Guinness Lake, Saint Kevin at Glendalough, over the Wicklow mountains to Kilkenny castle, Smithwick’s Experience
Guinness Lake - Lough Tay, known as ‘The Guinness Lake’, this is one of the most scenic and photographed locations in Wicklow. The shape of the lake with the white sand at the top makes it look like a pint of Guinness hence the name.
Glendalough Monastic Settlement - home to one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland.
Despite attacks by Vikings over the years most of the buildings that survive today date from the 10th through 12th centuries. Glendalough is one of the top attractions on Ireland’s Ancient East.
Kilkenny Castle - Kilkenny Castle, this 12th century castle, steeped in history. Walk in the footsteps of Earls, Strongbow and the ‘bogey-man’ of Irish history, Oliver Cromwell and let your imagination bring to life a Norman invasion, you will be fascinated by this remarkable site.
Smithwick’s Experience - The Smithwick’s Experience, immersing you in the history of Ireland’s oldest ale! Discover the craft and see how for
generations this has been a favourite tipple of many, after your guided tour sample a cool pint of Smithwicks and let your taste buds decide if it will become your drink of choice too! After a wonderful start to this tour relax and unwind that evening in Kilkenny maybe with a Guinness or Smithwicks for educational purposes of course!
We visit the Rock of Cashel, onto Cobh last port of call for the Titanic. Than Kiss the Blarney Stone.
Rock of Cashel - The Rock of Cashel, Iconic in its historic significance, possesses the most impressive cluster of historic buildings. Originally the seat of the Kings of Munster. It is said Saint Patrick himself converted King Aenghus to Christianity.
Cobh - Visiting Cobh, the last port of call for The Titanic which left in 1912 and where two and a half million Irish people immigrated to USA, Canada, Australia and all over the world. You can visit The Titanic Experience and do the tour if you wish while in Cobh, it is reasonably priced and you receive your ticket with one of the actual passenger’s names on it as a souvenir, are you brave enough to see what your fate would have been had you stepped on board the Titanic……Also you can see in the distance Spike Island, which was once the largest prison in the world housing 2,300 prisoners, now a heritage site.
Blarney Castle & Gardens - We tour Cork visiting highlights such as Blarney, home to the beautiful Blarney Castle with the famous blarney stone, if you are brave enough to kiss it you will, it is said receive the gift of eloquent speech!
Gougane Barra, ‘Irish Riviera’, Glengarriff, the Caha pass, Kenmare, Highlights of The Ring of Kerry. National Park.
Gougane Barra - Leaving Cork we set off to first explore Gougane Barra, this is surrounded by mystery and folklore, here St Finbarr and a fire breathing, slimy creature with ferocious claws called
Luiwee had an epic battle which lasted for 5 days and 5 nights until Finbarr finally won the day. Luiwee left the lake and slid down the Lee Valley gouging out the two river channels visible to this very day. St Finbarr decided to settle in the area, founded a monastery and Cork was born. Soak up the scenery in this haven of peace and tranquillity, in the middle of the lake there is an island with a nineteenth century oratory and the ruins of an ancient monastic
site dating back to the 6th century.
Healy Pass - littered with rocks and sheep, when you reach the highest vantage point stop and admire the view, this is undoubtedly one of the most spectacular mountain
roads in the whole of Ireland, it is strikingly beautiful and unspoiled. After you savour the moment we will travel to the colourful town of Kenmare.
Kenmare - Kenmare is a colourful town, on the ring of Kerry and situated under the MacGillycuddy Reeks, a colourful town full off restaurants and bars, a great lunch stop.
Killarney National Park - Highlights of The Ring of Kerry including Moll’s Gap, Ladies View where you will first see the spectacular three lakes of Killarney and then onto Torc Waterfall. Take your time to soak in the views at each of these historic and breath-taking locations. For those interested we can arrange a Jarvey ride traveling in a horse drawn jaunting car, a unique way to see Killarney’s National Park, quintessentially Ireland! After a day of saints, mythical creatures, famine and awe-inspiring scenery you will arrive at your hotel that evening where you can relax and unwind in Killarney the number one tourist town in Ireland where ‘a cead mile failte’ awaits you!
Put your watch back 5000 years and today we visit Dingle, Inch Beach, Slea Head drive, stunning scenery.
Inch Beach - One of the most spectacular beaches in Ireland, endless sandy beaches, maybe its time to get out the swimming costumes and dip tour feet in the Atlantic ocean.
