Images of Ireland
7 Night Prebooked Self Drive Tour
Get off the beaten
track and find the hidden beauties of the Irish countryside. Abbey Tours
has designed a pre booked self-drive hotel and bed & breakfast/
farmhouse tour. We offer a choice of 4 routes or design your own route. We
include 7 nights bed and full Irish breakfast in the following type of
accommodation - 1 night 4 star hotel, 3 nights in 3 star hotels and 3
nights in bed & breakfast/farmhouse, where you can experience the
warmth and personal welcome offered by the bed & breakfasts and farmhouses.
Note: All hotels/bed & breakfast accommodation
are prebooked & rooms have en-suite
facilities. Also note that bed and breakfast accommodation covers members
of both the “Town & Country Homes Association” and
“Farmhouse Association”
7 Night Prebooked Self-Drive Tour Images of Ireland
(Excluding Car)
Standard
Programme
|
|
Per
Person Sharing
|
|
January – April
|
$735.00
|
|
May
|
$800.00
|
|
June – September
|
$820.00
|
|
October - December
|
$735.00
|
|
Single Supplement
|
$435.00
|
|
Children 3 – 12 yrs
|
$480.00
|
Price Includes
·
Bed & breakfast
accommodation as follows; 1 night - 4 star hotel, 3 nights - 3 star hotels,
3 nights - bed & breakfast/farmhouse. 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
Notes:
Clients that they 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.
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.
Your clients can choose
from one of the following itineraries:
Images of Ireland
7 Night Prebooked
Drive Tour – Itinerary A
Day 1: Dublin City
Welcome to Dublin, after you pick up your car at the
Hertz desk, transfer to your city centre 3 star hotel.
Spend the remainder of the day soaking up the atmosphere of this exciting
city or visit some of its many attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse,
Trinity College or Old Jameson Distillery.
Overnight at the Mount Herbert Hotel
(3 star), Lansdowne Road,
Dublin 4 or Similar
Day 2: Galway
(245km)
Leave Dublin
this morning and travel across the rich midland pastures. Why not visit Belvedere House,
Gardens and Park? The magnificent early 18th century stately home of Robert
Rochfort, Earl of Belvedere, stands in 160 acres
of parkland on the shores of Lough Ennell.
Belvedere is one of the finest of Ireland's historic houses, and
together with gardens and park has been exquisitely restored. Before you
cross the River Shannon, Ireland’s longest river you can visit Clonmacnoise a 6th century Christian site.
Arrive into Galway, which has long
traded with Spain
and the Spanish influences are many in the city. Of note is Spanish Arch, a
gateway in the old city walls and the Spanish Parade, where wealthy
merchants and their families enjoyed a stroll along the promenade.
Overnight in the
Westwood House Hotel (4 star), Upper Newcastle, Galway
or similar
Day 3: Connemara Region (80km )
Today travel out into the wild and rugged Connemara region, famous for the savage beauty of its lake and
mountain scenery. Why not visit the Connemara
National Park, where Connemara
ponies and Irish red deer
roam freely through 5,000 acres of scenic mountains, bogs and grassland.
You can also visit the magnificent Kylemore Abbey - a
beautiful mansion in a lakeside setting against
a mountainous backdrop.
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in Connemara
Day 4: Touring in
the Connemara Area
Why not relax and enjoy the spectacular Connemara countryside or
travel northwards through the magnificent Delphi
Valley to Croagh Patrick and into Westport located on the shores of Clew Bay?
Alternatively take a boat trip to one of the Aran
Islands and experience a very different aspect of Irish
culture.
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in Connemara
Day 5: Clare (200km – based on Killaloe)
Today travel through Galway and continue on
to the Lough Derg region one of Ireland’s
largest lakes comprising of 50 square miles. Why not visit Rathbaun Farm
and see the animals being tended, or enjoy a tea break?
