Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (2023)

tours

Europa

Ireland

Great Tour of...

14 Roofs|

17

take

with extension Glasgow & Edinburgh

group size

15–38 Travelers

reviews

4.7 star rating380
Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (1)
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Fully refundable booking period

Feel good about booking your tour today. Sign up for AutoPay or pay in full when booking. If you change your mind, you have 60 days to receive a full refund of your payment.

Immerse yourself in the heart of Irish culture.

Beyond the sheep-studded green countryside, delve into the towns and villages that dot the country from Dublin to Derry. Mingle with Dubliners in traditional pubs, shop for a souvenir in Waterford, drive the Ring of Kerry and stroll the Giant's Causeway. After two weeks of exploring, you'll feel like a local (if you can even bear to leave).

Your travel package includes

  • 12 nights in handpicked hotels
  • 12 breakfasts
  • 1 lunch
  • 4 dinners with beer or wine
  • 12 city tours

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Included Highlights

  • St. Patricks-Kathedrale
  • Glendalough
  • Kilkenny-Schloss
  • Waterford Kristallfabrik
  • Cobh Heritage Center

Continue reading

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (5)

Start planning today

An expert specialized in tours in this region will be happy to help you.

daily routine

Print itineraryGreat Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (6)

night flight1 night

Day 1: Travel day

Board your overnight flight to Dublin today.

Dublin2 nights

Day 2: Arrival in Dublin

Meal included: Welcome dinner

Welcome to Ireland! Meet your guide and fellow travelers for tonight's welcome dinner.

Day 3: Dublin sightseeing tour

Meal Included: Breakfast

Take a guided tour of Ireland's charming capital.

  • Stop at Phoenix Park, site of the Presidential Residence, and drive past the Guinness Brewery
  • Enter the towering St. Patrick's Cathedral, Ireland's largest church
  • Pass St. Stephen's Green while admiring the Georgian architecture of Merrion Square
  • View Trinity College and pass the Grafton Street entrance to see the statue of Molly Malone
  • End your tour in the famous Temple Bar area

Enjoy a free afternoon in Dublin or add an excursion.

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (7)

Powerscourt Estate & Gardens

Ab $55 pro Person

Waterford2 nights

Day 4: Waterford via Glendalough & Kilkenny

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Depart Dublin and head south-west a short distance into County Kildare.

  • Enter Wicklow Mountains National Park and make your way to the Glendalough Visitor Center to learn more about the historic site
  • Explore the old monastery, past the round tower, stone churches and ornate crosses
  • Continue to Kilkenny, Ireland's best preserved medieval city
  • Tour the imposing 12th-century Kilkenny Castle overlooking the River Nore
  • Pass the 13th-century Gothic Cathedral of St. Canice

Please note: The Kilkenny sightseeing tour may operate on day 5 and the Waterford sightseeing tour on day 4 due to site closures from November to February.

Continue to Waterford and sit down to an included dinner tonight.

Day 5: Waterford & Rock of Cashel sightseeing tour

Meal Included: Breakfast

Today, a local guide introduces you to Waterford's legendary sites and exports.

  • Learn about the town's roots as Viking settlements as you walk the Waterford Viking Triangle
  • Pass Reginald's Tower, a replica Viking ship, and the Dragon Slayer's Sword
  • See the Cathedral of the Most Holy Trinity, Ireland's oldest Roman Catholic cathedral
  • Visit the Waterford Crystal Factory to learn more about their world famous crystal

Please note: The Kilkenny sightseeing tour may operate on day 5 and the Waterford sightseeing tour on day 4 due to site closures from November to February.

Continue to the Rock of Cashel, a limestone outcrop that dominates the Tipperary Plain.

  • See the ruins of the old seat of the kings of Munster and the 12th-century round tower
  • See one of the country's finest examples of Romanesque stone carvings, dating back to 500 BC, at the Cormac Chapel

County Kerry2 nights

Day 6: County Kerry via Cobh & Blarney Castle

Meal Included: Breakfast

As you make your way into County Kerry, you'll get a feel for the many sides of Ireland, from small villages to vibrant cities and famous castles.

  • Visit the Cobh Heritage Center to see exhibitions highlighting the history of Irish emigration over the past 150 years
  • Climb to the top of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous Blarney Stone, said to bestow the 'gift of the mouth'.

Tag 7: Der Ring of Kerry & Killarney Nationalpark

Meals included: breakfast, dinner

Travel around the Ring of Kerry, a 112-mile coastal road that covers some of Ireland's most spectacular scenery.

  • Cruise past the pristine Lakes of Killarney in Killarney National Park and look out over Dingle Bay
  • Enjoy unsurpassed views of mountains, beaches and the Atlantic Ocean
  • Explore the picturesque villages that line the Ring of Kerry including the village of Sneem, 'The Knot in the Ring'

Sit down to an included dinner tonight.