Dingle - Dingle is a ‘chocolate box’ town with many colourful shops
to entice you in for a visit. They have the most unusual locally sourced crafts on offer and a great opportunity to pick up some truly unique souvenirs or maybe even something to treat yourself to whist in Dingle. Dingle is also home to Fungi the Dolphin and no visit is complete without calling to Murphy’s ice cream parlour to send your taste buds into overdrive with the most unusual flavours you are ever to experience!
Slea Head Drive - To explore the craggy and ancient history of the Dingle Peninsula and Slea Head Drive. See the beehive huts dating back to 2,500 BC, look out at Skellig Michael the famous dwelling place of the Skellig Monks and more recently it was a movie location for Star Wars and one of Lonely Planet’s picks for top destinations in the world to visit! and we also get the opportunity to hold a baby lamb! you know you want to.
Beautiful village of Adare, The Cliffs of Moher, The Burren taking a coastal drive along the Atlantic coast to Galway.
Adare - Colourful town heading towards the west of Ireland, famous for its thatched cottages which line the streets, great photo opportunity, and maybe an Irish coffee to get us on our way.
Cliffs of Moher Visitor Centre - Spend your afternoon at the Cliffs of Moher, testaments to the power of nature towering more than 700 feet (213 meters) above the Atlantic Ocean. This is undoubtedly a site that must be seen to be fully appreciated, your driver/guide can arrange a boat trip locally for you to see the Cliffs from yet another angle. This can be paid locally.
Doolin - A visit to Doolin is a must, this little fishing village is a hive of activity, bursting with hospitality and a local brew, ‘Dooliner’ would for educational purposes be a treat to sample! After a leisurely lunch and day touring head on to Galway
The Burren National Park - Heading to Galway for our last night we take the coastal route along the Atlantic, this Lunar landscape is very unusual and has matured over 50 million years, and matured to be like a coral reef raised up out of the ocean, a natural rock garden.
Joe Joyce’s sheep farm for a demo, lunch in Athlone, home to Sean’s bar then Kilbeggan Distillery for a tasting
Joyce Country Sheepdogs - Leaving Galway we first visit Joe Joyce’s sheep farm for one of the best sheep dog demonstrations in the country, a beautiful part of Connemara, Joe is famous for the sheep road block in the movie ‘Marley and Me’ his claim to fame.
Sean’s Bar - We then travel to Sean’s bar in Athlone, Ireland’s oldest pub and listed in both ’25 of the Most Incredible Bars in The World’ and ’50 Bars to Blow Your Mind’ by Lonely Planet, this is a ‘must see’ site to have maybe an Irish Coffee or two and warm you up before having munch in the village.
Old Kilbeggan Distillery - Kilbeggan Distillery, the oldest distillery in the world! Discover the history of authentic artisan Irish whiskey and of course no visit is complete without sampling it yourself. Here you will find whiskey is still being produced using ancient traditions passed on from generation to generation. Situated along the picturesque River Brosna this is an excellent place to visit before travelling back to Dublin city that evening after a memorable 6 days touring The Emerald Isle.
- Whiskey tasting at Kilbeggan distillery
- Luxury air conditioned Mercedes Minibus
- Breakfast included
- Local Driver/Guide
- Entrance fees to all listed sites
- Joyes sheepdogs demonstration in Conamara
- Gratuities
- “Optional” Cliffs of Moher cruise €25
- “Optional” Horse and carriage ride Killarney €15
- Smithwicks experience Kilkenny €10 “optional”
- “ Optional” Celtic Steps Irish dance show Killarney €25
Join us on this semi private, small group tour of Southern Ireland and explore the hidden gems of the South while sharing your experience with 14 others, making new friends and memories too! This is a luxury experience onboard a Mercedes mini coach, staying in 4-star centrally located hotels. In Key Locations such as Kilkenny, Cork, Killarney & Galway price based per person sharing. Single supplement applies, operator will advise. Take in all the key attractions of the South. An adventure of a lifetime with the one & only “Tony Murphy”, as previous guests will tell you, ‘be sure to bring a sense of humour!’. Visiting all the key attractions below & so much more! Glendalough, Wicklow Mountains, Smithwicks Experience, Cork city, Blarney Castle, Gougane Barra, Cobh, Glengarriff Caha Pass, Kenmare, Killarney National Park, Moll’s Gap, Lady’s view, Torc Waterfall, Dingle, Inch Beach, Slea head drive, Ring of Kerry Highlights, Cliffs of Moher, Mini Cliffs. Let your Irish journey begin.
- Minimum age for travellers on this experience is 12 years old.
- Minimum age for tastings in the distillery is 18 years old
If you cancel at least 7 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a full refund.
If you cancel between 3 and 6 day(s) before the scheduled departure time, you will receive a 50% refund.
If you cancel within 2 day(s) of the scheduled departure, you will receive a 0% refund.
