Emerald Isle

Dublin General Post Office, Phoenix Park, O’Connell Street, Trinity College & Book of Kells visit, Irish Parliament

Be Irish for a day! Experience firsthand how Irish farmers tend to their land and animals. Learn all about traditional Ireland: speak their native language, dance a jig, or play the bodhran, a traditional Irish drum made from goatskin.

Visit the Rock of Cashel, an extraordinary ruined abbey at the top of a hill near Cashel. This outcrop of limestone, stretching 197 feet into the sky, possesses sixteen centuries of history. It was the castled seat of the kings of Munster as far back as 360 CE and remained a royal fortress until 1101. Today there are ruins of a two-towered chapel, a cruciform cathedral, a round tower, and a cluster of other medieval monuments. Inside the cathedral, ancient carvings survive in excellent condition.

Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, a fascinating museum that tells the story of Irish emigration and maritime history, including the Titanic and the Great Famine.

Walk a mile in the shoes of an Irish emigrant. Uncover personal accounts of the circumstances that forced these inhabitants out of the country. Reflect on the feelings you would have felt in their shoes and discover how their departure shaped the history of Ireland.

Stop for a visit to Blarney Castle, the medieval stone structure built on solid limestone around 1466. (The slivers of windows served as a defense, enabling Lord Blarney and his men to shoot arrows at invaders while staying protected from within.) Climb the spiral staircases to the top of the castle to kiss the Blarney stone. Legend promises that if you lean backwards and kiss the stone upside-down, you’ll be granted the “gift of the gab” (the privilege of babbling questionable commentary for seven years). Before you leave, wander the path to Rock Close to ponder the druidic circle of mystical stones. Enter Lord Blarney’s dungeon if you dare.

Get a feel for Ireland’s emerald beauty on an excursion around the Iveragh Peninsula on the panoramic coastal route, Ring of Kerry. Along the 112 miles of breathtaking views, you’ll spy 360 degrees of the vast Atlantic Ocean, the Lakes of Killarney, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks (Ireland’s tallest mountains), and every shade of green known to the Emerald Isle.

Discover Bunratty Castle, a formidable castle built in the 15th Century. It has been preserved to look just as it would have in the 1500s. A tour of the castle will include the Great Hall, Main Guard, and the South Solar. We will this visit the adjoining Folk Park, an authentic recreation of life in Ireland in the late 19th Century.

Venture to the edge of Ireland at the Cliffs of Moher, where sheer rock faces rise 700 feet above the Atlantic Ocean. Layers of sandstone and shale color the cliffs, while O’Brien’s Tower stands proudly at the summit, offering sweeping views. With waves crashing below and Ireland’s brilliant green landscape spilling toward the sea, this is one of the country’s most breathtaking natural wonders.

Spend the morning among the flora and fauna of the Connemara National Park, known for its wild ponies and lush greenery.