Irish Elegance - Classic Group
Experience the Wild Atlantic Way and journey from Galway to Killarney on this once-in-a-lifetime tour of Ireland. Trace a landscape shaped by myth and geology-home to Europe’s longest defined coastal route and the staggering Cliffs of Moher, rising 214 m (702 ft) above sea level. Discover Galway’s vibrant streets, Killarney’s musical heritage and the storybook beauty of Kylemore Abbey, a neo-Gothic masterpiece built in 1868. From the quiet scholarship of Trinity College with its 9th-century Book of Kells, to the raw beauty of Connemara, this is Ireland at its most authentic and intriguing.
Dining Summary
- 4 Dinner (D)
- 7 Breakfast (B)
- Choose between two carefully selected activities
- Blarney: Your up close and personal encounter with the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate is brought to life on a guided tour with a senior gardener. On your stroll enhanced by your expert’s insights, learn about the arboretum’s rare trees, mystical Druid rock formations and the Bog Garden boasting three 600-year-old yew trees.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts. Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
- Our highly-skilled Travel Director will ensure your journey is seamless, serving as your expert guide, consummate organiser, and friend overseas.
- Personal radio headsets give you the freedom to wander during visits to famous highlights, without missing any of your Local Expert's fascinating commentary.
- Hotel and restaurant tips are included - you'll never have to worry about how much to give, nor search for foreign currency. We also include all taxes and porterage charges at hotels.
- We carry your bags for you and promptly deliver them to your hotel door.
- Stay connected with friends and family with our complimentary coach and hotel Wi-Fi (where available).
- If your arrival and/or departure flights are as per the itinerary start and end dates, then transfers are available at scheduled times. If your flights are outside these times, or you have booked additional nights accommodation with us, you may purchase transfers or make your own way from/to the airport.
- Dublin: Enjoy a relaxing first night and dine together with your fellow guests.
- Cong: Savor seasonal Farm-to-Table fare in an exclusive private dining room at The Lodge at Ashford Castle, where Irish culinary traditions shine through dishes crafted by award-winning Executive Chef Jonathan Keane, using organic produce sourced from artisan suppliers and grown within the estate grounds.
- Blarney: Your up close and personal encounter with the lush gardens of the Blarney Castle estate is brought to life on a guided tour with a senior gardener. On your stroll enhanced by your expert’s insights, learn about the arboretum’s rare trees, mystical Druid rock formations and the Bog Garden boasting three 600-year-old yew trees.
- Blarney: It is said that those who kiss the Blarney Stone are bestowed with the power to persuade, flatter and coax. But to do so, you must dangle from the ramparts. Visit Blarney Castle and see the famous Stone of Eloquence.
- Dublin: A stunning combination of cobblestone walkways, emerald-green lawns and 18th-century architectural gems, Trinity College is one of Europe’s elite universities and counts poet Oscar Wilde among its alumni. Tour the enchanting college campus with a Local Expert and discover insights into its impressive history. Enjoy access to view the famous Book of Kells, an exquisite manuscript of the four gospels of the Christian New Testament, renowned for the intricacy, detail and majesty of the illustrations.
- Ashford Castle: Be welcomed to your accommodation for the night by the stirring sound of a traditional piper. Historically used to mark ceremonies and arrivals of honor, the bagpipes connect you with centuries of Irish tradition as you follow the piper up the estate’s drive.
- Cliffs of Moher: Towering cliffs and the dramatic sea, the Cliffs of Moher has inspired countless travelers. Visit the Exhibition Center and look out over the Wild Atlantic Way from these majestic cliffs that rise over 700 feet high. Gain insights from your Travel Director into the cliffs’ geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
- Ring of Kerry: Meet John, a seaweed advocate and educator for a seaweed foraging walk at Atlantic Irish Seaweed. Stroll along the shore learning about how they work to protect the fragile ecosystem of the wild Atlantic Irish coasts through their educational courses and passion for the local environment. Irish Atlantic Seaweed's environmental policy is to respect, enjoy and protect the natural wonders that surround them, and promote the sustainable use of Ireland's fragile marine ecosystems. Your visit directly supports United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 14: Life Below Water.
- Dublin: See Custom House and travel along the River Liffey. See the Guinness Storehouse, Christchurch Cathedral and St. Patrick's Cathedral.
- Cashel: See the Rock of Cashel where St. Patrick preached.
- Killarney: Enjoy hearing of the history of Killarney during your city orientation.
