Castles and Manors
Explore the allure of the Emerald Isle like royalty on a Castles and Manors Tour. As you travel from Dublin captivating highlights include the Cliffs of Moher, overnights in castles, the spectacular Ring of Kerry, indulge in Banoffee and Baileys, witness the carving of Connemara marble, Torc Waterfall, enjoy a rare opportunity to see the foaling unit along with the magnificent stallions at Irish National Stud and more.
Travelers choose to visit Ireland time and again for a multitude of reasons, this escorted tour beautifully showcases quite a number of them. From lush greenery, jagged cliffs and precious puffins to ancient castles, rich culture and proud heritage, you'll be smitten. A visit to Irish National Stud includes a rare opportunity to see the foaling unit, museum and magnificent stallions part of continued racing history. See the ecclesiastical ruins at Rock of Cashel. Explore the walled Victorian garden at Kylemore Abbey, once a family home, now inhabited by a group of Benedictine nuns. Learn about Grace O'Malley, the Pirate Queen of Ireland. Marvel at Galway Cathedral and meander through centrally located Eyre Square. At the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience you'll learn about this breathtaking UNESCO-listed site after first-hand viewing of their dramatic plunge into the Atlantic waters waiting below. Dream royal dreams during the nights you sleep in castles. Decide for yourself if meals served in castles taste better than elsewhere. This magical adventure, along with the new friends you make along the journey, will live on in your heart for years to come.
8 Days • fr. $3,825
Tour Highlights & Offers
Tour Includes
- WITNESS how the famous green jade-like marble is carved at the Connemara marble artisan workshop
- SCENIC DRIVE along the Ring of Kerry
- SEE Dublin's St. Patrick's Cathedral and Georgian Squares
- LOCAL SPECIALIST in Dublin, Killarney National Park and Cashel
- VIEW Galway Cathedral and stroll through Eyre Square
- TOUR Connemara Marble Factory
- EXPLORE Cliffs of Moher
- VISIT the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience
- MARVEL at the UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Moher plunge dramatically into the Atlantic waters below
- STAY at Abbeyglen Castle
- ENJOY Banoffee and Baileys flavors in the Drawing Room of an 18th-century home
- STAY at Lodge of Ashford Castle
- VISIT Kylemore Abbey and explore its extensive walled Victorian garden
- LEISURELY GUIDED WALK at Torc Waterfall
- VISIT Rock of Cashel
- LEARN about Ireland's thoroughbred industry at the Irish National Stud
- RARE OPPORTUNITY to see the foaling unit, museum and the magnificent stallions
- Handcrafted Highlights
- Audio Headsets for flexible sightseeing
- Luxury air-conditioned coach with WiFi in most countries
- All porterage and local charges included
- An expert Travel Director and separate Driver
- Must-see sightseeing and surprise extras
- VIP entry to many sights
- Airport transfers on the first and last day of your guided holiday
- All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
Not Included
- Gratuities are included for services during the land stay of your vacation unless otherwise noted. This includes wait staff at included meals, and porterage at hotels for one suitcase per person. Gratuities for your tour director, local hosts, guides, and drivers are not included in the vacation price (unless otherwise noted in pricing details) and are discretionary.
- All items of a personal nature (room service, beverages, telephone charges, laundry, special food requests, etc.) and meals not specified on the tour itinerary are not included and must be paid by the client.
- All rates exclude airfare unless expressly noted.
Meal Inclusions
Hotel Details
- Clayton Ballsbridge in Dublin, Ireland (2 nights)
- The Lodge at Ashford Castle in Ashford, Ireland (1 night)
- Abbeyglen Castle in Galway, Ireland (2 nights)
- Great Southern Killarney Hotel in Killarney, Ireland (2 nights)
- The hotels listed are intended to be used on all departures however Trafalgar Tours reserves the right to substitute other hotels than those listed. If a change becomes necessary for any reason, the hotel substituted will be of equivalent quality to those listed. No refunds are provided for hotel changes and full cancellation penalties apply.
Day 1
WELCOME TO DUBLIN Location Information Description
Dublin, Ireland
Set your watch to the lively pace of Ireland's capital city – the springboard for your in-depth journey through the lush landscapes and enduring allure of Ireland. Our exploration of Dublin with a Local Specialist will see us view St. Patrick's Cathedral and the colorful Georgian Squares.
Spend some time at leisure exploring Dublin's pretty streets before joining your travel companions and Travel Director for a Welcome Reception celebrating traditional Irish flavors.
Dinner
Clayton Ballsbridge
Day 2
JOURNEY TO GALWAY AND ON TO ASHFORD CASTLE Location Information Description
Galway, Ireland
Your first stop today is Europe's 'Capital of Culture', where you will have an opportunity to see Galway Cathedral and stroll through Eyre Square.
You'll overnight at one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories on the shores of Lough Corrib. Feel like lords and ladies as you relax in the elegant country quarters of the Lodge at Ashford Castle, celebrating the heritage and hospitality of Ireland.
Breakfast
The Lodge at Ashford Castle
Day 3
ADMIRE THE ELEGANT WESTPORT HOUSE AND ABBYGLEN CASTLE Location Information Description
Westport, County Mayo, Ireland
Leaving the elegant estate of Ashford Castle behind, your journey takes you to Westport House where you'll Connect With Locals and indulge in a memorable Be My Guest experience with tales of the Pirate Queen, and enjoy Banoffee and Baileys flavors in the Drawing Room of this stately 18th-century home.
