Day 1

Tracey’s Farmhouse

You will be met on arrival at Dublin Airport by your friendly local driver/guide.  Our adventure begins with a northward journey to Tracey’s Farmhouse where we are warmly welcomed with a delicious display of home-made treats and freshly made breads.  We will be invited to help make fresh soda bread before enjoying the fruits of our labour with a refreshing cup of coffee or tea.  Then we head to Lisburn and the Irish Linen Museum where we will trace the history of Irish linen production in Ulster and view live spinning and weaving demonstrations.  We continue to Belfast where there will be time to relax and unwind before enjoying a welcome dinner in the hotel dining room.

Flights from Canada to Ireland depart Thursday, August 31, 2023. If you are booking your own flights, please confirm what time you need to arrive by with your Gravitate Travel Professional to meet the coach in Dublin before booking any flights.

If you decide to take the flight with Transat, we will advise the flight times in September 2022 as flights are only available 360 days before departure dates.

Day 2

Annual Quilting Fayre

Today we will spend the morning at the 2023 annual Quilting Fayre where you can visit with of over 40 quilting and sewing suppliers. Then, we head to the Harland and Wolff Shipyard and one of Europe’s top visitor attractions, The Titanic Experience for a self-guided tour. We will experience a panoramic tour of the city from the comfort of our coach that includes the political murals along the Protestant Shankhill and Catholic Falls Roads.   The remainder of the afternoon is at leisure.  This evening we take the short drive out to Crawfordsburn where we will enjoy a traditional dinner at the fabulous Old Inn Restaurant. 

Day 3

The Giant’s Causeway and Donegal

This morning we take the scenic Causeway Coastal Route through the Glens of Antrim to The Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO world heritage site where we will undertake a privately guided tour.  Onward to Derry, where you will be led on a fascinating walking tour of this walled city.  We continue to County Donegal and the fabulous, family owned, The Kee’s Hotel. 

Day 4

Hats, Tweed, and Oysters

After a leisurely breakfast we will travel south to Donegal Town and meet the folks at Hanna’s Hats a family run business whose had its beginnings in tailoring since 1924. After, we visit the home of Donegal Tweed, Triona Design, where you will enjoy an Irish Coffee while learning the history of Donegal Tweed, including a weaving demonstration on a 200-year-old Hand Loom. We enter the romantic domain of WB Yeats and see sites associated with the poet and visit Drumcliffe where he is buried. Our final visit of the day is the Coney Island Oyster Farm in Strandhill where we undertake a tour to see how oysters are harvested, the impact the weather has on the farm, and the work involved from the beginning of the process to the final product. We will enjoy lunch by the seaside before ending our day in the colourful town of Westport.

Day 5

Connemara

This morning we depart for Connemara, one of the most scenic regions in Ireland and an area that has a strong association with traditional Irish Culture. We will visit Kylemore Abbey a Benedictine monastery founded in 1920 for Benedictine Nuns who fled Belgium in World War I. On arrival in Galway, we are met by Fiona, a local guide who will lead us on an entertaining walking tour of the ‘City of Tribes’ while pointing out some of the best pubs and restaurants in the town. Tonight you can put all this new-found knowledge to good use and enjoy a night on the town.

Day 6

Quilting Workshop

Our journey takes us south to the County of Clare. We will embark on a cruise along the Atlantic Ocean for a unique view of the mighty Cliffs of Moher. We travel to Limerick and meet with Geraldine at the Giddy Goat for a quilting workshop and lunch. This evening you may wish to venture out to Bunratty and enjoy dinner and the Legendary Women of Ireland Show, a live performance that takes place upstairs at the Blarney Woollen Mill (optional).

Day 7

The Kingdom of Kerry

After breakfast we depart for the Kingdom of Kerry. A panoramic tour of Limerick City is undertaken before making a photo stop in Adare, one of Ireland’s prettiest villages where thatched roof cottages line the main street. We continue through picturesque towns and quaint villages before arriving in Killarney, a bustling town that is well known as a good base for touring the Ring of Kerry. The remainder of the day is at leisure. This evening we will enjoy dinner together at our hotel.

Day 8

The Ring of Kerry

We make an early start this morning as we begin our drive along the scenic Ring of Kerry Road. Our journey will take us to the edge of Ireland passing through quaint towns and villages, including Moll’sGap, a mountain pass that offers breathtaking views of the MacGillycuddy’s Reeks mountains. We will visit a traditional working farm where you will be treated to a delightful display of sheep dogs herding their flock. This evening we will enjoy a jaunting car ride with a local jarvey thru the town of Killarney and Killarney National Park. Afterward, you may wish grab dinner and listen to some traditional Irish music in a local pub!

Day 9

Dingle Peninsula

Today we will undertake a scenic drive along the Dingle Peninsula, on the south-west coast of Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. The peninsula is dominated by a spectacular range of mountains that run from the Slieve Mish range to the Conor Pass and Ireland’s second highest peak, Mount Brandon. The peninsula also boasts a breath-taking coastline that consists of steep sea-cliffs such as Slea Head, and endless sandy beaches. We will visit with Nikki Foley at her shop The Sewing Shed where there will be time to shop for fabrics. There will be free time to explore the charming town of Dingle, home to many fine restaurants and pubs, and interesting shops and galleries that feature works created by local artisans. Tonight is another free night in Killarney.

Day 10

City Delights

Leaving the Wild Atlantic Way behind, we begin our journey north to Dublin. We will stop in the village of Blarney where the energetic amongst you may wish to visit the castle and climb the 127 steps for the chance to kiss ‘the stone of eloquence.’ On arrival in Dublin, we will undertake a panoramic tour of the city from the comfort of our coach before checking into our hotel. This evening we will enjoy a group farewell dinner at our hotel.

Day 11

Tour Ends

After a final hearty breakfast, a group transfer will take you to Dublin Airport for your flight home.

Flights from Ireland to Canada depart, Sunday, September 11, 2023