Eternal Romance of Ireland – 6 Nights

Please arrive at Dublin Heuston Station 20 minutes before departure at 07:00. Staff in yellow jackets will be on the platform to assist you with check-in. At 09:35, we will arrive at Cork Kent Station and continue by bus through Cork towards Blarney Castle (official site) and its gardens (admission included). Built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy, the castle is famous for the legendary Blarney Stone—don’t forget to kiss it to bring yourself good luck! Lunch will be at leisure here (own expense), and you will also have time for a bit of shopping.

Afterwards, we continue by bus to Cobh, a picturesque harbor town filled with history. Located on Ireland’s southern coast near Cork, Cobh is home to the magnificent St. Colman’s Cathedral, one of the tallest church buildings in Ireland, housing the country’s largest carillon—its heaviest bell weighs over 3,000 kg. The cathedral’s spire rises dramatically above rows of colorful houses, creating one of Ireland’s most iconic views.

Cobh, once known as Queenstown, was the final port of call for the Titanic on its ill-fated maiden voyage in 1912. A century later, in 2012, the MS Balmoral cruise ship recreated the Titanic’s journey, again stopping at Cobh with descendants of the original passengers on board.

We will also visit the Cobh Heritage Centre (admission included), housed in the former Victorian railway station. Here, you can learn about Ireland’s emigration history and the Great Famine. Over 3 million Irish people emigrated through Cobh (most bound for America). A statue of Annie Moore, the first immigrant processed at Ellis Island in New York, stands proudly outside the centre.

Finally, we board a train to Killarney, where you’ll have free time to explore. Don’t miss the local cafés or the chance to enjoy traditional Irish music in the evening!

After a leisurely breakfast, gather at your hotel for today’s tour, which begins at 09:45.

We will travel by bus along the spectacular Ring of Kerry, a scenic route dotted with tea stops, lunch spots, and breathtaking viewpoints. Along the way, you will see Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntoohil, standing at 1,041 meters, located in the Kerry Mountains.

Our first stop will be the Kerry Bog Village Museum, where you can learn about life and work in 18th-century rural Ireland. Nearby Waterville offers views of the Skellig Rocks, famously featured in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. We will make a few stops in picturesque towns for sightseeing and lunch before reaching Sneem.

No visit to Ireland is complete without experiencing the MacGillycuddy Reeks region. Driving along the route that winds through Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay, you’ll encounter mountain passes, valleys, and coastal views. This area is often called one of Ireland’s most beautiful and unspoiled natural regions. Highlights along the way include Glenbeigh, Waterville, Sneem, Ladies View, Killarney Lake, and Killarney National Park. The tour concludes back at the train station.

The Cliffs of Moher, Europe’s tallest cliffs, await! Before visiting this iconic Irish attraction, prepare your courage and be ready for strong winds—most importantly, watch every step! Facing the Atlantic Ocean, the Cliffs of Moher stretch for 8 kilometers of dramatic black limestone along Ireland’s west coast. Long ago, this area was connected to another continental plate; when they separated, the cliffs were formed.

The cliffs are also one of Ireland’s most important seabird habitats, hosting over 30,000 seabirds each year. Rare plant species grow along the cliffs, making it a truly unique ecosystem. Fun fact: scenes from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince were filmed here!

Our day begins with departure from Killarney at 07:30 by bus to Limerick, Bunratty Castle, and the Cliffs of Moher. Limerick is Ireland’s third-largest city. Crossing the River Shannon, you will see King John’s Castle, located in what was historically called the “English Town.” Across the river’s south bank lies the old town, known as the “Irish Town.”

For more local activities and sightseeing tips, please refer to additional resources.

Next, we head to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park (admission included). Built in 1425, the castle was restored after years of neglect. Its name comes from the Irish “Bun na Raite”, meaning the bottom (Bun) of the Raite (Ratty) River. At the castle and park, you can explore over 30 historical Irish buildings and cottages, arranged according to social hierarchy. Walking through the 19th-century village, you’ll see the school, hospital, pub, grocery store, post office, and more, just as life was back then.

