Dublin

Your voyage of discovery begins with a transfer to the River Liffey upon which Dublin is built. Board the ‘Spirit of Docklands’ for a gentle and relaxing cruise (45 minutes) and hear the story of Dublin, from the first arrival of the Vikings 1,000 years ago to the rapid development of the city. You’ll be told the story behind the iconic Ha’penny Bridge and hear about Gandon’s masterpiece, the majestic Customs House. Follow the story of Dublin’s Royal and Grand Canals and see where Oliver Cromwell landed in 1649. Learn how much of present day Dublin now sits on reclaimed land, including Trinity College and the spire in O’Connell Street.

Rejoining your coach, you’ll then take a panoramic drive through the city. See the Georgian Squares of Merrion and Fitzwilliam and stop to photograph the renowned Dublin doorways. Founded in 1190, St Patrick’s Cathedral is perhaps best known for its association with Jonathan Swift, who was Dean here from 1713 to 1745. Next, drive past the Guinness Brewery, home of the famous ‘Black Stuff’ for which Dublin is famous. Continuing to Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest enclosed public park, you’ll see the homes of Ireland’s President and American Ambassador. On the north side of Dublin’s River Liffey, you’ll pass the Four Courts, Ireland’s courts of justice.

Travelling through the city, you’ll see the Old Parliament House, Trinity College and the Georgian squares of Merrion and Fitzwilliam. Travel to St Stephen’s Green and Dawson Street and view the Mansion House, residence of Dublin’s Lord Mayor. You’ll pass Dublin Castle, City Hall, Christchurch Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral en route to visit the home of the famous brew – Guinness.

The Guinness Storehouse is located in the heart of the Guinness Brewery. It is a dramatic story that began over 250 years ago and ends in ‘Gravity’, the sky bar, which has astonishing views of Dublin. The ‘Guinness adventure’ begins the moment you walk through the door and into the building’s giant, pint-shaped heart of glass. Find out how the drink that carries Arthur Guinness’s name has travelled around the world. After your visit, you’ll have the opportunity to taste the world famous stout. There will also be time to shop in the Guinness Store, where you’ll find the world’s greatest selection of Guinness memorabilia.

Pass by the Customs House, located on the north bank of the River Liffey, before crossing to the south side. Here, you’ll see The Old Parliament House and Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest college.

Your panoramic drive of the city takes you past the Georgian squares of Merrion and Fitzwilliam to see the famous ‘Doorways of Dublin’. Then, it’s on past the National Gallery of Ireland, Government Buildings and St Stephen’s Green. On Dawson Street, view The Mansion House, residence of Dublin’s Lord Mayor.

See Dublin Castle, City Hall, Christchurch Cathedral and St Patrick’s Cathedral. Founded in 1190, St Patrick’s is perhaps best known for its association with Jonathan Swift, who was Dean here from 1713 to 1745. See where the famous ‘Black Stuff’ is produced as you pass the Guinness Brewery en route to Phoenix Park, Europe’s largest enclosed public park.

Back on the north side you pass the Four Courts, and the wide boulevard of O’Connell Street. Tea or coffee and biscuits will be included during your tour.

Drive through Ireland’s cosmopolitan capital, stopping for photos of the famous Doorways of Dublin, Government Buildings and St. Patrick’s Cathedral.

Both Guinness and Riverdance started their life on the Banks of the River Liffey. Riverdance was originally a 7 minute live television performance, broadcast from Dublin to a European viewing audience of over 300 million during the Eurovision Song Contest in1994. It integrated traditional and modern music, with spectacular hard-shoe Irish dancing in a way never dreamed of before. The heart of the nation was captured that very first night by young and old alike, and this was to be the beginnings of what became the runaway artistic and commercial success of the decade in Ireland.

Stop at an Irish pub situated near the River Liffey for a live performance of the traditional music and dance. Try the Guinness or, if you prefer, why not have a cool glass of Bailey’s Irish Cream.

Travel via Fairview and the northern suburb of Coolock before arriving at the beautiful seaside village of Malahide, a noted yachting centre. In the latter part of the 19th century with the advent of the railway, Malahide became a tourist resort and a residential town. Since then, though the population has exploded in a major way, Malahide Village has still managed to retain an old-world elegance. A stop will be made to photograph Malahide Castle, set on 250 acres of parkland, which was both a fortress and a private home for nearly 800 years.

