Ireland
Ireland at a Slower Pace: Countryside & Culture, Galway to Dublin
Program No. 22586RJ
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Ireland at a Slower Pace: Countryside & Culture, Galway to Dublin
Ireland at a Slower Pace: Countryside & Culture, Galway to Dublin
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Participant Reviews
Based on 52 Reviews
SHOWING
Was a great adventure. Our guide, Stephen Roche was fantastic, very knowledgeable and helpful. For future guests he would be the guide to have. Stephen is a great asset to Road Schoolar.
This was my first time of traveling abroad and I look to continue traveling in the future.
— Review left November 11, 2025
Loved everything about the trip but the phrase "at a slower pace" was really not accurate. We were moving constantly and often exhausted.
— Review left October 31, 2025
This was a fabulous trip with a varied and interesting itinerary.
Most of all, our guide, Stephen Roche, was fantastic, with a rich sense of Irish history, a great sense of humor, and a great dedication to making 24 people as comfortable and engaged as possible.
— Review left October 22, 2025
This was my first experience with a tour designed for a slower pace. It was excellent!
— Review left October 13, 2025
I am completely sold on Road Scholar tours! I've been on 2 so far. They know where to go and they take you there. Everywhere we had reservations and tickets. The hotels are very nice and the meals are prearranged and very nice. The guides are terrific and lovely people.
— Review left October 6, 2025
I just returned from Ireland and thoroughly enjoyed the Road Scholar "Ireland at a Slower Pace: Countryside & Culture, Galway to Dublin" journey. Our guide, Frank Mulcahy, was an Irish native who was knowledgeable, friendly, and well-organized. I plan to take a future trip with Road Scholar to the Donegal area.
— Review left October 6, 2025
A wonderful, fact-filled introduction to three major areas of Ireland. We toured areas near Shannon, Ennis, Kinsale, Killarney, Cork, Dublin, and more. I wouldn't say the pace was "slow," but I didn't feel rushed. Saw several castles and ate lots of fish. A great Road Scholar program.
— Review left September 29, 2025
If you are a History wonk and have opportunity during free time to add The Book of Kells Experience to your trip, don't miss the chance. You will not regret it.
— Review left August 29, 2025
Road Scholar is a great program for expanding our knowledge about other countries and cultures. Well organized with knowledgeable leaders and guides. I strongly recommend this program. Their is something for everyone!
— Review left August 19, 2025
the most education trip I have ever been on. To me this trip is as good as any of the Great Courses you could take!
— Review left August 18, 2025
Our first Road Scholar trip did not disappoint. We had a wonderful guide, lovely accommodations and many interesting stops on our journey. The experts who joined us were very knowledgeable and charming. There were a few surprises along the way, too.
— Review left August 18, 2025
I was skeptical regarding the descriptor "slower pace" and was pleasantly pleased with the result. Our group leader did a great job balancing each day. He was knowledgeable and provided us with historical, geographical and cultural knowledge making every day interesting.
— Review left July 1, 2025
This is an excellent tour of Ireland, an opportunity to learn some history, enjoy the beautiful countryside, visit the "tidy towns", castles and coast, shop for Irish woolens, hear the bleating sheep, and spend time with our amiable fellow travelers. The accommodations and meals were good. The trip is not strenuous, though it does mean spending quite a lot of time on buses. Kate Healy is an outstanding guide, smart, friendly, helpful, good-humored, organized, and prepared.
— Review left June 20, 2025
This was an. excellent trip, well planned and very well executed. Our Group leader was terrific: knowledgeable, entertaining and kind. The sites were well chosen and the local guides excellent. I highly recommend Road Scholar.
— Review left June 18, 2025
Barbara and I had a wonderful time and thoroughly enjoyed the entire experience and would recommend it to anyone interested in Ireland.
— Review left May 31, 2025
A beautiful trip...it covered more ground than I expected...who knew there were mountains in Ireland! The hotels we stayed at were lovely and varied as was the food. Irish breakfasts are the best!!
— Review left May 8, 2025
I loved this RS tour -- and I never thought I'd ever go on a tour! If I travel abroad again, I'll definitely look for a RS Tour.
— Review left October 26, 2024
Ireland at a slower place was just what I needed to experience the culture of Ireland.
— Review left October 21, 2024
Ireland at a Slower pace was a wonderful experience. The tour leaders were very knowledgeable and approachable. They were responsible for making this truly memorable. We also met many other participants who added to the overall adventure.
— Review left October 18, 2024
Ireland at a Slower Pace was good for me. I can't move very fast any more, and there were folks both slower and faster-moving than I. The countryside is beautiful, and the local experts were wonderful! The people who go on these tours know to just be patient with everything. It was nice how everyone adapted and took everything that came at us. I definitely made friends on this trip!
