The Grand Tour of Ireland 2025

ITINERARY

SUNDAY
Morning departure making a lunch stop at Gretna Green, we drive to the Scottish port of Cairnryan for our crossing to Belfast. Welcome to Ireland as we overnight at the Canal Court Hotel - Dinner included.

MONDAY
Irish Breakfast before we enjoy the fabulous scenic journey along the Antrim Coast. We travel to Hillsborough Castle where we include admission. From here we continue partly by train to Londonderry. Derry is the only completely walled city in Ireland and enjoyed the recent status of UK City of Culture. We travel to Ballybofey where we stay at the Kee's Hotel for 2 Nights - Dinner included.

TUESDAY
After Breakfast, we make our way to Donegal with free time to explore this lovely town. You can visit the ruins of the 'Abbey of the Four Masters', Donegal Castle on the banks of the River Eske, or try on some Irish tweeds at Magee's. This afternoon enjoy a trip up to the viewpoint on Slieve League to see the incredible sea cliffs soaring 2000ft above the Atlantic - a truly wild and wonderful sight! Upon arrival at the Teelin Café, we will then board mini coaches for a 90-minute return trip up to the Sliabh Liag viewing platform.

WEDNESDAY
We leave Donegal today. As our journey pauses at Mullaghmore, a noted holiday destination whose peace was shattered in 1979 when Lord Mountbatten died in a bomb explosion. We then continue into Galway with a short stop to explore this busy trading and fishing port, now a thriving centre with a full calendar of festivals. Tonight, we stay at the Lough Rea Hotel in Loughrea - Dinner included.

THURSDAY
After Breakfast today we visit Foynes Flying Boat Museum, home to a unique chapter in the history of aviation. Admission and a delicious Irish coffee are included! We continue south into Co. Kerry, here we stay at The Killarney Towers Hotel for two nights - Dinner Included.

FRIDAY
After a traditional Irish cooked Breakfast you can take advantage of the central location and all the attractions of Killarney. There is plenty to see and do with many international visitors. Alternatively, we can arrange a jaunting car ride or a tour of 'The Ring of Kerry' with a local guide. Return for Dinner and the live entertainment in the heart of Killarney.

SATURDAY
Leaving this lively Irish resort after Breakfast, we travel to Blarney - Famous for its Castle, Blarney Stone and Woollen Mill. Time for lunch here before we continue to Cobh - The last port of call for the ill-fated Titanic. Here you can visit the Queenstown Story housed in the Victorian Railway Station. We then travel to Waterford and Dooley's Hotel - A warm welcome and Dinner.

SUNDAY
Breakfast and then we depart calling at Avoca - Setting for the popular BBC series 'Ballykissangel'. We then include admission into Powerscourt House and Gardens. Powerscourt is considered one of the world's finest gardens. We complete the journey to the Talbot Hotel on the outskirts of Dublin. Here we spend 2 nights - Dinner included.

MONDAY
Breakfast before we are joined by a local guide to explore Dublin, starting with a tour of the city sights and finishing at the Guinness Storehouse, home of the famous Irish stout - Admission included! We return to our hotel for Dinner and our last evening in Ireland.

TUESDAY
Early departure to join the 08:15am Stena Line Ferry for our return to Holyhead. On board we include Breakfast. We then journey along the North Wales Coast to the West Midlands - Our Grand Tour of Ireland!