Continue your coastal drive through the village of Portmarnock where the world famous Portmarnock Golf Club is located. This club was, for many years, home of the Irish Open Championship.

Soon you will arrive in the quaint fishing port of Howth. Nestling against the ancient ruins of Howth Abbey with the lovely fishing harbour and marina below, is the 11th century Abbey Tavern, a perfect spot to enjoy an Irish Coffee and savour the genuine atmosphere of old Ireland. Enjoy some short free time to wander through the marina with its extensive variety of private boats and fishing vessels, or relax in the Abbey Tavern.

Departing from Howth, drive over the summit, where you will enjoy wonderful views of Dublin Bay and the Dublin Mountains beyond. You will return to the port via Dollymount and Clontarf.

Your scenic drive through County Wicklow into Wicklow Mountains National Park will take you past jagged mountains, through lush glens and by pretty lakes, which all combine to create a naturally beautiful backdrop.

On arrival in Glendalough, you will visit one of the most important monastic sites in Ireland. The early Christian monastic settlement was founded by St Kevin in the 6th century and consists of a number of monastic remains. One of Europe’s finest examples of Round Tower architecture can be found here, as well as a cathedral, stone church and decorated crosses. Admire the picturesque setting as you take a guided tour around the monastic ruins which are scattered around 2 lakes. Following your walk, refreshments of tea or coffee and scones will be served at a local hotel.

Having enjoyed the beauty of this peaceful and picturesque valley, your return journey will take you through pretty quaint villages before joining the scenic coastal road. As well as coastal scenery along the route you’ll see James Joyce Tower, a 19th century Martello tower and the harbour of Dun Laoghaire.

Your drive will take you into the heart of bustling Dublin, where you’ll pass the main sights including the splendid Georgian Squares, the Edwardian Government Buildings and the renowned St Stephen’s Green.

Continuing on your journey, you’ll pass the 18th century Dublin Castle, City Hall and ornate Christchurch Cathedral before stopping to visit the impressive 12th century St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Arriving back in the centre of Dublin, you’ll stop at the famous Trinity College, Ireland’s oldest college, founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth 1. Step back in time as you walk through the courtyard past the historic and decorative buildings to the Old Library where the world famous Book of Kells is located.

On entering the building you’ll be taken through an interesting ‘Turning Darkness into Light’ exhibition, which places the Book of Kells in its historical perspective and shows how the Book was illustrated. The exhibition ends in the Treasury where you’ll be able to see the fascinating Book of Kells, a hand illuminated 9th century manuscript of the 4 Gospels written in Latin on vellum (prepared calfskin). It is a masterwork of Western calligraphy and is lavishly decorated with figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts, together with Celtic knots and interlacing patterns in vibrant colours. The Book of Kells is considered to be one of the greatest artistic treasures in the world.

Your day begins with a panoramic drive around the main sights of Dublin city. Travelling along the quays, you’ll pass Customs House before crossing the River Liffey to where Old Parliament House and Trinity College are located. Admire the varied architecture as you pass the National Gallery of Ireland, Government Buildings and the Georgian squares of Merrion and Fitzwilliam. A stop will be made to photograph the famous Georgian doorways. Your drive will continue by St Stephen’s Green, Dublin Castle, City Hall and Christchurch Cathedral before stopping for photos at the impressive medieval St Patrick’s Cathedral.

Departing the city, your journey will take you through the quaint coastal towns of Malahide and Portmarnock to the lovely fishing village of Howth. Nestling against the ancient ruins of Howth Abbey with the harbour and marina below, is the Abbey Tavern, an ideal spot to savour the genuine atmosphere of old Ireland. The Tavern is filled with old-world charm with its blazing turf fires, original stonewalls, flagged floors and gas lights. You’ll be served a typically Irish 4-course lunch including Irish coffee in these cosy surroundings before being entertained with a range of live music and Irish dancing.

Before returning to the port, you’ll have some free time in Howth to absorb the picturesque views, stroll along the pier or browse the local shops.