Today you leave home behind as you board your overnight international flight to Dublin.

Arrive early at Dublin Airport and board your coach for a scenic journey south to Cork. En route, visit the Rock of Cashel (also known as St. Patrick's Rock or Cashel of the Kings), one of Ireland's most spectacular historic sites. Perched dramatically on a limestone outcrop overlooking the Golden Vale plain, this ancient fortress was the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster. Legend says St. Patrick himself converted King Aengus here in the 5th century (with a famous tale of accidentally piercing the king's foot during baptism). Explore the impressive cluster of medieval buildings, including a soaring round tower, a 12th-century Romanesque Cormac's Chapel with exquisite carvings, a Gothic cathedral, high crosses, and the Hall of the Vicars Choral—truly one of Ireland's most iconic and photogenic landmarks. Continue to Cork and enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. Overnight in Cork City. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Blarney Castle, the legendary 15th-century tower house built by Cormac MacCarthy. Climb the winding stone steps to kiss the famous Blarney Stone (embedded in the battlements), said to grant the "gift of the gab"—the legendary eloquence and persuasive charm. The castle grounds feature enchanting woodland walks, fern-filled grottoes, rock formations, and a flowing river, creating a magical, fairy-tale atmosphere. Afterward, browse the nearby Blarney Woollen Mills Store, a renowned shop for Irish crafts, woolens, and souvenirs. Depart for the charming coastal town of Kinsale, often called the "Gourmet Capital of Ireland." Enjoy a guided local walking tour through its colorful streets, historic fortifications, and harbor views, concluding at St. Multose Church—a beautifully preserved 12th-century structure (one of Ireland's oldest churches still in use), with ancient stonework, intriguing monuments, and ties to the town's seafaring past. Meet locals and soak in the welcoming community spirit. Overnight in Cork City. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart for Killarney, stopping at Gougane Barra, a serene and sacred valley in the Shehy Mountains. This hidden gem—considered Ireland's first national park—features a tranquil lake, ancient oratory on a small island (linked to St. Finbarr, Cork's patron saint), lush forests, and dramatic mountain scenery. It's a peaceful spot for reflection amid nature's beauty, where the River Lee begins its journey. Overnight in Kerry. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Embark on a full-day tour of the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland's most breathtaking scenic drives around the Iveragh Peninsula. Wind through charming villages like Killorglin, Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, and Sneem, with highlights including the dramatic Coomakesta Pass offering sweeping views over Derrynane (ancestral home of Daniel O'Connell, "The Liberator," and a stunning Blue Flag beach). Pass through Moll's Gap and Ladies View (named for Queen Victoria's ladies-in-waiting who admired the vista), then enter Killarney National Park with its ancient oak woods, red deer, and serene Lakes of Killarney. Enjoy a traditional 1-hour horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the park (meeting point: Killarney National Park - Killarney Lake Tours), experiencing the landscapes like a local. Overnight in Kerry. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Celebrate Sunday worship this morning and then depart for Galway, including a scenic ferry crossing on Shannon Ferries (Tarbert to Kilimer). Travel through the unique limestone landscape of the Burren, with its karst terrain, wildflowers, and archaeological wonders. Visit the majestic Cliffs of Moher, towering up to 214 meters (702 feet) over the Atlantic. Walk the safe pathways for panoramic views of crashing waves, seabird colonies (including puffins), the Aran Islands on clear days, and O'Brien's Tower perched dramatically on the edge—a true natural wonder and UNESCO Global Geopark highlight. Stay in Galway. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Full-day tour of the Connemara circuit, showcasing wild, rugged beauty with mountains, lakes, and boglands. Visit Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden, a stunning neo-Gothic castle-turned-Benedictine monastery set against Connemara's dramatic scenery. Explore the restored abbey rooms, the peaceful Gothic church, and the magnificent 6-acre Victorian Walled Garden (with formal flower beds, kitchen gardens, glasshouses, and a mountain stream dividing the space—once compared to Kew Gardens). Admission includes the hop-on mini-bus to the gardens. Stay in Galway. (B, D)

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then journey to Clonmacnoise, an important monastic site and the burial place of kings. Among these ruins is the famous thousand-year-old cross. Three high crosses, two hundred graves, and the ruins of a 13th-century ring fort also remain. Continue to Dublin to check in to your hotel and then enjoy dinner and a show (including 1 drink per person) at The Merry Ploughboy, a lively traditional Irish pub with music, song, and dance. Stay in Dublin tonight. (B, D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Christ Church Cathedral for a special welcome, Dublin's elder medieval cathedral (founded around 1030 by Viking king Sitric). Admire its stunning Romanesque and Gothic architecture, vast 12th-century crypt (one of the largest in Britain and Ireland), exquisite floor tiles, historic monuments, and treasures exhibition— a fascinating blend of Viking, Norman, and later influences at the heart of medieval Dublin. Return to Christ Cathedral for Evensong and then enjoy dinner on your own in Dublin. Stay in Dublin tonight. (B)

Return home with memories of the magic of Ireland's history, landscapes, and legends!