Itinerary
Cork, Blarney Castle and Cobh
Check-in is 20 minutes prior to Train Departure Time. Customer Service Desk at Heuston Station where Railtours Ireland Check-In representative will be in their yellow jacket!
Check-in for 07:00am departure from Dublin Heuston Station.
Arrive into Cork Kent Station for 09:35am, then transfer to your Railtours Ireland tour coach through Cork City to Blarney Village and historic Blarney Castle and Gardens, built in 1446 by Dermot Mc Carthy. You will have time to kiss the famous stone, which is said to bestow the gift of eternal eloquence on those lucky enough to do so. There is also time for shopping and lunch at Blarney and it is recommended that you have lunch there, as this will be the only opportunity during the day to have a substantial meal.
Depart Blarney Castle for Cóbh, via the city center and a short city tour.
On arrival at Cóbh, visit St Colman’s Cathedral. The tour will then proceed down along the sea front passing the former White Star Line offices en route to the beautifully restored Victorian railway station/transatlantic terminal. This is now the Cóbh Heritage Center, home to the "Queenstown Story". The center also houses much information about the Great Famine and subsequent Irish Emigration; 3 million Irish people emigrated from Cóbh (principally to the United States), including Annie Moore, whose statue is located in front of the heritage center.
Depart Cobh by train to Killarney.
The rest of the evening is free and there is a large selection of cafés, restaurants and bars in Killarney town as well as many opportunities for live traditional Irish music entertainment.
Visitor Attraction Admissions included: Blarney Castle and Gardens & Cobh Heritage Center.
Free Upgrade to 4* Hotel in Killarney subject to availability.
Ring of Kerry Tour
Enjoy your Full Irish Breakfast at leisure before leaving on your Ring of Kerry Tour.
There are plenty of stops along the Ring of Kerry for morning tea, lunch and taking photos, etc. Ireland’s highest mountains are located in Kerry and Carrauntouhil, which can be seen en route, is their highest peak, standing at 1041 meters. The tour will make a stop at the Kerry Bog Village Museum, which gives an insight into how people lived and worked in rural Ireland in the 18th century. The village is the only one of its kind in Europe. Later, on the approach to Waterville there are views (weather permitting) of the Skellig Rocks (islands), where Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' was recently filmed. The tour will make several photo stops, a stop for lunch and one final stop at the pretty village of Sneem, for about 30 minutes, or as directed by your tour leader.
An essential part of any visit to Ireland, this tour circles the magnificent Macgillycuddy's Reeks and runs through its many passes and valleys along the shores of Dingle Bay and Kenmare Bay. There is an unspoiled nature to Ireland's most beautiful region and the Ring of Kerry provides many unforgettable memories as your tour passes through the many picturesque villages such as Glenbeigh, Waterville and Sneem and returns via Ladies View, the famous Lakes of Killarney and through the Oakwoods of Killarney's magnificent National Park.
Evening free in Killarney.
Free Upgrade to 4* Hotel in Killarney subject to availability.
Bunratty & The Cliffs of Moher
Enjoy your continental breakfast at leisure, before departing Killarney by road to Limerick to join the Bunratty Castle and Cliffs of Moher Tour.
Arrive into Limerick, where you will join your Railtours Ireland tour coach. Limerick has a population of about 90,000 and its city charter was granted in 1197AD, making it older than London! As you cross the river Shannon, which is Ireland’s longest river, you will see views of King John’s Castle to the right. The castle was completed in 1200 and marks the origins of the city. Limerick’s most famous author, Frank Mc Court, grew up here and used this place as the setting for his book, ‘Angela’s Ashes’. Limerick is also the birthplace of celebrated BBC radio DJ, Terry Wogan and Hollywood star, Richard Harris. You will pass the GAA grounds of Páirc na nGael – the home ground of County Limerick’s Hurling and Gaelic Football teams. Limerick is also the home of Irish Rubgy and the tour will pass Thomond Park, the Rugby stadium. After a brief city tour, travel onto Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The castle was completed in 1425 and, after many years of neglect, has been restored to its former glory. There is also a folk park here, which you will have time to explore.
After the visit to Bunratty Castle and Folk park, make your way to Co. Clare. There is a lunch stop at "O’ Connor’s Pub" in Doolin before arriving at the Cliffs of Moher, among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. There is plenty of time to visit Ireland’s second most popular tourist attraction and your host will advise you of the departure time. From here, the tour will take the coast road for much of the way to Galway, with time for photos along The Burren, Ireland's famous national park. The word Burren comes from the Irish Language, it means ‘rocky place’. It is a unique lunar landscape of limestone which was described in 1649 by one of Oliver Cromwell’s men as: “No tree to hang a man, no water deep enough to drown him and no soil deep enough to bury him”. Today, the Burren is noted for its diverse Flora with few parallels elsewhere in Ireland or indeed, Europe. Continue along the coast road to Black Head, passing the quaint coastal villages of Ballyvaughan and Kinvara before joining the main road to Galway. Return by train from Galway.
Returning to Dublin Heuston at 09:45pm.
Visitor Attraction Admissions included: Bunratty Castle and Folk Park & The Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience.
