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Vacations with Personality

IRELAND´S ANCIENT EAST

Self-Drive Tour

8 days / 7 nights
  • About Tour
  • Tour Itinerary
  • Whats Included
  • Important Info
  • T&C
Languages English Duration 8 days / 7 nights Airline
Ireland's Ancient East is a treasure trove of history, culture, and natural beauty. It offers a unique opportunity to step back in time and explore thousands of years of Irish heritage. 

Immerse Yourself in History
• Medieval marvels: Explore stunning castles like Kilkenny Castle and Trim Castle, which have witnessed centuries of history.
• Monastic sites: Visit the serene ruins of Glendalough and experience the spiritual heart of Ireland.
• Experience Breathtaking Landscapes
• Rolling hills: Enjoy the picturesque beauty of Wicklow Mountains National Park, perfect for hiking and exploring.
• Coastal splendor: Discover the dramatic cliffs and sandy beaches of the Hook Peninsula.
• Charming towns: Wander through the quaint streets of Kilkenny and Wexford, filled with character and charm.

Dublin:
• Trinity College: Home to the Book of Kells, a medieval manuscript adorned with intricate Celtic art.
• Guinness Storehouse: Learn about the history of Ireland's famous stout and enjoy a pint with a view.
• Dublin Castle: Explore the historic heart of the city and witness the changing of the guard.

Boyne Valley:
• Newgrange, Knowth, and Dowth: These prehistoric sites are UNESCO World Heritage Sites and offer a glimpse into ancient Irish life.
• Hill of Tara: A legendary site associated with the High Kings of Ireland.

Trim:
• Trim Castle: One of Ireland's largest Norman castles, famously featured in the film "Braveheart."

Kildare:
• Kildare Town and the Curragh Plains, known for horse racing.

Kilkenny:
• Kilkenny Castle: A magnificent medieval castle with stunning gardens and a rich history.
• Kilkenny Cathedral: A beautiful Gothic cathedral with impressive stained glass windows.

Wexford and Hook Peninsula:
• Wexford town: Explore the charming streets, visit the National Opera House, and enjoy fresh seafood.
• Hook Head Lighthouse: Ireland's oldest lighthouse, offering stunning coastal views.

Wicklow and Killruddery:
• Wicklow Mountains National Park: Hike through stunning landscapes, visit Glendalough, and enjoy outdoor activities.
• Killruddery House: A magnificent Georgian mansion with beautiful gardens and a rich history.
Highlights
8 days/ 7 nights Car Tour Bed & Full Irish Breakfast Basis: Your own inmersive journey of discovery of 5000 years of Europe´s History

• Departure flight onboard Play on a connecting flight from Hamilton Airport to Dublin Airport on the selected flight class (*)
• One free personal item, one free Carry-on and one piece of checked luggage included when booked on Play Value or Play Flex categories.
• Under 2-hour stop in Keflavik Airport for connecting flights (no check-in or luggage pick-up required)
• Rent Car
• Daily activities as per chosen itinerary.
• Accommodation on the selected room category and plan. 
• 24/7 personalized assistance by our professional staff in destination.
• Option to buy additional local excursions and entrances to attractions.
• Return flight from Dublin to Keflavik Airport, connecting to Hamilton Airport on a direct flight.

*Please note that some flight classes may already include either carry-on or checked bags on your price. Please make sure to check flight class on your booking before proceeding to pay for extras:
PLAY BASIC (B) – Personal item max. 10 Kg only. Carry-on, seats and checked bags can be added for a fee after bookings are paid in full.
PLAY BASIC PLUS (L) - Personal item max. 10 Kg + Carry-on max 12 Kg + Seat selection (middle to back of plane). Checked bags can be added for a fee after bookings are paid in full.
PLAY VALUE (V) – Personal item max. 10 Kg + Carry-on max. 12 Kg + 1 Checked Bag 20 kg + Seat selection (middle to back of plane excluding XL seats) + Priority boarding.
PLAY FLEX F) – Personal item max 10 Kg + Carry-on max. 12 Kg + 1 Checked bag max. 23 kg + Seat selection (excluding XL seats) + Priority boarding + Flight flexibility.
The Tour on Map Tour map image path

Itinerary

Tour day #1 photo
Day: 0 Departure from Canada
Arrive on time for your departure from Hamilton Airport to Iceland, for your connecting flight to Dublin.