County Galway2 nights

Tag 8: County Galway über County Clare

Meal Included: Breakfast

Drive north to Galway today, taking time to take in the spectacular scenery along the way.

  • Stroll along the fascinating coastline of the Cliffs of Moher
  • Drive through the Burren, a unique limestone plateau where rocky fields are dotted with wildflowers

Continue to Galway for a sightseeing tour of the city led by your guide.

(Video) Experience Ireland on a Go Ahead Tour | EF Go Ahead Tours

  • Stroll past Lynch's Castle, Galway Cathedral, the Druid Theater Company and sprawling Eyre Square
  • Check out the city's medieval walls and the Spanish Arch
  • View authentic Claddagh rings at a local shop

Enjoy a free evening in County Galway or add an excursion.

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (8)

Traditional Irish music and dance show with dinner

Ab $105 pro Person

Day 9: Free day in Galway

Meal Included: Breakfast

Spend a day off in County Galway or add on excursions.

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (9)

Castle Banquet Dinner

Ab 129 $ pro Person

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (10)

Kylemore Abbey & Connemara-Nationalpark

Ab 79 $ pro Person

Sligo1 night

Day 10: Sligo via Glen Keen Farm

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Visit Glen Keen Farm, one of Ireland's largest sheep farms, on your way to Sligo.

  • Learn about sheep farming while enjoying the natural beauty of the area
  • Watch an interactive sheep farming demonstration
  • Enjoy a traditional Glen Keen Farm lunch, dessert, coffee and tea

Please note: Vegetarian options are available for the included lunch.

Then continue to Sligo.

Belfast3 nights

Day 11: Belfast via Derry

Meal Included: Breakfast

Travel through the landscapes immortalized in the poems of William Butler Yeats on your way to Northern Ireland.

  • Visit Glencar Waterfall, mentioned in WB Yeats' poem The Stolen Child
  • Continue to Derry, Northern Ireland's second largest city, for a guided tour
  • See the 17th-century city walls and learn about the history of conflicts between the Protestant and Catholic populations

Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Belfast

Meal Included: Breakfast

Get to know Belfast, the cultural heart of Northern Ireland, from a local's perspective on a guided tour.

  • Catch a glimpse of the copper-domed City Hall and the recently restored Grand Opera House
  • Learn all about Belfast's long history, from its Bronze Age origins and rise as an international seaport to its role in the conflict known as The Troubles.
  • Enter the Titanic Belfast Museum for a look at the ship's infamous history

Enjoy a free afternoon in Belfast or add an excursion.

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (11)

Castles of Northern Ireland & Afternoon Tea

Ab 129 $ pro Person

Day 13: Free day in Belfast

Meals included: breakfast, farewell dinner

Enjoy a free day in Belfast or add an excursion.

Tonight, celebrate your trip with your group over a farewell dinner.

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (12)

Causeway of the giant

Ab 89 $ pro Person

flight home

Day 14: Departure

Meal Included: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or to extend your stay to visit Scotland.

extension to

Glasgow and Edinburgh

Continue your tour by crossing Scotland. You'll explore the historic cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh on guided tours and discover the charms that await at the end of each end. Spend your extra time at each location as you wish, and rely on your guide to point out the most exciting sights.

Glasgow1 night

Day 14: Ferry to Glasgow & city tour

Meal Included: Breakfast

Board a ferry from Belfast for your journey across the Irish Sea to the village of Cairnryan in Scotland. Then continue to Glasgow for a tour with a local guide.

  • Discover local highlights like George Square and the River Clyde
  • Admire the city's university and medieval cathedral
  • Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, which displays everything from medieval armor to a collection of work by Scottish artists

Edinburgh2 nights

Day 15: Edinburgh via Stirling Castle

Meal Included: Breakfast

Travel through the picturesque Scottish countryside to explore Stirling Castle, where King James VI once lived.

Then continue to Edinburgh and spend a free evening in the city or add on an excursion.

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (13)

Schottisches Ceilidh

Ab 129 $ pro Person

Day 16: Edinburgh city tour

Meal Included: Breakfast

Get to know Edinburgh in all its medieval beauty on a tour led by a local expert.

  • Check out the elegant Georgian New Town and the Royal Mile, two UNESCO World Heritage Sites
  • Pass the King George Statue, the Bute House and the Sir Walter Scott Memorial
  • Enter Edinburgh Castle to see the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Scone

Spend a free afternoon in Edinburgh or add an excursion.

