ef tour ireland

Off Duty Traveler

Travel tour reviews and views, ireland tour review: ef tours.

After a successful trip to Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, and London we joined the Wilmington College tour group again on their EF Tour to Ireland in 2014. Our trip took us to Dublin, Blarney, Kinsale, Cork, Killarney, the Ring of Kerry and the Rock of Cashel, ending back in Dublin for a final day before our flight home. As far as flights to Europe go, this one is fairly easy at 6 hours, making Ireland a great place to visit for first-time travelers to Europe. Additionally, there’s no language barrier and the trip is far more relaxed and laid back than other European city tours. It’s also astonishingly beautiful. Here’s what I thought of our EF Ireland Tour.

Dublin, Ireland

Our group landed in Dublin, Ireland and was met by our guide at the luggage pickup. We hopped on a bus and immediately got an overview of Dublin, a city rich in history and character. Our entry into Ireland also included a walking tour of the city, including the famous Temple Bar area, known for its nightlife, the history, a stop in the church where Handel first performed The Messiah, a walk through the beautiful shopping district of Grafton Street, a visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral and, of course, a tour of the Guinness Factory where we learned how to properly pour and drink the famous stout.

Our Itinerary in Dublin, Ireland included:

• Bus Tour of Dublin
• Walking tour of O’Connell Street, shopping district and Temple Bar.
• Visit to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Visit to Trinity College to see the famous Book of Kells
• Tour of Dublin Castle
• Dinner and a fantastic Irish Step Dancing performance
• Expert guided walking tour on the history of the Easter Uprising
• Time on our own to explore and shop

Dublin Tour Review

Lodging: Good. Our Hotel in Dublin was a short walk to O’Connell Street, the rooms were clean but small, as is typical in Europe. Bathrooms were small but functional.

Food : Fair. Irish meals consisted mainly of meat, potatoes, and an overcooked vegetable. That being said, the pubs have wonderful beers on tap, the whiskey is great and I had the best Irish Coffee I’ve ever had in my life on our tour of the Ring of Kerry. The dinner and Irish dancing event in our hotel was spectacular.

Excursions and Itinerary : Excellent. The walking and bus tours are a great way to get an overview of the city, and the trip to Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral and time to explore the city and hang out with the locals in the pubs at Temple Bar was fun and exciting.

Kinsale, Ireland

After our stay in Dublin, we boarded our bus to head to Blarney, with a lunch stop and walk through the beautiful fishing village of Kinsale, Ireland. Taking the bus gave us the opportunity to see the lush, green countryside for which Ireland is known. Instead of dropping us off in town, we disembarked outside of the village and walked into town, where we could enjoy the beautiful views of the village and ancient fortresses before stopping in a local pub to get some lunch and, of course, an Irish Stout.

Blarney, Ireland

We visited in March, so, unfortunately, our weather was cold and mostly rainy throughout the week. In fact, our guide mentioned to us that the spring had been unusually rainy and they were experiencing flooding in some parts of the country. Thankfully this did not affect our visit to Blarney. Our stay was short, one day and one night, but well worth the stop. We stayed in the restored Blarney Woolen Mill, converted to a hotel, pub, and shop. The shop sells the most extensive selection of Irish woolen items I’ve ever seen, along with plenty of wonderful Irish gifts. When I discovered that they would ship my purchases back to the US, well, let’s just say I bought a few things.

Our visit included a trip to the famous Blarney Castle and the opportunity to climb the Keep and kiss the Blarney Stone. Doing so, according to legend, will give you the gift of the gab. Blarney Castle and the surrounding grounds is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in my life. The castle soars out of the lush green undergrowth like something you’d see in a fairytale movie.

Our Trip to Blarney Included

• Dinner in Blarney Hotel – Hint: I learned from a local Irishman that it’s NOT ok to sample Jameson and Bushmills whiskeys together. He seemed quite horrified and made sure I knew of his disappointment.
• Visit to Blarney Castle
• Overnight Stay in The Blarney Woolen Mills Hotel
• Plenty of time to shop in the wool factory

Blarney Tour Review

Lodging : Excellent. Staying in the transformed mill was a great experience.

Food : I honestly do not remember what we ate. I’m sure it was adequate but I’ve not been impressed with food from this region.

