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Ireland

The Best of Ireland: The Coast, the Countryside and Dublin

Program No. 18731RJ
Discover ancient relics on the Islands of Aran, enjoy an exclusive dinner in Glenlo Abbey, explore the beauty and history of Dingle Peninsula and learn about Dublin's famous literature.
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  • The Best of Ireland: The Coast, the Countryside and Dublin
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Small GroupMost Popular
Length
15 days
Rating (4.89)
Activity Level
Starts at
4,999
Flights start at
850

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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
15 days
14 nights
What's Included
26 meals ( 13B, 3L, 10D )
3 expert-led lectures
14 expert-led field trips
2 performances
An experienced Group Leader
13 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This program is staffed with a Group Leader who will accompany us throughout the program and deal with logistics, deliver informal talks, conduct some field trips, and serve as an information resource on program-related topics. At various points during the program, we will be joined by local experts, who will lecture and conduct field trips. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 110 miles, approximately 4 hours. Walking approximately 3 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including grassy flat areas, gravel paths, and rugged hilly trails; some low entrances to ancient buildings. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll gather at the hotel for a lecture on Ireland’s history, delivered by a local expert. After the lecture, we will have some free time before our afternoon visit to the Dingle Peninsula.
Lunch:
This meal has been excluded from the program cost and is on your own to enjoy what you like. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Afternoon:
This afternoon we will take a motorcoach to the Dingle Peninsula to explore the area’s rich archaeological heritage and unique culture. Once cited as “the most beautiful place on earth” by National Geographic magazine, much of the peninsula is a Gaeltacht – an area where the Irish language is widely spoken at home, in the workplace, and at school. As we ride along narrow country roads, enjoying spectacular sea views, our Group Leader will explain the ways in which governments and communities have made efforts to preserve the Irish Gaelic language since the establishment of the Irish Free State in the 1920s. Along the way, we’ll make a stop in Dingle Town, where we’ll have the opportunity for independent exploration. We’ll be joined by a local expert to continue our exploration of the Dingle Peninsula, whose Slea Head is the westerly part of Ireland. The sandstone of the rugged peninsula has been a rich resource for builders through the ages, and ancient stone structures abound in the landscape. Our local expert will explain the significance of these prehistoric and medieval constructions. Some of the most distinctive, which we’ll explore during our field trip, are the beehive huts (clocháns) and the mysterious Gallarus Oratory. Our local expert will also give us a history and a firsthand account of life on the peninsula, including changes that have taken place here in recent decades. We’ll return to the hotel by motorcoach after our field trip, and the remainder of the afternoon is free.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions should you wish to further explore Killarney.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 105 miles, approximately 5 hours. Walking approximately 2 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including paved streets, grass with uneven rocky areas, stone paving, gravel paths, sandy beach. Extent and duration of walking and other activities in Sneem according to personal choice. Transport arrangements and driving distances for dinner may vary.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Traveling by motorcoach with a local expert, we’ll explore the Ring of Kerry, which is made up of spectacular coastal and mountain scenery that envelops the towns of Glenbeigh, Cahersiveen, Waterville, and Sneem. We’ll stop in Rossbeigh and enjoy a walk along the dramatic sandy beach that provides a safe haven for all kinds of marine life and seabirds. It is a designated natural heritage area and a Special Area of Conservation.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
The picturesque village of Sneem comprises two squares, North and South, with a bridge acting as a knot between them. We’ll stop for some time to explore the village independently on foot as we continue our field trip by motorcoach around the Ring of Kerry. We’ll finish our field trip at the hotel, with some time to relax before dinner.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
After returning to the hotel, the remainder of the evening is at leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 3 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including tarmac and gravel paths, woodland, uneven grassy areas. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out on foot for a field trip to Killarney National Park, led by a local expert. The park is home to magnificent native oak woods and one of the oldest yew woods in Europe. We’ll enjoy a gentle hike through the park, and hope to catch a glimpse of the native Irish red deer along the way.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Killarney. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 205 miles, approximately 5.5 hours. Walking approximately 2 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including paved streets and paths, flat grassy areas, uneven limestone surfaces; main routes at Cliffs of Moher include numerous steps, alternative step-free access is available.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Once checked out of the hotel, we’ll begin our transfer by motorcoach to Galway.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like at the Cliffs of Moher.