Location Information Description
Galway, Ireland
Your home for the next two nights is one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories - the spectacular Abbeyglen Castle.
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Abbeyglen Castle
Day 4
A DAY EXPLORING STUNNING CONNEMARA Location Information Description
Connemara, Ireland
Drive through the 'savage beauty' of Connemara, as described by Oscar Wilde who was inspired by the region's craggy mountains, shimmering lakes and endless shades of green.
Visit Kylemore Abbey, a magnificent castellated structure built as a family home and now inhabited by a group of Benedictine nuns. Venture into the secret nooks and crannies of its extensive walled Victorian garden before returning to your castle accommodation for a delicious dinner.
Breakfast, Dinner
Abbeyglen Castle
Day 5
ONWARDS TO THE CLIFFS OF MOHER AND KILLARNEY Location Information Description
Connemara, Ireland
This morning, visit the Connemara marble artisan workshop, where you'll Dive Into Culture and witness first-hand how this famous green jade-like marble is carved. Picture yourself living in 1520 alongside the Dunguaire Castle when you later stop to explore the charming seaport village of Kinvara.
Location Information Description
Cliffs of Moher, Ireland
Next up is a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience you’ll remember for years to come as you watch the UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Moher plunge dramatically into the Atlantic waters below. Beyond the endless views and the opportunity to capture on film the colonies of curious-looking puffins that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies, you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience which really brings this natural phenomenon to life in an interactive way, leaving you with a deep understanding of this special place.
Location Information Description
Killarney/Ireland, Ireland
Your home tonight is one of Trafalgar's Stays With Stories - Great Southern, a Victorian-styled hotel built over 160 years ago as Ireland's first purpose-built hotel. The hotel’s Victorian architecture ends the day still dreaming of life many years ago.
Breakfast
Great Southern Killarney
Day 6
A DAY ON THERING OF KERRY Location Information Description
Ring of Kerry, Ireland
Enjoy a slow start to your morning, joining a Local Specialist for a leisurely guided walk at Torc Waterfall, strolling over wooded paths and lakeshore trails. You'll embark on an epic drive next, exploring the enduring beauty of the Ring of Kerry whose enchanting coastal landscapes have inspired writers and poets for centuries.
Breakfast
Great Southern Killarney
Day 7
DISCOVER CASHEL AND RETURN TO DUBLIN Location Information Description
Cashel, County Tipperary, Ireland
Discover the legacy of St. Patrick when you visit the imposing Rock of Cashel, once the traditional seat of the kings of Munster. View its ecclesiastical ruins with a Local Specialist then traverse scenic landscapes to Kildare.
Location Information Description
Kildare, Ireland
Dive Into Culture and learn about Ireland's thoroughbred industry at the Irish National Stud. You'll have a rare opportunity to see the foaling unit, museum and of course the magnificent stallions that continue to make racing history.
Location Information Description
Dublin, Ireland
Later today, return to the Irish capital where you’ll inject a bit of the craic into your Farewell Dinner with new friends.
Breakfast, Dinner
Clayton Ballsbridge
Day 8
JOURNEY HOME Location Information Description
Dublin, Ireland
Say a fond farewell to your newfound friends and Dublin today. You will be transferred to the airport, where your journey through the 'Emerald Isle' comes to an end. Transfers are available.
Breakfast
Important information:
Important Information
Cancellation Policy
- 60 days or more prior to departure the deposit is non-refundable
- 59-16 days prior to commencement of services: 30% of total price*
- 15-8 days prior to commencement of services: 50% of total price*
- 7-1 days prior to commencement of services: 90% of total price*
- On departure day and later: 100% of total price*
- *Total price does not include any Instant Purchase Air or Instant Purchase Air service fees, which are non-refundable after 24 hours from purchase. Intra-vacation air is non-refundable after final payment.
- Cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services, including extra night accommodations, independently supplied services, and optional excursions reserved prior to, during, and after the tour. If flight changes, including, but not limited to, flight cancellations or name changes, are requested after full land and air deposits are received, revision fees, change fees, or airline cancellation fees will apply.
- In many instances, airline revision or change fees can be up to $300, but in some instances may be up to 100% of the ticket price. Cancellation penalties will be quoted at time of cancellation.
- All cancellations must be received in writing prior to tour departure. The cancellation policy will apply according to the date that the cancellation notification is received. The MINIMUM cancellation penalty is the deposit amount.
- The purchase to trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended.
Terms and Conditions
- Land only “from price” is per person based on two people sharing a room together and does not include airfare unless expressly stated.
- All prices are in US Dollars.
- A $200 non-refundable, non-transferable, per-person, per-vacation deposit is required to reserve space for you, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Payment of the deposit indicates you have read and accepted theseall Terms & Conditions. Your booking is not confirmed until the deposit payment is processed and you receive a confirmation invoice.
- Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure, with some limited exceptions, as noted below. Within the final payment date, payment in full is required at time of booking to reserve space. Reservations (land, cruise, and air) are canceled if final payment is not received by the due date. The payment policy may vary for group reservations.
- Additional deposits or payments are required for international air added to the start and/or end of your vacation and/or for intra-vacation air, as specified in the itinerary (“air-inclusive vacations”). Air-inclusive vacation pricing is guaranteed upon receipt of full land plus air deposit or land deposit plus full airfare price, depending on type of airfare purchased (Flex-Air or Instant Purchase Air).
- For complete terms and conditions please visit the Trafalgar Terms & Conditions for more information.