Ireland: People, Places and Pubs Tour - June/July 2024

Single Step Travel Planners will help you coordinate your flights (see ADD ONS section below) from any North American city to arrive in Dublin on the morning of July 29, 2024.  There will be one scheduled group transfer from the airport into the city which is included in the tour.  Transfer time will be determined based on arrival schedule of all passengers. We can also arrange for a private transfer to the hotel on your schedule if you would prefer, though this would be at an additional cost.  

If you'd like to arrive early to explore Dublin on your own, or stop and explore another European destination on your way to or from Ireland, we specialize in helping our clients develop and book personalized European getaways which can easily be combined with this trip, just give us a call!

Your tour departs at 2:00 PM from your Dublin hotel. A local guide will bring you for a panoramic tour of central Dublin, a friendly city famed for its wit and sense of fun. Board a barge, once used for transporting Guinness, for a cruise down the centuries-old Grand Canal as you sip a welcome drink and enjoy dinner while listening to live music.(D)

Head to historic Kilkenny for a guided walking tour along its Medieval Mile, stretching from cathedral to castle. Discover the rich heritage, narrow streetscapes, and picturesque merchants' houses of this small, historic city. Next, enjoy a special beer-tasting experience. Spend some time browsing as you please before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)

Visit the Marine Bar in Dungarvan in a CIE Tours Exclusive, and enjoy a drink with some traditional music in this centuries-old, family-run pub. Travel on to visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous stone, which legend promises will bestow the “Gift of the Gab” or explore the beautiful gardens. Pass through County Cork to the lively town of Killarney - a draw for visitors to Ireland since the 18th century - where you will have free time after dinner to explore some of its friendly pubs, many with live music. (B, D)

Visit Moriarty's in the Gap of Dunloe, a CIE Tours preferred shopping partner, before heading out to the Dingle Peninsula. You may know this beautiful region from films like “Ryan's Daughter” and “Far & Away”. Visit a farm for an immersion into traditional farming life and watch skilled sheepdogs demonstrate their talents at herding. Take some free time to explore the charms of Dingle town. In the evening, head to the Celtic Whiskey Bar in Killarney for a tasting, chocolate pairing, and dinner. (B, D)

Embark on a ferry ride across the wide River Shannon Estuary. Take in the spectacular beauty of the Cliffs of Moher, soaring 700 feet above the Atlantic surf. Walk along the top of the cliffs for views across Galway Bay to Connemara and the Aran Islands. In the evening, have an early dinner at your hotel, then head out for a CIE Tours Exclusive: You'll visit the nearby seaside suburb of Salthill for a special evening of storytelling at O'Connor's Famous Pub. (B, D)

Spend a leisurely morning exploring vibrant, artistic Galway as you please. Travel to Athlone, where you'll enjoy a choice of Irish coffee, whiskey, or beer as you cruise Lough Ree in a replica Viking longship. Then head to Sean's bar. This pub is not only the oldest in Ireland; dating back to 900 AD, it's the oldest in Europe, according to the Guinness Book of Records. The sloped floors (often covered with sawdust), candlelight, and turf fire pay nostalgic tribute to this pub's rich history. Enjoy dinner in your Athlone hotel this evening. (B, D)

Enjoy the scenery of central Ireland as you head to Dublin on the east coast. Visit the Guinness Storehouse in the heart of the city - one of Ireland's most popular attractions - and sample Ireland's iconic brew as you take in the panoramic view from the seventh-floor Gravity Bar. In the evening, head to the Irish Whiskey Museum for a private tour and a tasting. In a CIE Tours Exclusive, enjoy a special after-hours experience: a traditional band will play lively tunes for your group as you relax over a drink and finger foods. (B)

Spend the day independently with a Dublin Hop-On, Hop-Off bus voucher, plus, your choice of a visit to one of Dublin's most beloved attractions: EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, GPO Museum, or Teeling Distillery.  Alternately, we will be organizing an optional full day tour to Glendolough and The Powerscourt Estate in the nearby Wicklow Mountains.  (B)

The tour ends after breakfast at the hotel.  Single Step will arrange optional transport to Dublin airport for your flight home.  If you would like to stay another night or two in Dublin, or perhaps spend a few days in London, Scotland, or Iceland on the way home, we can help work these options into your airfare and put together additional plans.  (B)

• Croke Park Hotel, Dublin - 1 night
• Kilkenny Ormonde Hotel, Kilkenny - 1 night
• International Hotel, Killarney - 2 nights
• Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, Galway (Pictured at left) - 1 night
• Sheraton Athlone Hotel, Athlone - 1 night
• Ashling Hotel, Dublin - 2 nights

8 breakfasts and 7 dinners included

• Sightseeing by luxury coach with a professional tour director 
• All on-tour transportation including shuttles and ferries 
• Welcome get-together drink with your group
• Free Wi-Fi on coaches so you can stay connected along the way
• Group transfer from Dublin airport to hotel on Saturday 6/29 only. 
• Deluxe documents wallet and backpack to keep you organized 
• All local taxes, hotel service charges & handling of one suitcase per person

• Blarney Castle
•  Cliffs of Moher 
• Guinness Storehouse Tour 
• Celtic Whiskey Bar  in Killarney
•  Marine Bar in Dungarvan Pub Storytelling Session 
• Beer Tasting in Kilkenny 
• Sean’s Bar in Athlone 
• Dingle Peninsula 
• Sheepdog Demonstration

