Irish Castles, Coasts & Cathedrals
Tours / Irish Castles, Coasts & Cathedrals
Marvel at the lush landscapes, serene lakes and rugged coastal views of the Emerald Isle. Explore castles, cathedrals, and ancient dwellings. May add visits to Belfast and Giant’s Causeway.
DATE
Jul 9-20, 2025 (or 9-22)
BOARD
3-Star & 4-Star Hotels
DURATION
12 or 14 Days
TRANSPORT
Cars, Public Transit
GROUP SIZE
8 People
ACTIVITY
Leisure
Tour Itinerary
DAY 1: Travel Day
International flights should be arranged to depart from the US on or before July 9th in order to arrive in Dublin on the tour start date of July 10th.
DAY 2: Arrival in Dublin
You’ll have time to store your luggage in your hotel room before heading out for an afternoon of sightseeing in Dublin. Stand in awe of the beauty of Saint Patrick’s cathedral. Take in the music scene of Temple Bar and find an authentic Irish pub meal. Overnight in Dublin.
DAY 3: Dublin
Explore Dublin’s highlights, including visits to Ha’Penny Bridge, the Irish Famine Monument, St. Michan’s chapel, and Trinity College. View the incredible 9th century illuminated manuscript, the Book of Kells, at Trinity College. Optional evening activities include an Irish musical performance or the chance to make an Irish silver ring. Overnight in Dublin.
DAY 4: Waterford
Stroll through the Viking Triangle area of Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city, to experience 1,000 years of history in 1,000 steps. Take a tour of the Waterford Crystal factory to see demonstrations of the creative and unique methods used to create one-of-a-kind pieces that are sold worldwide. Step back in time to when Vikings lived and worked here with a VR Viking Experience. Overnight in Youghal.
DAY 5: Cobh & Blarney
Discover the coastal town of Cobh, known as the Titanic’s last port of call. Consider spending time walking the Titanic Trail or exploring the Titanic Heritage Centre. Tour St. Colman’s Cathedral, the tallest church in Ireland. After kissing the famous Blarney Stone, visit the prehistoric Fern Garden, a deadly Poison Garden, and magical Rock Close with its ancient Yew Trees and druidic stones at Blarney Castle. Overnight in Killarney.
DAY 6: Killarney National Park
Enjoy the beauty and serenity of Killarney National Park at your own pace. The park is accessible by jaunting car (horse-drawn carriage), bicycle or foot and there is plenty to see. Visit St. Mary’s Cathedral, Ross Castle, Muckross Abbey, Muckross House, and Torc Waterfall. Spend the evening in the quaint seaside village of Dingle with its attractive port nestled in a natural bay. Overnight in Dingle.
DAY 7: Dingle Peninsula
Spend the day taking the circuitous drive around the Dingle Peninsula. The peninsula, on Ireland’s southwest Atlantic coast, is ringed by sandy beaches and craggy cliffs. Inland are views of rolling hills and rugged mountains. Tour prehistoric ruins, ring forts and famine houses. Overnight in Templeglantine.
DAY 8: Bunratty and Cliffs of Moher
Experience a living reconstruction of an 1800s Irish village at Bunratty Folk Park and Castle. Wander along the seashore footpath above the Cliffs of Moher, which rise to 700 feet and stretch majestically along Ireland’s Atlantic coast. Overnight in Ennistimon.
DAY 9: Doolin & Inishmore
Wander through the shops of the port village of Doolin before taking a ferry across Galway Bay to the largest of the Aran Islands, Inishmore. Translated to mean simply “big island”, Inishmore is known for its rugged landscape, ancient forts, and Irish culture. Choose to explore the island on foot, via bicycle or on a mini tour bus (additional fee). Overnight in Ennistimon.
DAY 10: Clonmacnoise & Trim Castle
Travel across Ireland’s lush countryside, stopping in scenic towns and villages. Visit the grounds of Clonmacnoise with its intricate stone carvings and high crosses surrounded by a beautiful landscape. Have lunch in the riverside town of Athlone. Wander the bewitching grounds around Trim Castle. Overnight in Trim.
DAY 11: Newgrange
Discover a complex of Neolithic mounds, chamber tombs, standing stones, henges and other prehistoric relics with visits to Knowth and Newgrange. These burial mounds were built over 5,000 years ago and pre-date the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. Overnight near the Dublin airport.
DAY 12: Return Home
The tour concludes with hotel check-out by 11 a.m. Arrangements to the airport will be made for those leaving prior to 9 a.m. Early departures or later departures should plan their own transportation to the airport.
