SHORTLIST

Castles and Manors - 09 May 2026 to 26 Sep 2026

This grand Ireland trip is fit for royalty, including stays in the homes of Irish nobility. You’ll travel to Kildare and learn all about the racehorses of Ireland, visit the Ring of Kerry and watch how delicate crystal is cut in Connemara.
Sightseeing highlights
  • Explore Dublin, Killarney National Park and Cashel
  • Discover Killarney and Galway
  • Visit Kylemore Abbey, Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, Cliffs of Moher, Rock of Cashel in Cashel and the Irish National Stud near Kildare
  • View Torc Waterfall in Killarney National Park
  • See Dublin's Georgian Squares and Galway Cathedral
  • Scenic Drive of the Ring of Kerry and through Connemara
Iconic Experience
  • Dublin: A Local Specialist will show you Dublin's elegant Georgian squares, O'Connell Street and the Custom House.
  • Galway: Explore the historic heart of Galway. See landmarks such as the Spanish Arch and the cathedral, or perhaps admire the distinctive Claddagh rings.
  • Kylemore Abbey & Victorian Walled Garden: Visit the turreted Neo-Gothic Kylemore Abbey. This monastery was founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I.
  • Connemara: Visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory and witness master craftsmen bring these intricate crystal designs to life.
  • Lahinch: Help preserve the Cliffs of Moher for generations to come and learn about its extraordinary geology, history and the species that find sanctuary in its nooks and crannies.
  • Ring of Kerry: Admire Ireland's enduring scenic beauty on one of the most beautiful drives in the world.
  • Torc Waterfall: Visit the Torc Waterfall with a Local Specialist.
  • Kildare: Admire Ireland's finest thoroughbreds at the Irish National Stud Farm.
  • Cashel: View the ruins of the Rock of Cashel with a Local Specialist.
Tour details
Tour Provider Trafalgar
Price From
$4,569
Number of Days
8
Start Location
Dublin, Ireland
End Location
Dublin, Ireland
Age Range
Avg. 45+
Group Size
20 to 45
Tour Style
Premium
Tour Themes
No specific theme
Physical Rating
Easy to Moderate
Itinerary Open all
Welcome to Dublin
Set your watch to the lively pace of Ireland's capital city – the springboard for your in-depth journey through the lush landscapes and enduring allure of Ireland. Your exploration of Dublin with a Local Specialist will see you view St. Patrick's Cathedral and Georgian Squares. Spend some time at leisure exploring Dublin's pretty streets before joining your travel companions and Travel Director for dinner celebrating traditional Irish flavours.
Journey to Galway and on to Ashford Castle Estate Stays With Stories
The first stop today is Europe's 'City of the Tribes', where you will have an opportunity to see Galway Cathedral and stroll through Eyre Square. Overnight at one of Trafalgar’s Stays With Stories on the shores of Lough Corrib. Feel like lords and ladies as you relax in the elegant country quarters of The Lodge at Ashford Castle, celebrating the heritage and hospitality of Ireland.
Enjoy a Be My Guest experience at Glen Keen Farm and admire Abbeyglen Castle Connect with Locals Stays With Stories
Leave the estate of Ashford Castle behind and travel through the rugged landscapes of County Mayo to Glen Keen Farm for your Be My Guest experience. Meet Catherine and Jim, whose family has farmed this land since the 1600s, and hear how tradition meets innovation on their award-winning sheep farm. Watch the border collies at work and enjoy a farmhouse lunch and homemade cake with tea in their home. Continue to Clifden, where you’ll stay for the next two nights at Abbeyglen Castle. This Stays with Stories experience combines historic charm with views of the Twelve Bens, offering warm hospitality and a strong connection to life in Connemara.
A Day Exploring Stunning Connemara
Drive through the 'savage beauty' of Connemara, as described by Oscar Wilde who was inspired by the region's craggy mountains, shimmering lakes and endless shades of green. Visit Kylemore Abbey, a magnificent castellated structure built as a family home and now inhabited by a group of Benedictine nuns.  Venture into the secret nooks and crannies of its extensive walled Victorian garden. Later, stop for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience at an oyster farm before returning to your castle accommodation for a delicious dinner.
Onwards to the Cliffs of Moher and Killarney Dive Into Culture Make Travel Matter
This morning, visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, where you'll Dive Into Culture and witness first-hand how their famous crystal designs are made. Picture yourself living in 1520 alongside the Dunguaire Castle when you later pass through the charming seaport village of Kinvara. Next up is an experience you’ll remember for years to come as you watch the UNESCO-listed Cliffs of Moher plunge dramatically into the Atlantic waters below. Beyond the endless views you’ll have an opportunity to visit the Cliffs of Moher Visitor Experience which really brings this natural phenomenon to life in an interactive way, leaving you with a deep understanding of this special place.
A Day on the Ring of Kerry
Enjoy a slow start to your morning, joining a Local Specialist for a leisurely guided walk at Torc Waterfall, strolling over wooded paths and lakeshore trails. Embark on an epic drive next, exploring the enduring beauty of the Ring of Kerry whose enchanting coastal landscapes have inspired writers and pts for centuries.
Discover Cashel and Return to Dublin Dive Into Culture
Discover the legacy of St. Patrick when you visit the imposing Rock of Cashel, once the traditional seat of the kings of Munster. View its ecclesiastical ruins with a Local Specialist then traverse scenic landscapes to Kildare. Here you’ll Dive Into Culture and learn about Ireland's thoroughbred industry at the Irish National Stud. You'll have a rare opportunity to see the foaling unit, museum and of course the magnificent stallions that continue to make racing history. Later today, return to the Irish capital where you’ll inject a bit of the craic into dinner with your new friends.
Journey Home
Say a fond farewell to your newfound friends and Dublin today. You will be transferred to the airport, where your journey through the 'Emerald Isle' comes to an end.
Inclusions
  • 4 Dinner (D)
  • 7 Breakfast (B)
  • 1 Lunch (L)
  • An expert Travel Director and professional Driver
  • Cherry-picked hotels, all tried and trusted
  • All porterage and restaurant gratuities
  • All hotel tips, charges and local taxes
  • Breakfast daily and up to half of your evening meals
  • Must-see sightseeing
  • Audio headsets for flexible sightseeing
  • Luxury air-conditioned coach with Wi-Fi in most countries or alternative transportation (such as rail journeys)
  • Ferry across the Shannon estuary
  • Optional Experiences and free time
  • On occasion, hotels of similar standard and location may be utilised
Departure dates
All pp pricing is based on twin share occupancy. Single supplements will apply
Start End Availability Price NZD
09 May 2026 16 May 2026 Available $4,926
23 May 2026 30 May 2026 Available $4,926
06 Jun 2026 13 Jun 2026 Available $4,926
20 Jun 2026 27 Jun 2026 Available $4,926
04 Jul 2026 11 Jul 2026 Available $4,569
18 Jul 2026 25 Jul 2026 Available $4,569
01 Aug 2026 08 Aug 2026 Available $4,569
15 Aug 2026 22 Aug 2026 Available $4,569
29 Aug 2026 05 Sep 2026 Available $4,926
26 Sep 2026 03 Oct 2026 Available $4,926