Signature: Ireland's Legendary Landscapes & Cities

Signature: Ireland's Legendary Landscapes & Cities

• Trip code: 432X011
• Dauer: 16
• Stil: National Geographic Signature

Two nations, one island, and a lifetime of stories to uncover. From the literary haunts of Dublin and the wild shores of Kerry to the ancient walls of Derry and the geometric wonder of the Giant's Causeway, this expedition moves through the full breadth of Ireland's history, landscape, and living culture — guided by the archaeologists, storytellers, and communities who know it best.

Übersicht

Accommodation

Hotel (15 nights)

Checklist

Documents:
• Flight info (required) (Printouts of e-tickets may be required at the border)
• Insurance info (required) (With photocopies)
• Passport (required) (With photocopies)
• Vouchers and pre-departure information (required)
• Visas or vaccination certificates (With photocopies)

Essentials:
• Toiletries (required) (Shampoo, bodywash, soap, etc.)
• Binoculars (optional)
• Camera (With extra memory cards and batteries)
• Cash, credit and debit cards
• Day pack (Used for daily excursions or short overnights)
• Ear plugs
• First-aid kit (should contain lip balm with sunscreen, sunscreen, whistle, Aspirin, Ibuprofen, bandaids/plasters, tape, anti-histamines, antibacterial gel/wipes, antiseptic cream, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of diarrhea, rehydration powder, water purification tablets or drops, insect repellent, sewing kit, extra prescription drugs you may be taking)
• Flashlight/torch (Headlamps are ideal)
• Fleece top/sweater
• Footwear
• Hat
• Headphones (Noise-cancelling recommended)
• Locks for bags
• Long pants/jeans
• Moneybelt
• Outlet adapter
• Personal entertainment (Reading and writing materials, cards, music player, etc.)
• Reusable water bottle
• Shirts/t-shirts
• Sleepwear
• Small travel towel
• Sunglasses
• Swimwear
• Watch and alarm clock
• Waterproof backpack cover
• Windproof rain jacket

Health & Safety:
• Face masks (Clients will be only be required to wear a face mask where it is mandated by local regulations.)
• Hand sanitizer
• Pen (Please bring your own pen for filling out documents.)

Smart Dress:
• Smart outfit (For evenings out)

Warm Weather:
• Sandals/flip-flops
• Shorts/skirts (Longer shorts/skirts are recommended)
• Sturdy water shoes/sandals
• Sun hat/bandana
• Swimwear

Group Size Notes

Max 22

Highlights

Experience the soul of Irish identity through a private cultural introduction and hands-on session with local athletes an Gaelic Games Immersion, Meet a local archaeologist to discuss a National Geographic-sponsored project preserving Ireland's ancient holy wells in Ballyvourney, Discover Dublin’s historic streets through the poignant lens and personal stories of a formerly unhoused professional guide, Hear a local account of historic events during a private talk at the poignant Museum of Free Derry, Savour the complex notes of Irish spirits during a private whiskey cellar tasting at Lough Eske Castle, Enjoy a catered lunch at a heritage centre that supports local at-risk communities at Clifton House

Introduction

Two nations, one island, and a lifetime of stories to uncover. From the literary haunts of Dublin and the wild shores of Kerry to the ancient walls of Derry and the geometric wonder of the Giant's Causeway, this expedition moves through the full breadth of Ireland's history, landscape, and living culture — guided by the archaeologists, storytellers, and communities who know it best