Afternoon:
As we continue our transfer to Galway, we will take a field trip to two of Ireland’s most incredible natural phenomena. We will begin at the spectacular and world-famous Cliffs of Moher, a few miles along the coast from Lahinch. The cliffs rise like a cathedral into the sky some 700 feet over the wild Atlantic Ocean, with views stretching as far as Galway Bay and the Aran Islands. Human activity here dates back at least 2,000 years. They are home to one of Ireland’s major colonies of cliff-nesting seabirds, and also lend their name to a popular fiddle jig performed at least as early as 1850. After an introduction by our Group Leader, we’ll have some time for self-directed exploration at the visitor center. We’ll continue by motorcoach to the Burren, where we’ll meet a local expert who will lead us through one of the largest karst limestone landscapes in Europe. The Burren — meaning “rocky place” — is what remains of a tropical sea from 350 million years ago. The starkly beautiful karst limestone surface is almost moonlike in appearance. Geologists, botanists, and zoologists flock to this region to learn about its rare flora and fauna. We will take a gentle hike on this rugged terrain, which together with the Cliffs of Moher forms a UNESCO Global Geopark. We’ll complete our transfer to Galway by motorcoach, and check in to the hotel with some time to settle in to our rooms before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 5 miles, approximately 1/2 hour. Walking approximately 2 miles, walking and standing for up to 2 hours. Paved city streets with numerous cobbled areas. You may wish to wear more formal attire for the dinner at Glenlo Abbey. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
This morning, we will take an in-depth look at Irish heritage, and speak to locals who are actively involved in preserving their region’s culture and heritage, through the medium of their native tongue. Following this, we will enjoy an expert-led walk around Galway during which we will visit the Spanish Arch and part of the original city wall.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
We’ll begin the afternoon with some time for independent exploration in Galway. In the late afternoon, we’ll board a motorcoach at the hotel and ride to our dinner venue, Glenlo Abbey. Despite its name, the Abbey was never consecrated. It was constructed in the 1790s as a private church adjoining a grand house built in 1740 for the Ffrenches, one of the fourteen “Tribes of Galway” — famed merchant families who dominated the economic and social life of the city at that time. In the years since, ownership of the house and estate passed to other notable Galway families, and in the 1980s it was converted into a hotel. Upon arrival at historic Glenlo Abbey, we will be welcomed by our host, a Galway academic and expert in the field of Anglo-Irish literature.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
During our dinner, we’ll enjoy conversation on the topics of the Irish Big House and Galway’s literary tradition. After returning to the hotel by motorcoach, the rest of the evening will be at leisure.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach and boat; driving about 50 miles, approximately 2 hours; ferry crossing approximately 3/4 hour each way. Varied terrain, south side of island generally rugged cliff paths with some steep sections, north side generally paved village streets and narrow country roads (with few vehicles other than bikes), sandy beaches. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride along the Connemara coast to the village of Rossaveel. At the village’s harbor, we’ll board a ferry and sail to Inis Mor, the largest of the islands of Aran. Stepping ashore, we’ll meet a local resident who will introduce us to this last remnant of authentic Gaelic civilization, where Christian ruins stand side by side with remarkable Pagan relics. The remainder of the morning will be free for independent exploration. You may wish to set out on foot, bicycle, mini-van or traditional horse-drawn jaunty car.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time to continue your independent exploration of Inis Mor. Please refer to the list of free time opportunities for Inis Mor (listed under Galway) for further information. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. We’ll regroup at the pier in Kilronan in the late afternoon, and return to the hotel by ferry and motorcoach.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 5 hours. Walking about 1/2 mile, periods of standing; paved streets, grass lawns.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll begin our transfer by motorcoach to County Donegal. Undoubtedly one of Ireland’s most untouched and ruggedly beautiful counties, County Donegal’s striking landscape has remained relatively unaffected by the passage of time. The Donegal people, too, are renowned for their warmth and hospitality.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in the town of Sligo, en route to County Donegal.
Afternoon:
En route from Sligo to County Donegal, we’ll make a stop at Drumcliffe, the final resting place of famed Irish poet W.B. Yeats. Yeats is remembered as an important cultural leader, as a major playwright, and as one of the very greatest poets of the century. The epitaph on his gravestone is well known: “Cast a cold eye / On life / On death / Horseman, pass by!” Once we have completed our motorcoach transfer, we will check in to the hotel with some time to settle in to our rooms before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
We’ll be joined at the hotel by local musicians, who will regale us with a performance of traditional Irish music.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 105 miles, approximately 3.5 hours. Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including paved streets, gravel paths, uneven grassy areas.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will board a motorcoach and ride to Killybegs, a fishing port located on a large natural harbor, where we’ll take a walking field trip.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like in Killybegs.
