Highlights of the Tour
Dublin | Blarney | Kilkenny | Bunratty
On this tour you will be based in the beautiful town of Portlaoise (pronounced port-leash) where you will be able to relax and soak in the Irish hospitality. Day trips from Portlaoise will provide you with a comprehensive trip around Ireland. You will enjoy castle visits that will give you the full spectrum of castle styles from old medieval ruins to a castle that was lived in until recent times.
This tour is all about being in good company with good people, relaxing, and connecting with the world around you. Travel is more fun with friends!
One of the benefits of this trip is being able to unpack and stay in one hotel for much of the tour – minimizing the need to pack and unpack throughout. Enjoy your vacation in Ireland.
To ensure you have a place on the tour, you can book now with a $500 deposit to hold your space.
Keep reading for details, or visit our Sign Up Page if you are ready to book!
Depart the USA for Ireland
Flights from the USA to Ireland are late afternoon/overnight flights. You can fly from any airport in the USA, check back with us for the group departure from BWI or Philadelphia as soon as 2023 airfares are published (by end of September 2022)
Dublin Arrival and Irish Music
Land at Dublin Airport, and complete customs and immigration formalities before meeting your tour driver/guide, who will welcome you to Ireland. You will stop along the way to enjoy a group meal before heading to your hotel. You will have some time to relax on the coach while making your way across the Irish countryside to your hotel in Portlaoise.
Take some time to relax and refresh in your hotel. This evening the ShamRogues will escort you to a special session (Irish seisiún) taking place locally. This is not a session for the tourists, but a visit to a local pub with traditional music in the middle of Ireland!
Included: Welcome breakfast and overnight at the Killeshin Hotel and Leisure Center
Irish National Stud and Gardens, Rock of Dunamase
Today you will venture out to see some of Ireland’s world-class thoroughbred horses. This is the beating heart of Ireland’s thoroughbred industry and a place of rich beauty. Your Irish host, Jim Phelan, knows a few things about horses, and this will be an educational experience for all.
Enjoy a walk through some of the finest Japanese Gardens in Europe and let Ireland’s natural beauty fill your soul.
On the way back to the hotel, we will make a stop at the Rock of Dunamase. This site is of great historical importance as this was a site of an early Christian settlement that was pillaged by the Vikings in 842. Capture some stunning photos while you take in the beauty of the countryside.
Included: Day tours and overnight in Killeshin Hotel and Leisure Center
Timahoe Round Tower
Start your day with a visit to Timahoe Round Tower. This is a monastic site built in the 1100’s with beautiful examples of carved stonework.
After your visit to Timahoe, we will visit the National Steam Rally – enjoy this spirited event over the next two days. The festival will demonstrate all types of steam engines with fun for the whole family. The National Steam Rally is considered by many to be the premium event in Ireland’s steam & vintage showcase.
Enjoy music today by the ShamRogues.
Included: Festival admission and entertainment.
Overnight: Killeshin Hotel and Leisure Center
Donaghmore Famine Workhouse Museum and the National Steam Rally
Take a short trip out of town today to visit a famine workhouse museum, which tells the story of the hardships of Ireland during the famine. Learn about the history behind the Irish famine, while visiting this workhouse that operated between 1853 – 1886. This is a somber memorial, but a story important to be told, and will leave you with an appreciation for the loss in Ireland during this dark period of history.
Included: Museum tickets, festival entry, and entertainment
Overnight: Killeshin Hotel and Leisure Center
Blarney Castle and Rock of Cashel
Today you will travel south and visit some of Ireland’s most beloved heritage sites.
The Rock of Cashel is perched high atop a limestone outcrop with stunning 360-degree views of County Tipperary. Built around 800 years ago as a fortress and center of power, this is an ancient site of high kings like Brian Boru and later religious leaders. Hundreds of years of history are yours to walk and take in. Many people consider this a sacred place and feel a sense of wonder or awe while visiting this hallowed ground.
Onward to Blarney Castle and gardens today, where you will explore history from nearly six hundred years ago. Perhaps you will kiss the legendary Blarney Stone, said to give those who do the “gift of the gab”. Beautiful castles and gardens are just waiting to be explored!
This evening your group will gather for dinner back at the hotel.
Included: Castle entries and tours, group dinner.
Overnight: Killeshin Hotel and Leisure Center
Bunratty Castle
This morning we will travel westbound to the imposing Bunratty Castle, which was once an entire Viking trading camp dating back to 970. This is a magnificent example of tower castles in Ireland. Be sure to climb all the way to the top of the tower for amazing views, where you can easily see the vantage point this fortress gave its residents. Learn about the history of the Lords and Ladies who lived here with your guide.
Take time to walk through the folk park for unique shopping or to visit with the farm animals. Once you work up an appetite, you will join your group for a late lunch at the very famous Durty Nellies Pub – a must stop for all who go to Bunratty.
Included: Castle tour, lunch.
Kilkenny Castle and Medieval City
This morning we will travel to the medieval Viking city of Kilkenny. A bustling and lively town of curved ancient streets, shops, restaurants, pubs, and history. We will visit our third major castle on this trip, a fine example of a castle that was inhabited until the 1930s and has been lovingly restored.
There is much to explore in Kilkenny, whether it's shopping, crafts, pubs, museums, or history that suits you. Have some free time to explore the town before departing back to Portlaoise tonight and a ShamRogues performance at a local pub!
Included: Castle entry, entertainment, dinner.
Overnight: Killeshin Hotel and Leisure Center
Dublin Ireland
Head back to Dublin today for some of the key sights and sounds of the big city. Start your visit with a stop at the Guinness Storehouse and sip a pint at the top of the town at the Gravity Bar. To round out the day’s theme of Irish beverages, we will also visit the most famous of the Irish Distilleries and learn about Irish Whiskey at the Jameson Experience.
The group will gather for our farewell dinner tonight before our departing flights in the morning.
Included: Guinness tour, dinner, overnight 4* hotel
Departing Flights
Exchange numbers and contacts with the many friends you made. Today you will fly home with memories for a lifetime!
1. Review Trip Terms and Conditions, here
2. Submit the registration form
3. Submit a deposit payment of $500