Ireland’s Ancient East Tour

Failte Ireland

Arrive at Dublin Airport and meet with your driver-guide in the arrivals hall. Travel to Dublin City for Dublin Panoramic City Tour. You will see the important buildings of the city such as the GPO which dominates the famous O’Connell Street, arteries of the Northern City, Palace of Justice in Four Courts, old Dublin port area with beautiful Customs House. You will drive through Phoenix Park which is the largest city park in Europe and houses the residence of the President of the Republic of Ireland and the famous Dublin Zoo.
The southern City is more sophisticated with elegant Georgian houses with their multi-colored doors and magnificent Grafton Street are with its great shops. South of the city is also home to the famous Trinity College with its huge Old Library containing the much famous Book of Kells (An illuminated manuscript Gospel book in Latin You will see the St.Patrick’s Cathedral and the medieval church of Christ Church in which vaults the 14th-century copy of Magna Carta is displayed.
Following your tour the rest of the day at leisure to relax or explore as you please.

Optional: You may like to take a visit to the National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology for the first glimpse of Ancient Ireland. The museum covers the history of Ireland from the Stoneage to the late middle ages. See artifacts from prehistoric Ireland such as the ceremonial mace-head discovered at the tomb of Knowth (which you will visit later in your trip), Jewellery, and weapons from the Bronze age. You will also see well-preserved bodies dating from 242 to 400 BC, which have been found in Irish bogs from the 19th Century until the present day and are believed to have been ritualistically sacrificed.

Overnight on Bed & Breakfast basis in your hotel in Dublin.

Explore The Megalithic Passage Tomb of Newgrange or Knowth

Today you travel a short distance to Co. Meath. Enjoy a fascinating exploration of Bru na Boinne. One of Ireland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites, built by Ireland’s first people, a thousand years before Stonehenge in England and older than the pyramids of Egypt. It is the jewel in the crown of Ireland’s Ancient East.

Explore the megalithic passage tomb of Newgrange or Knowth. Newgrange is a 5,200-year-old passage tomb built by Stone Age farmers who prospered on the rich lands of the Boyne Valley. A passage leads into a chamber with 3 alcoves. The passage and chamber are aligned with the rising sun at the winter solstice. Knowth Neolithic passage grave. Knowth is the largest mound containing two passages leading to a burial chamber.

Overnight in your Hotel in Dublin.

Visit The Majestic Hill of Tara

Today you travel to another area within the Boyne Valley Region in Co. Meath.

Visit the majestic Hill of Tara. Famous as the Seat of the High Kings of Ireland, and the most important center of political and religious power. It has been an important site since the late Stone Age. From here you will see the Hill of Slane, where Ireland’s patron Saint, St. Patrick lit his paschal fire - whereby Ireland was converted to Christianity. Travel to Trim – check in to hotel. Rest of the day at leisure.

Recommended Tour: You may like to take a visit to Trim Castle the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland. Constructed over a thirty-year period by Hugh de Lacy in 1176. The castle and grounds were the settings for the King’s Castle in the film Braveheart.

Overnight in your Hotel in Trim.

Visit 18th century Slane Castle

After breakfast in your hotel, leave your hotel and travel to the idyllic village of Slane, located in the heart of the Boyne Valley.

Visit Slane Castle built in the late 18th century and the seat of the Conyngham family since 1703. One of the most picturesque and historic buildings in Ireland. Learn of the history and take in the ambiance.

Next, you will visit Slane Castle Whiskey Distillery housed within the 250-year-old stables of the Castle estate. During the tour, you will be taken through the heritage room, barley room, cooperage, and maturation warehouse before a final stop that provides a view of the pot stills and productions areas. The tour concludes with a taste of the signature triple casked blend, Slane Irish Whiskey.

Return to your hotel in Trim.

Explore The UNESCO World Heritage Site of The Giant’s Causeway

After breakfast travels Northwards to Northern Ireland to visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Giant’s Causeway. It is also a national nature reserve of Northern Ireland.

Volcanic activity 60 million years ago led to the formation of the 38,000 basalt columns that make up the Giant's Causeway. Hexagonal in shape, the stones stretch far out into the sea and some stand as tall as 36ft (12m).

Or you might like to believe the magical tales of the locals - that the columns are the remains of a causeway built by an Irish giant – Fionn mac Cumhaill who decided to build a bridge to cross the sea and challenge the Scottish Giant Bennandoner to a fight! Following your visit return to your hotel in Trim.

Overnight in your Hotel in Trim.

Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Wicklow Mountains

After breakfast, you leave County Meath and transfer to Co. Wicklow is known as “the Garden of Ireland”. Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Wicklow Mountains Tour route which includes a stop at Glencree Valley, photo stops at the Guinness Lake (Lough Tay), the PS I Love you Bridge, the bog lands and heather fields of the Sally gap and spectacular Glendalough.

Dinner and overnight in your Hotel in Glendalough, one of Ireland’s most picturesque villages.

Explore Glendalough

After breakfast in your hotel, enjoy a free day to explore Glendalough. It’s up to you if you want a long hike in the tranquility of the mountains or an amble around one of the many villages. Situated in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains, Gleann Dá Loch (Irish) meaning the “glen of two lakes” was carved out by glaciers during the ice age which formed the two lakes.
The 10th century Christian monastic round tower the settlement was founded here by St. Kevin, a hermit the monk who died about 618 AD. Enjoy a leisurely walk (or more challenging) to the lower and upper lakes, the stark beauty of Glendalough makes it a must-see!

Overnight in your Hotel in Glendalough.

Slan Ireland!

Today is the departure day of our journey. After full Irish breakfast in your hotel, transfer to Dublin Airport and check-in. Take your flight back home with fond memories of the Emerald Isle!