Afternoon:
We’ll board a motorcoach and ride to Glencolmcille, where we’ll take an Irish language lesson at a cultural center aiming to preserve Gaelic language and culture. After our lesson, we’ll set out to explore Glencolmcille, both by motorcoach and on foot. Glencolmcille is a unique and beautiful place that was chosen as a base by St. Columba, one of Ireland’s three patron saints. The name Glencolmcille, or “Gleann Cholm Cille,” means “The Glen of St. Columba’s Church” in the Irish language. It is not surprising that Glencolmcille is rarely on a standard Irish itinerary — you need to be determined to get there — but due to the stark beauty of its landscape, it has been drawing visitors for over 1,500 years. We will also enjoy an expert-led walk to one of the 15 Pilgrimage Stones, retracing the steps of pilgrims from 500 CE. We’ll return to the hotel by motorcoach after our field trips.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Activity Note
Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 150 miles, approximately 4.5 hours. Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; varied terrain including paved streets, some cobbled areas, gravel and woodland paths; steps to some areas at Ulster American Folk Park, including entrances to some buildings.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
After checking out of the hotel, we’ll board a motorcoach to begin our transfer to Dublin, the bustling capital of the Republic of Ireland and our final destination. We’ll pass through County Tyrone, one of the six counties of Northern Ireland as we make our way to the Ulster American Folk Park, an outdoor museum that tells the poignant story of emigration from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries. Volunteers in period costumes demonstrate day-to-day tasks of the era and the site consists of period housing, industry, and even a full-scale sailing ship.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will complete our transfer to Dublin, a settlement since the 8th century. Dublin is abundant with great universities, cathedrals and theatres and carries with it a unique literary legacy. Upon arrival, we will check in to our hotel with some time to relax and settle in to our rooms before dinner.
Dinner:
At the hotel.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Walking about 2.5 miles, periods of standing; paved streets, some cobbled areas, gravel paths, grassy areas. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We will set out on a field trip exploring Dublin’s rich literary heritage.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
After lunch, we'll enjoy a theatre performance. The Theater's schedule will not be published for this date until much closer to the program. Your Group Leader will confirm your performance at your welcome meeting at the beginning of the program. Afterwards, we will have some time for independent exploration in central Dublin.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
We’ll set out on foot to Dublin’s iconic GPO, or General Post Office, significant for the role it played in the Rising of 1916 as the Irish Volunteers’ main stronghold. Inside the GPO, which still functions as the headquarters of the Irish postal service An Post, we’ll explore the immersive exhibition and learn how the Rising shaped modern Ireland.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Evening:
At leisure.
Activity Note
Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.
Breakfast:
At the hotel.
Morning:
Today is a perfect opportunity to explore more of Dublin's many museums and galleries, or perhaps take a local train to a sandy seaside village. Or perhaps a walking tour or a Hop-On-Hop-Off bus is in order. Alternatively, you could relax, sip a coffee, and gossip with the locals as you sample some of Dublin’s famed café culture.
Lunch:
On your own to enjoy what you like.
Afternoon:
Free time. You might like to explore some more of Dublin’s many bookshops and museums, or see the National Library of Ireland’s genealogy research section.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant. We’ll spend our last evening in Dublin enjoying traditional Irish food and relaxed banter as we bid farewell to Ireland and our newfound friends.
Evening:
At leisure. Prepare for check-out and departures in the morning.
Activity Note
Hotel check-out by 11:00 a.m. See your program’s Transportation Information regarding transfers.
Breakfast:
At the hotel. Some participants may depart prior to breakfast, whereupon a boxed breakfast will be provided. This concludes our program.
Morning:
If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on another rewarding program in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Oct 02, 2025 - Oct 16, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Jul 03, 2025 - Jul 17, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Jul 10, 2025 - Jul 24, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Aug 07, 2025 - Aug 21, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Aug 28, 2025 - Sep 11, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Sep 04, 2025 - Sep 18, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Sep 11, 2025 - Sep 25, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Sep 18, 2025 - Oct 02, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Sep 25, 2025 - Oct 09, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Oct 02, 2025 - Oct 16, 2025 (Killarney to Dublin)
Apr 09, 2026 - Apr 23, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
May 07, 2026 - May 21, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
May 14, 2026 - May 28, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
May 21, 2026 - Jun 04, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Jun 04, 2026 - Jun 18, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Jun 11, 2026 - Jun 25, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Jun 18, 2026 - Jul 02, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Jul 02, 2026 - Jul 16, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Aug 06, 2026 - Aug 20, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Aug 27, 2026 - Sep 10, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Sep 03, 2026 - Sep 17, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Sep 10, 2026 - Sep 24, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Sep 17, 2026 - Oct 01, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Sep 24, 2026 - Oct 08, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)
Oct 01, 2026 - Oct 15, 2026 (Killarney to Dublin)





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