Excursions and Itinerary: Excellent! The visit to Blarney Castle was self-paced, leaving us plenty of time to explore and take photos.

Pace : Moderate. There was plenty of time to shop and explore the small town on our own.

Cobh Heritage Center

Our visit to County Cork also included a brief lunch stop to Cobh Heritage Center. Once described as the “saddest place in Ireland,” Cobh was the center of the mass emigration of the Irish during the Great Famine, the port taking criminals sentenced for petty crimes to Australia, and the last port of call for the fated RMS Titanic. The location was most likely the port from which my Sweeney Irish ancestors departed on their route to America, where they settled in Upstate New York and live there still. For this reason, this stop was especially meaningful and emotional for me. It was here that I purchased a silver Claddagh ring in memory of my family’s journey.

Outside the Cobh Heritage Center stands an iconic statue of fifteen-year-old Annie Moore and her younger siblings about to leave for America due to the potato famine. Annie was also the first person to pass through Ellis Island in New York State , and there stands the same statue, depicting their safe arrival. Her image will forever represent the millions who passed through Ellis Island in pursuit of the American dream.

Killarney, Ireland and the Ring Of Kerry

Our next stop was Killarney, Ireland in County Kerry. Our hotel was a short walk from the main shopping and business district; however, our weather was cold and very rainy, making it hard to enjoy being outside. Despite the rain, we did take a traditional jaunting cart ride and visited some of the shops and pubs on foot. I highly recommend the jaunting cart tour as the guides are hilarious and it was a fun overview of the region! Our driver brought us through the countryside and into the woods to visit Ross Castle, but the rain had flooded the area and overturned trees, so we were unable to get close up. I did receive a marriage proposal from our jaunting cart driver, but that’s another story.

During our first evening in Killarney, we ducked into a pub and discovered locals getting together to play traditional Irish music with their own instruments, including the spoons! After the rain and cold it was wonderful to cozy up in the pub and get a taste of the local culture and music.

The following morning we departed for a day-long bus ride around the famous Ring of Kerry, which would typically provide breathtaking views of the Irish ragged coastline. It was so rainy and foggy that we could not see out the windows of the bus. This was by far the most disappointing day of our trip, as aside from the initial stop in the 19th century Kerry Bog Village and a very wet and cold Sheepdog demonstration, the day was wasted. It was raining horizontally during the Sheepdog demonstration; however, the dogs and their trainer were amazing, even in that weather. If you’ve never seen these dogs in action, I highly recommend this stop.

Our visit to Killarney, Ireland Included

• One night stay in a local hotel
• Evening meal with the group
• Bus ride of the Ring of Kerry
• Trip to the Kerry Bog Village and museum
• Sheepdog demonstration

Killarney Tour Review

Lodging : Fair. The rooms were drafty and very dated, circa 1980s decor. Still, they were clean and functional.

Food : I honestly can’t remember anything I ate here except for the Irish Coffee.

Excursions and Itinerary: The weather destroyed most of these, which would have otherwise been great.

Pace : Slow. We had plenty of time to explore on our own.

Rock of Cashel

From Killarney, we circled back toward Dublin, which would be our final destination to our flight home. On the way, we stopped at the Rock of Cashel, also known as St. Patrick’s rock, located in County Tipperary, Ireland. This location was the traditional seat of the King of Munster and was reputed to be the location of his conversion by St. Patrick in the 5th century.

Visitors can tour the ruins of the castle and explore the grounds, which include a graveyard containing many beautiful and ancient high crosses. Most of the buildings you’ll see here date from the 12th and 13th centuries. If you’re one of the lucky members of the remaining family, you can still be buried in the cemetery, and I was excited to discover what might be a distant relative of mine newly buried right outside the exit of the main castle. Here’s another place where you really get the feel of ancient Ireland through art, architecture, and religion. From here, we traveled back to Dublin for one more day exploring the city before heading home.

Ireland Tour overview: If you Go

This EF Educational tour is a great overview of Ireland, the pace was moderate and allowed plenty of time to explore on our own, spend time in the pubs, listen to local music and shop in the beautiful wool and jewelry shops. There was an extension available for Northern Ireland, which, due to work schedules, we did not join. I think that extension would have rounded out the trip and provided a great overview of the country, the conflicts, and the culture.

