27th February – 1st March 2024
Experience the magic of a holiday in Kerry, with the charming town of Killarney as the ideal base.
Killarney is one of the friendliest and most welcoming towns in the country with Spring time being the perfect season to visit.
Make memories that will last a lifetime at sights such as Ladies View, The Ring of Kerry, and The Dingle Peninsula with visits to Ionad an Bhlascaoid, Skellig Six 18 Distillery and more …we’ve carefully selected the very best for you to enjoy on your next tour of the Kingdom of Kerry.
For further information or to book this tour, please telephone Geraldine: 00 353 (0)64 6630267, or Email: tours@goldenireland.ie
Tuesday, 27th February
Luxury Coach transfer from Dublin City Centre to Killarney.
Stop in Cashel, Co Tipperary for lunch and a Guided Tour of the famous Rock of Cashel.
Described as the High King of Irish monuments, the Rock of Cashel possesses the most impressive cluster of medieval buildings in Ireland. Monuments include a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House.
Originally the seat of the kings of Munster, according to legend St. Patrick himself came here to convert King Aenghus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made it his capital.
In 1101 the site was granted to the church and Cashel swiftly rose to prominence as one of the most significant centres of ecclesiastical power in the country.
Hotel Accommodation:
Killarney Avenue Hotel, East Avenue, Town Centre.
A family-owned, 4-star hotel located across from the Golden Gates, on the doorstep of Killarney National Park. Delight in various walks through the verdant woodlands and along the lakeshores of Killarney, keeping an eye out for the park’s herd of red deer and taking in the gorgeous views. Enjoy the best of both worlds as the hotel is just a stone’s throw from Killarney’s vibrant Main Street, with its many restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops.
Three Nights Bed and Breakfast and Three Evening Meals.
Wednesday, 28th February
Ring of Kerry Tour
Often described as the most beautiful part of Ireland, no visit to the Kingdom of Kerry is complete without a tour of this spectacular driving route. Be wowed by incredible scenery with endless photo opportunities as you wind your way along the 179 KM (111 miles) loop. A “must do” tour for anyone visiting Kerry. The day tour provides a chance to see some of Ireland’s most beautiful scenery and a perfect opportunity to take those photographic memories that you’ll treasure forever.
The Ring of Kerry takes in the towns and villages of Killarney, Kenmare, Sneem, Caherdaniel, Waterville, Cahirciveen, Kells, Glenbeigh and Killorglan. Be inspired by some of the best beaches in the country such as Rossbeigh, Derrynane, Castlecove, St. Finian’s Bay and Kells Beach.
Your Driver/Guide will bring you to the best highlights of the Ring of Kerry which includes a scheduled stop at Skellig Six18 Distillery in Caherciveen.
Inspired by the raw beauty of the wild Atlantic and the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Skellig Michael, Skellig Six18 Distillery launched in 2020. Guided by a local storyteller this tour provides the perfect balance of history, myth, science and laughter. Meet the distilling and blending team and learn about the evolution of the distillery and the art of distillation to achieve the elegant taste profile for Skellig Six18 spirits. The gin and whiskey tasting tour allows you to touch, smell and feel the barley, oats and local wild botanicals used in the spirits. Finish by raising your glass with a unique Skellig Six18 tasting experience.
Then, continuing into Waterville, an idyllic beach resort between Lough Currane and Ballinskelligs Bay. For years Waterville was a favourite retreat of Charlie Chaplin, and there is a life-size statue of him on the promenade.
The next stop is the small village of Sneem – one of Ireland’s most colourful villages and winner of many Tidy Town awards. Its two squares straddle the estuary of the River Sneem, with a quaint Italianate church(1865) and chequered houses. An untypical village laid out in an English style around a village green beneath a semi-circle of low mountains. One of the village’s outstanding features is the amount of sculpture in the village. These include a sculpture of a panda donated by the Peoples’ Republic of China and a plaque in memory of President Charles De Gaulle who visited the village on several occasions. There is also a statue here of a famous local wrestler, Steve “Crusher” Casey.
Cearbhall Ó Dálaigh, president of Ireland from 1974 – 1976 retired here and is buried in the local cemetery.
Leaving Sneem, we travel through the very rugged landscape and arrive at Moll’s Gap, where the viewing point at the Gap offers sweeping views of MacGillycuddy’s Reeks and Ireland’s highest mountain, Carrauntohill – 3,414 feet high.
Continuing from Moll’s Gap to Killarney, experience far-reaching views over the broad valley of the Killarney Lakes. On her visit in the 19th century, so enthralled by this view, Queen Victoria and her ladies-in-waiting promptly named it in their honour: “Ladies View.”