— Review left October 1, 2024
Ireland at a Slower Pace was perfect for me, age 77. It was well planned and rewarding from start to finish. Plenty of walking without being overwhelming.
— Review left August 28, 2024
This was a great program, showing a variety of life in Ireland, with just the right amount of physical activity. The accommodations and food were great and I thoroughly enjoyed the leadership of the Group Leader.
— Review left June 28, 2024
If you are looking for a taste of the diversity, beauty, and uniqness that is Ireland this is the program for you. At your own pace was truly emphasized throughout the schedule and each day and place added many photos in our memory book.
— Review left June 19, 2024
If an Ireland visit is on your "bucket list" and you need to monitor your physical ability to go on such a trip, this is the trip for you. It pushed my partner and me beyond our "normal" activity but not beyond our capacity to "go the distance". The program schedule included "full" days (both on and off the touring bus) and "easier" days of travel, local interests and free time.
— Review left June 16, 2024
This was a perfect program for all abilities levels. The choice of the cities were varied and interesting. The program leader, Stephen Roche, was excellent! I enjoyed all of it. It was definitely worth doing!
— Review left May 29, 2024
Ireland - at your own pace was a wonderful experience. I am currently planning my next Road Scholar trip for yet this year.
— Review left May 27, 2024
My primary reminisces are of stones: low stone walls for boundaries, high stone walls around older parts of cities & towns for fortification, Stone castles made from 1100ad on that must have been so difficult to build by getting stone up so high, stone houses, and also the cobblestones that one had to walk upon so very carefully in order not to fall.
Also, I think all Irish are extraverts; when they first meet you it is as if they had known you for 20 years.
— Review left May 15, 2024
We had a great leader, Frank Mulcahy, and a great group. Imagine every morning everyone showed up on time raring to go! Great care was taken to help those needing assistance. The history and stories recounted during this trip will stay with me for a long time
— Review left May 15, 2024
One of the best trips we've taken. We had a great group leader who took the time to get to know all the members of our group and gave personal attention to us all.
— Review left October 16, 2023
Had a great time on this trip. Couldn't have asked for a better guide. Learned much more about Irish history than I previously was aware of. This is a very welcoming country.
— Review left October 16, 2023
A Wonderful Tour Of Ireland, And Great Bucket List Experience
— Review left July 8, 2023
Road Scholars provides the most comprehensive trip planning and guide expertise! All participants were friends by the end of the trip. I would consider RS for any trip world wide!
— Review left June 15, 2023
A wonderful way to see quite a bit of the Republic of Ireland while having a bit of fun as well.
— Review left June 7, 2023
So glad to have visited Ireland with Road Scholar! After the pandemic it was a great way to begin traveling again. The program in Ireland was a good balance of new experiences and the welcome feeling of being taken care of.
— Review left May 27, 2023
If you are expecting a traditional road scholar trip, this is NOT for you. There was no educational content presented but a tour partnered with EIL. (EIL is an external tour organization). The quality of the accommodation and transit within Ireland is not up to the expected standards. There we’re actually some safety issues with this trip and would not recommend this one at all!
— Review left May 22, 2023
My fourth Road Scholar trip and it did not disappoint. Group leader was informed, friendly and added to the experience. Small group was a plus. We all got to know each other on a first name basis. Very homogeneous group. Will do another Road Scholar trip again.
— Review left May 3, 2023
We just completed this all-round great Ireland Program! The experience there was definitely beyond my expectations, due largely to the very nice accommodations, meals, and our tour-guide, Frank.
— Review left May 1, 2023
We just completed the Ireland At A Slower Pace trip and thoroughly enjoyed it. Our group leader Frank was excellent and the guest guides that provided local expertise were outstanding. We particularly enjoyed the private music performance in Ennis by a local family of musicians. Additionally, we enjoyed the poetry, songs and storytelling by Gabriel Fitzmaurice in Kenmare. The hotel accommodations were good with Ennis providing the best hotel dining. All hotels were well located. The one disappointment was the long day 6 on the bus riding for 5-6 hours. The places visited were wonderful but it too long a bus ride. Also Covid is still a problem. Five people in our group came down with it. That’s almost 25% of the group. It’s not Road Scholar’s fault. They did I what they could to be proactive but the travel involves being around people and Covid is still out there. Overall a wonderful trip and we look forward to going back to Ireland.
— Review left May 1, 2023
Ireland at a slower space is just that. You are not rushed or asked to walk miles beyond your ability. This allows you to enjoy the Irish landscapes, places, and people, and fun and friendship with other group members. I especially enjoyed the musicians, storyteller, and dancers who shared their gifts with us.
