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Grand Tour of Ireland

Start in the bubbling hub of Dublin before watching wild red deer dash over Killarney National Park’s grasslands. Road trip down the Dingle Peninsula to see the rustic stone walls of Gallorus Oratory. Just don’t miss the 40,000 naturally interlocking cliffside columns of the Giant’s Causeway once you get to County Derry.

Location:

  • Dublin, Ireland (DUB)
  • Cork, County Cork, Ireland
  • Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
  • Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland
  • Galway, County Galway, Ireland
  • Sligo, County of Sligo, Ireland
  • Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
  • Ireland
15  Days | 13  nights
Call to book: 1-866-529-2079
Travelling as a group of 10 or more? Request a group quote.

INCLUSIONS

  • Round-trip flights to Dublin (if flight and hotel package option is chosen)
  • 13 nights of accommodation
  • 14-day car rental in selected category
  • 13 Irish breakfasts
  • Earn Aeroplan® points

ITINERARY

Day 1

Depart Canada

Fly to Dublin.
 

Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 2

Welcome to Dublin

From the Dublin airport, pick up your rental car and head to your hotel to check-in. The rest of the day is yours to discover magical Dublin as you wish.

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

Spend some time exploring this historic capital city. Perhaps visit Trinity College to see the famous book of Kells, or maybe get to know the Guinness Storehouse.

Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 3

Dublin – County Cork (approx. 259 km)

On you way to Cork, stop in Kilkenny for a quick visit of this medieval town. 

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

Kilkenny’s heritage is evident in the city and surroundings including the historic buildings such as Kilkenny Castle, St. Canice’s Cathedral and round tower, Rothe House, Shee Alms House, Black Abbey and St. Mary’s Cathedral.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 4

County Cork – County Kerry (Killarney) (approx. 88 km)

Enjoy the morning exploring the city of Cork, then hit the road for Killarney.

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

Before you leave Cork, it’s worth it to visit the English Market. Situated in the heart of the city, the English Market is a roofed food market and has been trading since 1788. Enroute, you can also choose to visit the Titanic Experience in Cobh.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 5

County Kerry: Ring of Kerry (approx. 90 km)

Spend the morning exploring Killarney National Park, then onward to the magnificent Ring of Kerry in the afternoon.

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

The Ring of Kerry brings you along the Atlantic Coast and is one of the highlights of a trip to Ireland. Quiet valleys and idyllic spots await along the way. The breathtaking beauty of the landscape on the peninsula will delight you. Above all, the Ring of Kerry provides an amazing insight into the ancient heritage or Ireland – see the Iron Age Fort & Ogham Stones, Old Monasteries and a landscape carved out of rock by the last Ice Age.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 6

County Kerry – Dingle Peninsula – County Limerick (approx. 212 km)

This morning, embark on yet another beautiful scenic route - drive along the Dingle Peninsula, and be sure to make a stop in Adare, and perhaps visit Desmond Castle, before continuing on to Limerick for night.

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

The Dingle Peninsula has something to offer to everyone. Among other things: sandy beaches perfect for swimming, walking routes suitable for all, a thriving Irish language community, rich musical traditions, fine dining, sea angling arts and film festivals.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 7

County Limerick – Cliffs of Moher – County Galway (approx. 99 km)

After breakfast, drive across the lunar-like landscape of the Burren region to the Cliffs of Moher. Continue on to Galway to get to know this lively harbour city.

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

At the mouth of Galway Bay, is the picturesque and vibrant city of Galway. It has changed considerably over the last number of years and features a fascinating juxtaposition of new and ancient architecture, as well as a wonderful avant-garde culture.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 8

County Galway: Connemara (approx. 83 km)

Discover the western wilderness of County Galway today - the breathtaking coastal region of Connemara. 

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

Connemara, whose inhabitants still speak Irish, is without doubt the wildest and most romantic part of Ireland. Bewitchingly hidden between mountains and lakes and surrounded by Rhododendrons, lies the gothic style Kylemore Abbey. Take advantage of your time here to wander around Connemara National Park, situated at the foot of the Diamond Mountain.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 9

County Galway – Sligo (approx. 125 km)

Today’s adventure takes you through beautiful Sligo, where you’ll experience Irish hospitality at its best.  After your visit continue towards Donegal town.

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

On your way through Sligo you can visit the Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery. Carrowmore Cemetery has over 60 stone circle and passage tombs making it one of the largest Stone Age cemeteries in Europe. Each tomb is numbered to facilitate the visitor and the central tomb has been restored and enables visitors to visit the interior of a court tomb. A must for visitors interested in archeology.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 10

Sligo – County Donegal (approx. 76 km)

After breakfast, head out towards County Donegal. It’s well worth it to plan a visit to Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) Cliffs, or Glenveagh National Park.

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

Though less famous than the Cliffs of Moher, the Sliabh Liag (Slieve League) Cliffs are almost three times higher - making them Europe’s highest sea cliffs!  Enjoy spectacular views of the Atlantic ocean, and extremely-experienced hikers can even go past the viewing point to “one man’s pass” to the summit. If heights are not your thing, you can also choose to explore the second largest national park in Ireland - Glenveagh National Park - which lies in the heart of the Derryveagh Mountains.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 11

County Donegal – Derry (approx. 77 km)

Get an early start and continue your exploration of the Emerald Isle by hitting the road for Derry.