Single Step Travels will be happy to assist you with planning and booking your flights to and from Dublin.  Some sample roundtrip coach fares (including 1 checked bag and seat selection) for flights departing 6/28 and returning 7/7 as of October 17th, 2023:

Atlanta (ATL) - $1,374/person - 1 stop on Aer Lingus

Austin (AUS) - $1,358/person - 1 stop on Aer Lingus

Baltimore (BWI) - $956/person - 1 stop in Reyjavik on Play Airlines

Boston (BOS) - $1,122/person - Direct on Aer Lingus

Boston (BOS) - $971/person - 1 stop in Reyjavik on Play Airlines

Charlotte (CLT) - $1,812/person - Direct on American

Charlotte (CLT) - $1,388/person - 1 stop on Aer Lingus

Chicago (ORD) - $1,175/person - Direct on Aer Lingus

Dallas (DFW) - $1,813/person - Direct on American

Denver (DEN) - $999/person - 1 stop in Reyjavik on Iceland Air

Hartford (BDL) - $1,265/person - Direct on Aer Lingus

Los Angeles (LAX)- $1,155/person - 1 stop on American/FinnAir

Los Angeles (LAX) - $1633/person - Direct on Aer Lingus

Nashville (BNA) - $1,314/person - 1 stop on Aer Lingus

Phoenix (PHX) - $1,568/person - 1 stop on American

New York (JFK) - $985/person - 1 stop in Reyjavik on Iceland Air

New York (JFK) - $1,219/person - Direct on Aer Lingus

San Francisco (SFO) - $1,429/person - Direct on Aer Lingus

San Francisco (SFO) - $1,150/person - 1 stop on Virgin/KLM

Washington (IAD) - $1,238/person - Direct on Aer Lingus

*Airfares are provided for reference purposes.  They are subject to availability, will change frequently and not final until they are booked and paid.

*Call 413-298-2327 for current quotes from these or any airports that you'd like.

Want to arrive in Dublin a day early to explore on your own?  Or maybe extend your stay for an extra night. Great idea!  Pricing for extended stays at the tour hotels is indicated below, pricing is subject to change and both hotels have limited availability:

Arriving June 28th - Extra night at Croke Park Hotel Dublin:

•  $147/person double occupancy
• $239/person single occupancy

Staying night of July 7th - Extra night at Ashling Hotel, Dublin

•  $138/person double occupancy
• $208/person single occupancy

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 We can also set you up at anything from a typical Irish B&B to a luxury stay in a Castle. 

We will also be posting some sample packages for each of the following extensions coming soon, so check back often:

• 1 or 2 Night Dublin Pre- or Post-Tour Lodging
• 1 or 2 Night Dublin Area Pre- or Post-Tour Package Including: Lodging, Rental Car or Guided Tours and Suggested Itineraries
• 1-5 Night London, Edinburgh, and Reykjavik Pre- or Post-Tour Package Including: Lodging, Rental Car or Guided Tours and Suggested Itineraries
• Or we can come up with a customized itinerary based on your preferences. Let's Talk!

We STRONGLY RECOMMEND, and personally do not travel without, travel insurance.  Here are a few reasons why:

1. Cancellation Coverage: Travel protection helps safeguard your financial investment by covering unexpected cancellations for covered reasons.  If you, a traveling companion, a close relative, or with some policies even a pet become injured or ill, many policies can reimburse you for non-refundable expenses and minimize financial losses. Other events, including your car breaking down on the way to the airport, a job change that conflicts with the original travel date, and attending the birth of a family-members child are other often covered reasons.  We have had numerous clients benefit from this, and personally were able to be fully refunded on a $7,500 trip when a family member became sick.
2. Medical Coverage: It offers crucial medical coverage abroad, including medical emergencies, hospitalization, and evacuation (an air ambulance can cost anywhere from $10,000 on the low end and as much as $150,000 or more. Many health insurance plans have limited or no coverage while you are traveling internationally. Without it, you may face exorbitant healthcare costs while traveling.
3. Trip Interruptions and Delays: Travel protection can compensate you for missed or interrupted trips due to unforeseen events, such as illness, family emergencies, or natural disasters.  It can also provide you with reimbursement of meals, hotels and other expenses if flights are cancelled or delayed beyond the covered amount of time.  
4. Luggage and Personal Belongings: It provides coverage for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal items, ensuring you're not left without essentials during your trip.
5. Travel Assistance: Most policies include 24/7 travel assistance services, helping you with emergencies, locating medical facilities, and solving travel-related issues like lost or stolen passports.
6. Peace of Mind: Travel protection offers peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your trip with less worry about unforeseen circumstances. It's a safety net that can make your travel experience smoother and less stressful.

We use, and highly recommend Allianz Travel insurance.  We have set up a group policy for this trip and will be happy to discuss options and pricing with you.  Available coverages and prices depend on your age and state where you live.  Christine and I have an annual travel industry policy with Allianz, butf we purchased insurance for this trip on it's own, the recommended policy would cost $954 for both of us, with the option of a lower benefit amount policy available at $654.  We will be happy to provide personal quotes for you.