Galway and Irelands Hidden Heartlands

GALWAY & IRELAND'S HIDDEN HEARTLANDS

26 – 30 July 2027

Monday - Friday

5 Days

From £749

Discover the scenic natural beauty of Ireland’s Heartlands area and visit the historic city of Galway on this magical tour. Experience the beautiful lakes and rivers, ancient castles and monasteries. Staying in the well-preserved Georgian town of Birr, our tour highlights include a relaxing Shannon waterway cruise, a visit to the award-winning Birr Castle & Gardens and tour of Kilbeggan, the oldest licensed distillery in Ireland

HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS

Birr Castle & Gardens | Galway | River Shannon Cruise | Kilbeggan Distillery

DAY ONE – Arrival

We depart from your home and travel to Holyhead for our ferry crossing to Dublin. On arrival in Ireland, we continue to the charming Georgian town of Birr and our hotel, where there is time to relax before dinner this evening.

DAY TWO – Birr Castle & Gardens

This morning we visit the beautiful Birr Castle & Gardens, home to the Parsons family for over 400 years. Enjoy a guided tour of the castle before exploring the award-winning gardens and parkland, home to thousands of species of trees and plants.

We return to the hotel for a delicious soup and sandwich lunch before enjoying a relaxing afternoon at leisure. Why not make use of the hotel's leisure facilities or take a stroll into the attractive heritage town of Birr. We’ll also have an Irish coffee demonstration today.

DAY THREE – Galway

Today we have free time to explore the charming city of Galway. Set on Ireland’s stunning West Coast immerse yourself in its vibrant culture, history and music. Centrally located the 18th century Eyre Square is surrounded by shops and traditional pubs playing live Irish music. Nearby are the cobbled streets and original medieval city walls of the Latin Quarter. Home to cafés, boutiques and art galleries, it’s a perfect spot for lunch. Or enjoy a visit to Galway Cathedral, Galway City Museum or the Spanish Arch.

DAY FOUR – River Shannon Cruise and Kilbeggan Distillery

This morning, enjoy a scenic and relaxing 1-hour river cruise from Shannonbridge to Clonmacnoise, taking in the stunning natural beauty of the Shannon waterway. Upon arrival, we have time for lunch, before heading to Kilbeggan Distillery for a 1-hour guided tour in one of the oldest licensed distilleries of its kind. Kilbeggan Distillery was established in 1757 and has beaten the odds to survive. We learn about its past as well as how this famous whiskey is made today.

DAY FIVE - Departure

We depart our hotel this morning and begin our journey back to Dublin and our crossing to Holyhead and home.

YOUR HOLIDAY INCLUDES

Luxury coach travel

Home pick-up

Ferry crossings (Holyhead/Dublin return)

4 nights accommodation, dinner & breakfast

Porterage on arrival and departure

Welcome tea/coffee on arrival

Tea/coffee after dinner each evening

Soup & sandwich lunch

Irish coffee making demonstration

Irish themed dinner with Irish dancing on one evening

Live musical entertainment on one evening

Quiz or bingo on one evening

Birr Castle & Gardens

River Shannon Cruise

Kilbeggan Distillery guided tour.

*Please Note: Currency in Southern Ireland is Euros. No Passport is required, but Photo ID is necessary i.e. driving licence/bus pass.

COUNTY ARMS HOTEL, BIRR

Set in the heart of the attractive Georgian town of Birr, the County Arms Hotel offers a warm Irish welcome and is within easy walking distance of the town's shops, cafés and historic attractions. Comfortable en-suite bedrooms are complemented by a welcoming lounge, cosy bar and elegant restaurant overlooking the gardens. Guests can also enjoy the hotel's extensive leisure facilities, making it the perfect base from which to explore Ireland's Hidden Heartlands. Lift available.

All single rooms are twin/double for sole occupancy.