Meals Included

15 Frühstück, 9 Mittagessen, 10 Abendessen

Meal Budget

Plane USD225-295 für nicht inbegriffene Mahlzeiten ein

Optional Activities

Keine optionale Aktivitäten

Start / Finish

Dublin nach Belfast International Airport

Transport

Private Vehicle, Ferry, Walking

What's Included

Dein Welcome-Moment: Meet Your Expedition Leader and Group, Dublin
Signature Moment: Experience Gaelic Games, Dublin
Dein Foodie-Moment: Ballykeefe Distillery visit, Ballykeefe
Dein Foodie-Moment: Lunch at a Medieval Inn, Kilkenny
Signature Moment: Tour of Ballyvourney with a Local Archeologist, County Cork
Dein Foodie-Moment: Visit and Lunch at Burren Farm, County Clare
Dein Foodie-Moment: Traditional Pub Dinner, Westport
Dein Foodie-Moment: Private Whiskey Cellar Tasting, Lough Eske Castle
Signature Moment: Expert Discussion at the Museum of Free Derry, Derry. Arrival and departure transfers. Visit to Trinity College (Book of Kells), Dublin. Community Tourism Walking Tour, Dublin. Sweny's Pharmacy Visit, Dublin. EPIC Museum Visit with local guide, Dublin. Guided Tour of Kilkenny Including Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny. Visit St. Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny. Rock of Cashel Visit. Dingle Town Orientation Walk. Dingle Peninsula Scenic Drive. Stop in Adare Village. Irish Dance Experience in Ennis. Cliffs of Moher. Visit Poulnabrone Dolmen Ancient Tombs. Guided Tour of Inisheer. Guided Walking Tour of Galway. Orientation Walk in Westport. Clew Bay Cruise, Westport. Visit of Leenane Village. Orientation Walk in Sligo. Drumcliff Church and Yeats' Tomb Visit. Private Tour of Lough Eske Castle. Visit to Slieve League. Visit to Donegal Town. Free Time to Enjoy Lough Eske. Guided Tour of Derry, Derry. Visit to Giant's Causeway, Giants Causeway. Black Cab Tour of Belfast. Clifton House Visit and Lunch. Titanic Museum Belfast. Engaging Discussions with the National Geographic Expedition Expert Throughout. Porterage at hotels and when getting on and off of vehicles. Tips are included for all activities, meals and porterage, except for your Expedition Leader. All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Group Leader

National Geographic Expedition Leader and National Geographic Expedition Expert throughout

Internationale Flüge

No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour.

However, on some combo tours travelling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. Please speak to your GCO or booking agent for further details.

In addition, check-in times and baggage allowances/restrictions vary by airline and can change at any time. For the most up-to-date information for your flight, please contact your airline. We recommend checking in online in advance to avoid potential delays at the airport

Minimum Age

Um ohne Begleitperson mit G Adventures zu reisen, musst du mindestens 18 Jahre alt sein. Das Mindestalter für Kinder in Begleitung eines Erziehungsberechtigten (über 21) beträgt 12 Jahre

Itinerary

Day 1 Dublin

Welcome to the Fair City. Your expedition begins in Dublin, a capital where medieval history meets a legendary literary spirit. Later, gather with your National Geographic Expedition Leader, National Geographic Expedition Expert and fellow travellers for a welcome presentation that sets the stage for the heritage and history ahead.Enjoy an engaging presentation that sets the stage for your journey through Ireland's ancient east and rugged west, followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel to toast the start of your Irish odyssey

Day 2 Dublin

The day opens with an experience unlike any other — a private introduction to the passion and pride of Ireland's national sports. Join local athletes for a hands-on session of hurling and Gaelic football, feeling the raw energy and amateur devotion that has defined Irish identity for centuries. Afterwards, stand before the breathtaking illuminated pages of the Book of Kells at Trinity College, where centuries of craftsmanship unfold in vivid detail. After lunch, step into Dublin's layered past on a walking tour led by a formally unhoused guide from a social enterprise, whose personal perspective brings the city's streets to life in unexpected ways. The afternoon concludes with a stop at Sweny’s Pharmacy, immortalised in the pages of James Joyce's Ulysses

Day 3 Dublin/Kilkenny

Begin at the EPIC Museum, a vivid digital tribute to the extraordinary global reach of the Irish diaspora — a story of resilience, creativity, and cultural endurance told across continents. Then leave the city behind as the landscape softens into the rolling countryside en route to Kilkenny, one of Ireland's best-preserved medieval towns. After a local lunch, discover the artisanal craft behind Ireland's most celebrated spirit at the Ballykeefe Distillery, where the intricate origins of whiskey-making are revealed in the warmth of a working still. Check into your hotel as the amber light of evening settles over the ancient stone streets, before gathering for dinner

