Ireland in Bloom

HIGHLIGHTS: Powerscourt Gardens, Dublin Botanical Gardens (Mount Usher Gardens), Dublin, River Shannon cruise, Irish National Stud & Japanese Gardens.

Just across the Irish Sea you can discover some of the finest gardens you'll see anywhere in the world. We include a visit to the stunning Powerscourt Gardens, overlooking Sugar Loaf Mountain, together with a visit to Mount Usher Gardens. We also include a memorable visit to the Irish National Stud and the adjoining Japanese Gardens - one of Ireland's most popular destinations. Stunning gardens, warm Irish hospitality at the welcoming Hamlet Court Hotel and glorious scenery - a magical and colourful holiday in the wonderful Emerald Isle.

**Please note it is a condition of travel with Grand UK, for all passengers to hold valid travel insurance for the duration of their tour.**Itinerary
SUNDAY: From local departure points we travel towards our overnight stop.

MONDAY: We take the early ferry crossing to Ireland (including breakfast voucher onboard). This afternoon we visit the Botanical Gardens in Dublin, an oasis of calm and beauty
amid the everyday life of a busy city before continuing to our friendly hotel, the Hamlet Court, in Enfield.

TUESDAY: This morning we head for Mount Usher Gardens, laid out along the banks of the River Vartry and showcasing plants, shrubs and trees from across the world. This afternoon we visit the magnificent Powerscourt Gardens. Here the terraced Italian Garden leads to Powerscourt Lake, with the stunning backdrop of Sugar Loaf Mountain, while the tranquil Japanese gardens and the centuries old walled garden offer a truly reflective paradise.

WEDNESDAY: We cross into County Kildare to visit the Irish National Stud and the adjacent Japanese Gardens. Here there is a guided tour of the Stud, home to some of Ireland's most revered thoroughbreds, before visiting the renowned Japanese Gardens - claimed to be the finest in Europe. Our visit also includes the Horse Museum and St Fiachra's Garden - dedicated to the patron saint of gardeners!

THURSDAY: A morning excursion to Athlone where we take a cruise on the mighty River Shannon - Ireland's longest river. Relax and enjoy the scenery as we glide through meadows abound with flora and fauna.

FRIDAY: This morning into Dublin where there is some free time at leisure before we take the afternoon ferry to Holyhead, with dinner voucher included, and onward to our overnight hotel.

SATURDAY: We head for home

Everything Included - Ireland

- Free local joining points
- Collect Coach Miles
- All coach travel
- Reserved seats on tour coaches
- Tour Manager escorted
- Return ferry crossings
- Hotel accommodation and board as stated
- Excusions/Itinerary as stated
- Admission fees and entertainment if stated
- Complete luggage handling


Escorted Travel
Every one of our coach holidays includes the services of a coach driver and is always fully escorted by a knowledgeable Tour Manager, they are on hand every day and night and stay in the same hotel to ensure your holiday is stress-free.




Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday.


We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.


They are simply the best in the business.




Our coach Tour Managers are there purely for your extra comfort and enjoyment, from organising activities to breaking the ice and helping you all make the most of your holiday. They are simply the best in the business.

We hand-pick these extra special people because of their passion for people and places; they are the heartbeat of our coach holidays, a smiling face, a helping hand and always a listening ear and have the ability to turn a great time into a truly magical and memorable holiday experience.


Your Pick Up Points
Joining Your Grand UK Coach Holiday
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier, please refer to our Pick-ups section below for more details.
The Tour Ref below indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.

Pick-Up Information
For 2024 we have introduced improvements to our network of local pick up points across the eastern, central and southern England, aimed at shortening your journey times and getting you away on holiday more easily and conveniently, meaning an altogether more relaxing start. We now have two pick up regions so your travel days will be more convenient, providing more efficient journeys, meeting your tour manager and fellow travellers earlier and in most cases arriving in resort earlier.
The Tour Ref on the holiday tab indicates whether the tour departs from Area A or Area B by having either an A or B at the end. For example, GUK5A would be a tour departing from Area A.






Traveling from Departure Area A: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Northampton Services on the M11, at junction 15A.





Traveling from Departure Area B: Be picked up from your free local departure point, and join your tour coach at our interchange area at Beaconsfield Services, M40, junction 2.Hamlet Court
The friendly, family run hotel simply bursts with charm, style and character. It is set in the village of Johnstownbridge, close to Enfield on the border of Counties Kildare and Meath, and is perfect for exploring this lovely part of Ireland.

Hotel Facilities

- Lounge, bar, restaurant
- En-suite bedrooms
- Free Wi-Fi available
- Regular entertainment
- Lift