Highlights of Ireland: Dublin & Galway

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Departure Date

December 22, 2026

Overview

  • Explore Dublin, Ireland through St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Trinity College, and Guinness Storehouse
  • Travel from Dublin to Galway via Clonmacnoise, uncovering ancient Ireland’s monastic landscapes
  • Witness the Cliffs of Moher and the Burren’s dramatic limestone scenery along the Atlantic coast
  • Cross Galway Bay to the Aran Islands, experiencing traditional Irish culture and rugged beauty
  • Wander Galway city’s lively streets on a guided walk before departing Ireland

 

Highlights

Trip Includes

  • Meet & Greet service at the Dublin Airport
  • Private arrival transfer: Dublin Airport to Dublin Hotel
  • Private departure transfer from Galway Hotel to Shannon Airport
  • 2 nights premium accommodation in Dublin
  • 4 nights premium accommodation in Galway
  • Private Dublin Walking Tour including St. Patrick's Cathedral and Trinity College
  • Admission to Guinness Storehouse
  • Private Tour Dublin to Galway with entrance to Clonmacnoise
  • Private Tour the Cliffs of Moher & the Burren
  • Private Tour to the Aran Islands including Ferries
  • Private Galway Culinary Walking Tour
  • Daily breakfast (excluding Day 1)

 

Trip Excludes

  • Travel insurance
  • Entrances unless listed as included
  • International and domestic airfare & airfare taxes
  • Meals and beverages not explicitly listed as included
  • Gratuities
  • Optional excursions
  • Items of a personal nature
  • Passport & Visa fees, if applicable

 

A dedicated representative will meet you outside the baggage hall as you exit, holding a sign with your name. They will assist with your luggage and any questions you may have and escort you to the airport exit and your waiting private vehicle for a direct transfer to your hotel. The Guide will accompany you and answer and any questions you have about your itinerary. At the Hotel they will assist you with check-in. Enjoy a seamless arrival and begin your journey feeling relaxed, organized, and ready to explore your destination.

 

Meet and Greet - Dublin Airport

 

Dublin Airport to Dublin - St Stephen's Green

 

Your Accommodation

The Green Hotel

Located right beside Dublin's iconic St. Stephen’s Green Park, The Green Hotel is the perfect base for exploring the best of Dublin city centre. Whether you’re visiting for business, leisure, or a weekend city break, our spacious bedrooms and suites offer a contemporary boutique feel with all the comforts you need to relax after a day discovering the Irish capital. Each room at The Green features plush king beds with deluxe King Koil mattresses, Nespresso coffee machines, air conditioning and complimentary eco friendly Irish toiletries. Everything is thoughtfully selected to ensure a restful and comfortable stay in the heart of Dublin. Discover the newly reimagined Bistro on the Green, our signature restaurant overlooking St. Stephen’s Green. With bold interiors and a vibrant atmosphere, it’s the perfect setting to enjoy fresh, locally sourced dishes. Join daily for breakfast from 7am - 10:30am and lunch from 12pm - 3:30pm. For evening drinks, visit Pen and Player, Dublin’s premier cocktail bar located next door. Savor expertly crafted cocktails, premium spirits, fine wines, and gourmet light bites in a sophisticated yet relaxed atmosphere, perfect for after-work drinks, casual meetups, or intimate evenings. Guests can also take advantage of our convenient room service menu, available daily from 12pm - 9:30pm (tray charge applies). The Green offers an exclusive 24-hour gym equipped with the latest cardio and strength-training equipment. Prefer the outdoors? Step outside for a refreshing jog or leisurely walk in St Stephen’s Green, just across the street from the hotel. It’s the perfect green space to complement your workout routine. Bright, spacious, and contemporary, the Atrium is the perfect place to pause in the heart of the city. Designed with modern comfort in mind, it’s a favourite for remote working, casual reading, or meeting with friends. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, while plush seating and elegant decor create a calm and welcoming atmosphere. Convenient charging points throughout the Atrium make it easy to stay connected while you work or unwind.

Duration

2 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

 

The Green Hotel

Meet your private guide at your hotel and begin a relaxed half-day exploration of Dublin on foot, discovering the history and charm of Ireland’s vibrant capital. Start with a stroll through the elegant lawns and flowerbeds of St Stephen’s Green, a beautifully maintained public park with roots dating back to the 17th century. Continue to Merrion Square, admired for its classic Georgian architecture and rows of colorful doors that define Dublin’s historic streetscape. Your walk then takes you past Dublin Castle, once the center of British rule in Ireland and today the venue for important state ceremonies. Nearby, see Christ Church Cathedral, originally established in the 11th century by Viking settlers and later rebuilt by the Anglo-Normans, making it one of the city’s most historic religious sites. A highlight of the tour is a visit to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Ireland’s largest cathedral, founded in 1192 and closely associated with Jonathan Swift, the famed author of Gulliver’s Travels. Continue through the atmospheric cobbled streets of Temple Bar, Dublin’s lively cultural quarter filled with galleries, pubs, and music venues. Your tour also includes a visit to Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest university, where you can view the magnificent 8th-century Book of Kells and admire the famous Long Room library with its impressive collection of over 200,000 historic volumes. Your walking tour concludes back at your hotel, leaving you with a rich introduction to Dublin’s history, architecture, and culture.