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in the Lough Derg Region
Day 6: Tipperary & Kilkenny (145km)
Continuing to travel inland, we drive
through some of the many small towns and villages Ireland is
famous for. Stop in Cashel and visit the imposing Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s
most important ecclesiastical sites, which rise dramatically from the flat
countryside. Continue on to the medieval city of Kilkenny which is ideal for a casual
stroll through its narrow streets and alleyways.
Overnight in Springhill Court Hotel
(3 star), Waterford Road,
Kilkenny or similar
Day 7: Dublin (130km)
We return to Dublin
and you can complete your tour with a final visit to Dublin’s city centre. En-route you
can visit the Irish NationaStud where you can see
the new born foals in the fields with their mothers.
Overnight in Mount Herbert Hotel
(3 star), Lansdowne Road,
Dublin 4 or Similar
Images of Ireland
7 Night Prebooked
Drive Tour – Itinerary B
Day 1: Dublin 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 or visit some of its many attractions such
as the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity
College or Old
Jameson Distillery.
Overnight
at the Mount Herbert Hotel
(3 star), Lansdowne Road,
Dublin 4 or similar
Day 2:
Cork
(265km)
Today travel, from Dublin, through
the rich farmland pastures of Ireland’s midlands. Pass
through Cashel, where you can visit the imposing Rock of Cashel, one of Ireland’s
most important ecclesiastical sites, which rise dramatically from the flat
countryside. Continue on to Cork,
perhaps calling at the Old Midleton Distillery
and learn how Irish whiskey is made. Arrive in Cork, Ireland’s
second largest city.
Overnight
at the Jurys Hotel (4 star), Western Road, Cork
or similar
Day 3: Kerry Region (190km)
Depart Cork
and travel along what is generally regarded as one of Ireland’s
most beautiful and unspoilt regions. Drive through Kinsale, known as the
“Gourmet” capital of Ireland
and continue through the many fishing towns and villages along the
south-west coastline arriving in Glengariff where
you can take a short boat trip to Garnish Island
to see the “sub-tropical” gardens. Leave Glengariff
and continue through the spectacular Healy
Pass road across the Caha
Mountain range which
runs along the Cork/Kerry border.
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in the Killarney Region
Day 4: Ring of Kerry (160km)
Today tour one of Ireland’s
loveliest districts, the Ring of Kerry. Mountains, valleys and lakes blend
into a palette of scenic splendour. A delightful day includes a drive along
the broad, dramatic coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula
and through the charming villages and towns of Killorglin,
Cahirciveen, Waterville and Irish-speaking Sneem. Why not visit Muckross House, a magnificent
Victorian mansion and one of Ireland’s leading stately
homes? The gardens at Muckross House are reknowned
world-wide for their beauty.
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in the Killarney Region
Day 5: Dingle
Peninsula (190km)
Today travel to Dunquin,
on the westernmost tip of the Dingle peninsula, where you can visit the
Blasket Centre where you will discover what life was like on the remote Blasket Islands. When returning through
Tralee, the principal town of Kerry,
you can visit “Kerry the Kingdom”.
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in the Killarney Region
Day 6: Limerick
& Shannon Area (140km)
Depart Kerry and travel to the medieval city
of Limerick.
Stop in the thatched village
of Adare and get
those memorable holiday photographs. In Limerick visit the Hunt Museum,
alternatively travel to Bunratty and see Irish village life around the
1900’s created in the Folk
Park.
Overnight in Pery’s Hotel (3 star), Limerick
Day 7: Dublin City (225km)
Returning to Dublin today,visit Birr Castle Demesne where you can visit
the gardens or see one of the world’s largest telescopes. Continue to Dublin
and you can complete you tour with a final visit to Dublin’s city centre.
Overnight in Mount Herbert Hotel
(3 star), Lansdowne Road,
Dublin 4 or similar
Departure from Dublin
Airport.
Images of Ireland
7 Night Prebooked
Drive Tour – Itinerary C
Day 1: Dublin
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 or
visit some of its many attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College or Old Jameson Distillery.