Lunch will be at O’Conner Pub in Doolin (own expense). After lunch, we continue to the Cliffs of Moher, Ireland’s most famous attraction. You will have time to explore, enjoy the views, and take photos (admission included).

On our way to Galway, we will make a stop at The Burren—meaning “Rocky Place” in Irish—where the landscape resembles the surface of the moon. Continuing along Black Head, passing through the towns of Ballyvaughan and Kinvara, we finally arrive in Galway.

And speaking of Galway… you can’t help but sing that famous song!

Today we head to Inis Mór (Inishmore), the largest of the three Aran Islands, often referred to as the “Edge of the World.” (Boat tickets included.) Due to its poor soil, the island has remained largely undeveloped, preserving Ireland’s most authentic history, culture, and heritage. The highlight of the island is Dún Aonghasa, perched on the cliffs, along with the nearby Worm Hole, a naturally formed rectangular pool. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Atlantic—but watch your step!

The tour includes stops at:

Seven Churches – 15 minutes

Dún Aonghasa – 75 minutes

Kilronan – 45 minutes (lunch here at your own expense)

Note: If weather conditions prevent access to Inis Mór/Inishmore, this portion of the trip will be refunded. Please note that any other losses due to weather cannot be compensated.

Important: Depending on your departure date, the itineraries for Day 4 and Day 5 may be reversed.

At 10:05 AM, we will meet at Galway Train Station and depart by bus for Connemara and the village of Moycullen. From Moycullen, we head to Oughterard, a lakeside fishing village on Lough Corrib. Then we continue through the unspoiled natural beauty of Connemara, passing Maam Cross, where you can see the small cottage featured in the 1952 classic film The Quiet Man. The route takes us through Leenane, Kylemore Abbey, and Letterfrack, with the colors of Connemara constantly changing along the way—purples, blues, and greens in the valleys create a vibrant, ever-changing landscape.

Lunch will be at Kylemore Abbey and Gardens (admission included; lunch at your own expense). This 18th-century Benedictine abbey now houses a pottery shop, gift shop, and restaurant. Letterfrack is one of Ireland’s major national park areas. The colorful town of Clifden is a favorite Irish holiday destination, ideal for hiking, cycling, mountain climbing, and fishing.

On the other side of Maam Cross, the route heads south toward Screeb, Costello, and Rossaveal, which is the ferry departure point for the Aran Islands. This area is bilingual, with Gaelic and English spoken. From here, we return to Galway Train Station, where you can board the train to Dublin, arriving at approximately 21:45.

Note: Depending on your departure date, the itineraries for Day 4 and Day 5 may be reversed.

Please arrive at the train station 20 minutes before departure. At 07:35, we depart from Connolly Station, arriving at Belfast Central Station at 09:45. Along the way, we pass the picturesque town of Carrickfergus and continue north to the fishing village of Carnlough, and the coastal villages of Glenariff, Cushendall, and Cushendun. On one side is the sea, and on the other, the Glens of Antrim mountains. On a clear day, you may even catch a glimpse of Scotland across the water!

Lunch is recommended at Bushmills Distillery (own expense). After lunch, we visit the Carrick-a-Rede Rope Bridge (admission included). Historically, local fishermen used this bridge to check their salmon nets on Carrick-a-Rede Island. Today, you can experience walking across this seemingly thrilling suspension bridge.

Next, we take the bus to Dunluce Castle before arriving at the Giant’s Causeway, located about 80 km northwest of Belfast along the Atlantic coast. The Giant’s Causeway is considered one of the most otherworldly landscapes on Earth, consisting of tens of thousands of uniform basalt columns stretching for kilometers.

Legend has it that the giant Finn MacCool fell in love with a woman in Scotland. Separated by the sea, he tried to build a bridge of stone columns to reach her. Sadly, the bridge never reached Scotland—but the story remains a romantic tale of love and determination.

After visiting the Giant’s Causeway, we return by bus to Belfast and board the train back to Dublin for the final overnight stay.