Do you have advice for those visiting Ireland? Leave me your tips in the comments!

To see photos of my trip to Ireland visit my Flickr page, my Google Photos , or follow me on Instagram @offdutytraveler . I’ll see you on the next trip!

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Active Ireland

12 days ,   5 cities   |   From $2,799 $2,099 before flights ($700 off)   |   Payments as low as $131.19

5 out of 5 stars

This adventure is for those who don’t just want to see Ireland, but conquer it. Go beyond the pub by hiking your way along the Emerald Isle’s most beautiful and iconic landmarks. You’ll come home with both a sense of accomplishment and a photo reel that’s simply unreal. 😮‍💨 NOTE! 😮‍💨 This is a physically demanding tour. You should be comfortable hiking at high inclines and altitudes for several hours. If needed, please begin training for this tour at least two months in advance.

What you'll get

• Round-trip flights & airport transfers (or book 'em yourself)
• 10 nights in handpicked accommodations
• 10 breakfasts
• 2 dinners and 1 lunch
• Expert Tour Director
• 24/7 support from our travel gurus
• 7 iconic hikes with a local guide
• Entrance to the Cliffs of Moher
• Admission to the Titanic Museum

Picture yourself

• Standing at the foot of Torc Waterfall’s 66-foot cascade
• Summiting Carrauntoohil–Ireland’s highest point
• Experiencing the raw power of the Cliffs of Moher
• Walking in the footsteps of giants at Giant’s Causeway

Day 1: Overnight flight

Board your overnight flight to Dublin. Find your seat, pick a movie, and then try to get a wee bit of shuteye. The majesty and raw beauty of Ireland awaits.

Day 2: Arrive in Dublin + Welcome Dinner

Your first true taste of Ireland is the city of Dublin, the capital and largest city in Ireland!

• In the evening, enjoy a Welcome Dinner of local cuisine and drinks with fellow travelers at an authentic local spot. Afterwards, you’re free to take the party elsewhere!
• Meet an EF representative at the airport.
• Transfer to your accommodations and check in.
• Receive the latest schedule from your Tour Director.
• Get familiar with the area on an introductory walk with your Tour Director.

Chat with a Trip Expert!

1-800-766-2645 Monday–Thursday 9am–7pm ET Friday 9am–5:30pm ET

Traveler photos

Select trip date.

Overall rating based on 61 traveler reviews

Showing 1 - 6 of 61 traveler reviews

Traveler Madelyn, traveled in Jun 2024

Each hike was absolutely stunning from the base to the summit there was something to be seen, including your sheep hiking companions! I am not an experienced hiker and I was able to summit each mountain but it was challenging. There is a lot of driving time to and from the hikes... Read more of Stunning

Anonymous traveler, traveled in May 2024

Other than the weather delaying me getting over there it was a great time

Traveler Lauren, traveled in May 2024

If you're like me and you get kind of antsy during trips because you're used to being more active at home, then this is the trip for you. Pretty much every day included some sort of physical activity during the morning time into the afternoons, which usually included some form... Read more of Perfectly Balanced Trip

Traveler Jackson, traveled in May 2024

This trip was amazing from the start. The accommodations were great for the most part with close proximity to the town centers and were clean. The hikes were all extremely beautiful and we got really good weather for the most part. Carrauntoohil Was a really difficult hike but... Read more of Active Ireland 2024

Traveler Tess, traveled in May 2024

The best way to travel and met people. The hiking trips have improved my mental health and give me something to look forward to. I have met so many wonderful people over the years who I stay in contact with. Don’t hesitate book now.

Anonymous traveler, traveled in May 2023

Lots of fun and learned a lot of legends

EF/GoAhead Tours

Review Highlights

“ Just returned from a fantastic trip to Iceland with EF Go Ahead tours . ” in 3 reviews

“ We had a wonderful trip with EF to Australia , New Zealand, and Fiji. ” in 2 reviews