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (14)

Abbotsford House und Melrose Abbey

Ab 99 $ pro Person

flight home

Day 17: Departure

Meal Included: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)

Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

View full itinerary

(Video) Ireland Tours: From Blarney Castle to the Ring of Kerry

Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (15)

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reviews

4.7 star rating

Overall rating 4.7 out of 5

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380

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    5.0 star rating

    BEST tour guide!

    12.10.22

    von

    5. mal

    Traveller

    Fred

    This was our fifth tour with GoAhead. We have also toured with other companies. Our tour director Sean was by far the BEST we have ever had. His knowledge, the presentation of that knowledge, his personal generosity, his great sense of humor and his wonderful singing made a good tour - SPECTACULAR!

    4.0 star rating

    Breathtaking scenery!

    09.11.22

    von

    4. mal

    Traveller

    Shelly

    Overall this tour was great. Cornelius was personable, entertaining, knowledgeable and accommodating. He really knew his stuff. I walked away with a much better understanding of The Troubles. Bob our bus driver was amazing. Our trip to Conemarra Park Park was canceled but Cornelius arranged...

    Read more +

    5.0 star rating

    Great tour of Ireland

    09.11.22

    von

    1. Mal

    Traveller

    Kelly

    Wonderful tour with a great bus driver and tour guide.

    Show more reviews

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    Hotels, Flights & FAQ

    Here's the essentials - where to stay, how to get there, and what you should know about your destination before you leave.

    Hotels

    We carefully select each hotel to find the balance between comfort, location and local charm. Specific accommodation will vary based on departure date, but these are common hotels for this tour and we are confident you will be satisfied.

    Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (22)

    Maldron Hotel Parnell Square

    This charming hotel is located on Parnell Square in Dublin city centre. It offers a restaurant and lounge, a bar and free WiFi. Nearby you will...

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    Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (23)

    Das Granville-Hotel

    The Granville Hotel is a charming and elegant 4-star hotel overlooking the waterfront and just a short distance from the business and shopping district...

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    Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (24)

    Meadowlands-Hotel

    This elegant hotel is situated on the Wild Atlantic Way in Tralee, County Kerry. Guests enjoy the manicured gardens and cozy bar on the second floor. N...

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    Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (25)

    Maldron Sandy Road

    This comfortable hotel is located near the center of Galway. It offers free WiFi, a hotel bar and a restaurant. Nearby you will find the Galway Shop...

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    Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (26)

    Glass House Hotel

    This modern hotel is located in the city center. Guests enjoy a restaurant, a fitness center, and two bars. Nearby you will find the model, Yeats Memoria...

    Read more +

    Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (27)

    Maldron Belfast City

    This modern hotel is centrally located in Belfast. It offers free WiFi, a restaurant and a bar. Nearby you will find Belfast City Hall, the Grand...

    Read more +

    (Video) Travel Talk Webinar: Solo Travel | EF Go Ahead Tours
    Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (28)

    Maldron Hotel Glasgow City

    This brand new hotel is located in Glasgow. Guests enjoy the fitness center, bar and locally sourced meals. Nearby you will find Glasgow Cathedral, the...

    Read more +

    Great Tour of Ireland | EF Go Ahead tours (29)

    Leonardo Royal Hotel Edinburgh Haymarket

    This stylish hotel is located in the Haymarket area of ​​Edinburgh, Scotland. Guests enjoy the spacious rooms, bar and lounge, and convenient location. ...

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    flights

    Round trip flights is another thing we take care of to make your trip as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find you the best flight route at a competitive price thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

    Add our flight package and you get:

    • Round-trip airfare for your tour
    • Airport transfers at your destination
    • A great price is fixed today
    • 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
    • Options for early arrival, longer stay or requesting an upgrade
    • Flexible rebooking options if your itinerary changes
    • Find out more about flights

    FAQ

    Print Frequently Asked Questions

    Passport, visa and entry requirements

    • To enter Ireland and the UK, US and Canadian citizens must have a valid passport with an expiration date at least six months after the date of re-entry.
    • We recommend at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
    • No visa is required for US or Canadian citizens.
    • If you are not a US or Canadian citizen, you must contact the consulate of that country regarding your specific entry requirements.
    • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destinations you will be visiting on your tour by going togoaheadtours.com/entry-requirementsand searching the code LSS.

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    Tour pace & mobility

    • You will walk at least 1 hour daily over moderately uneven terrain, including paved roads and dirt trails, with some hills and stairs.
    • Travelers should be in good health to participate in all included hikes unassisted. Adding optional excursions may increase the total number of hikes on your tour.
    • You should be comfortable managing your own luggage on occasion and also boarding and disembarking the ferries if the tour is extended.
    • Go Ahead Tours and the guide accompanying your group are not able to provide specific, individualized mobility assistance to travelers on the tour. The tour leader's responsibility is to ensure that the group as a whole enjoys a relaxed and informative trip and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, personalized assistance to any individual traveler.
    • If you have mobility issues or physical limitations, please contact our Customer Experience Team.

