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Rick Steves' Heart of Ireland in 7 Days Tour, Day by Day
On our Heart of Ireland tour, you'll be amazed at all you'll experience in a mere week of touring the Emerald Isle: must-see historical sites, charming towns, music-filled pubs, artisan visits, and walking tours — including the Rock of Cashel, the Cliffs of Moher, the village of Adare, Dingle, the Great Blasket Centre, Kilkenny Castle, Glendalough, crystal cutting, whiskey tasting, and more. Hop aboard our slideshow for a fun preview…let's go!
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Day 1: Welcome to Ireland
We'll gather together at our hotel for a meeting and orientation. Then we'll take a short drive to the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, where you'll find yourself leaning into the wind, teetering on the very edge of Europe more than 600 feet above the churning waters of the North Atlantic. Afterward we'll get to know one another over a hearty "Welcome to Ireland" dinner together.
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Day 2: Ennis to Dingle Town
After breakfast, we'll pack up and board our comfy bus, setting course for Ireland's Dingle Peninsula. En route we'll stop to visit County Limerick's lovely village of Adare, brimming with thatched cottages and flower gardens. At the end of our drive we'll arrive in the pastel-painted, quintessentially Irish harbor town of Dingle. After a walking tour, we'll enjoy a dinner of local specialties followed by an evening of Gaelic tunes.
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Day 3: The Dingle Peninsula
It's a great day to experience some of Europe's wildest natural beauty and most ancient Christian sites. We'll start our day with a crystal-cutting demonstration from a master craftsman, then hop aboard our bus with our local expert to follow the famous Slea Head Drive, our vote for the most beautiful road in Ireland. We'll stop to tour the strikingly situated Great Blasket Centre, where we'll get a close-up look at the language, literature, and daily life of a traditional Gaelic Blasket community. We'll return to Dingle for lunch together and a visit to the Dingle Falconry Experience for an intimate introduction to their majestic birds of prey. The remainder of the day is free for you to soak in more of Dingle's charms and enjoy dinner on your own.
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Day 4: The Rock of Cashel and Kilkenny
Today we'll bid goodbye to Dingle as our bus transports us across the Emerald Isle to Kilkenny. On our way, we'll stop to tour one of Ireland's most historic and evocative sights: the Rock of Cashel. St. Patrick himself was here more than 1,500 years ago, and ever since, the Rock has been the spiritual heart of Ireland. From the craggy remains of the cathedral and castle to the views stretching out across the Plain of Tipperary, this is where the Irish in you will stir from head to toe. Upon arrival in Kilkenny, we'll take an orientation walk through the medieval town center and visit Kilkenny Castle, a symbol of Norman occupation since the 12th century. After a walk through its restored Victorian interiors and extensive parklands, we'll enjoy dinner together in one of Kilkenny's atmospheric pubs.
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Day 5: Glendalough and Dublin
This morning we'll head back in time with a visit to Glendalough, Ireland's most impressive monastic settlement. We'll visit the iconic Round Tower, ruined churches, and the lakes that give Glendalough its name. Then we're off to Dublin. On the way we'll learn lessons of Ireland's recent struggle for independence at Kilmainham Gaol (when available). After arriving at our hotel, we'll take an orientation walk before setting you free to experience Dublin's lively dining scene on your own.
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Day 6: The Heart and History of Dublin
This morning we'll take a walking tour through Dublin including a stop at Trinity College for an illuminating look at the remarkable Book of Kells, a creative jolt that helped pull Europe out of the Dark Ages. We'll continue on, learning about the city's often-calamitous history, from the days of Viking raids to the hard centuries of British occupation to its remarkable literary legacy to the modern city of today. The rest of your day will be free to take in some of Dublin's other world-class sights, such as the National Museum of Archaeology or Dublin Castle. Tonight we'll compare notes and celebrate our marvelous week together over a farewell dinner.
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Day 7: Tour Over After Breakfast
Breakfast is provided, but there are no group activities today. You can fly out of Dublin's handy airport, or for those not ready to return home yet, Dublin is a jumping-off point for many other exciting destinations. Your guide will help you with any post-tour planning, leaving you well prepared for the road ahead. Slán leat!
Learn more about Rick Steves' Heart of Ireland in 7 Days tour.
(Itinerary specifics subject to change.)