Depart Dublin this morning for a scenic journey west toward Galway, traveling through Ireland’s tranquil Midlands. This region is known for its sweeping blanket bogs, quiet lakes, historic market towns, and the occasional castle rising from the landscape. Along the way, stop at the evocative monastic site of Clonmacnoise, founded in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon. Wander among the atmospheric ruins of ancient churches, high crosses, and round towers while learning about the monks, scholars, and pilgrims who once made this an important center of faith and learning during Ireland’s early Golden Age. Continue onward to the vibrant city of Galway on the country’s west coast. Upon arrival, explore the lively Latin Quarter, where narrow cobbled streets and colorful shopfronts reflect the city’s rich maritime heritage. See the historic Spanish Arch, a reminder of Galway’s trading connections with Spain, and stroll through charming Kirwan’s Lane, lined with beautifully preserved 16th- and 17th-century buildings and often filled with the sounds of local street musicians. Your tour also takes you through the historic Claddagh district, birthplace of the famous Claddagh ring, an enduring symbol of love, loyalty, and friendship. From here, the city opens out toward the Atlantic at nearby Salthill, where seaside promenades offer sweeping coastal views. Your day concludes with drop-off at your hotel in Galway.

 

Ancient Ireland Route: Dublin to Galway via Clonmacnoise

 

Your Accommodation

The Galmont Hotel and Spa

Just a three-minute walk from the central Eyre Square and overlooking Galway Bay, The Galmont stands in the heart of the city. With a range of guest rooms to choose from, the hotel is home to the award-winning spirit one spa and spirit one fitness & leisure with 18 metre swimming pool. You will also find the best events facilities in the west of Ireland at The Galmont. Whether you're in Galway for a weekend getaway, a family trip or on business, our central location, helpful team and excellent facilities will make your stay one to remember.

Duration

4 Night Stay

Meal Plan

Full Breakfast

 

The Galmont Hotel and Spa

Today you’ll embark on a full-day exploration of the remarkable landscapes of County Clare, visiting the Burren and the world-famous Cliffs of Moher. This striking region forms part of the Burren and Cliffs of Moher UNESCO Global Geopark, celebrated for its dramatic scenery where vast limestone pavements stretch across the countryside, creating one of Ireland’s most unique and rugged natural environments. Arriving at the Cliffs of Moher, take time to walk along the cliff-top paths and viewing platforms that overlook the wild Atlantic Ocean. Rising more than 200 meters (655 feet) above the sea, the cliffs provide breathtaking panoramic views and unforgettable photo opportunities as waves crash against the towering rock formations far below. Continue your journey through the Burren’s otherworldly landscape, where ancient stone fields and rare wildflowers grow among the cracked limestone terrain. Near the tiny settlement of Polnabrone, stop to see the remarkable Poulnabrone Dolmen, an impressive Neolithic portal tomb dating back over 5,000 years and built by some of the earliest communities to inhabit this unique region. During the day, also enjoy visits to the charming coastal villages of Ballyvaughan and Kinvara. In Kinvara, admire views of the picturesque 16th-century Dunguaire Castle, beautifully set on the shores of Galway Bay and one of Ireland’s most photographed historic landmarks. After a day immersed in spectacular landscapes, ancient history, and traditional villages, return with lasting memories of Ireland’s rugged Atlantic coast.

This morning you'll transfer to the ferry pier to board a public ferry for a scenic 40-minute crossing across Galway Bay to Inis Mor, the largest and most historic of the three Aran Islands. Upon arrival, meet your private local guide and experience the island in traditional style aboard a horse-drawn carriage, a long-standing and charming way to explore this rugged Atlantic outpost. Inis Mor is characterized by its distinctive limestone landscape, where small fields are separated by miles of hand-built stone walls stretching across the island. The Aran Islands are part of Ireland’s Gaeltacht region, where Irish Gaelic remains the everyday spoken language, preserving centuries-old traditions and culture that continue to define island life today. As you travel across the island, discover dramatic coastal scenery, unique geological formations, and abundant wildlife, including a local seal colony often seen resting along the rocky shoreline. A highlight of your visit is the impressive prehistoric fort of Dun Aonghasa, perched high above the Atlantic on the edge of a towering cliff. This remarkable stone fort, dating back more than 2,000 years, offers breathtaking views of the ocean and surrounding landscape. Throughout the day, your guide will share stories about the island's history, its resilient community, and the traditions that have endured despite the challenging Atlantic environment. Enjoy plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs while soaking in the wild beauty and timeless character of the Aran Islands. Later, return by ferry to the mainland where your driver will meet you for the transfer back to your hotel.

Explore Galway on a private culinary walking tour of the city! During the tour you will learn why the gastronomy scene in Galway is a must visit for travelers and food lovers. This is a fantastic way to get an overview of Galway’s passionate people and the beautiful produce from this region. During the tour you will have the opportunity to sample locally produced cheese from a cheesemonger, locally brewed beer from creative beer projects, artisan chocolates from Galwegian chocolatiers and much more! Please advise dietary requirement at time of booking, the tour is suitable for vegetarians.

Galway to Shannon Airport


Summary

Terms and Conditions

Prices are "from" per person based on twin/double share accommodation and for travel in low season. Seasonal surcharges and blackout dates may apply. Limited seat/spaces and all pricing is subject to change and availability. Rates for single or triple travellers are available on request - please inquire.