- Ring of Kerry: Venture into a world of towering cliffs, lush lakelands, beaches, fields dotted with sheep, rocky coastline, remote villages and historical sites, as you journey the magical Ring of Kerry. This 111-mile circular route is the best place to admire Ireland's scenic beauty and truly one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
- Shannon: Cross the Shannon Estuary by ferry, passing sites linked to smuggling and 19th-century emigration.
- Galway: Visit the stunning cathedral of the City of Tribes. Admire its Renaissance style dome and unique rose-shaped window.
- Kylemore: With a striking Victorian Walled Garden and turreted church, Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey is a sight to behold. Dig into the Abbey’s history, discovering how it was founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.
- Cong: Enjoy time as you wish to explore this delightful, quintessential Irish village, used as the location for 1952 film, 'The Quiet Man.' See the statue of the lead characters played by John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara, and the ruins of the Medieval Cong Abbey.
- Enjoy the comfort of the luxurious, air-conditioned, 40-seat coach with double the standard legroom and onboard washroom. Our customized luxury coaches are sanitized before the start of your tour and are maintained to very high standards. Physical distancing measures have been implemented on our customized luxury coaches.
- Hand sanitizer is freely available on board for you to use throughout the day.
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ID: 9171265
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ID: 9171267
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ID: 9171271
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ID: 9171273
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ID: 9171275
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ID: 9171289
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ID: 9171519
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ID: 9171521
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Choosing where to stay in Ireland and Scotland is an important part of your travels – it's your home away from home. It’s where you rest at the end of an adventure-filled day, it’s where you start every new exploration. From hotels, castles, manors and even bed-and-breakfasts, you’ll find the very best places to stay in Catherine’s Collection, selected for you based on our intimate knowledge of our homelands. This is us taking you personally.
Hotels
Only the best for you, our friends. We’ve carefully curated a roster of the top hotels in Ireland and Scotland, selected for service, quality and style. Find your perfect pick amongst our expert recommendations.
Castles
It’s the dream to stay in a castle – and we can help make it a reality. From classic aesthetics with plush modern comforts to contemporary luxury and chic interiors tucked inside stately castle walls, your options for elegance are endless.
Estates & Manors
All the charms and comforts of elevated countryside living, meet the hospitality and service of top-tier hotels. Relax on expansive estates, explore the surrounding regions and experience the recreation and activities that each has in store.
Bed and Breakfasts
Cozy, comfortable and classically Celtic. Staying at a Bed & Breakfast brings you closer to the daily life of your destination. Our personally-vetted picks combine charm, character and hospitality for an experience you’ll always remember.
Who should travel to Ireland and Scotland? We may be biased, but we think everyone – and we can’t wait to meet you all (honestly). Families, solos, groups and every person under the rainbow (of which Ireland has many) will find a travel experience that perfectly fits their needs and desires. Our Celtic Experts can recommend the best places to stay, top activities and the ideal way to travel around our homelands based on who’s traveling with you.
Couples
The roads of Ireland and Scotland are marked with milestones, so why not commemorate your own on a vacation here with us? Anniversaries, honeymoons, proposals and everything in between, our Celtic Experts will help you find the perfect trip and plan those special moments to celebrate your love.
Families
Family travel in Ireland and Scotland is exciting, bonding and brilliant. With activities to suit every generation of your family and brilliant stays to relax in, we’ve got everything you need to start writing your Celtic story together. So gather your clan and prepare for a lifetime of memories.
LGBTQIA+
Everyone in and under the rainbow is welcome here in the Celtic Isles. From friendly faces and friends you’ll meet, to an open culture known for cheer and hospitality, this is where to go when flying solo, on a romantic adventure, traveling with your chosen family or bringing the whole community together.
Groups
Take your group on an unforgettable trip to Ireland and Scotland with Brendan Vacations. Whether you're traveling with family or friends or organizing a group event, our Celtic Experts will create a custom itinerary just for you. Choose from our flexible itineraries or work with us to design the perfect experience for your group.
Your next vacation deserves to be filled with unforgettable experiences – and with us, it’s all about the personal connection to our Celtic homelands. There are so many things to do in Ireland and Scotland, and you'll find the very best in Catherine’s Collection. We’ve hand-selected a variety of activities based on our intimate knowledge of our homelands and can help recommend experiences for your next vacation. This is us taking you personally.