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2 Education Cir

Cambridge, MA 02141

East Cambridge

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Overall rating

For the money spent, it was mostly a let down. I did Rome, Florence and Venice. We actually ended up leaving a day early and had to pay for the flight change to do so. I have celiac disease and was told I would be accommodated 100% and I ended up starving most of the trip. All 3 of the only dinners provided, it was a total surprise to them that I needed gluten free, so each time, I got an undercooked bowl of red pasta made last minute. None of the hotel breakfasts knew about me or labeled anything. I think this should have been handled ahead of time by the tour guide (who was barely present nor informative). His lack of....everything really set the tone for many people on the tour. The itineraries for the days they actually took you somewhere was maybe 2-3 hours. Everything else you had to pay extra foror you were completely on your own. The hotels (besides maybe Florence) were booked so far from anything you had to pay for an uber. Most people save for years for something like this and I couldn't wait to get home. :(

Have not gone on the tour yet. This review is about their customer service. I booked a tour to Germany for September with an extension to Vienna. I booked my airfare on my own after making the reservation. I recently received an email canceling the extension due to low participation. I called and requested that since I already have my airfare, that the company get me to Vienna. They declined but offered to pay for an excursion. I usually travel with Gate 1/Discovery Tours and when they had to make a change to my reservation, they made paid for my hotel since I had to arrive early. This is my first time using this company and probably be my last time.

I don't know for sure because they're not upfront with their processes, but they seem to contract most functions out to local guides with no incentive to help you. Customer service will tell you they have no specific information about your tour and cannot help you, but they will read you a patronizing appeasement script and admonish you for not being happy with their paltry product. You get essential information about airport transfers and hotels at the last minute, further limiting your recourse. The hotels are far from anywhere you'd want to be, so you spend the money you save with them by taking taxis and Uber or time with long, complex commutes. Included dinners are not generous. You can get lucky with a nice tour guide, but there's still not much they can do if you have a problem. I should have booked a more expensive tour because I paid the difference making up for everything lacking with GoAhead.

Be careful when booking, especially if you are a senior citizen. Don't go by the itinerary description. Call first. Better yet, use a different company. We lost $1800 ($900 booking fee and $900 insurance) even though we canceled 92 days out. Itinerary description never mentioned walking, standing, or climbing stairs. My husband is 73 and uses a walker. Obviously, we had to cancel. The insurance claim was denied because it was not a reason on their list. So, we couldn't go on vacation and lost $1800. Nice thing to do to senior citizens.

I made a reservation last Thursday (11/16/2023) for a trip to Iceland from 12/02/2023-12/07/2023 and then I was told that I can't have my refund back. This entire situation has been a massive chaos. When I called on last Thursday (11/16/2023) to place my reservation, the agent (Kathy) I talked to stressed about she "cannot" guarantee that I will be able to go on the trip. Before I provided the payment information, I specifically asked if I will be able to get the refund because the trip is coming up so soon. The agent ensured that I will be able to get a full refund back within 60 days if I decided to cancel the trip. I was also told that I am basically on a wait list and someone will contact me once I can go on the trip. No one contacted me about whether the agency was able to process my information at all, so I've been left in the dark about this trip since the beginning. I called the help line this morning (11/20/2023) around 9:00 Eastern Standard Time to cancel my reservation. I was informed by the agent that I will not be able to get my full refund back since it's too close to the trip date. Basically I was told that Kathy gave me the wrong information, so I will have to pay the cancellation fee. The only reason I provided my payment information is because Kathy specifically stated that I will be able to cancel the trip and receive a full refund. I've never been so frustrated with a traveling agency. I made sure to ask this agent regarding the refund policy twice before giving her my payment information, and she still couldn't provide me with the correct information. It's unbelievable that such a big traveling agency cannot uniformly train their employees with the correct set of information.

I have yet to leave on this trip to New England, but thus far the customer service has been DISMAL at best. They have every device to discourage you from talking to an actual person. Additionally, be warned: there is a lot of FALSE ADVERTISING. Website indicates first two nights a hotel in Burlington, walking distance to many things, or close to public transportation. So, we booked a pre-stay for two nights in Burlington, Before we booked the extra nights, I was told by rep the hotel would be 'Delta Marriott in Burlington'. When the actual hotels were sent, I see we are at Hampton Inn in Colchester. Well this hotel is in the middle of nowhere, not walkable to anything, 30 minutes drive to Burlington. Their front desk informed me we 'really will need a car to go anywhere' (except Starbucks and Costco across the street). I have been on the line now 43 minutes as I type this to 'tour support' line. The rep when she finally came on tells me there is NO REFUND for the pre-stay hotel payment. It is 'close to public transportation.' Turns out she is referring to the Colchester bus station -- 13 minutes away!! Clearly, reputation and customer service are not important to this company. I will never book with them again.