Overnight at the Mount Herbert
Hotel (3 star), Lansdowne Road, Dublin 4 or similar
Day 2: Boyne
Valley & Belfast (195km)
Leave Dublin
and head northwards. Why not visit Bru na Boinne and Newgrange of Knowth (one of the Burial Chambers) which pre-date the
Pyramids in Egypt?
You can also visit Armagh, the ecclesiastical capital of Ireland, or travel to Downpatrick where St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint is
reputed to be buried.
Overnight in the
Days Hotel (3 star), Belfast
or similar
Day 3: Antrim Region (145km – based on
Bushmills)
This morning take some time to tour Belfast City. See some of the landmark sites
such as City Hall and Queens
University.
Leave Belfast
and
travel north along the coast road through the spectacular “Nine Glens
of Antrim”. Continue along the North Antrim coastline arriving at the
magnificent Giant’s Causeway. This
area of hexagonal columns was formed over 60 million years ago by cooling
lava and has given rise to many legends as the basalt resembles giant
steps.
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in the Antrim Region
Day 4: Antrim Region
Staying around the north Antrim area, why not visit Bushmills
Distillery which is the world’s oldest whiskey distillery having
received its licence in 1608? You can also visit some of the many small
seaside towns along the coastline.
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in the Antrim Region
Day 5: Derry & Donegal (150km)
Today travel into Derry city. You
can visit the Tower Museum and O’Doherty
Tower, which tells the story of Derry from
prehistoric times to the present day. Complete your tour of Derry by walking along the historic Walls of the
city. Leaving Derry, why not travel into Donegal and perhaps visit Glenveagh National Park
and Glenveagh
Castle, 10,000 hectares of
mountains, lakes, glens and woods with a red deer herd?
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in the Derry/Donegal
Region
Day 6: Sligo (160km)
Travelling south through the Fermanagh Lake
District, visit Enniskillen and the surrounding areas where you can see the
Marble Arch cave, the 18th century Florence Court or the stately
Castle Coole.
Overnight in Clarion
Hotel (4 star), Sligo or similar
Day 7: Dublin (160km)
Return to Dublin and after checking into our hotel on the
outskirts of the city, you can complete your tour with a final visit to Dublin’s city
centre. Why not visit Trim Castle, the largest Anglo Norman Castle in Ireland,
en-route?
Overnight at the Mount Herbert Hotel
(3 star), Lansdowne Road,
Dublin 4 or similar
Images of Ireland
7 Night Prebooked
Drive Tour – Itinerary D
Day 1: Dublin 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 or
visit some of its many attractions such as the Guinness Storehouse, Trinity College or Old Jameson Distillery.
Overnight at the Mount
Herbert Hotel
(3 star), Lansdowne Road,
Dublin 4 or similar
Day 2: Wicklow, East Coast & Waterford (200km)
This morning depart your hotel for
Wicklow, known as the “Garden
of Ireland”. Travelling through the scenic Wicklow Mountains
why not 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. You will also have an opportunity to visit the restored
18th century house, which was destroyed by fire in 1974. You can also visit
nearby 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 6th monastic remains include
a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses. The Visitor
Centre explains the history of the region and the monastery.
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 Dunbrody
towering over the quayside. Dunbrody is a full
scale replica of the original ship which was built in 1845 for the
Graves family of New Ross
and which carried thousands of emigrants from Ireland
to North America over a period of thirty
years, trading extensively all over the world. Dunbrody
recalls the romantic age of sailing ships as well as giving a unique
insight into the mass emigration of the Great Famine and the years
following.
Continue on to Waterford
for overnight.
Overnight in
Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in the Waterford Region
Day 3: Waterford
Crystal, Cork & Killarney (210km)
This morning, before you leave Waterford why not
visit the World Famous Waterford Crystal Factory? The Waterford experience is unique in that
you are visiting a real working, living, breathing factory. A thin yellow line is all that separates
you from the craftsmen, during the tour you will get a chance to see the
glass being blown and cut, also take in the factory’s magical audio
visual presentation. The gallery features the finest of Waterford pieces guaranteed to quicken
the pulse of even the most seasoned collector.
