Self Drive Ireland

A Glimpse of Ireland

5 Night Prebooked Self Drive Tour

Ireland is steeped in history and can trace its heritage to almost 5,000 thousand years ago with archaeological sites like Newgrange, near Dublin and the Ceide Fields in County Mayo. Ireland is also famous for its warm welcome – its “Cead Mile Failte” or “One Hundred Thousand Welcomes”.

Abbey Tours has created a series of exciting 5 day self drive touring programmes introducing you to some of the most exciting and scenic regions of Ireland.

5 Day Prebooked Self-Drive Tour of Ireland (Excluding Car)

Standard Programme B&B Accommodation

	Per Person Sharing
January – April	$380.00
May	$405.00
June - September	$425.00
October - December	$380.00
Children 3 – 12 yrs	$270.00
Single Supplement	$225.00

Price Includes

· Bed & breakfast accommodation as follows; 2 nights - 3 star hotel in the Dublin area, 2 nights – bed & breakfast /farmhouse as per the chosen itinerary. Based on per person sharing twin/double room with bath/shower inclusive of service charges.

· Heritage Island Touring Guide and discount card

· All prices quoted in $AUD p.p. twin share basis

3 Star Hotel Programme

	Per Person Sharing
January – April	$435.00
May - September	$490.00
October - December	$435.00
Children 3 – 12 yrs	$305.00
Single Supplement	$305.00

Price Includes

· Bed & breakfast accommodation for 4 nights in 3 star hotels. Based on per person sharing twin/double room with bath/shower inclusive of service charges.

· Heritage Island Touring Guide and discount card

· All prices quoted in $AUD p.p. twin share basis

4 Star Hotel Programme

	Per Person Sharing	Children 3 – 12 yrs
January – April	$545.00	$265.00
May - September	$615.00	$295.00
October - December	$550.00	$265.00
Triple Room rate per person	$525.00	N/A
Single Supplement	$375.00	N/A

Price Includes

· Bed & breakfast accommodation for 4 nights in 4 star hotels. Based on per person sharing twin / double room with bath/shower inclusive of service charges.

· Heritage Island Touring Guide and discount card

· All prices quoted in $AUD p.p. twin share basis

Child Policy

Children supplements apply when a child between 3 & 12 years is sharing with 2 full paying adults to a maximum of 2 children in the room. A child sharing with a single adult is charged the normal per person rate. Children sharing 0 - 2 years are free and meals paid directly to the hotel.

Notes:

Clients should check-in to their hotels/bed and breakfast accommodation no later than 6pm. If clients are going to be later that 6pm, they should call their accommodation and advise of their approximate check in time. Failure to do this could result in their reservation being cancelled and rooms released.

A Glimpse of Ireland

Itinerary 1- Ireland’s South East

Day 1: Dublin’s Fair City

Welcome to Dublin, after you pick up your car, transfer to your city centre 3 star hotel. Spend the remainder of the day soaking up the atmosphere of this exciting city which includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, with the additional attraction of the newly erected “Spire” at its centre and the General Post Office, scene of the 1916 Easter uprising and many elegant Georgian squares. Why not visit some of its many attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse, Book of Kells at Trinity College or Old Jameson Distillery.

Overnight at the Mount Herbert Hotel (3 star), Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4 or similar

Day 2: Powerscourt & Wicklow - The Garden of Ireland & Waterford

This morning depart your hotel for Wicklow, known as the “Garden of Ireland”. Travelling through the scenic Wicklow Mountains visit Powerscourt Gardens. Here you will be able to stroll around the 45 acre garden, long regarded as one of the most splendid in Europe and includes formal gardens, sweeping terraces, statuary and ornamental lakes which have over 200 variations of trees and shrubs. Continue on to Glendalough the "Valley of the two Lakes", a 6th century monastic site of great cultural and historic interest and a renowned beauty spot of Ireland. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the 6^th monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. Continuing south towards Waterford why not visit the Dunbrody Emigrant Ship in New Ross, where you will immediately be drawn to the magnificent sight of the masts and rigging of the historic emigrant ship. Continue on to Waterford city, the capital of the “sunny south east” of Ireland for overnight.

Overnight in Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in Waterford

Day 3: Waterford & the Vee

This morning, why not take a scheduled walking tour of Waterford city, where the guide brings the fascinating history of the city alive. Waterford City was established in Viking times and it has an exciting medieval flavour and riverside bustle. Time permitting you could visit the world famous Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre or the Waterford Treasures at the Granary. Why not travel north through the Knockmealdown Mountains and the famous Vee to the heritage town of Lismore. The Vee, a spectacular gap in the mountains gives views of west Waterford, Tipperary and the Galtee Mountains in the distance. Inspiring landscape, and legend has it that local farmer Samuel Grubbs arranged to be buried standing up in the Vee to gaze on it for all eternity.Return to Waterford for overnight.

Overnight in Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in Waterford

Day 4: Kilkenny & Dublin

Leaving Waterford this morning and travel northwards to the medieval city of Kilkenny. Take some time to stroll through the narrow streets and alleyways of the City,visit Kilkenny Castle, which is situated in the heart of this historic and picturesque city,it stands on a majestic site beside the river Nore. This magnificent castle, dating from 1172, lies in a beautiful 50-acre park. Leaving Kilkenny and travel northwards, through Kildare to where you can visit the Irish National Stud and Japanese Gardens just outside the town of Kildare. They are planned to symbolise the 'Life of Man' from the cradle to the grave. St. Fiachra's Garden, also in the grounds of the Stud Farm was designed as a Millennium project and seeks to capture the power of the Irish landscape in its rawest state, that of rock and water. It has almost 4 acres of woodland and lakeside walks.