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Itinerary
Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin and continue onwards to our hotel in Bantry, our base for the next four nights.
Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
Leaving the hotel we head to the medieval Blarney Castle, built nearly 600 years ago by a powerful Irish magnate and now one of the country’s most famous visitor attractions. Millions have flocked here to kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence and never again be lost for words, but there is so much more to see, including the atmospheric dungeons, a poison garden and the lovely countryside views from the battlements. We then continue on to our hotel in the charming coastal town of Bantry, our base for the next three nights.
Half Day
Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
We head to pretty Killarney for some free time, famed for its jaunting cars (horse-drawn carts) operated by the local jarvies that take visitors on guided tours of the town.
Our tour manager then takes us on a scenic guided tour of the Ring of Kerry, journeying through an untouched landscape of tranquil lakes and a skyline of dozing mountainous peaks, passing through charming towns such as Killorglin, Waterville and Kenmare. Possibly Ireland at its most scenic!
Full Day
Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
This morning, we head out on a scenic drive of the wildly beautiful Beara Peninsula which stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean. The breathtaking rural scenery includes mountains and valleys rich in archaeological sites such as mysterious stone circles, picturesque villages and towns and a spectacularly rugged coastline.
Afterwards, we board the small ferry boat which takes us to Garnish Island, a tranquil island garden located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. Designed by the landscape architect Harold Peto, the world-renowned gardens contain an incredible range of sculptures, fountains and exotic species that flourish in the unique microclimate.
Full Day
Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
Checking out of our hotel, we head to Dublin for an afternoon at leisure, or alternatively opt to maximise your sightseeing in the city by joining the optional guided city tour. Just some of the sights here include the historic Temple Bar area, known as the entertainment and cultural quarter of Dublin, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland set in 40 acres of cobbled squares, gardens and parks. Later, we spend the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.
Half Day
Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
We check out of our hotel very early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore, a voucher will be provided to enjoy breakfast on board. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.
Ring of Kerry Panoramic Tour via Killarney
Discover the storied Ring of Kerry on a scenic circuit of mountains, lakes and Atlantic headlands, with expert commentary from your Tour Manager. Take in the drama of the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks and the glassy waters around Killarney, a town famed for its traditional jaunting cars and lively shopfronts.
Trace classic viewpoints such as Moll’s Gap and Ladies View, and pass through characterful towns including Killorglin, Waterville and Kenmare. Expect ever-changing light, peat bogs and stone-walled fields that invite you to pause for photos and reflection as Ireland’s rugged beauty unfolds outside your window.
Beara Peninsula Scenic Drive
Journey into the quietly spectacular Beara Peninsula, where winding roads thread between misty mountain passes and the glittering Atlantic. The route reveals remote valleys and pastel-hued villages like Eyeries and Allihies, framed by hedgerows of fuchsia and views that feel wonderfully untouched.
Learn about ancient stone circles and Beara’s copper-mining heritage while cresting the famed Healy Pass. Here, switchbacks deliver sweeping panoramas of lakes and inlets that beg you to pause for photos and reflection, capturing the peninsula’s raw, salt-laced atmosphere.
Garnish Island Ferry & Italianate Gardens, Glengarriff
Board the small ferry across Glengarriff’s sheltered harbour to Garnish Island (Ilnacullin), often accompanied by views of bobbing seals on the rocks. Thanks to the warming Gulf Stream and protective hills, the water feels calm and the air unusually mild for West Cork.
Wander the island’s Italianate gardens designed by Harold Peto, where colonnades, pools and terraces showcase exotic species thriving in a unique microclimate. Climb the 19th-century Martello Tower for a tranquil vantage over Bantry Bay and meander along quiet, perfumed pathways.
Blarney Castle & Gardens
Visit medieval Blarney Castle, a 15th-century stronghold of the MacCarthy of Muskerry clan, set amid sweeping lawns and waterways near Cork. Explore atmospheric towers and battlements with vistas across rolling countryside, and, if you wish, kiss the legendary Stone of Eloquence.
Stroll through the intriguing Poison Garden and wooded walks where ferns and ancient trees thrive. Stories of sieges and diplomacy echo through the keep, offering rich context to a site that blends fortress might with sculpted gardens and serene picnic glades.
Dublin Guided City Tour
Explore Dublin with a local expert on an optional overview of Ireland’s capital. Take in the elegant Georgian squares, the sweep of O’Connell Street and the storied General Post Office linked to the 1916 Rising, all brought to life with engaging city lore.
Glide past the River Liffey and the Ha’penny Bridge, admire Trinity College’s historic campus, and survey the Temple Bar cultural quarter. This experience is at additional cost (£19pp) and is bookable on tour, ideal for orienting yourself before independent exploration.