Travelling from Waterford and passing through the seaside
towns of Dungarvan and Youghal you arrive at Midleton
where you can visit the Old Midleton Distillery
where following a video presentation on the story of Irish whiskey in
Spanish, you will follow the old distillery trail through mills, maltings, corn stores, stillhouses,
warehouses and kilns. You will get an opportunity to view the largest pot
still in the world.
Time permitting a short stop in Cork City,
which is Ireland’s
second largest city and is located in the south west of the country, is
recommended. Cork region is steeped in 4000 years of
history and is rich in culture and heritage which is highlighted in a tour
of the city. Much of the medieval core of the city is still intact today
and the colourful and dramatic past is reflected in its streets,
architecture and port. Continue on to Killarney,
which is located among some of Ireland’s most
spectacular scenery.
Overnight in Farmhouse/Bed
& Breakfast Accommodation – in the Killarney Region
Day 4: Ring of Kerry (160km)
Today tour one of Ireland’s loveliest
districts, the Ring of Kerry. Poets, painters, writers and musicians have
all tried to convey the beauty of this area. Mountains, valleys and lakes
blend into a palette of scenic splendour. A delightful day includes a drive
along the broad, dramatic coastline of the Iveragh Peninsula
and through the charming villages and towns of Killorglin,
Cahirciveen, Waterville and Irish-speaking Sneem. Why not visit Muckross House, a magnificent
Victorian mansion and one of Ireland’s leading stately
homes? The gardens at Muckross House are reknowned
world-wide for their beauty; in particular they are noted for their fine
collections of azaleas and rhododendrons.
Overnight in Farmhouse/Bed & Breakfast Accommodation – in
the Killarney Region
Day 5: Bunratty Folk
Park, Cliffs of Moher
& Galway (275km)
This morning you commence your journey
towards Galway. Passing through the pretty
village of Adare
and the Medieval City of Limerick you arrive in Bunratty where you can
visit the 15th century Bunratty Castle and Folk Park.
Explore the beautifully restored castle rooms, the traditional thatched
cottages in the Folk
Park and
reconstruction of a typical turn of the century village, complete with
schoolhouse, hotel and pub, potters, millers, weavers, print shop, post
office, portrait studio, doctors house, and
confectioners. Travelling northwards
through Ennis you arrive at the Cliffs of Moher. These impressive cliffs
rise to a height of 700 feet above the sea and stretch for a distance of
about 5 miles along the coast – time permitting you can visit the new
Visitor Centre. Then on to Galway, for a
short sightseeing tour of the city called the “City of the
Tribes” after the fourteen most prominent families in this area.
Galway long traded with Spain
and the Spanish influences are many in the city. Of note is Spanish Arch, a
gateway in the old city walls and the Spanish Parade, where wealthy
merchants and their families
enjoyed a stroll along the promenade.
Overnight in the Forster
Court Hotel
(3 star), Forster Street,
Galway or similar
Day 6: Connemara & Kylemore Abbey (180km)
Today travel out into the wild and rugged Connemara region, famous for the savage beauty of its lake and
mountain scenery. Why not visit the Connemara
National Park, where Connemara
ponies and Irish red deer
roam freely through 5,000 acres of scenic mountains, bogs and grassland.
You can also visit the magnificent Kylemore Abbey - a beautiful mansion in
a lakeside setting against a mountainous backdrop. Irish Benedictine nuns, with a tradition
of over 300 years run, this unique Abbey set in the heart of Connemara,
overlooking Pollacapul Lake.
Overnight in the Forster Court Hotel
(3 star), Forster Street,
Galway or similar
Day 7: Clonmacnoise, Belvedere House &
Dublin (235lm)
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