper into the south of Ireland via Limerick. Tucked into this beautiful location near mountains and lakes, Killarney is a small town with a long history and it will be our home for the next two nights. Hotel: International Hotel Killarney. (B, L, D)

Day 10: Thursday, May 1, 2025

After breakfast at our hotel, we head out to drive the Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile route takes us along the Atlantic coast of the Iveragh Peninsula. We will tour through 10,000 years of history from the deep forest to the crashing waters of the Atlantic. We will see tumbling waterfalls, majestic landscapes and ruins of ancient civilizations. We will be in no rush to complete the loop, so we will have time to stop and enjoy the beauty of the area. Dinner out in Killarney. Hotel: International Hotel Killarney. (B, L, D)

Day 11: Friday, May 2, 2025

Today is the day we depart. Flights are out of Shannon Airport (SNN) for home.