Hop aboard your Play Airlines flight and brace yourself for the adventure!


Tour day #2 photo
Day: 1 Welcome to Dublin
Welcome to Dublin, pick up your car and drive to your hotel.

Explore the city with its many historical buildings, Georgian streets and colorful gardens. Visit some of its many attractions such as the Christchurch Cathedral or the Guinnes Storehouse.

This evening, why not, enjoy a dinner in a local restaurant?

Overnight: Dublin area


Tour day #3 photo
Day: 2 Boyne Valley
This morning depart towards Boyne Valley, a World Heritage Site and the largest prehistoric megalithic site in Europe.

The area was hugely important in pre-Christian times when the Hill of Tara seating the High Kings of Ireland. Visit Loughcrew Cairns, the largest complex of passage graves in Ireland. Continue to Trim, one of the Ireland´s Heritage towns which is dominated by the impresive medieval Trim Castle dating from 1173.

Overnight: Meath area


Tour day #4 photo
Day: 3 Kildare
Today travel to Celbridge and visit Castletown House, Ireland´s largest and earliest Palladian style house built between 1722 - 1729 for William Conolly.

In the afternoon you can visit the Irish National Stud & Gardens, the only stud farm in Ireland open to the public, and offering daily tours.

Overnight: Kildare area


Tour day #5 photo
Day: 4 Kilkenny
Depart today for the medieval city of Kilkenny and visit Kilkenny Castle, a 12th. century castle remodeled in Victorian Times and set in an extensive parkland which was the principal seat of Butler family, Marquesses and Dukes of Ormonde.

Continue to Jerpoint Park where you will be immersed in the importance of this once thriving town called Newton Jerpoint mostly recognized within academic circles until April 2011-when it as opened to the public. Continue to Wexford.

Overnight: Wexford area




Tour day #6 photo
Day: 5 Wexford
Stay the day with a walking tour of Wexford town, founded by Vikings who named it Waesfjords (meaning "harbor of mud flats") and its handy location, near the mouth of the Slaney encouraged landings as early as AD 850. Visit Selskar Abbey in the heart of town which dates from the early 12th. century.

Continue to Hook Head and discover the natural beauty and tranquility of the unspoiled Hook Peninsula. The area is a pinnacle point of Ireland´s Ancient East Cost.

The visitors center at Hook Lighthouse is at the tip of Hook and offer guided tours of the lighthouse tower.

Overnight: Wexford area




Tour day #7 photo
Day: 6 The Garden of Ireland
This morning depart for Wicklow. Truth to its name the Garden Country boast some of the most beautiful gardens and homes in Ireland. enjoy a visit to the monastic site at Glendalough and to Killruddery House and Gardens.

Glendalough an early Christian ecclesiastical settlement was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th. century. This afternoon visit Killruddery House home to the Earls of Meath since 1618.

Killruddery is unique in having one of the most extensive early formal gardens, in their original styles, surviving in Ireland, today.

Overnight: Wicklow area.




Tour day #8 photo
Day: 7 Dublin
Today why not spend your day in Dublin.

Enjoy a walk in Temple Bar Cultural Quarter, one of the oldest parts in Dublin. The city of Dublin was born in and around Temple Bar.

Visit Trinity College and see the famous Book of Kells, visit the Long Room built in 1745.  In 2015 Conde Nast Traveller magazine included visiting the Book of Kells as one of "the 50 things to do in Europe before you die".

Overnight: Dublin area.


Tour day #9 photo
Day: 8 Dublin Departure
Travel to Dublin Airport and drop your car off. 

Arrive on time for your departure from Dublin to Iceland for your connecting flight to Canada.


Whats Included
• Departure flight onboard Play on a connecting flight from Hamilton Airport to Dublin Airport on the selected flight class (*)
• One free personal item, one free Carry-on and one piece of checked luggage included when booked on Play Value or Play Flex categories.
• Under 2-hour stop in Keflavik Airport for connecting flights (no check-in or luggage pick-up required)
• Airport transfers on arrival and departure.
• Daily activities as per chosen itinerary.
• Accommodation on the selected room category (STANDARD OR SUPERIOR) and plan. 
• 24/7 personalized assistance by our professional staff in destination.
• Option to buy additional local excursions and entrances to attractions.
• Return flight from Dublin to Keflavik Airport, connecting to Hamilton Airport on a direct flight.

