Visit Ireland on this customized cultural and community journey. Located off the north-western coast of the European mainland in Western Europe, you will have a chance to explore the North and South visiting counties Antrim and Derry in the North and the counties of Dublin, Sligo Galway, and Kerry in the South. 

 Depart from Chicago today make your way to Dublin 

After clearing Immigration and Customs procedures, the group will be met by your national guide for the transfer to city center. 

On arrival enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin City. Discover the north and south side of the River Liffey. This area offers great striking monuments such as the GPO (General Post Office) on the city main thoroughfare, O'Connell Street, or the Custom House along the quays, as well as the Phoenix Park, the largest public park in Europe. The south side appears more sophisticated with its vast Georgian squares, such as Merrion Square, where Oscar Wilde’s House can still be found (today owned by an American College), its colorful doors, along with Grafton Street and its quality shops. Not so far from St. Stephen’s Green, in Kildare St., you will see the house of Bram Stoker, the author of Dracula. This part of the city is also dominated by the students at Trinity College, where the famous Book of Kells is permanently exhibited in its library. The university is facing the medieval district where Dublin Castle and the two Anglican Cathedrals can be found.

Later this afternoon, enjoy a visit to the Home of Guinness to explore the history, heart, and soul of Ireland’s most iconic beer. Learn all about the Arthur Guinness story and the 250-year history of the “black stuff” and enjoy a perfectly poured, perfectly chilled pint of Guinness in the Sky Bar which has spectacular views of the city.

Enjoy a welcome dinner at your hotel.

Overnight: Riu Gresham (or similar)

Included meals: Dinner

After breakfast, visit EPIC, The Museum of Irish Emigration. EPIC is a state-of-the-art interactive experience located in the beautiful vaults of the 1820 Custom House Quarter building in Dublin’s Docklands, the original departure point for so many of Ireland’s emigrants. It will inspire and guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day. Over the centuries, some 10 million people have left the island of Ireland. At EPIC you can step through 20 themed galleries to find out why people left, see how they influenced the world they found, and experience the connection between their descendants and Ireland today. Immerse yourself in the stories of some of the most remarkable tales of sacrifice, endurance, adventure, and discovery the world has ever known. 

Lunch will be provided at a local pub or restaurant.

The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure. Your national guide will be more than happy to provide suggestions for your afternoon activities in the city. 

Overnight: Riu Gresham Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

After breakfast, check out and depart for Belfast. In route, enjoy a hands-on farmhouse baking experience with Tracey in her 18th century thatched cottage on the shores of Strangford Lough. Tracey will teach all about the traditional Irish baking and walk you through the steps to make your very own Irish fruit soda cake, potato bread (or fudge as it is known locally) and Soda bread. You will not only leave with all your handmade goodies, but also all the yummy recipes so you can bake for your friends when you get home. 

Continue to Belfast, Northern Ireland. Upon arrival enjoy a guided city tour where you will take in the leaning Albert Memorial Clock tower (Irelands answer to the Tower of Pisa) and the Opera House, which is one of Belfast’s great landmarks. Your tour will pass by the City Hall, the Crown Bar (dates from 1885), Queens University and the Botanic Gardens. Visit the Shankill and Falls road area to explore what life was like in Belfast during the troubles.

Enjoy dinner at a local pub/restaurant. 

Overnight: Ramada By Wyndham (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Dinner

This morning visit Titanic Belfast. Located in the heart of Belfast, the Titanic Experience recreates the story of the world’s most famous ship in an iconic, six floor building right beside the historic site of the original ship’s construction. As you journey through the nine large galleries of the interactive exhibition, you will uncover the true story of the Titanic, from her conception in Belfast in the early 1900's, through her construction and launch, to her famous maiden voyage and subsequent place in history.

Enjoy lunch at a local pub or restaurant. 

After lunch journey on to Derry the only remaining completely walled city in Ireland. Explore the famous city walls which date back to the early part of the seventeenth century and have been a place of several sieges. There are fine views from the top of the walls, which encircle the old city, a circuit of one mile. By walking on Derry’s Walls, you have splendid views of cathedrals and churches, you will learn about the historical events that shaped the city and explore attractions such as The Bogside, The People’s Gallery: The Murals, The Diamond, the Tower Museum, and the Guildhall. 

Return to the hotel where dinner is on your own.

Overnight: City Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch 

Enjoy a leisurely start to the day with free time in the beautiful city of Derry. 

Head to Broughgammon Farm which is situated three miles from the rugged North Antrim coastline, nestled between the towns of Ballycastle and Bushmills to enjoy lunch. Afterward learn all about rural farm life in Ireland. The Cole family started their farm in 2011 when they saw that most male kid goats born to the dairy industry were being put down at birth. They set out to take those males and rear them for delicious and healthy cabrito kid goat meat. Since then, they have branched out into rearing free-range rose veal and seasonal wild game also. 

Later this afternoon, encounter Northern Ireland’s favorite giant Finn McCool at the new Giants Causeway visitor center. According to legend Finn created the causeway by building steppingstones to Scotland to challenge the Scottish giant Benandonner! The new center explores the major themes of mythology, geology, landscape, ecology, culture and social history based on the UNESCO World Heritage site that consists of 40,000 basalt polygonal columns formed 60 million years ago after a volcanic eruption. 