Day 4 Kilkenny

This morning, Kilkenny reveals its medieval soul on foot. A local guide leads you through the city's historic lanes — including the atmospheric Butter Slip, a narrow medieval passageway worn smooth by centuries of footfall. Step inside the commanding ramparts of the 12th-century Kilkenny Castle, where grand halls and richly decorated ceilings speak to the ambitions of the Butler dynasty. Visit the former stables, now a design centre alive with contemporary Irish craft. After a traditional lunch at a historic inn once owned by the legendary Dame Alice Kyteler — Ireland's first recorded witch — explore the soaring Gothic heights of St. Canice's Cathedral. The evening is yours, whether spent in a candlelit pub or along the quiet riverside paths that wind through the city

Day 5 Kilkenny/Killarney

The Rock of Cashel rises dramatically from the surrounding plain — a cluster of medieval ruins perched atop a limestone hill that has witnessed the sweep of Irish history from the 4th century onward. Explore the ornate Romanesque chapel and weathered high crosses before lunch. The afternoon in the Gaeltacht town of Ballyvourney, meet a local archaeologist whose National Geographic-sponsored work is preserving Ireland's ancient holy wells for future generations. In the fading light, he connects the threads of modern science and ancient spiritual tradition in a way that stays with you long after you've left. The day concludes in Killarney, the storied gateway to the wild kingdom of Kerry

Day 6 Killarney

The rugged Dingle Peninsula unfolds like a painting — a landscape of salt-sprayed cliffs, ancient stone huts, and vast Atlantic skies that stretch beyond the edge of the world. Peer inside the extraordinary clocháns, dry-stone beehive huts clinging to these hillsides for over a thousand years. Walk the wide sands of Inch Beach as the Atlantic breeze rolls in off the water. In Dingle, one of Ireland's last living Gaeltacht towns, the Irish language drifts from doorways and fishing boats bob in the harbour. Browse a local pottery studio before returning to Killarney — where a free evening awaits, perhaps in one of the town's legendary music pubs or along the shimmering lakeshore

Day 7 Killarney/Ennis

Depart Killarney continuing through the beautiful countryside, pausing in the postcard-perfect village of Adare — its thatched cottages and manicured gardens offering a gentler side of the Irish landscape. In the historic market town of Ennis, enjoy a hands-on Irish dance experience with local experts introducing you to three distinct styles — from the precise footwork of céilí to the soaring athleticism of sean-nós. Feel the heartbeat of Irish culture through movement and the kind of shared experience that needs no translation. The evening gathers the group for dinner, reflecting on a day that moved between scenic beauty and tradition

Day 8 Ennis

Stand at the edge of the world. The Cliffs of Moher rise over 700 feet above the churning North Atlantic — a wall of ancient rock that has humbled visitors for centuries. Afterwards, step into the otherworldly silence of Burren National Park, where a limestone landscape unlike anywhere else in Ireland stretches to the horizon. Marvel at the megalithic portal tomb of Poulnabrone Dolmen — a 6,000-year-old monument predating Stonehenge — and attend a presentation on the conservation work that earned this region a National Geographic World Legacy Award. This evening, enjoy a festive farewell dinner, celebrating the legends, landscapes, and connections made throughout this Irish odyssey

Day 9 Ennis

Before the expedition crosses into new territory, the Burren offers one final, grounding encounter with the Irish landscape. Meet the owners of the working Burren farm for a guided tour of heritage pastures, learning about native cattle breeds and the sustainable farming traditions that have shaped this unique limestone region for generations. Wander the land, see the animals, and settle in for a farm-to-table lunch in a warm, family-owned setting — the kind of unhurried, generous hospitality that defines rural Ireland. The rest of the afternoon is yours to enjoy the grounds of the hotel before dinner, as quiet anticipation builds for the road north ahead