— Review left October 26, 2022
Our guide Jim Ward started at a disadvantage: nearly everyone on the trip had had a bad experience with the Road Scholar "backroom" during the signup process. Questions about the trip had gone unanswered or were answered incorrectly. Fortunately, it was an exceedingly mellow group and we were content once things started going. Jim quickly overcame bad feelings. His mix of humor, geography, sports, history, literature and general 'culture' comments had us all in a good mood.
There was some restlessness on the long bus rides through the countryside (along with some napping) but Jim pointed out that this wandering was part of the package. You know your are in Cork because the hedge rows aren't made of stone.
There were a few times on the trip when the logistics interfered with the experience. For example, our long stay at Bunratty short changed our visit at Blarney. This 'shorting the time at the last stop' happened a few more times. Not sure what can be done to improve, but maybe have a look at it.
Overall, the accommodations were good. One complaint: the dinner venue in Kinsale was too noisy - you could not hear yourself think.
The entertainment at Ennis and Dublin was top notch.
The bus drivers were great with particular kudos to Marshall who executed a 3-point turn at the beginning of Dublin rush hour.
All of the guides on the trip were top notch.
It was a good intro trip. Next time, we'll hit more towns.
BTW Guinness does taste better in Ireland.
— Review left October 24, 2022
The trip was amazing. The scenery was beautiful. The group was friendly and inclusive with those of us traveling solo. Our group leader was very knowledgeable about the areas we visited and made the trip even more enjoyable.
— Review left October 19, 2022
This program was an excellent blend of rural and city experience. Visiting a variety of locations, outdoor and indoor, made this trip interesting and exciting. The inclusion of cultural activities added a deeper understanding of Ireland and the people.
— Review left October 18, 2022
Brendon was a great guide. He went above and beyond the call of duty and even gave me a book for my birthday. He had a huge knowledge of Ireland and all the sites we toured. He was patient and kind to all on the tour.
My only small complaint is that we moved three times in nine days. We also spent a lot of time on the bus. This complaint is something I will be sure to look at when I choose another tour. Less moving and driving.
The hotels were very nice. The food was pretty good. My favorite stop was Kinsale and the food there was awesome.
I really loved Ireland. I would love to return sometime. After I got home I tested positive for Covid but I am much better now. I am glad I didn't get it on the tour. Even with that end to the tour I am very glad I went.
— Review left October 4, 2022
Delightful tour of Ireland. Galway, Cliffs of Moher, the Buren, Bunratty Castle, Cobb, Kinsale food walking tour, Killarney, Dublin and the book of Kells plus more. Really fun and informative 11 days.
— Review left October 2, 2022
This was an excellent trip. The tour leader was knowledgeable, very helpful, kind and a pleasure to be with. I enjoyed the places we visited and the people on our tour. And the food was excellent.
— Review left August 22, 2022
I admit upfront, that this was not the best trip for me, as I am interested in countryside, not culture, but I hoped that there would be enough of the first to make it worthwhile. Also, I am limited by my walking ability, so this was the only trip that fit.
All the Irish people were very nice, the country was beautiful, and the hotels were pretty nice. Some of the programs were informative.
BUT this trip was marred by the fact that the ordinary trip leader dropped out; he was replaced by a fellow with poor leadership abilities and little knowledge of the places we went (he had never even BEEN to most of them). Of the 13 Road Scholar trips we have been to, this was the worst, in that regard. Being "flexible" only goes so far.
Also, of the 16 participants, 6 tested positive for covid, and had to stay in Ireland. I heard grumbles that RS wasn't doing enough to help them. Thank goodness we were negative.
I imagine that, if having the regular group leader, this might have been a nice trip.
— Review left June 2, 2022
My daughter and I take Road scholar programs as a pair, but we live in different homes. We would both like to get the program info separately, but that doesn’t always happen
— Review left October 18, 2021
Excellent! A great guide who took fine care in every way.
Itinerary was long on bus rides some days.
— Review left November 17, 2019
I Will Be Doing Another RS Tour Next Summer!!! Way To Go Y'All!!!
— Review left July 7, 2019
This trip was a wonderful way to introduce an individual to beautiful Ireland. The group leader, local experts, food, accommodations, transportation, and site visits were exceptional. I had high expectations about the trip and those expectations were truly exceeded. Thank you for all the fantastic memories.
— Review left June 17, 2019
I had little to no trouble navigating the Road Scholar web site. Even my wife who hates computers and web sites could navigate it without too much grief.
— Review left June 11, 2019
"Ireland at a Slower Pace" was truly remarkable. I learned so much about Ireland and its history. Kinsale and the food tour, Cliffs of Mohre and the exhibition therin, Coole and Bunratty and The gardens at Blarney added so much to the experience. the Queentown Story exhibition is not to be missed.
The comraderie just happened spontaneously, a welcome feature.. . Made a couple of friends (Moi !)
And our leader was excellent, going above and beyond to help the participants.
- Just Go !
— Review left May 13, 2019