Incredible Ireland Group Tours
DATES TBD
"My Special Needs daughter and I traveled to Ireland with PhotoFly and I cannot recommend them enough! Andrew our tour director was wonderful.
He was so thorough and detailed. Everything went quite smoothly. He was funny and very knowledgeable about the countries he tours!
Everyone was so nice and personable. We couldn't have felt more comfortable like we were with friends!" - Rae, Ireland '22
Over the years our travel club has explored the vibrant, green lands of Ireland and the adventure often sells out in less than a week. Needless to say we'll be going back for round 4 in 2022. Check out this cool video from our last Ireland Adventure!
"It's a Celtic mystery: how can a country as small as Ireland be packed with so much majestic history, natural beauty, vibrant culture, and, of course, fun? Norman castles overlook wild, empty beaches, Georgian country houses host impromptu traditional music sessions, excited theatergoers spill out into bustling Dublin pubs. Drama and spectacle lie at every turn, with a pint of Guinness to toast it all. But the real Irish secret is the people: their unique blend of warmth, humor, and irreverence will ensure your trip to the Emerald Isle is a true adventure" - Fodor's
* Historic Kilkenny: This charming "city" of 25,000 is indeed the smallest in the country and has been coined the medieval capital of Ireland. Kilkenny Castle and Gardens, Black Abbey, & the original "round tower" of St. Canice's Cathedral (stunning views & photographs from
the top!) are just a few highlights to explore here. Kilkenny is the perfect spot to begin our journey on the "sunny" side of the island.
* The Rock of Cashel: On arrival in Dublin our road trip begins by heading south to our first encounter with stunning medieval architecture. The seat of kings and mediaeval bishops for 900 years, this small town flourished until the early 17th century. A must stop for us photo lovers, the place takes its name due to the spectacular group of medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone (12th century round tower, High Cross, Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, & 15th century castle!)
* Lismore Castle Gardens and Lady Louisa’s Walk: A spectacular drive with photo stops over the Knockmealdown Mountains takes us to the beautiful heritage
town of Lismore. Visit the colorful castle gardens, covered in beautiful flowers, plants & trees, arranged over seven acres within the castle’s 17th century defensive walls. Next up is a woodland walk along the banks of the River Blackwater. The gentle stroll offers magnificent views of Lismore Castle among a variety of flora including beech, ash, ferns, spindle trees, holly, ivy, golden saxifrage, and wild garlic.
* Irish Whiskey Tasting & Tour: Jameson expanded their operations to the The Old Midleton Distillery in 1975 providing the space to stretch their whiskey making ambitions. This historic Distillery was fully preserved and is now home to the
Jameson Experience, where the charm and elegance of the distillery buildings reflect the pride in the product that was made here. On arrival
we're immersed in the old world atmosphere for the buildings and grounds. A massive cooper vat in the garden and antique barrels & trucks laid out on brilliant green grass create a great start to the experience. We'll learn about the whiskey making process used by Jameson for over 200 years and then head to the old distillery itself. Antique vehicles, water mills, barrels, and casks line the way and after the tour we'll enter a large saloon style bar for a glass of the good stuff! There is the option to have it straight up or with ginger & lime. *For those who do not drink or like whiskey, the tour itself is really the heart of the experience & has fantastic reviews.
* City of Cork: Ireland's third largest city "is first in every important respect – at 
least according to the locals, who cheerfully refer to it as
the 'real capital of Ireland'. It's a liberal, youthful and cosmopolitan place that was badly hit by economic recession but is now busily reinventing itself with spruced-up streets, revitalised stretches of waterfront, and – seemingly – an artisan coffee bar on every corner. The best of the city is still happily traditional – snug pubs with live-music sessions, restaurants dishing up top-quality local produce, and a genuinely proud welcome from the locals." -Lonely Planet. There will be time in the evening to wander the cobblestone streets before we enjoy the perfect welcome dinner here in a traditional Irish Pub!