Trace Your Irish and Scottish Ancestry
With nearly 120+ million people across North America who can claim Irish or Scottish heritage, seeking a link through history is a deeply important aspect of travel for so many of our guests. We want to help you build the bridge to your personal history, reconnecting you to your Celtic Roots. However deep you wish to explore, our Celtic Experts can arrange private and prescheduled genealogy and ancestry consultations. We will take you personally every step of the way.
The History & Culture & of Ireland & Scotland
Our Celtic homelands are a rich tapestry of heritage, myths and legends. Meet amazing and warm people who are the beating heart of what makes a Celtic welcome so unique. Experience traditional music and dancing, the glories of storytelling and the tales of times gone by. Ireland and Scotland have some of the best histories in the world and you feel it as you walk around.
Food & Drink
How do you get the bold flavor of Celtic culture? You taste it. Follow your appetite through the Celtic Isles. Eclectic and modern, traditional and hearty, walking food tours and Michelin-star sit downs, Ireland & Scotland are rich lands for foodies. With herds of Shepherd’s Pies to try, seaweed’s umami flavors to explore and plenty of pints to be pulled, prepare your palate and raise a glass for tasteful journeys through the full-bodied flavors of our homelands.
Outdoor Adventures in Ireland & Scotland
Bold highlands, kinetic coastlines, rolling green hills and serene forests – call us biased but there’s no better place for outdoor experiences than in Ireland & Scotland. Whether you want something leisurely-paced or are prepped and packed for a fully active adventure, you'll always find just the right activity for you and your group here in the Celtic Isles. Jaunt through the beautiful, red deer-filled spaces of Killarney National Park, walk the footsteps of giants on the Causeway Coast or take to the rugged spaces of Scotland’s Isle of Skye – we've got the right fit for your active travel.
Ireland & Scotland – a Golfer’s Paradise
Test your swing in the homeland of golf. From the most hallowed and historic Scottish links to the vibrant rolling greens of Ireland, there’s no better place to enjoy the great game than in the place where it was born. We are proud to offer custom, handcrafted golf vacations that show off the best golf courses in Ireland and Scotland, filled with history, style and challenges for every level of skill. Your transportation, accommodations, tee-times and off-the-course activities are all taken care of. All you have to remember is to pack two pairs of pants, in case you get a hole in one.
Travel that Matters in Ireland & Scotland
Connect more deeply with Ireland and Scotland through experiences that give back. Sprinkled throughout all our activities are our carefully selected and culturally vivid MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences. These deeply special activities share with you who we are, what we are protecting and where we’ve come from, while ensuring your travels have a tangible and positive impact on the people you connect with, the planet you walk on and the nature you experience.
We are working to ensure that a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is included across our tours, and cannot wait to match you to one that illuminates your travels in the Celtic Isles.
Choosing where to stay in Ireland and Scotland is an important part of your travels – it's your home away from home. It’s where you rest at the end of an adventure-filled day, it’s where you start every new exploration. From hotels, castles, manors and even bed-and-breakfasts, you’ll find the very best places to stay in Catherine’s Collection, selected for you based on our intimate knowledge of our homelands. This is us taking you personally.
Hotels
Only the best for you, our friends. We’ve carefully curated a roster of the top hotels in Ireland and Scotland, selected for service, quality and style. Find your perfect pick amongst our expert recommendations.
Castles
It’s the dream to stay in a castle – and we can help make it a reality. From classic aesthetics with plush modern comforts to contemporary luxury and chic interiors tucked inside stately castle walls, your options for elegance are endless.
Estates & Manors
All the charms and comforts of elevated countryside living, meet the hospitality and service of top-tier hotels. Relax on expansive estates, explore the surrounding regions and experience the recreation and activities that each has in store.
Bed and Breakfasts
Cozy, comfortable and classically Celtic. Staying at a Bed & Breakfast brings you closer to the daily life of your destination. Our personally-vetted picks combine charm, character and hospitality for an experience you’ll always remember.
Who should travel to Ireland and Scotland? We may be biased, but we think everyone – and we can’t wait to meet you all (honestly). Families, solos, groups and every person under the rainbow (of which Ireland has many) will find a travel experience that perfectly fits their needs and desires. Our Celtic Experts can recommend the best places to stay, top activities and the ideal way to travel around our homelands based on who’s traveling with you.
