13-Nights The Best of Ireland - Explorations – Small Group

Kilkenny

Kilkenny is a medieval city of 22,000 acclaimed internationally as a centre for craft and design. Technology, Tourism, Craft & Design and food processing are the main industries. Each year the city hosts for a number of international festivals and cultural events. The city s characterised by many beautifully restored buildings and winding slipways - it is small and compact enough to explore on foot, yet full of fascinating historical buildings and contemporary shops, design galleries and restaurants. The ancient city of Kilkenny was named after a 6th century monk St Canice.His memory lives on in the beautifully restored St Canices Cathedral built overlooking the city in the thirtheenth century. The Normans arrived in the 12th century and their legacy remains in the beautifully restored Kilkenny Castle

Dingle Peninsula

The Dingle Peninsula is a top destination among tourists for all its attractions and activities. The Peninsula offers sandy swimming beaches, excellent surfing, walking trails, fine dining, and a variety of festivals.  Families will enjoy visiting the Oceanworld Aquarium  and Fungie, Dingle's most famous dolphin resident. The peninsula is also home to the highest concentration of archaeological sites in Ireland.

Galway

Galway is a city, a county, and an experience to be savoured and remembered. The historic city of the tribes dances to a beat uniquely it's own. There is a certain chemistry and vibrancy to this friendly university city, which many delight in, and few forget. Music, festivals, horse racing, pubs, restaurants, shops, theatres and most of all -Galway people, combine to create this atmospheric medieval city of culture. From this pulsating heart the rest of the county flows. Galway Bay, immortalised in song, its beauty unchanging. Scenic Gaeltacht areas including the Aran Islands. Connemara, with the picturesque town of Clifden as its capital. Mountains, castles and stone walls, banks of turf, long sandy beaches, clear lakes, joyful leaping streams and flowing rivers. The mighty Shannon, delightful countryside punctuated by pretty villages, traditional pubs. Photo used with permission from Joe Desbonnet, www.galway.net

Ennis

A place where a blend of visitors and entertainment combine to create an atmosphere synonymous with Irish tradition at its very best and of times well spent. If it’s music and "craic" you are looking for, seek out the pub/bar most suitable to your liking. For a more relaxed atmosphere visit the cinema. If it’s delights of the culinary nature that tickle your taste buds, then make sure to check out one of our many restaurants, specializing in traditional Irish dishes to both European and Eastern creations. When festival time comes round, Ennis and the county of Clare are where it’s all happening!

Donegal

The county of Donegal contains breathtaking views of landscapes and seascapes set against a backdrop of mountains and moors, with evidence everywhere of traditional Irish Celtic culture. Its vast rugged coastline is mixed with beautiful beaches with golden sand and crystal clear waters. In addition to Donegal’s spectacular vistas, other major attractions include Glenveagh National Park and Castle, Glebe House and Gallery, Tory Island, Abbey Mill Wheels, Fort Dunree Military Museum, Colmcille Heritage Center and many interesting Celtic ruins.

Belfast

Belfast is popular with travelers who come to discover the city’s physical beauty and renewed tranquility. Enjoy performances at the Grand Opera House, shopping along trendy Donegall Place and visiting numerous pubs along The Golden Mile. St. Anne’s Cathedral, also known as Belfast Cathedral, is the principal church of the Anglican Church of Ireland and contains stones from every county in Ireland. Located next to Europa Hotel, the Grand Opera House boasts an impressive mix of large productions of opera, ballet, musicals and drama. Known as the Big Ben of Belfast, the Albert Memorial Clock Tower was built in 1869 to commemorate the Prince Consort. Built in 1849 as one of Queen Victoria’s colleges, Queens University is one of the foremost universities in the British Isles. The classical-style building of Stormont, erected in 1928-32 to house the Parliament of Northern Ireland, stands 3.5 miles outside the city. The Prince of Wales Avenue is exactly one mile long and is bordered by rose beds containing 600 of the famous Korona roses noted for their scarlet blooms.

Dublin

Dublin enjoys one of the loveliest natural settings in Europe. Dublin attracts visitors from around the world with its old world charm and friendly atmosphere. Most of the architecture dates from the 18th century, when Dublin enjoyed great prominence and prosperity. Also of interest are stately Georgian houses which front Merrion Square. O'Connell Street is considered the commercial center of Dublin. Perhaps the most memorable feature of Dublin is the traditional pub, where visitors can enjoy conversation over fine Irish brew. The city also offers many fine parks, including St. Stephen's Green and Phoenix Park. National Gallery's renowned collection includes works by such famous masters as Rembrandt and Monet. Trinity College's Old Library is home to the most cherished treasure, the Book of Kells, a manuscript of the Gospels. Admire Christ Church Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral. Enjoy the exhibits in impressive National Museum. Self-guided walking tours include Old City Trail, Georgian Heritage Trail and the Cultural Trail.