2026 Spring Tour Schedule:
Tuesday, May 12: Meet up in Dublin. Free day with loads of options. (See Dublin handout.) Check in to Wynn’s Hotel, Dublin’s historic gem and the site where the 1916 rebels met to plan the 1916 Easter Rising against British rule: https://www.wynnshotel.ie/
Wednesday, May 13: Day trip north into County Meath. Guided tour of the 11th century Trim Castle, where “Braveheart” was filmed. Guided tour of Brú na Bóinne and Newgrange, a prehistoric passage grave in the Boyne River Valley. Swing by the hill of Tara, the seat of the ancient high kings of Ireland. Sleep in Dublin. Wynn’s Hotel.
Thursday, May 14: Check out of Wynn’s Hotel and leave Dublin to drive west across the country to County Galway via Clonmacnoise in County Offaly, a 6th c monastic site on the River Shannon and perhaps the oldest bar in the world, Sean’s Bar (dating to 900 AD) in Athlone in County Roscommon. Check in to Leonardo’s Hotel by the Spanish Arch in Galway City and enjoy the city known as the arts capital of Ireland (and the European Capital of Culture for 2020) with music galore in the streets and in the pubs! Enjoy an evening of traditional Irish music and dance at “Trad on the Prom”, Ireland’s #1 song and dance extravaganza. https://www.leonardo-hotels.com/galway/leonardo-hotel-galway
Friday, May 15: Ferry trip to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands for a guided tour of the island culminating in a hike to the spectacular prehistoric cliff fort Dun Aengus, over 3,000 years old. (DON’T SIT ON THE CLIFF EDGE!) Return to Galway City for more music. Trad music sessions in Tig Coili and/or Taaffe’s and/or The Quays. (They are pronounced “Chee Koley” and “Taff’s and “The Keys” respectively.)
Saturday, May 16: Check out of Leonardo’s and leave Galway City for County Clare via the charming fishing village of Kinvara and 16th century Dunguaire Castle on the banks of Galway Bay. Enjoy all things chocolate at Hazelnut Chocolate Factory. Wind through the Burren, County Clare’s rocky and beautiful lunar landscape, enjoy a sheepdog demonstration and lunch at Caherconnell, visit the Neolithic Poulnabrone Dolmen and end the afternoon at the iconic Cliffs of Moher. Check in to Temple Gate Hotel in Ennis and relax after a busy day and enjoy a delicious banquet and traditional Irish music and song at Bunratty Castle. https://www.templegatehotel.com/
Sunday, May 17: Check out of Temple Gate and leave County Clare, driving though County Limerick to the Kingdom of Kerry. Stop for lunch in Adare, County Limerick. Check in to Benner’s Hotel in Tralee. Meet up with musicians from Ballydonoghue-Lisselton CCE group for a concert/show.
Monday, May 18: Day trip to Dingle Peninsula & Slea Head Drive, along the Wild Atlantic Way. Hold a baby lamb! Explore the many beehive huts, the one room stone homes of early medieval monks seeking isolation and solitude. Swim at Inch Beach? Shop and have lunch in the famous fishing village of Dingle. Sleep at Benners Hotel in Tralee.
Tuesday, May 19: Check out of Benner’s and leave Kerry via the Lakes of Killarney for Tipperary and the Rock of Cashel, ancient seat of Munster's High Kings and medieval ecclesiastical site. Visit Brú Ború the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann cultural centre promoting traditional Irish music, dance, language, and culture. Sleep at Club House Hotel in Kilkenny, home of the Kilkenny Design Workshops and Kilkenny Castle. https://www.clubhousehotel.com/
Wednesday, May 20: Leave Kilkenny to return to Dublin airport area via County Wicklow and Glendalough, an early medieval monastic site nestled in the Wicklow Mountains. Sleep at Carlton Hotel beside Dublin Airport. https://www.carltondublinairport.com
Thursday, May 21: Fly Home and make your plans for your next visit as Ireland ALWAYS Beckons.
**Tours are subject to modification due to unforeseen circumstances, weather conditions and/or your interests!**
Tour Includes...
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A 24/7 tour guide to address your every concern and heart’s desire, and to facilitate contacts with local musicians, dancers, historians, artists, and craftspeople
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Luxurious motor coach transportation for 10 days with WiFi service (Donoghues of Galway -https://www.donoghuesofgalway.com)
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Hotel accommodations for 9 nights in double rooms with private baths. Single supplement available. (Many of the hotels have exercise rooms, spas, and pools.)
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Full Irish breakfasts
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A medieval castle multi-course banquet at Bunratty Castle, County Clare
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Admissions to all regularly scheduled sites. See below.
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A sheep dog exhibition in County Clare
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"Trad on the Prom," a traditional Irish music and dance show on Galway Bay - Galway's #1 attraction
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A history of Ireland and of each county/city we visit, with suggestions for optional excursions
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A glossary of terms (Irish English/American English)
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A suggested book list for your reading pleasure and information on famous Irish writers
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A discography of Irish music/bands and a short history of Irish music and dance
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A road map of Ireland to track our progress
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An Eire-Go Tours t-shirt.
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AND FREE TIME to putter at your own pace at each stop, on your own and in small groups, as you wish!
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Round-trip airfare and optional sites/tours are not included.
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Lunches/most dinners are not included, so you may eat as much as you wish, what you wish, where you wish, with whomever you wish. Breakfasts are included and extensive, so take advantage of this!
Travel insurance is not included, but is highly recommended.
Schedule is subject to modification based on weather conditions and/or unforeseen circumstances and/or YOUR interests!
Cost: $2,799 per person (sharing). An additional $900 for single supplement IF AVAILABLE! Price includes all ground transportation on luxury coaches (Donoghues of Galway), all 3-4 star hotels with full breakfasts, entrance fees to all sites (see itineraries), the Bunratty Castle Banquet, a sheep dog demonstration, handouts on Irish history, culture, music, dance, language, and every area we visit, maps, a tour tee, and me, as your guide, support system, and problem solver 24/7.
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The tour includes the ferry to Inis Mor, the largest of the Aran Islands, as well as a bus tour of the island, and an evening of traditional Irish music and dance at Trad on the Prom in Galway's Salthill on Galway Bay. To secure your spot, please visit the contact page.