Couples
The roads of Ireland and Scotland are marked with milestones, so why not commemorate your own on a vacation here with us? Anniversaries, honeymoons, proposals and everything in between, our Celtic Experts will help you find the perfect trip and plan those special moments to celebrate your love.
Families
Family travel in Ireland and Scotland is exciting, bonding and brilliant. With activities to suit every generation of your family and brilliant stays to relax in, we’ve got everything you need to start writing your Celtic story together. So gather your clan and prepare for a lifetime of memories.
LGBTQIA+
Everyone in and under the rainbow is welcome here in the Celtic Isles. From friendly faces and friends you’ll meet, to an open culture known for cheer and hospitality, this is where to go when flying solo, on a romantic adventure, traveling with your chosen family or bringing the whole community together.
Groups
Take your group on an unforgettable trip to Ireland and Scotland with Brendan Vacations. Whether you're traveling with family or friends or organizing a group event, our Celtic Experts will create a custom itinerary just for you. Choose from our flexible itineraries or work with us to design the perfect experience for your group.
Your next vacation deserves to be filled with unforgettable experiences – and with us, it’s all about the personal connection to our Celtic homelands. There are so many things to do in Ireland and Scotland, and you'll find the very best in Catherine’s Collection. We’ve hand-selected a variety of activities based on our intimate knowledge of our homelands and can help recommend experiences for your next vacation. This is us taking you personally.
Trace Your Irish and Scottish Ancestry
With nearly 120+ million people across North America who can claim Irish or Scottish heritage, seeking a link through history is a deeply important aspect of travel for so many of our guests. We want to help you build the bridge to your personal history, reconnecting you to your Celtic Roots. However deep you wish to explore, our Celtic Experts can arrange private and prescheduled genealogy and ancestry consultations. We will take you personally every step of the way.
The History & Culture & of Ireland & Scotland
Our Celtic homelands are a rich tapestry of heritage, myths and legends. Meet amazing and warm people who are the beating heart of what makes a Celtic welcome so unique. Experience traditional music and dancing, the glories of storytelling and the tales of times gone by. Ireland and Scotland have some of the best histories in the world and you feel it as you walk around.
Food & Drink
How do you get the bold flavor of Celtic culture? You taste it. Follow your appetite through the Celtic Isles. Eclectic and modern, traditional and hearty, walking food tours and Michelin-star sit downs, Ireland & Scotland are rich lands for foodies. With herds of Shepherd’s Pies to try, seaweed’s umami flavors to explore and plenty of pints to be pulled, prepare your palate and raise a glass for tasteful journeys through the full-bodied flavors of our homelands.
Outdoor Adventures in Ireland & Scotland
Bold highlands, kinetic coastlines, rolling green hills and serene forests – call us biased but there’s no better place for outdoor experiences than in Ireland & Scotland. Whether you want something leisurely-paced or are prepped and packed for a fully active adventure, you'll always find just the right activity for you and your group here in the Celtic Isles. Jaunt through the beautiful, red deer-filled spaces of Killarney National Park, walk the footsteps of giants on the Causeway Coast or take to the rugged spaces of Scotland’s Isle of Skye – we've got the right fit for your active travel.
Ireland & Scotland – a Golfer’s Paradise
Test your swing in the homeland of golf. From the most hallowed and historic Scottish links to the vibrant rolling greens of Ireland, there’s no better place to enjoy the great game than in the place where it was born. We are proud to offer custom, handcrafted golf vacations that show off the best golf courses in Ireland and Scotland, filled with history, style and challenges for every level of skill. Your transportation, accommodations, tee-times and off-the-course activities are all taken care of. All you have to remember is to pack two pairs of pants, in case you get a hole in one.
Travel that Matters in Ireland & Scotland
Connect more deeply with Ireland and Scotland through experiences that give back. Sprinkled throughout all our activities are our carefully selected and culturally vivid MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences. These deeply special activities share with you who we are, what we are protecting and where we’ve come from, while ensuring your travels have a tangible and positive impact on the people you connect with, the planet you walk on and the nature you experience.
We are working to ensure that a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience is included across our tours, and cannot wait to match you to one that illuminates your travels in the Celtic Isles.
About Brendan Vacations
In our Celtic world when we say Cead Mile Failte, every one of those one hundred thousand welcomes means something. That’s why when you travel with Brendan Vacations, you’ll experience a uniquely tailored trip that is planned, managed and personally delivered by our passionate team of Celtic Experts. With more than 55 years of experience, no one knows Ireland and Scotland quite like Brendan Vacations. We are your personal connection to our Celtic homelands.