Poor costumer service. They just want your money. I booked a single room and they told me they can not find a room for me since I booked late. How come they did not tell me this when I booked? I am travelling with my family and they were confirmed. There is a likelihood that I would not travel with them I find it so ridiculous that no one tells you anything.

Tour of Australia, June 2024 started off well enough in Sydney. Enjoyed the "Vivid" festival. After the transition to Port Douglas, the hotel that EF Go Ahead tours decided to put the group in, did not have an elevator or porter service. Then after dragging luggage up two flights of steps, down a long narrow walkway that all of the lights were burnout, found the air conditioning and TV not working. When I expressed my displeasure to the EF Go Ahead tour guide, his response was to let EF Go Ahead tours know. I complained to the hotel front desk that night and the manager moved my room in the morning. I received an email from the tour company reminding me to be nice and not yell at anyone. The tour company obviously did not care about the customer being taken care of.

This review is for the tour of London and Paris. This was my third tour with GoAhead in the past 10 years. My first two tours in 2011 and 2015 were both very good, but this one was a disappointment with a dramatic decline in customer service and quality. That pains me to say, but it's true. This was essentially a bargain basement tour with terrible customer service and a bad Tour Director, Reuben, who made the tour very stressful and unpleasant. He was unavailable to us, ignored messages, and made us feel like we were bothering him. The whole tour group was constantly talking about how Rueben the tour guide was ignoring them and acting put out, like he didn't want to be bothered with the group. The wait time to talk to anyone at GoAhead on the phone was consistently 45 min to an hour minimum leading up to the tour and after. That's ridiculous. For my past 2 tours I received a quality travel bag in the mail from GoAhead. This time, GoAhead mailed the travelers a cookbook. Like that will come in handy whilst on tour. It was an obvious attempt at some promotional collaboration that didn't serve the needs of its customers at all. The London portion coincided with the death of Queen Elizabeth. It was understandable that there might be some adjustments made, but we were told in the hotel lobby that our bus had been "cancelled" and we would be traveling on foot. This was a problem, because we paid for coach travel throughout our tour. GoAhead sent us travelers an email on 9/15 that said "London is experiencing severe road closures, which do not permit buses to operate in the city." This statement was untrue. There were plenty of buses operating in the city, and numerous buses were outside of our London hotel every day transporting people from other tour groups. We took photos and video of these buses with time stamps. I understand that transportation is more complicated with activities around Queen Elizabeth, but to tell us that buses are "not permitted" to operate in the city is just false. For the excursions, there was never enough time to enjoy. It was rush-rush-rush, never allowing an appropriate amount of time to see the site, with no consideration to factor in time for restrooms or gift shops. Reuben was a downgrade from previous tour directors. It is the Tour Director's job to be available and hold our hands through the travel. Reuben left my husband and me at a London tube station after we couldn't get on due to overcrowding at rush hour. When we caught up later, he had the nerve to snip at us for not getting on fast enough. I'm a former New Yorker and know how to deal with rush hour subway crowding. There was NO ROOM to possibly get on. Then, when the group had just arrived in Paris, he took us on the Metro and then abandoned us all at an unfamiliar location in the Latin Quarter, saying that he would "challenge us" to see if we could all find our way back without him. Wow. Travel was chaotic and disorganized in his hands. The Paris hotel location at Place de Republique was shabby and filled with a constant stream of loud motorcycles at all hours and loud skateboarders, making sleep a challenge. I was also disturbed that GoAhead made a point to say that all of us travelers absolutely MUST have COVID testing just before travel, and that the Tour Director would be checking these test results as soon as we arrived. Reuben never once mentioned this testing, and certainly never came around to check our test results. I feel really lied to about this. When I contacted GoAhead with the documented issues we experienced and the demonstrable lies we were told on the tour, the representative acted all concerned and told us we were surely owed a partial refund. I asked for a $400 per person partial refund ($800 total), which is peanuts compared to the total cost. Of course, GoAhead later came back and said NO. No refund of any kind would be given. So that ended our relationship with GoAhead after 3 tours for use over the last 10 years. They didn't care at all about losing our future business. So, BEWARE. This company is not what it once was. It's a great shame. We will not be traveling with them again. There are a lot of other choices out there, and they don't care about making things right -- just getting your money and nickel and diming you to death. You've been warned.