Day 10 Ennis/Westport

The jagged Atlantic coastline leads to Doolin, where you board a ferry for a crisp crossing to Inis Oírr. Feel the salt spray on your face as you arrive at this soul-stirring island. Explore the island with a local guide, wandering a labyrinth of dry-stone walls and coastal heritage that has barely changed in centuries. After a relaxed lunch overlooking the sea, a local guide leads you through Galway's vibrant Latin Quarter, where the echoes of maritime history meet a modern hub of art and music. The day concludes on arrival at your majestic manor house-style hotel where a gourmet dinner awaits, surrounded by the quiet grandeur of the estate

Day 11 Westport

Take in the dramatic glacial corridor of the Inagh Valley, including the Twelve Bens and Maumturks mountains rising like stone sentinels over the moorlands. Today you explore Westport, a Georgian gem where stone bridges frame the Carrowbeg River, and explore the harbour's independent galleries. Board a cruise to navigate the 365 islands of Clew Bay, the holy peak of Croagh Patrick watching from a distance. Enjoy free time to enjoy Westport or the grounds of your hotel. In the evening experience a local style dinner in town

Day 12 Westport/Donegal

Head toward the wild northwest, pausing in coastal Sligo before reaching Drumcliffe — where W.B. Yeats rests beneath a simple headstone in a quiet churchyard, the outline of Ben Bulben visible on the horizon. The landscape shifts as you cross into Northern Ireland and arrive at a magnificent lakeside castle tucked deep into ancient forest. A private tour of the estate reveals the architecture and ambitions of the families who once called these halls home. As twilight settles over the water, dinner in the castle is followed by a quiet evening in the library or beside a roaring fire

Day 13 Donegal

The Slieve League Cliffs tower nearly 2,000 feet above the crashing Atlantic and are among the most dramatic seascapes in all of Europe. Walk the clifftop trails before traveling to a working hand-weaving mill for a glimpse into Irish heritage as you wander past century-old wooden looms and watch master weavers rhythmically "throw the shuttle" to transform vibrant local wool into world-class tweed. Afterwards, continue to Donegal Town, where the imposing Donegal Castle sits at the banks of the River Eske — a striking blend of Gaelic and English stonecraft that has weathered centuries of history. Browse the local shops before returning to your lakeside retreat for a rare-access whiskey cellar tasting led by a specialist, exploring the nuanced flavours of local spirits. Dinner follows, celebrating the culinary traditions of the rugged northwest

Day 14 Donegal/Belfast

A day of powerful contrasts begins in Derry at the Museum of Free Derry, where a member of the Derry Trust shares a deeply personal account of the city's most defining events — a story told with a candour and humanity that no guidebook can replicate. Walk the 17th-century walls before the landscape opens dramatically at the UNESCO-listed Giant's Causeway. Stand among 40,000 interlocking basalt columns that rise like a geometric installation from the sea, as your National Geographic Expedition Expert weaves local folklore into the geology beneath your feet. As evening approaches, Belfast emerges on the horizon — a revitalised maritime city that wears its complex history with remarkable openness

Day 15 Belfast

Belfast reveals its layered identity this morning on a classic Black Cab tour with a local. — traversing the Falls and Shankill roads where vivid murals and Peace Walls tell a story of division, resilience, and hard-won progress. For lunch, Clifton House offers a catered meal at a heritage centre-your visit directly supports community care and philanthropy across the city. The afternoon immerses you in maritime history at the Titanic Museum, where the story of the world's most famous vessel unfolds in the very shipyard where it was born. This evening enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner, toasting the landscapes, stories, and connections forged across the emerald coasts

Day 16 Belfast

Your expedition to Northern Ireland concludes this morning. Enjoy a final breakfast before a private transfer takes you to the airport. As you depart, carry with you the echoes of castle fires, the salt-spray of the Atlantic, and the enduring spirit of the people who call this storied corner of the world home

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1 Dublin

Day 2 Dublin

Day 3 Dublin/Kilkenny

Day 4 Kilkenny

Day 5 Kilkenny/Killarney

Day 6 Killarney

Day 7 Killarney/Ennis

Day 8 Ennis

Day 9 Ennis

Day 10 Ennis/Westport

Day 11 Westport

Day 12 Westport/Donegal

Day 13 Donegal

Day 14 Donegal/Belfast

Day 15 Belfast

Day 16 Belfast