Return to Derry where dinner is by your own arrangement.

Overnight: City Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch 

After breakfast, check out and head to Galway.

In route spend some time at Atlantic Sheepdogs to meet some of the world’s smartest dogs, working in their natural environment. Chat with expert trainer Martin Feeney, who together with his dogs, has represented Ireland on an international stage over the past 20 years. Learn how sheepdogs are a key part of a typical Irish farm. Hear how the dogs are trained and discover different breeds of sheep reared in this rural environment, while enjoying a glimpse into country life.

Lunch will be provided this afternoon.

On arrival in Galway enjoy a walking tour. The city center of Galway is mainly pedestrian, so a walking tour is the best way to enjoy its atmosphere and discover some of its most important monument. The tour starts on Eyre Square and finishes at the Claddagh. During the tour you will see Lynch Castle, home to the mayors of Galway, Saint Nicholas Church founded in the 13th century, and the famous Spanish Arch. You can walk along the Corrib river to the Claddagh village or to the majestic Cathedral.

Overnight: Connacht Hotel (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

Say goodbye to Galway and head to Killarney this morning. 

In route enjoy the Cliffs of Moher, which are situated on the Atlantic Ocean bordering the Burren region. One of Ireland's most spectacular sights the cliffs stand at 230 meters above the ground at their highest point and are 8 km long. They boast one of the most amazing views in Ireland. On a clear day, the Aran Islands are visible in Galway Bay as well as the valleys and hills of Connemara. The cliffs reach their highest point just north of O' Brien's Tower built by Cornelius O’ Brien, a descendant of Brian Boru, to entertain his lady friends. The sweeping view across the Atlantic has recently been ranked the best 'cliff-view' on the planet. 

An Irish music session with light lunch is at the Doolin Music House today. This delightful experience takes place in an artist’s home where you will have the chance to listen to some traditional music around the fire. Sheila is an artist, and her work surrounds the rooms creating a truly at-home atmosphere. Aft your time with Sheila say your goodbyes and take the Shannon Car Ferry to Killarney. 

This evening enjoy dinner at your hotel after check-in.

Overnight: Killarney Towers (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

                    the church in the twelfth century, by the O'Brien clan, the Rock became the seat of the archbishop of Cashel. It was during this period that Cormac's Chapel was built. In 1647 Cromwellian forces under the leadership of Lord Inchiquin ransacked the Rock.

Overnight: Scotts Hotel (or similar)
Meals:  Breakfast

This morning the group will take a Gap of Dunloe Tour including a jaunting car ride and open boat trip. The Gap of Dunloe is a narrow mountain pass forged between the MacGillycuddy Reeks and Purple Mountain by glacial flows. The river running through the gap is the river Loe from where the Gap gets its name. The Gap begins at Kate Kearney's Cottage. The road narrows in many places, winds through the pass and descends into The Black Valley passing five lakes: Coosaun Lough, Black Lake, Cushnavally Lake, Auger Lake and Black Lough. Within easy walking distance from Kate Kearney's cottage is a picturesque old bridge known as the 'Wishing Bridge'. It is said that wishes made here really do come true! The Gap is approximately 11 km from north to south. The jaunting car (horse drawn wagon) travels through the Pass before a boat takes you back to Killarney from Lord Brandon's cottage at the other end. A packed lunch is included today.

Return to Killarney for the balance of the day at leisure with dinner on your own.

Enjoy a public Ceili Night at Killarney Grand. * As this is a public Ceilidh it is out of our control if they decide to cancel or move this event.

Overnight: Killarney Towers (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast & Lunch

This morning the group will depart Killarney and journey to Dublin. 

In route we will visit iconic Blarney Castle. An ancient stronghold of the McCarthy's, Lords of Muskerry, it is one of Ireland's oldest and most historic castles and one of the strongest fortresses in Munster. Built in 1446, Blarney Castle is famous for its Blarney stone, the Stone of Eloquence, which is traditionally believed to have the power to bestow the gift of eloquence on all those who kiss it. 

Enjoy a packed lunch as you continue toward Dublin. Next stop is at Ballykeefe Distillery, which is located close to the medieval town of Kilkenny. Owned and run by the Ging family it is from this area that the first written account of distilling in Ireland comes in 1324. The word "whiskey" is an Anglicization of the Gaelic phrase, uisce beatha, meaning "water of life". The Ging family trace their unbroken farming lineage as far back as written records exist with a long farming and distilling heritage.

During a 90-minute tour, visitors will get to know the entire distillation process of Irish whiskey in a unique way. Gin and vodka are also distilled on-site. Guests will also get an insight into the day-to-day work on the family farm and the unique grain-to-glass operation. enjoy a premium tasting of the three specially produced spirits.

This evening, gather for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. 

Overnight: Fitzpatrick Castle  (or similar)

Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner

Check out of your hotel this morning and transfer to the Dublin airport for your flight back to Chicago (flight time pending).  

Meals: Breakfast

Please note: All itineraries are subject to change based on availability of hotels, flights and hosting organizations at the time of finalization of booking. Comparable meetings and activities will be arranged should an itinerary change be necessary. 30 days before departure, a finalized itinerary will be available and reflect final details.

Review and download Booking Terms & Conditions HERE