Irish History and Genealogy Tour
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Dunbrody Famine Ship ©Photographer Chris Hill, Tourism Ireland
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Waterford City ©Courtesy Celtic Routes
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St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin ©Photographer Brian Morrison, Tourism Ireland
Ireland isn’t known as the Emerald Isle for nothing and this tour showcases the beauty and splendour of its best attractions. We start the tour with a visit to the Irish Emigration centre and the Irish Family History Centre, where you may have chance to discover your ancestors and learn more about where they grew up and lived.
We will then take you on a tour around Ireland to see the best of the Country.
We can of course arrange add ons after the tour should you wish to spend more time in Ireland on an individual basis.
Dates
2024 & 2025 dates available on request
Itinerary Summary
Day 1
Welcome to Dublin
Arrive at Dublin Airport where we will meet and take you to your centrally located hotel. Once checked-in, rest and relax before a welcome dinner and a chance for an early night. Overnight in Dublin.
Day 2
Dublin tour including EPIC Ireland Museum
This morning we travel to Dublin. Firstly enjoy a panoramic tour of Ireland’s Capital City. Afterwards we visit ‘EPIC,’ Dublin’s exciting newly launched Irish emigration museum. The museum is an interactive experience that will inspire and guide you on a journey to discover the stories of Irish emigration around the world, from early times to the modern day. Located on site you will find the Irish Family History Centre, where Genealogists can help you with your own family tree research. Afterwards enjoy free time in Dublin before checking into your local hotel.
Day 3
New Ross and Waterford Crystal and Guided tour
After breakfast depart Dublin and travel to the historic Norman town of New Ross in County Wexford. We visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship. Experience an authentic reproduction of the ‘Dunbrody’, an 1840s emigrant vessel which transported Irish passengers to New York. A guided tour, led by costumed performers, provides a unique insight into the bravery and fortitude of the Irish people faced with the great famine. We travel onwards to Waterford, where we are met by our local guide Jack Burtchaell, who is one of Waterford’s most famous characters. Jack knows all there is to know about Waterford’s history, including tales of American ancestry which he will share with you. After the walking tour, we enjoy a guided tour of the world famous Waterford Crystal factory. You will have the evening free in Waterford, where your hotel will be based centrally.
Day 4
Rock of Cashel, Cobh and Titanic Experience
We depart Waterford to travel to the Rock of Cashel. It’s huge, it’s complex, it’s iconic, and there is nothing like it anywhere else in the world. The complex has a character of its own, unique and native, and is one of the most remarkable collections of Celtic art and medieval architecture to be found anywhere in Europe. In the afternoon we travel to Cobh (formally known as Queenstown), the historic town which is infamous for being the Titanic’s last port of call before it headed out onto the Atlantic to meet its fate. Today, the original buildings, streets and piers of a century ago are still standing. After an educational walking tour of Cobh with our guide, we then visit the Titanic Experience, which is based at the original White Star Line Ticket Office. The building is steeped in history dating back to the early 19th century, and was the departure point for many thousands of White Star Line passengers. The experience will share with you the story of those 123 passengers. Tonight we stay in Cork City.
Day 5
Blarney Castle and Killarney National park
This morning we visit Blarney Castle. Built nearly six hundred years, millions have flocked to Blarney making it a world landmark and one of Ireland’s greatest treasures. Make sure you kiss the Blarney Stone, legend has it if you kiss the Stone you will be blessed with the gift of Eloquence. Afterwards we travel on to Killarney, and visit the National Park. As well as enjoying a guided tour of the 19th century Victorian mansion Muckross House, Muckross Gardens include a fine collection of Rhododendrons, a Sunken Garden, a Rock Garden and a Stream Garden. Overnight in Killarney or nearby.
Day 6
Ring of Kerry and Guide
Today, enjoy a day excursion to the famous ‘Ring of Kerry’ with a specialist guide. Travel from Killarney to Killorgin, Glenbeigh and Caherciveen, Waterville and Sneem, finishing at the colourful fishing town of Kenmare before travelling back to Killarney. Along the way you will experience the captivating beauty and breathtaking scenery that makes up this in missable area of Ireland. Return to your hotel in the Killarney area.
Day 7
Cliffs of Moher or optional visit to the Aran Islands
An early start as we head North to arguably Ireland’s number one attraction – The Cliffs of Moher. Choose a boat trip from Galway to Innishmore or the Cliffs of Moher ‘Under and Over’ tour. Rich in culture and unique landscape, Innishmore is steeped in history. We highly recommend travelling by horse and cart on the Aran Islands, the traditional way to fully absorb and appreciate the natural beauty this island has to offer. Alternatively, visit the 200-metre high, 8kms long Cliffs of Moher. The first way you see the cliffs is by boat, a one hour cruise whereby you will look up at the stunning natural beauty of the cliffs which were formed 300 million years ago. The Over tour includes entrance to the visitor centre and walk along the Cliffs. Overnight in nearby Lisdoonvarna as we continue north.
Day 8
Galway and traditional Irish night
Today we head to one of Ireland’s most popular and bustling cities, Galway. Here we trace steps from where famine ships departed from to make their journeys to New York. In the afternoon enjoy a guided tour of Galway with your local guide. Remnants of the medieval town walls lie between shops and lively pubs to give this City its unique atmosphere.
A real treat this evening as we watch a live show with Irish music and dancing, located on Galway’s Salthill promenade. Overnight in Galway.
Day 9
Westport house, Yeats Grave and Sligo Abbey
Travel to Westport in County Mayo where we have a guided tour of Westport House, one of Ireland’s best loved heritage attractions. Surrounded by the majestic expanse of Clew Bay, the Atlantic Ocean and Ireland’s holy mountain Croagh Patrick, the origins of Westport House date to the 1500’s when the legendary Pirate Queen of Connacht Grace O’Malley reigned here in one of her many castles. Today visitors can tour 300 years of Irish heritage in this beautiful manor home and enjoy a myriad of attractions throughout the grounds. We take a road train for a tour of the superb parkland setting with lake, terraces, wonderful gardens and magnificent views overlooking Clew Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. We travel onwards to Sligo, where we visit the grave of the famous Poet W.B Yeats. We then Visit Sligo Abbey which was founded in the mid – 13th century. The site contains a great wealth of carvings including Gothic and Renaissance tomb sculpture, well preserved cloister and the only sculptured 15th century high altar to survive in any Irish monastic church. We overnight in Sligo.
Day 10
Return home
After breakfast we say fond farewells and return home. There will be a transfer to Dublin Airport.