Northern Ireland Add-On Days
DAY 11: Newgrange & Belfast
Discover a complex of Neolithic mounds, chamber tombs, standing stones, henges and other prehistoric relics with visits to Knowth and Newgrange. These burial mounds were built over 5,000 years ago and pre-date the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. Evening transit from Dublin to Belfast. Overnight in Belfast.
DAY 12: Giant’s Causeway & Antrim Coast
Play around on the columns of Giant’s Causeway, an area of about 40,000 interlocking basalt columns, the result of an ancient volcanic eruption. Up the adrenaline by crossing the Carrick-a-Rede Suspension Bridge, a rope bridge connecting the tiny island of Carrick to mainland Ireland. If the weather is clear enough, you can see the coast of Scotland from the Antrim Coast. Overnight in Belfast.
DAY 13: Belfast
A colorful and dynamic port city with a tumultuous past, Belfast is a cultural hub on Northern Ireland's eastern coast. As the hometown where the Titanic was constructed and launched, a museum has been established to tell the story of the ill-fated voyage. Stroll the museum’s exhibits and view the Victoria Channel from where she first set sail. Also synonymous with Belfast are The Troubles, a period of sectarian strife that divided the city down political and religious lines. Hear firsthand accounts of those who lived through the era of strife in a Troubles tour. Return to Dublin. Overnight near Dublin airport.
DAY 14: Return Home
The tour concludes with hotel check-out by 11 a.m. Arrangements to the airport will be made for those leaving prior to 9 a.m. Early departures or later departures should plan their own transportation to the airport.
Tour Pricing And Payment Schedule
The Irish Castles, Coasts and Cathedrals tour scheduled for July 2025 will be $3,750 per person, based on double occupancy. A $100 discount is given for payment in full at initial deposit; otherwise, the following payment schedule applies, per person:
Non-refundable deposit of $600 reserves spot (deposits made prior to Dec 31st, 2024 receive a $100 discount, making the deposit $500).
Payment of $450 due on Dec 1st, 2024
Payment of $450 due on Jan 1st, 2025
Payment of $450 due on Feb 1st, 2025
Payment of $450 due on Mar 1st, 2025
Payment of $450 due on Apr 1st, 2025
Payment of $450 due on May 1st, 2025
Final payment of $450 due on June 1st, 2025
Additional payment of $300 for Northern Ireland add-on due on Mar 15th, 2025
If signing up after any deposit deadline, payment for any previous deposits will be due upon sign-up. Prompt payment is appreciated. Late payments are assessed a $25 late fee.
Solo supplement (single occupancy hotel rooms): $800 pp
Minimum Number of Participants: 6 for Irish Castles, Coasts and Cathedrals tour, 4 for N. Ireland add-on.
Tour Inclusions and Exclusions
Included in the tour cost:
Pre-tour information, such as what to pack and how to exchange currency
Expertise of a tour guide throughout the tour
All sight-seeing and visits, as noted in the itinerary
All on-tour transportation, including trains, ferries, rental vehicles, and buses
One carry-on suitcase and one personal item due to space restraints in rental vehicles
All accommodations, based on double occupancy; typically, 3-star and 4-star hotels
Not included in the tour cost:
International airfare and any related expenses
Travel insurance
Expenses due to flight delays, strikes, inclement weather or other irregularities
Passport fees, visas and visa photos as required
Personal items such as souvenirs, laundry services, beverages, snacks, and healthcare
Optional excursions as indicated in the itinerary
Meals as indicated in the tour itinerary
Checked baggage fees and excess baggage charges
Seat requests and seat upgrades
Solo traveler supplement
Refunds for tour services not utilized
Other items not specifically mentioned as included
Tour Information
Terms and Conditions
Please thoroughly review the Terms and Conditions on our website. Submitting a deposit for services constitutes a contractual agreement with Aticus Travel and represents your acceptance of the Aticus Travel, LLC Terms & Conditions.
View Terms and Conditions >
Liability Waiver and Release Form
Please sign and return the Liability Waiver and Release Form for each tour participant. A parent or guardian must sign the form for any minor participants. A tour request is officially submitted when both the tour deposit and the Waiver and Release form are received by Aticus Travel, LLC for each tour participant.
Travel Insurance
Due to the strict cancellation policy, in order to protect your investment, and to provide you with peace of mind, we strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance. Many reputable companies exist and you can look into any of them, but here are a few recommendations to consider: Allianz Global Assistance, TravelEx, World Nomads and Travel Guard.
Packing Checklist and Tips
Please review the packing list for suggestions and tips on what to pack, how much you can take and what to leave at home.
View / Download Packing Checklist and Tips >