*Please note that some flight classes may already include either carry-on or checked bags on your price. Please make sure to check flight class on your booking before proceeding to pay for extras:
PLAY BASIC (B) – Personal item max. 10 Kg only. Carry-on, seats and checked bags can be added for a fee after bookings are paid in full.
PLAY BASIC PLUS (L) - Personal item max. 10 Kg + Carry-on max 12 Kg + Seat selection (middle to back of plane). Checked bags can be added for a fee after bookings are paid in full.
PLAY VALUE (V) – Personal item max. 10 Kg + Carry-on max. 12 Kg + 1 Checked Bag 20 kg + Seat selection (middle to back of plane excluding XL seats) + Priority boarding.
PLAY FLEX F) – Personal item max 10 Kg + Carry-on max. 12 Kg + 1 Checked bag max. 23 kg + Seat selection (excluding XL seats) + Priority boarding + Flight flexibility.

ACCOMODATION.: 3 mixed nights in 3 or 4 stars, 3 in B&B, 1 in castle
Example hotels (or similar). Breakfast included.

    • Dublin - Fitzpatrick Castle
    • Meath - Knighstbrook Hotel
    • Kildare -  Moyvalley Hotel
    • Wexford - B&B
    • Wicklow - B&B
    • Dublin - The Green Isle Hotel

CAR CATEGORIES:

•  E - ECONOMY AUTOMATIC: VW UP or similar
•  F - COMPACT AUTOMATIC: Ford Focus or similar
•  B - ECONOMY MANUAL: Opel Corsa or similar




Whats Not Included
. Baggage porterage at airport/hotel
. Personal travel insurance (highly recommended)
. Beverages, snacks, lunches, dinners unless otherwise noted in itinerary 
. Guaranteed early check-in
. Guaranteed late check-out 
. Any service not specifically listed under "Included"

Additional information about your rent car

. Additional Driver Charge:
EUR 10.00 per day, per driver including tax 
. Minimum Age:
23 / 24 years – can drive group E only. A young driver surcharge of EUR 26 per day including tax will be applied.
25+ Years Groups E & F
. Damage excess will be an amount of EUR 2,000.
. Driver License:
Must hold a current national license valid for at least 2 years or more at time of rental. Provisional / Learner drivers or seriously endorsed license holders are not eligible to rent a car e.g. drink driving disqualification.
. Maximum Age:
Customers aged between 75 - 79 years can rent with specific conditions:
(1) Must drive regularly & hold a current motor insurance policy
(2) Provide a letter from your doctor to state you have been in good health for at least 12 months.
(3) Provide a letter from their insurers to state that they have not been involved in any incidents in the last 5 years.
. Baby Seats:
Suitable for children aged between 6 Months – 4 / 5 years on request basis. €40.00 per hire or if not returned a charge of EUR 100 will be implemented incl tax Booster Seats:
Booster seats are suitable for children aged between 5 - 11 years.
. A charge of €15.00 per hire will be applied GPS - Navigation System "Never Lost"
GPS: €11.35 per day, with a maximum of € 68.10 per week rental including tax. Payable direct by the customer.
. Hours Grace:
Clients are allowed a 29 minutes grace period Cross Border Fee
Renters travelling into Northern Ireland will incur a Cross Border fee of EUR 30.00 – payable directly by the renter
. Deposit: Credit Card (Damage Excess & Petrol Deposit) Credit card at commencement of rental is mandatory – to cover toll fees, speed cameras, parking offences, etc. Cash payment may be made at end of rental.
. Damage Excess can be reduced to Zero by purchasing an additional product called Super Cover (SDW). Clients must purchase SDW & must pay by credit card. Some items are not included in SDW - Tyres, Wheels, Keys or fuel.

Prices are subject to change: 
EUR 22.70 per day Car Groups E & F
EUR 21.56 per day Car Group B

In case of emergency please contact our local Representatives:

Abbey Ireland UK
City Gate, 22 Bridge Street Lower, Dublin, D08 DW30, Ireland
 t:+3531 6486100 f:+3531 6486159
 email: info@abbey.ie

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TERMS AND CONDITIONS FROM THE DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANY

Please read carefully the Terms and Conditions applicable to the services offered by Abbey Ireland and UK (local Destination Management Company in Ireland and UK).
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Vacations with Personality