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Ireland Steam Railway Holiday

Slea_Head_Drive_County_Kerry_Ireland

Our Irish Craic

The best of Eire - to be sure!

Holiday date: Monday, 25th September 2023
Europe
Ireland
10 days for  £1929 per person
£3858 for two people sharing
Single supplement £290
Tour reference: IC10/1
Price, based on 1.05 Euro to the £. (see Booking Conditions for currency fluctuation clause)

The word “craic” means – entertainment, fun – and that is, to be sure, what we will enjoy during this late summer trip to the Republic. To Kilkenny, Kerry, Connemara, Galway and the midlands of Eire – 10 days of full on “craic” awaits us as follows:-

Holiday Highlights

Discover Irish and Titanic heritage in Cobh at “Queenstown”
A whiff of horses at the world-famous National Stud
The unique Lartigue Monorail and Suir Valley Railway
Extensive travel on the Iarnrod Eireann network
Scenic coach travel around the Ring of Kerry and the Dingle Peninsula.
Plenty of typical Irish hospitality

Dinner Included

Unusually, for an overseas holiday, dinner is included each evening within the holiday price.


Holiday Itinerary

Day 1 - Monday

We meet at Holyhead Port and board our coach, no need to worry about hauling luggage around. We are then transferred onto the ferry for the enjoyable afternoon sailing to Dublin Port. Once in Dublin we make our way to Kilkenny, arriving in time for a simple mid-evening meal.

Meals: Dinner
Credit: Jimmy joe jazz
Day 2 - Tuesday

Here in Kilkenny you will want to browse a while until, mid-morning, we set off for another village, famous in all Ireland for its football prowess (Gaelic that is!) and for its steam museum and operating 3’ gauge steam railway. Here we sample traditional Guinness (optional) and soup & sandwiches in Dick Dunne’s bar. We can’t go to Eire without getting a whiff of the horses – so – to Kildare next for the National Stud & Japanese Gardens. By rail back to Kilkenny early evening completes a fine “local” day.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 3 - Wednesday

We are off to Kerry, by train from Kilkenny to Waterford, where we break our travels to visit the excellent Waterford and Suir Valley Railway. Then on (by train) to the most famous railway station in all Ireland (possibly the world!), Limerick Junction. Finally to Tralee via Mallow and a lovely transfer day sees us arriving in Tralee comfortably in time for a Guinness!

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 4 - Thursday

A relaxed day with time for “local” stuff in the morning before heading to Listowel for the unique Lartigue Railway. This is a superb re-creation of the famous Ballybunion Railway and provides a fantastic insight into how this unusual railway operated.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 5 - Friday

Today we head to Cork by train and on to Cobh for the excellent “Queenstown” experience in the superbly restored old station building, telling the story of Irish emigration to America. We then head to Killarney for a superb boat trip and complete the day with a scenic drive back to Tralee.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 6 - Saturday

The beautiful Dingle Peninsular is Kerry at its best and is is the setting for one of Inside Track’s best days out. We will track the Tralee and Blennerville Railway, trace the line to Dingle, and marvel at the spectacular views around Slea Head and from the top of the Conor Pass. A gem of a day on the Emerald Isle!

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 7 - Sunday

Reluctantly we are leaving this lovely area today, heading north to the “midlands” of Ireland. However, this is no ordinary transfer day, as we cross the Shannon at Tarbert, and arrive in Moyasta for the West Clare Railway. Onwards then to Ennis for another railway revival, this time with Irish Railways from Ennis, across the Burren to Athenry. From here our coach transfers us swiftly to Athlone and the superb Radisson Blu Hotel for a three-night stay.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 8 - Monday

Think the scenic part of the holiday is over – no way (!). We set off by train to Galway City. Spend some time here to absorb the atmosphere in Eire’s most vibrant city outside Dublin, then head north through stunning Connemara towards Westport. This wonderfully scenic tour will include photo stops and a leg stretch at a remote railway junction. – Eire’s only village on a fjord! From Westport enjoy a terrific rail journey all the way back to Athlone.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 9 - Tuesday

The craic just gets better and better. Today we head up to the north coast to catch the iconic branch line train from the middle of nowhere to Ballina. Our coach transfers us from Ballina to Sligo where we catch a train to idyllic Carrick. Let’s sing traditional songs as we sail on the Shannon and then head down to Dromod to meet Michael and his amazing collection of everything and anything. We’ll dine here and then head back to Athlone for a last evening together.

Meals: Breakfast,Dinner
Day 10 - Wednesday

We are heading home today, the craic is nearly over but we will still have fun as we let the train take the strain heading back to Dublin, before our coach takes us onto the ferry so that we can enjoy the crossing luggage free.

Meals: Breakfast

Railways

Coming soon!

Our Hotel(s)

2 Star

The Clubhouse Hotel, Kilkenny

Describes itself as “Kilkenny’s Vintage Hotel”, and it surely is traditional. Great Irish food, town centre, lovely atmosphere. Perfect for our two night stay. Though it doesn’t have a lift, porterage can be arranged.

Features and Facilities

Flatscreen TV
En-Suite Bathroom
Shower or Bath + Overhead Shower
Crisp White Linen
Direct-Dial Telephone
Hair Dryer
Tea/Coffee-Making Facilities
High-Speed WiFi
Iron & Board On Request
3 Star

The Grand Hotel, Tralee

One of our favourite Hotels to be sure, a warm welcome, lovely Irish food, traditional breakfast, and sited in the heart of Tralee’s historic town. Perfect for our four night stay. As in Kilkenny, there is no lift, but once again porterage can be arranged.

Features and Facilities

Complimentary Wifi
Tea/Coffee Making Facilities
Complimentary Toiletries
Hairdryer
Desk and Easy Chair
Direct Dial Telephone
Flat Screen TV with Satellite TV Channels and Radio
Pillow Menu
Laundry Service
Wake Up calls
Iron and Ironing Board on request
4 Star

The Radisson Blu Hotel, Athlone

From colourful, traditional town centre hotels in Kilkenny and Tralee we move up a notch with this place. This is modern, town centre, overlooking the River Shannon, lovely rooms, full-on facilities - relax and enjoy an “upmarket” experience. We have two evening meals here to conclude our Irish Craic.

Features and Facilities

24-HOUR ROOM SERVICE
COFFEE & TEA FACILITIES
FREE HIGH-SPEED WI-FI
HAIRDRYER IN ROOM

What's included

Transport

All heritage railway rides
All public transport journeys, in standard class accommodation
Private coach transfers throughout the holiday
Ferry travel to/from Ireland
Luggage transfers between hotels

Entertainment

All entrances
Detailed itinerary/information pack
Services of courier throughout

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis

Treats

At least a couple of pub lunches

What's not included

Travel to/from the holiday start point
Personal holiday insurance
Other porterage
Other lunches
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