Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry - Birmingham

None given.Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
The magical southwest corner of the Emerald Isle is a truly stunning place to escape to. Replete with charming fishing towns and villages, enchanting castles and slumbering seascapes, these verdant green hills embody the best of rural Ireland. We combine the peaceful countryside with the vibrant city of Dublin and discover more of the country's highlights during our charming break. Never again be lost for words after kissing the Stone of Eloquence, look out for seals on the ferry to the unique Garnish Island and absorb the breathtaking scenery of the Ring of Kerry.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
We catch the ferry from Holyhead to Dublin where our tour manager joins us. We continue onwards to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
Leaving the hotel we head to the medieval Blarney Castle, one of Ireland's most famous visitor attractions. Here we have time to kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence, as well as browse Blarney town's Woollen Mills retail outlet. We then continue on to our hotel in the charming coastal town of Bantry, our base for the next three nights.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
We head to pretty Killarney, famed for its jaunting cars (horse-drawn carts) operated by the local jarvies that take visitors on guided tours of the town.
Our tour manager then takes us on a scenic guided tour of the Ring of Kerry, journeying through an untouched landscape of tranquil lakes and a skyline of dozing mountainous peaks, passing through charming towns such as Killorglin, Waterville and Kenmare.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
This morning we head out on a scenic drive of the wildly beautiful Beara Peninsula which stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean. The breathtaking rural scenery includes mountains and valleys rich in archaeological sites such as mysterious stone circles, picturesque villages and towns and a spectacularly rugged coastline.
Afterwards, we board the small ferry boat which takes us to Garnish Island, a tranquil island garden located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. The world-renowned gardens contain an incredible range of exotic species that flourish in the unique microclimate.
Back at the hotel in the evening, we enjoy an Irish coffee-making demonstration (Westlodge Hotel only).

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we spend an afternoon at leisure. Just some of the sights here include the historic Temple Bar area, known as the entertainment and cultural quarter of Dublin, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland set in 40 acres of cobbled squares, gardens and parks. We also have the option to join a locally guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
We check out of our hotel very early to catch the ferry back to Holyhead; therefore, we will either be provided with a takeaway breakfast from the hotel or a voucher for breakfast on board the ferry. On arrival in Holyhead, we continue our journey home.
Due to ferry times, coach pickup times may be very early in the morning.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
We fly to Dublin airport where our coach and tour manager joins us. We continue onwards to our overnight hotel in the Dublin area.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
Leaving the hotel we head to the medieval Blarney Castle, one of Ireland's most famous visitor attractions. Here we have time to kiss the famous Stone of Eloquence, as well as browse Blarney town's Woollen Mills retail outlet. We then continue on to our hotel in the charming coastal town of Bantry, our base for the next three nights.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
We head to pretty Killarney, famed for its jaunting cars (horse-drawn carts) operated by the local jarvies that take visitors on guided tours of the town.
Our tour manager then takes us on a scenic guided tour of the Ring of Kerry, journeying through an untouched landscape of tranquil lakes and a skyline of dozing mountainous peaks, passing through charming towns such as Killorglin, Waterville and Kenmare.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
This morning we head out on a scenic drive of the wildly beautiful Beara Peninsula which stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean. The breathtaking rural scenery includes mountains and valleys rich in archaeological sites such as mysterious stone circles, picturesque villages and towns and a spectacularly rugged coastline.
Afterwards, we board the small ferry boat which takes us to Garnish Island, a tranquil island garden located in the sheltered harbour of Glengarriff in Bantry Bay. The world-renowned gardens contain an incredible range of exotic species that flourish in the unique microclimate.
Back at the hotel in the evening, we enjoy an Irish coffee-making demonstration (Westlodge Hotel only).

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
Checking out of our hotel, we travel to Dublin where we spend an afternoon at leisure. Just some of the sights here include the historic Temple Bar area, known as the entertainment and cultural quarter of Dublin, and Trinity College, the oldest university in Ireland set in 40 acres of cobbled squares, gardens and parks. We also have the option to join a locally guided tour of the city before spending the night in our hotel in the Dublin area.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
We transfer to Dublin airport for our return flight home.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry

- Return coach travel & ferry crossings
- 2 nights at a selected hotel, near Dublin (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast*
- 3 nights at the Westlodge Hotel, Bantry Bay (JG3+ rating) with dinner & breakfast
- Excursions to Blarney Castle, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Beara Peninsula, Garnish Island & Dublin
- Ferry boat to Garnish Island
- Irish coffee-making demonstration
- Services of a tour manager in Ireland

Optional locally guided city tour of Dublin (£19pp)
*Please note: due to our early departure, on the final morning we will either be provided with a takeaway breakfast from the hotel or a voucher for breakfast on the ferry.

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry

- Return flight to Dublin
- Airport taxes & luggage allowance (one piece of checked-in hold luggage per person)
- Airport transfers in Ireland
- 3 nights at the Westlodge Hotel, Bantry Bay (JG3+ rating) with dinner & breakfast
- 2 nights at a selected hotel, near Dublin (JG3 rating) with dinner & breakfast
- Excursions to Blarney Castle, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Beara Peninsula, Garnish Island & Dublin
- Ferry boat to Garnish Island
- Irish coffee-making demonstration
- Services of a tour manager in Ireland

Optional locally guided city tour of Dublin (£19pp)

Bantry Bay & the Ring of Kerry
3 nights at the Westlodge Hotel, Bantry Bay (JG3+ rating) with dinner & breakfast\nExcursions to Blarney Castle, Killarney, Ring of Kerry, Beara Peninsula, Garnish Island & Dublin\nFerry boat to Garnish IslandWestlodge Hotel, Bantry, Republic of Ireland JG3
The Westlodge Hotel is situated on the edge of the market town of Bantry, overlooking beautiful Bantry Bay. Set in 23 acres of landscaped gardens, the hotel offers en-suite rooms with a TV and tea and coffee-making facilities. There is also a bar, restaurant and leisure centre with indoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room and gym as well as a 9-hole pitch & putt course.
Hotel Rating
Hotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.

Selected Hotel JG3
We also spend the first and our last night of our break at a conveniently located hotel in the Dublin area.