Chauffeur -Driven - The Classically Ireland Private Tour Itinerary

• Day 1 USA - Ireland
  Depart USA for overnight flight to Ireland. Dinner is served shortly after take-off.
• Day 2 Shannon - Galway
  Morning arrival at Shannon Airport, where after clearing customs we are met by our professional Irish driver/guide. Leaving Shannon Airport we travel via Limerick, Ireland’s 3rd largest city. Early morning drive through Ennis to Gort and on to Galway. Check into our hotel for a short rest. This afternoon we tour rugged Connemara. We take in the magnificent views of the Connemara region, Ireland's treasure of wild, natural beauty where Gaelic remains the only spoken language. We travel via Clifden to Kylemore Abbey, monastic home of the Benedictine Nuns, before returning to Galway. After dinner why not enjoy a pint at the pub "AuPouchan," a short walk from Eyre Square? It has great traditional Irish music. Overnight Galway.
• Day 3 Galway - Cliffs of Moher-Killarney
  After breakfast we head south through the rugged Burren. We stop at the Cliffs of Moher, which rise 700 feet above and stretch along the Atlantic Coastline for 5 miles. Enjoy the view and perhaps a spot of tea before continuing along the coast as we head towards Killmer to take the Tarbert ferry to cross the Shannon Estuary. We then continue south through Abbeyfeale and on to Killarney. Enjoy a late lunch before checking into your hotel. You could decide to eat at your hotel this evening. However another suggestion is to check out "Gaby's." It is in the middle of town and has great atmosphere and superb seafood. Plenty of local pubs to hear great music this evening. Overnight Killarney.
• Day 4 The Dingle Peninsula
  After breakfast, experience the true beauty of Ireland on this full-day tour to the breathtaking Dingle Peninsula. Traveling via Tralee and the Slieve Mish Mountains, we will stop in the sleepy fishing village of Dingle before heading out to see Slea Head and the ominous views of the Blasket Islands. We have been told by many travelers that the awe-inspiring beauty of this particular area has left them with a truly spiritual feeling. Suggested lunch stop in Dingle is "Maria DeBraae," right on the main street. We depart Dingle and travel via Tralee, where every August the famous Rose of Tralee Festival is held. Tonight enjoy many of the local restaurants Killarney has to offer. Overnight Killarney.
• Day 5 Killarney - Macroom -(Blarney - Kinsale - Cobh)- Waterford
  After a leisurely breakfast, we depart Killarney and travel over the Derry Nasaggart Mountains to Macroom. Macroom Castle was the boyhood home of William Penn during the years that he lived in County Cork. It stands on the western margin of the town of Macroom and its windows look away into the distance where a rugged land lies at the foot of the mountains. We continue to picturesque Kinsale. As part of the European conflict raging between Catholic Spain and Protestant England, Spain sent a force of men to support the Irish leader O’Neill. The rendezvous was set for Ulster; however, the Spanish under Aquila landed at Kinsale in October 1601. Here they soon took possession of the local strong points. Kinsale is now noted as the "Gourmet Capital of Ireland" and is especially noted for its seafood. Be sure to partake of this fine food at the "Blue Haven," where you can cozy up to a warm peat fire. Stroll through the narrow streets filled with local artisans' ware. We leave Kinsale (or Cobh or Blarney) traveling through Youghal, Dungarven and on to Waterford. That particular ride is magnificent. Overnight Waterford.
• Day 6 Waterford - Kilkenny - Dublin
  After breakfast we enjoy a tour of the Waterford Crystal Factory. Morning departure from Waterford takes us through the medieval town of Kilkenny. Time to visit Kilkenny Castle, which in the last few years has been completely restored with original artifacts. We continue to Dublin, where on arrival we bid farewell to our Irish driver/guide. By now he surely has become a part of our family! Dinner suggestions in Dublin include "The Trocadero" or "McGrattens in the Lane." Overnight Dublin.
• Day 7 Dublin
  Our last day in Ireland presents itself with a plethora of activities. We would suggest taking a half-day sightseeing tour of this 1000-year-old city. You can purchase your tour from the Dublin Bus Company, which is located at 69 O'Connell Street. You will be sure to see St. Patrick's Cathedral, where writer Jonathan Swift gave his sermons, and the G.P.O. on O'Connell Street, which was the scene of the 1916 Easter Uprising—the bullet holes still remain in the columns of this building today. Drive through famous Phoenix Park where the Pope said Mass in late ’70s and finally, go to Trinity College to view the 8th-century manuscripts, the Book of Kells, still preserved as they were when the monks produced them all those centuries ago. Buy some Butler’s chocolates on Grafton Street and admire the traditional Irish wares at the shops on Nassau Street. Make sure to visit Dublin’s oldest pub, "O’Donohue's," for a last pint! Overnight Dublin.
• Day 8 Dublin - USA
  Make your way to Dublin Airport, allowing time for last-minute duty-free shopping before boarding your flight home. Arrive home the same day.

>> View Rates for Classically Ireland Private Tour
>> Return to Classically Ireland Private Tour