* Boat Trip to Garnish Island: This small island lies in the sheltered harbor of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. World renowned for its gardens 
carefully laid out for beautiful walks, and a number of plants and other flora extremely rare for the local climate. Our local guide will point these along the way (great for macro photos!). A short boat ride to the island offers pretty views of the surrounding bay. But wait until we see the numerous, stunning viewpoints scattered around the island great for photos!
* Pretty Little Kenmare: Free time to wander around this beautiful town self proclaimed as a "walkers paradise". Shops, galleries, restaurants, & pubs line the streets making it an excellent spot for a pint!
* Sneem and the Ring of Kerry: The village of Sneem on the spectacular Ring of Kerry is nestled between mountains and the wild, rugged, coast offering some of the best views in the country!
* Kayak Excursion: A unique, expertly guided experience on Kenmare Bay with stable and 
comfortable kayaks. (*Any participants not interested in the kayak trip can have a leisurely morning in the village of Sneem)
* Hamlet of Castlecove Hike: Our local guide will take us over the hills to the neighboring village of Caherdaniel. This outstanding well marked trail has commanding views to the south of the spectacular Beara Peninsula & Kenmare Bay, including the islands of Deenish, Scarriff, and the Bull Rock We'll finish in the small village of Caherdaniel and take a stroll for photographs along the gorgeous beach of Derrynane. (* Any participants not interested in the hike can take a stroll on the spectacular Atlantic beach of Derrynane to meet the rest of the group where the hike ends)
* The Dingle Peninsula: Dingle is magic, its mellow landscape is one of green hills and golden sands culminating in Europe’s most westerly point.
* Coomenoole beach: This small but stunning beach is awesome to photograph. Drastic landscape photo ops to be taken from the top and on the beach itself.
* Slea Head Drive: An epic drive around the most stunning parts of Dingle Peninsula. We'll see and photograph the breathtaking Slea Head
point with the "Devil's Horns" jutting out at the end, Ventry Harbour with its crescent blue shaped beach, ancient Fahan Beehive Huts, the Blasket Islands, and so much more!
* Dingle Town: A vibrant fishing port in the heart of the peninsula, this charming fishing village has a picturesque variety of shops, comfy pubs, café’s, and charming B&Bs. Irish traditional music and dance can be seen and heard throughout town and are a fantastic centerpiece in the pubs each evening.
* Cliffs of Moher & The Burren: Looming over County Clare’s west coast, the cliffs stretch for 5 miles and 700 ft over the Atlantic Ocean. Unchanged for millennia, the landscape of the cliffs has, for centuries, welcomed visitors who come to marvel at their
splendor. We'll walk the paths along the 320 million-year-old cliffs with a variety of vantage points for great photos. Up the road awaits "The Burren", a unique limestone landscape that was shaped beneath ancient seas and then forced high and dry creating this great geographical phenomenon. In the Burren, land and sea seem to merge into one, vast, exhilarating space beneath huge skies.
* Galway: Known as the “City of the Tribes” after a number of prominent merchant families who controlled the political, commercial, and social life of the city, Galway is special, simple as that. Amidst a pulsating knot of winding, cobbled 
streets, a carnival atmosphere is created every day by enchanting street performers spouting poetry, juggling fire, and beating bodhrans while the sound of fiddles, bagpipes, and harps spill from the open doors of its medieval taverns. Our local guide will show us around the best spots and hidden corners of this great city.
* Prehistoric Wonders of Newgrange Tombs: A fascinating guided tour around and inside one of the mysterious wonders of ancient human history. The tombs of Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth were built over 5,000 years ago by stone age farmers! These ancient temples were a place of astrological, spiritual, religious, and ceremonial importance (not to mention a massive grave!) The large kidney shaped mound covers an area over one acre and is retained at the base by 97 curbstones, some richly decorated with megalithic art! *Please note, we are unable to guarantee reservations for our group until a few months prior to the trip due to the extreme popularity of the site. In the event we cannot secure tickets, an alternative activity will be chosen.
* Dublin: With a glut of boutique hotels, great shopping, mighty bars, and some of the country's most sophisticated restaurants, Dublin is fast becoming the premier city destination in Europe. We'll wander the maze of cobbled streets in Temple Bar, slurp a 'pint of plain' in the Guinness storehouse, & marvel at
the world famous Book of Kells - Dublin will not disappoint.