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

Derry enjoys the advantages of the new peaceful atmosphere in Northern Ireland politics and its city centre is again lively and pleasant. You will appreciate a walk in the colorful and well looked after historical city, which boasts good shopping, pubs and cafes. 

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 12

Derry – Giant’s Causeway – Belfast (approx. 76 km)

En route to Belfast, stop to visit the Giant’s Causeway. 

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

The new Visitor centre explores the major themes of mythology, geology, landscape, ecology culture and social history. In 2015, Conde Nast Traveler magazine included hopping the stones of the Giant’s Causeway as one of the 50 things to do in Europe before you die.  Also, you can visit the Old Bushmills Distillery.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 13

Belfast - Boyne Valley - Dublin (approx. 169 km)

Depart for Dublin and visit the Boyne Valley.  

Optional Activities ($):
OUT & ABOUT:

The Boyne Valley is without a doubt the most historical region of the whole island. 

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 14

Dublin : At Leisure

Enjoy the day visiting this lively city at your own pace.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

Day 15

Dublin - Return to Canada

Head to the airport to return your rental car and board your flight home.

Meal(s): Breakfast
Grand Tour of Ireland

ACCOMMODATIONS

WHERE YOU'LL STAY

The hotels listed below are presented as examples for your reference only. Hotel accommodation details will be communicated to you or your travel agent prior to departure.

Location
HOTEL
Ireland
Bed & Breakfast (or similar)
Dublin, Ireland (DUB)
Maldron Newlands Cross (or similar)
Cork, County Cork, Ireland
Ambassador Hotel (or similar)
Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Innisfallen Hotel (or similar)
Limerick, County Limerick, Ireland
George Limerick Hotel (or similar)
Galway, County Galway, Ireland
Clybaun Hotel (or similar)
Sligo, County of Sligo, Ireland
Clayton Hotel (or similar)
Ireland
Jacksons Hotel, Donegal (or similar)
Londonderry-Derry, Northern Ireland, UK
Best Western White Horse Hotel (or similar)
Belfast, Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Wellington Park Hotel (or similar)

Room Specifications

Check-in for hotel and B&B accommodation is no later than 6 p.m. Failure to notify accommodations of a late arrival could result in the cancellation of the reservation.
Bed size(s): 2 twin beds or 1 double bed
Room occupancy: maximum 2 adults

IMPORTANT INFO

DEPARTURE DATES

Daily from April 1 - November 30, 2022

Also available for a duration of 14 days / 12 nights

MORE TO KNOW

Not included

  • Meals, unless noted
  • Transfers, unless noted
  • Parking fees
  • Additional activities and excursions
  • Personal expenses and insurance
  • For car rental exclusions, please see above

The day-to-day locations are already set and hotel accommodations will already be booked, but what you do during the day in each location is completely up to you. We've gathered our top picks for suggested itineraries, places to visit, things to do and even great spots for tasty treats. Explore to your heart's content and take our suggestions - or don't! No one decides what your travel days look like but you. Just make sure to get to the hotel on time!

HOTEL CHECK-IN/OUT

Due to high demand and limited availability of accommodation within Irish city centres, passengers will be accommodated in the closest available location to the corresponding cities. At times, this can be up to 1 hour from the city.

TRANSPORTATION

Car Rental
Manual Category C (CCMN) Compact 5-person VW Golf or similar


Available on request through our call centre
Automatic Category F (CCAN) Compact 5-person Ford Focus or similar
Manual Intermediate Category P (IVMR) 6-person Opel Zafira or similar
Standard Automatic Car Category G (SDAR) 5-person VW Jetta or similar
Standard Automatic Car Category T (SVAR) 6-person VW Touran or similar

Inclusions: Unlimited mileage, third-Party Liability Insurance Coverage, Collision Damage Waiver and theft Protection.

Exclusions: Super Cover (SDW), Non-waivable excess, GPS, Fuel, Personal Accident Insurance Plus (PAI Plus) and Personal Effects Protection (PEP), other optional services such as refueling charges, applicable one-way service fees, extra additional driver's fee, baby seats, etc., extra additional

Credit card at commencement of rental is mandatory to cover toll fees, speed cameras, parking offences, etc. Credit Card deposit required at destination (unless Super Cover SDW is purchased). Funds will be blocked but not charged to the credit card.
Damage Excess (Non waivable excess): For CCMN (C) & CCAN (F) cars: 2000 EUR; for IVMR (P), SDAR (G) & SVAR (T): 2,500 EUR. Subject to change without notice. The previous amounts will be blocked (not charged) on renters' credit card unless the Super Cover (SDW) is purchased at destination by credit card.
Minimum Age 25 years old: CCMN (C) & CCAN (F). Minimum age 27 years old: SDAR (G) & IVMR (P). Minimum age 30 years old: SVAR (T). If driver does not meet minimum age requirements, young driver surcharge of 26EUR per day will be charged at destination. Please contact us for more information for customers over the age of 75 at time of rental.

Pricing display

Prices take into account taxes and are rounded to the nearest full dollar. Full details on taxes and fees are on the booking page.