Return to Killarney via the Muckross Estate, after a full day’s exploration of the magic of The Kingdom.
Thursday, 29th February
Dingle Peninsula Tour
2024 is a leap year meaning an extra day in the calendar.
Make this a memorable one with a Guided Tour of the world-famous Dingle Peninsula.
The Dingle Peninsula has amazing mountain scenery and unusual antiquities to see as you travel around this spectacular peninsula. You will stop at the famed Inch beach, one of the most famous beaches in Ireland, which is a site of outstanding natural beauty. Inch Beach is one of the most famous beaches in Ireland, and stretches for 3 miles facing the Atlantic ocean and is renowned as a surfing and fishing location. Its golden sands became well known on the big screen as it has featured in many movies, most notably Ryan’s Daughter and Playboy of Western World which was entirely filmed along its shoreline.
Then to the most westerly drive in Europe known as the Slea Head drive. Marvel at the Atlantic Coast as you travel on this spectacular road which hugs the western shoreline. Slea Head drive is considered by many photographic magazines as the most beautiful peninsula in the world, and was recently voted the number one area for dramatic shots. The road winds around through Gaelic speaking Corca Dhuibhne beginning at Ventry beach passing by the 4000 year old beehive huts and onwards to Dunquin with amazing views of the great Blasket Island and the Sleeping Giant.
Scheduled stop in Dunquinn and a visit to The Blasket Centre – Ionad an Bhlascaoid which is normally closed at this time of year. The Blasket Centre tells the story of the Blasket Islands and the tiny Irish-speaking community who lived there until the mid-20th century. The Centre is also a stunning piece of architecture in itself.
The complete upgrade of the Centre in 2022, with its totally renewed and interactive exhibitions, provides an imaginative and authentic re-telling of the story of the Blasket islands, their rich heritage and unique literature.
Enjoy a guided tour before heading off for the next scheduled stop in Dingle town.
This is one of the most picturesque fishing towns in Ireland and is at the heart and soul of the Peninsula. Today it attracts visitors, including artists and musicians, from all over the world. Dingle is celebrated for having the most pubs in Ireland for a town of its size, 52 pubs in total. We cannot forget Dingle’s most famous former resident, Fungi the Dolphin who was a permanent resident for almost 30 years.
Return to Killarney.
Friday, 1st March 2023
Enjoy some free time in Killarney before your coach departs for Dublin at 12 noon.
Option to visit Killarney House and Gardens which is located directly across from Killarney Avenue Hotel via The Golden Gates.
Recently restored, Killarney House and Gardens brings the Killarney National Park right into the heart of our town and has created the largest urban park in the world.
The restoration of the house and formal gardens has resurrected in part the style of 18th century French chateaux and a 20th century Edwardian property. The restoration work to the landscaped gardens continues.
In the 1950s, the House was bought by John McShain from the USA. Mr McShain was an Irish-American building contractor, who was known as “The Man Who Built Washington”, with the Pentagon & the Jefferson Memorial among the many structures in the US Capitol he built. In the 1970s he sold the House and thousands of acres of parklands to the Irish State for a nominal sum to ensure it would forever be enjoyed by the Irish public.
The uniqueness of Killarney House and its Gardens is that they open the centre of town to the stunning panorama of the National Park. This magnificent property is a prologue to some of the most stunning natural scenery in the world.
Return to Dublin via Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages and host to the 2027 Ryder Cup.
Tour Costs
€489 pps
€575 Single Occupancy
(Limited Availability)
Includes:
– Private Luxury Coach Transfer To and From Dublin with Kerry Coaches.
– 3 Nights B&B and Three Dinners (three courses) in the four-star Killarney Avenue Hotel.
– Guided Tour of The Rock of Cashel, Co Tipperary.
– Ring of Kerry Tour.
– Guided Tour of Skellig Six 18 Distillery, to include a Gin and Whiskey Tasting Experience.
– Dingle Peninsula Tour.
– Guided Tour of Ionad an Blascaoid (The Blasket Centre).
– Optional Tour of Killarney House and Gardens.
For further information and to book this tour, please email Geraldine: tours@goldenireland.ie
Tel: 00 353 (0)64 6630267
Some Recent Feedback from our Magical Killarney Tour, October 2023
“Very relaxing tour with a nice group. Location perfect for a break away. Thanks, Geraldine.”
“10 out of 10 for a great trip and extremely good value for money. Will definitely be booking another tour.”
“Both our coach drivers went over and beyond to be pleasant and helpful to everyone.”
“Loved the hotel, food excellent, coach drivers lovely. All great. Can’t wait for the next one.”
“I loved everything about this trip. The bus was very comfortable, drivers friendly and fun. Hotel fabulous. Tours great.”