We booked a trip and took the more expensive cancel anytime insurance. After 2 months of trying to get someone on the customer service line, I finally spoke to someone who gave me incorrect information. I was eventually connected to a supervisor who told me that cancel anytime meant, I could cancel, but there was no refund only a future trip credit. If you are brave enough to book with them-read all the fine print. I will never deal with them again

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Ireland: Traditions of the Emerald Isle

11 days   |   13 days with Belfast extension

4.7 out of 5 stars

Ireland’s green landscapes, welcoming cities, and rich culture await.

On this adventure through the Emerald Isle, you’ll see that even the oldest traditions continue to thrive. Discover the country’s highlights, starting in historic Dublin and continuing on through County Cork, “The Rebel County.” After exploring the breathtaking Ring of Kerry, the mesmerizing Cliffs of Moher, and the charming coastal city of Galway, you may find it hard to say goodbye to Ireland.

Your tour package includes

• 9 nights in handpicked hotels
• 9 breakfasts
• 4 dinners with beer or wine
• 1 liquor tasting
• 7 sightseeing tours
• Expert Tour Director & local guides
• Private deluxe motor coach

Included highlights

• St. Patrick’s Cathedral
• Kilkenny Castle
• Rock of Cashel
• Cobh Heritage Centre
• Blarney Castle
• Ring of Kerry
• Cliffs of Moher
• Teeling Whiskey Distillery

Overnight Flight 1 night

Day 1: travel day.

Board your overnight flight to Dublin today.

Dublin 2 nights

Day 2: arrival in dublin.

Included meal : Welcome dinner

Welcome to Ireland! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at tonight’s welcome dinner.

Start planning today

Our travel experts are here to help.

We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.

Clayton Cardiff Lane

This modern hotel is located in Dublin’s city center. Guests enjoy an indoor pool, fitness center, and Vertigo Bar. Nearby, you'll find the Samuel Beckett Bridge, Trinity College, and Merrion Square.

Garryvoe Hotel

This contemporary hotel is located on the coast of Garryvoe in County Cork. Guests enjoy a restaurant, bar, and health club. Nearby, you’ll find Garryvoe Beach and beautiful coastal views.

Sneem Hotel

This colonial hotel is located in the Golden Heights neighborhood of Sneem. Guests enjoy the fitness center, rotating art gallery shows, and live music. Nearby, you’ll find the River Sneem, The Pyramids, and Blueberry Hill Farm.

Imperial Hotel Galway

The Galway City Hotel is less than a minute to the main shopping thoroughfare Shop Street and the renowned nightlife and atmosphere of Quay Street in the Latin Quarter in Galway. The hotel in Galway is within 5 minutes walking...

Crowne Plaza Dublin Airport

This deluxe hotel is located a few minutes away from the Dublin Airport, Guests enjoy the coffee bar, fitness center, and on-site restaurant. Nearby you'll find the National Botanic Gardens, the EPIC Irish Emigration Museum...

Maldron Belfast City

This modern hotel is centrally located in Belfast. Guests enjoy the on-site coffee house, bike rentals, restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find Belfast City Hall, the Grand Opera House, and Great Victoria Train Station.

Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.

Add our airfare and you’ll get:

• Round-trip flight for your tour
• Airport transfers at your destination
• A great price locked in today
• 24/7 support from our dedicated service team
• Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
• Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes

Find out more about flights

• In order to enter Ireland (and the United Kingdom on the tour extension), U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
• We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
• There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
• If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
• You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code EIR.
• Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in and depart from Dublin (or Belfast on the tour extension).
• Transfers to and from the airport at the beginning and end of the tour are included for travelers who purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who booked their own flights are responsible for securing their own airport transfers.
• When you arrive in Dublin, a Go Ahead representative will be waiting for you in the arrivals hall with a Go Ahead sign or a sign with your name(s). If you don’t see a representative immediately, please be patient and stay in the arrivals area. They may be assisting another traveler who has also just arrived and will be back shortly.