Guided Tour Vacations
Our carefully-crafted Guided Tours allow you to experience the best of Ireland and Scotland with everything taken care of, from driving and accommodations to daily activities and iconic sightseeing. Departures are defined throughout the year, and our expanded range of itineraries now includes returning Signature favorites, Premium Tours and new Small Group Tours. Discovering the Celtic Isles has never been easier, all you have to decide is which vacation is best for you.
Private Driver
Combining their navigation with your relaxation, our Private Driver Vacations in Ireland and Scotland are fully customizable and include exclusive access to experiences and activities, as well as stays at incredible accommodations. Enjoy your ride at your own pace, while in the comfort of a luxurious, private car. This is the ideal way to explore the Celtic Isles, learning the history, legends and local culture that defines every stretch, bend and turn on the way.
Rail Vacations
Rail Vacations blends an independent travel style with local support. We’ll help you select your must-see cities in Ireland and Scotland, favorite accommodations and incredible experiences, and when you arrive at your destination, an expert Local Host will greet you with a treasure trove of ideas on what to do, where to eat, drink, shop and what not-to-miss.
Self-Drive
Your Celtic road trip, our Celtic expertise. If you want total independence (but still need support from the experts), look no further than a custom Self-Drive trip. With Brendan’s local connections and expertise, you get access to the best places to stay, the right activities and the top experiences that will make the road to your Self-Drive vacation in Ireland and Scotland smooth, seamless and tailored specifically for you. Just bring your driver’s license…your Celtic roadtrip starts here.
Lux Self-Drive
Privacy, luxury and freedom are top of the list on our Lux Self-Drive trips in Ireland. All you need to do is pick up the keys to your pre-reserved luxury vehicle and go. Start with an existing itinerary to build on or craft a trip entirely unique to you. Our Celtic Experts will guide you and help arrange exclusive activities like private tastings, connoisseur tours, ancestry tracing, outdoor activities and more. The best part? You have complete independence to travel at your own pace.
About Brendan Vacations
In our Celtic world when we say Cead Mile Failte, every one of those one hundred thousand welcomes means something. That’s why when you travel with Brendan Vacations, you’ll experience a uniquely tailored trip that is planned, managed and personally delivered by our passionate team of Celtic Experts. With more than 55 years of experience, no one knows Ireland and Scotland quite like Brendan Vacations. We are your personal connection to our Celtic homelands.
Guided Tour Vacations
Our carefully-crafted Guided Tours allow you to experience the best of Ireland and Scotland with everything taken care of, from driving and accommodations to daily activities and iconic sightseeing. Departures are defined throughout the year, and our expanded range of itineraries now includes returning Signature favorites, Premium Tours and new Small Group Tours. Discovering the Celtic Isles has never been easier, all you have to decide is which vacation is best for you.
Private Driver
Combining their navigation with your relaxation, our Private Driver Vacations in Ireland and Scotland are fully customizable and include exclusive access to experiences and activities, as well as stays at incredible accommodations. Enjoy your ride at your own pace, while in the comfort of a luxurious, private car. This is the ideal way to explore the Celtic Isles, learning the history, legends and local culture that defines every stretch, bend and turn on the way.
Rail Vacations
Rail Vacations blends an independent travel style with local support. We’ll help you select your must-see cities in Ireland and Scotland, favorite accommodations and incredible experiences, and when you arrive at your destination, an expert Local Host will greet you with a treasure trove of ideas on what to do, where to eat, drink, shop and what not-to-miss.
Self-Drive
Your Celtic road trip, our Celtic expertise. If you want total independence (but still need support from the experts), look no further than a custom Self-Drive trip. With Brendan’s local connections and expertise, you get access to the best places to stay, the right activities and the top experiences that will make the road to your Self-Drive vacation in Ireland and Scotland smooth, seamless and tailored specifically for you. Just bring your driver’s license…your Celtic roadtrip starts here.
Lux Self-Drive
Privacy, luxury and freedom are top of the list on our Lux Self-Drive trips in Ireland. All you need to do is pick up the keys to your pre-reserved luxury vehicle and go. Start with an existing itinerary to build on or craft a trip entirely unique to you. Our Celtic Experts will guide you and help arrange exclusive activities like private tastings, connoisseur tours, ancestry tracing, outdoor activities and more. The best part? You have complete independence to travel at your own pace.