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    Transport and arrival information

    • Return flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Dublin and depart from Belfast (or Edinburgh on tour extensions). A Go Ahead Tours representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the Arrivals Hall as the representative may be escorting one of your fellow passengers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
    • Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who booked their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers booking their own flights can request airport transfers from Go Ahead Tours at an additional cost.
    • A ferry from Belfast to Cairnryan is included in the tour extension price.
    • All other included transport is by private coach.

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    free luggage

    • Please note that due to space restrictions on coaches and other transfers that may involve trains or flights, our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person.
    • Check with your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your return flights to and from the tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage restrictions.
    • Some airlines may charge additional fees if you check baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Note that you are responsible for all baggage fees incurred on all flights.
    • Be sure to label your luggage and keep valuables, medicines and documents in your hand luggage.

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    Clothing & packing tips

    • We recommend packing light, loose-fitting clothing that is easy to adjust for different temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rain gear.
    • A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
    • You might want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
    • It is preferable not to enter churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entry may be refused on this basis).

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    Health

    • Check with your doctor or health care provider for the latest updates and immigration requirements at least 60 days before departure, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website atcdc.gov.
    • If you have medication that you take daily, make sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any delays.
    • If you have any dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging into your account and updating your travel details. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our customer service team.
    • You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destinations you will be visiting on your tour by going togoaheadtours.com/entry-requirementsand searching the code LSS.

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    Kitchen

    • Irish pubs serve hearty lunches, like the traditional bacon and boiled cabbage stew. Soda bread is delicious, very filling, and served with many meals. For afternoon tea, nibble on a scone with a knob of quality Kerry butter. Guinness stout is an international sensation, but locals may prefer Murphy's depending on where you are.
    • Dublin has experienced something of a culinary revolution and the city now boasts an impressive range of new restaurants offering exciting cuisine with continental European, Asian and even American influences.
    • Scottish cuisine, as the tour extends, relies on readily available ingredients such as game, dairy and fish with few exotic spices. Pickled kippers and smoked salmon are popular, as are savory dishes like scotch broth (meat and root vegetable stew) and haggis (a hearty pudding made from sheep offal). Scotch whiskey is a legendary local spirit and Scottish ales are world famous.

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    Electricity & air conditioning

    • Ireland and the UK operate on 230-240 volts and use a type G plug with three large flat prongs.
    • We recommend packing a universal adapter as well as a voltage converter if you intend to use your own hair dryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
    • The level of air conditioning in European hotels is often not as powerful or as cool as you might be used to in the US or Canada. If air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
    • Hotels may provide hair dryers, irons, and other small items, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
    (Video) Go Ahead Tours Review For Young Travelers

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    connectivity

    • Wi-Fi is available in most hotels, but fees may apply.
    • There is no internet access on the coach.
    • Please contact your mobile operator for information on roaming charges.

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    time zones

    • Ireland and the United Kingdom use Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
    • When it's noon in New York, it's 5pm on tour.

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    Currency

    • They use the euro in Ireland and the pound sterling in the UK.
    • Better exchange rates are usually available abroad, although it's worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use on your first arrival.
    • We strongly recommend that you bring debit/bank cards and credit cards, which you can use to withdraw cash from local banks if needed.
    • You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international Cirrus and Plus networks, but be sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
    • Let your bank and credit card company know about your travel plans so they don't confuse your international purchases with fraudulent charges.
    • International banks and companies mainly accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one chipped debit or credit card, we strongly recommend that you request one from your bank prior to your tour.

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    Chickens

    • At the end of your tour, it is customary to offer your guide and driver a tip in local currency. Please note the current exchange rates.
    • We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8 to $10 per person per day for your guide and the equivalent of $3 per person per day for your driver.
    • Where appropriate, we also recommend the equivalent of $2 per local guide.
    • Tips can only be paid in cash.

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    Purchase of excursions on tour

    • Most optional excursions are available for purchase during your tour.
    • Your guide will only accept cash (USD only), Visa or MasterCard as payment for excursions.
    • Please note that if you use a credit card to pay for an excursion during the tour, it can take up to three months before your card is charged.
    • Some optional excursions can only be booked in advance. See page four of your Itinerary for more information.

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    Great tour of Ireland

    15

    38

    Travelers

    4.7 star rating

    380 reviews

    14

    take

    17

    days with extension

    renewal

    Glasgow and Edinburgh

    |3 nights

    Overnight stays

    night flight|1 night

    Dublin|2 nights

    Waterford|2 nights

    County Kerry|2 nights

    County Galway|2 nights

    Sligo|1 night

    Belfast|3 nights

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