8-Day Islands & Castles Tour

Itinerary

Your first day on tour will travel through the heart of Irish history. Castles, distilleries, and ancient Irish sites will highlight our path as we travel toward our destination for the next two nights.

We will start with two nights in Ross Castle, Co. Meath. Ross Castle is a 16th century tower house that has been fitted with modern accommodations. There are 3 rooms in the tower house and 4 rooms in the modern addition. Ross Castle is situated on the banks of Lough Sheelin in the heart of Ireland. You will be treated to a feast both nights by a nutritionist-chef.

The next day, weather-permitting, we will cross the border to explore Marble Arch Caves, take a scenic walk along the Stairway to Heaven, and visit historic Enniskillen.

After this, we will travel west to Galway. Galway is the gateway to the west. While in Galway, we will visit the wild countryside of Connemara, enjoy the live music scene in Galway, and take the ferry to visit Inis Mor and take in the rugged, seacliff views from Dun Aengus. Our home in Galway will be a seaside hotel.

Our last day will be spent traversing the rugged countryside of County Clare and the Burren. We will cap off the evening with a medieval banquet at Bunratty Castle. The Inn at Drumoland will be our resting place.

We will ramble back toward Dublin on our last day. To accommodate travel home the next day, we will spend the night at an airport hotel.

Is this trip for you?

You need to be flexible.
No matter how well you plan, something always happens. Traveling is a great opportunity to adopt the mantra, that it’ll all work out. Somehow it always does! Remember to practice joy in the moment; smiling through the unknown, and embracing the opportunity for something new!

It is Ireland, and the weather is changeable. Plan for sun, rain, wind – and temps that range from the upper 50s to low 70s (yes, in summer!).

If you are easy-going and excited to travel, even with some uncertainties mixed in, this could be the trip for you!

You should be in good physical shape.
We will do walking, most of it outside, some of it on uneven ground. Please do consider this before signing up.

You need to be able to carry your own luggage.
You are responsible for your luggage. The 16th-century tower house (castle) we stay in for 2 nights does not have an elevator.

Price

$2,000 per person for the 7 night/8 day tour; hotel accommodations before/after are additional.

$500 deposit secures your spot. Deposit is refundable for two weeks. Deposit may be transferred to another trip.

Final payment of $1,300 is due May 1st, 2023. Final payment is nonrefundable.

The cost is per person, in double occupancy rooms (two people sharing a room).

Preference for a single room? You can request a single room for an additional $800. Single rooms are limited.

Included in the price

Accommodations for 7 nights
We are staying 2 nights at the scenic Ross Castle in Co. Meath; 4 nights in Galway; 1 night in Dublin.

Breakfast daily plus 3 additional meals.

All group ground transportation
We’ll be traveling in a private coach.

Full time service of a tour director
We’ll be with you at all times.

No hidden costs
If we do it as a group, it’s included in the price! You are responsible only for the meals you have on your own, souvenirs you wish to buy, and anything you want to do in your free time.

Guaranteed price
Once I receive your deposit, your tour price will not go up!

Entry fees and tours
All entry fees and tours to our included group activities.

You time
We have a lot planned, but time on your own is important. We also include free time for you to explore, shop, and relax on your own.

Not Included

Your flights
You should arrive in Dublin no later than 8am the first day. We will depart Dublin at 9am on Monday. If you plan to arrive early, let us know and we can arrange the extra nights in Dublin. An estimated cost for each additional night in Dublin is approximately $300/night for 2 people sharing or 1 person in a single room.

You should depart no earlier than Monday of our last tour day; our last group activity will be dinner the night before. If you want to stay longer, and have us arrange extra nights in Dublin, let us know.

Most airlines offer a no-fee for changes to tickets – though costs may be incurred if the changed ticket prices differ from the original price. Most airlines are not offering refunds, but rather a credit.

If you need to cancel your trip for any reason, and we need to cancel or postpone the trip, it’s your responsibility to work with your airline to cancel, reschedule, or request refunds.

Cancellations

If for any reason we need to cancel or postpone the trip, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the trip.

If Ireland changes their requirements for entry, and you decide that doesn’t work for you, you will be refunded 100% of the cost of the trip.

If you need to cancel for any reason at all up to 60 days before the start of the trip, you will be refunded 100% of the cost.

If you need to cancel for any reason at all within 60 days of departure, you’ll get everything back minus the deposit.

Trip insurance is a wise investment in case something comes up while traveling. If you think there is any chance you may need to cancel, we recommend you purchase travel insurance. A “Cancel for Any Reason” plan will let you, well, cancel for ‘most’ any reason. Most plans should allow for at least a 75% refund should you need to cancel at any time before departure.

Entry & Exit Requirements

As of March 6, 2022, Ireland does not require a proof of vaccination, proof of recovery or a negative PCR test result upon arrival. There are no post-arrival testing or quarantine requirements for travelers to Ireland.

There are no testing requirements for US citizens to return to the US. Non-US citizens do need to show proof of vaccination to enter the US.

Masks

As of this writing, masks are not required anywhere. Mask-wearing is still a practice in some churches, but not required. If masks become mandated in Ireland, we will notify you.

Sign up

Email irishoaktours@gmail.com to inquire further and reserve a spot. Spots are officially held upon the receipt of a $500 deposit.
You’ll be able to pay by credit card or check. Payment info will be emailed to you once you sign up.