The Aircoach departs from right outside the Arrivals Hall at Dublin Airport and will bring you to the door of your hotel. Check in and then let the fun begin! Your concierge will have details on everything from local casinos to the theatre programmes, concerts, night clubs, entertainment, and shopping discounts.
You will be staying in a top range 3* or a 4* hotel in the Dublin 4 area of the town. This is a 20 minute walk or 5 minute bus or taxi ride from Temple Bar and Trinity, but is quieter and more elegant than the city center. Your neigbors are embassies and billionaires, but there is still a lovely neighbourhood feel, with bars galore (and great music), restaurants, street cafes and shops. We can also offer city center accommodation, but it will not suit those who prefer a quiet bedroom!
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Dublin
has long been a centre of art and culture. Stroll
through the elegant Georgian streets of Merrion and Fitzwilliam Squares, shop in
the elegant emporiums of
Day 1 Transfer from the airport to the city centre.
Start the day with a 2 hour walking tour of the historic centre of the city
(departs10 am, Noon & 2 pm). Then wander up to the Chester Beatty Library, a museum behind Dublin Castle which houses the great collection of manuscripts, miniature paintings, prints, drawings, rare books and some decorative arts. The Library's exhibitions open a window on the artistic treasures of the great
cultures and religions of the world. Its rich collection from countries across Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe. Lunch
here - the cafe is excellent. For the rest of the afternoon shop, or visit the parks, gardens museums, and galleries of the city. Tonight
you can enjoy traditional Irish Cabaret - a night of music and dance (book
seperately in advance).
Day 2 Explore the countryside around Dublin.
Consider taking a bus tour to explore the treasures of the Boyne Valley. The Boyne Valley is Irelands " Valley of the Kings ". Visit the new
Bru na Boinne Visitor Centre which allows you to explore the history and monuments of one of the most historic areas in Ireland , which is one of UNESCO's World Heritage sites. . Over 5000 years old, it is older than Stonehenge by about 1000 years and the Egyptian Pyramids by near 500 years.
Return to Dublin. This evening you might enjoy an evening for a night at the Races
- greyhound racing is one of the most popular sports in Dublin with five or six meetings a week.
No prebooking is necessary, and the restaurant serves a delightful dinner whilst
you try and win a fortune and wathch the dogs positively flying around the
track. This is a great place to meet the people of Dublin.
A favourite bus tour is South into the Wicklow Mountains to visit one of Ireland's great stately mansions, surrounded by stunning gardens.
This is an unforgettable tour which takes you along the south coast of Dublin, past Dublin's
"Beverly Hills" where the likes of Bono, Neil Jordan and Enya live, and on to Powerscourt Gardens, situated in the foothills of the Dublin
Mountains.
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Powerscourt Gardens were begun in the 1740's and stretch out over 45 acres including a blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes, walled gardens and over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. Powerscourt has been described as One of Europe's Greatest Gardens and One of Ireland's Greatest Treasures. The tour includes entry into the gardens for one of the mapped walks and a short time for the really special Powerscourt shops and tearooms. A wonderful experience.
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A longer tour is possible travelling onwards through the picturesque countryside of Roundwood (home of Daniel Day Lews) and Laragh, to another highlight - Glendalough. The Celtic Monastic System derived from the early monasteries of Egypt, and Glendalough was one of the oldest and most important of the early Irish monasteries. Situated in an idyllic valley with two lakes, hence the name. Founded by St Kevin in the 6th century, it has a High Tower which is one of the most famous images of Ireland, that was used by the monks to store and protect precious manuscripts and artefacts, and also some of the finest architecture of the early church. It is a magical, beautiful and spiritual place. Return to Dublin. These day tours have to be booked in advance and seperately.
Day 4
On your last day you could visit Dublin 's northern coastline. See the exquisite 18th century Casino at Marino, before visiting stately Malahide Castle , dating from the 12th century, and set amid 250 acres of parkland and gardens. Continuing through the heritage town of Malahide , the tour will take you past magnificent coastal scenery to the picturesque fishing village of Howth . Crossing the nearby summit of Howth Head you will have a panoramic view of the huge expanse of Dublin Bay . Set against a backdrop of the Dublin and Wicklow mountains, the view is renowned as one of the world's great seascapes.
The tour returns to Dublin via Dollymount Strand home of the Royal Dublin Golf Club and the North Bull Island bird sanctuary.
Depart for Dublin Airport. If your flight departs before 3 pm, you may have to miss the last morning's tour.
Your Irish break includes 3 nights hotel accommodation with breakfast, tax, service, and 24/7 telephone support from our on site staff in Dublin.
For 3* accommodation with an automatic upgrade to 4* accommodation subject to availabilty prices start at EUR 210 per person. For 3* accommodation plus the tours and Irish night mentioned above prices start at EUR 459 per person. For 5* accommodation plus your private driver guide with a luxury car and all tours mentioned above included prices start at EUR 1,999 per person.
Additional nights are available and this tour can be taken as part of a longer package.
Adams & Butler Ltd, Luxury Travel Specialists since 1978
US Toll Free 1-800-8945712