* Guinness Storehouse: Guinness is synonymous with Ireland and when in Dublin, no visit is complete without a trip to the Guinness Storehouse. Located in the heart of the legendary St. James’s Gate Brewery, Guinness Storehouse was the former fermentation plant of the brewery , now remodeled into a seven story visitor experience, dedicated to the history of this world famous beer. On the top story awaits the Gravity Bar where we'll enjoy 360 degree panoramic views across Dublin while savoring a complimentary pint of Guinness.
* Trinity College & The Book of Kells: Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland and walking through its cobbled stones will bring us back to the 18th century when the magnificent Old Library building was constructed. The library houses The Book of Kells, a 9th-century gospel manuscript world famous for its illustrations and ornamentation which surpass that of any other Insular Gospel books in extravagance and complexity. We'll experience a fascinating exhibition about these treasured books before entering the Long Room, the 
longest single-chamber library in the world containing 200,000 of the Library’s oldest books!
* St. Patricks Cathedral: The largest and tallest church in Ireland, St. Patricks was built between 1191 and 1270. However, the site's history begins way back in the 5th century as the first Christian site in Ireland, where St. Patrick baptized converts. The history is fascinating and the gothic revival architecture is stunning.
* Kilmainham Gaol (Prison): Kilmainham Gaol is one of the largest
unoccupied gaols in Europe, covering some of the most heroic and tragic events in Ireland's emergence as a modern nation from the 1780s to the 1920s. This historic landmark is now a fantastic museum with an exhibition detailing the fascinating political and penal history of the prison and its restoration. *Please note, we are unable to guarantee reservations for our group until a few months prior to the trip due to the extreme popularity of the site. In the event we cannot secure tickets, an alternative activity will be chosen.
* Final Night Irish Dinner, Song, & Dance at the Merry Ploughboy Pub: The 
only pub in Ireland owned and managed by musicians, its unique 'hands on' approach from the owners make our final night in Ireland one we'll never forget! The excellent food, Irish music & dance show has been awarded "Best Dinner/Entertainment Event in Ireland" and the pub is the current "Music Pub of the Year". *Please note, we are unable to guarantee reservations for our group due to the extreme popularity of this restaurant until a few months prior to our trip. In the event we cannot secure seats, an alternative dinner/dance show will be chosen.
Price: $3059.00
Single Supplement: $850.00
E-mail us at joinus@photoflytravel.com for the daily itinerary!
Cancellation Policy & Refunds
*There is a $100.00 administrative fee for all cancellations. Cancellations made 120 days or more prior to the trip departure date (March 2nd, 2023) are fully refundable except for the $100 fee. Cancellations less than 120 days prior to the trip departure date (March 3rd, 2023) will receive no refund of the full amount due. No refunds on unused portions of the tour. Credit card fees and PayPal processing fees cannot be refunded. After airline tickets are issued, airline cancellations are per the airline’s policy and are usually non-refundable and changeable with a fee plus new ticket price. Travel insurance strongly encouraged (ask us about policy options).
*Hotels subject to change based on availability
COVID Cancellation Policy – Local Planet Travel Services OR Guest may cancel this reservation if the USA or country(s) we are visiting mandates a country-wide closure due to COVID. If this happens, you would receive a full refund. If a guest chooses, the funds can remain on file and be applied for any future tour with PhotoFly Travel Club. *Please note bank merchant service fees when using a credit card are non-refundable.
MANDATORY VACCINE REQUIREMENT: The safety of all our guests is a top priority regardless of where our adventures take us. All travelers are required to have an approved COVID-19 vaccination to participate in this tour. Travelers that meet this mandatory requirement can join our adventures after 14 days have elapsed since their final dose. Proof of vaccination must be provided by emailing a copy of the participant's COVID-19 vaccination card to joinus@photoflytravel.com upon sign-up. *Guests who are not vaccinated for medical reasons are exempt from this mandatory vaccine policy with proof from a certified medical professional.
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