Physical Activity Level

This is a moderate physical activity-level tour. You can expect casual walks and plenty of time to explore throughout the course of the tour.

Tour Pacing

This is a brisk-paced tour. The pace of a tour itinerary considers how often you’ll switch hotels, the amount of planned daily activities, and how you’ll get from place to place. You can expect:

• Most days full of included activities (more if you add excursions)
• Most transportation by motor coach
• Daily bus time varies and can be lengthy

Walking, Terrain & Physical Requirements

• Travelers should be prepared to walk 2 miles per day - this includes city streets, cobblestones, stairs, and hills.
• Cobblestone streets can become slick when wet.
• While visiting Blarney Castle, travelers have the opportunity to kiss the Blarney Stone. In order to kiss the Blarney Stone, travelers must climb 128 very steep, narrow stairs.
• Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance.
• Please Note: Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.

Climate Considerations

• Travelers can expect cool, cloudy, and rainy days throughout the year, with occasional heatwaves in the summer months (June-September).

Physical Activity & Tour Pace Questions

• Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special mobility or luggage handling assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group enjoys a smooth and informative journey, and they can’t be relied on to provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• This tour moves at a reasonable pace to avoid missing scheduled stops. The rest of the group cannot miss any scheduled activities because of the needs of an individual.
• Due to the pace and physical activity level of this tour, mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers will be difficult to use and are not recommended. Please notify Go Ahead Tours before your departure if you plan to bring these on tour with you.
• If you have mobility concerns or tour pace questions, please visit our Help Center or send a message to our Customer Experience Team. We’re here to help!
• Most transportation on this tour is by private motor coach. Private motor coaches have steps required to board and often do not provide access to ramps or lifts.
• Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and trains.
• Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
• Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights.
• Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
• Travelers must manage their own luggage throughout tour as porters are not guaranteed. This includes at hotels and airports.
• We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
• A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
• You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
• It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
• We recommend packing a reusable water bottle to cut down on single use plastic waste.
• We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other device without a built-in converter.
• In case of emergencies, we also recommend packing your medical insurance card in your carry-on.
• Go Ahead handpicks every hotel you’ll stay at, striking a balance between comfort, location, and local charm.
• Specific properties will vary based on your departure date, but are typically three-to-four-star hotels; always include private bathrooms; and usually have in-room safes for valuables. Additionally, your hotels will have Wi-Fi, but access may be limited to common areas. There may also not be elevators.
• Unfortunately, we can’t guarantee that your accommodations will have laundry services or facilities. We recommend checking directly with your hotels once they’ve been confirmed, about 30 days prior to departure.
• Some hotels on this tour are situated on narrow streets; as such, our buses can’t drop you off right out front. In these instances, you’ll have to walk your luggage to the property, no more than a few blocks.
• Please be advised that the strength of the air conditioning in European hotels/buildings is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada.
• Ireland (and Northern Ireland on the tour extension) operates within 230-240 volts and use a Type G plug with three large, flat pins.
• Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date.
• Excursions are available for purchase prior to departure, and most excursions will be available for purchase while you are on tour directly through your mobile app for an additional $10 USD.
• We recommend purchasing excursions at least 3 days prior to your tour departure. Please note some excursions have advance booking deadlines. Check your tour itinerary for more information to ensure you don’t miss the deadline to add them.
• Optional excursions may be canceled on tour due to reasons like low enrollment, weather or unexpected closures. If an excursion you signed up for is canceled by Go Ahead Tours, you will be refunded the full cost of the excursion. Please note it may take up to 60 days for your refund to be processed.
• Your Tour Director may offer their own optional excursions which can only be purchased on tour via cash (in local currency).
• At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website at cdc.gov .
• If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies, please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to your departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
• If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
• Most of our itineraries include headsets used during certain sightseeing tours so travelers can hear their guides or Tour Director. If you use an assisted listening device, such as a hearing aid or cochlear implant, please visit our Help Center for more information or contact our customer experience team. Please note that at this time not all our destinations offer headsets due to supplier limitations.
• The water is safe to drink throughout your tour unless posted otherwise.
• This tour includes four dinners: They may be set menus, buffets, or family-style meals, depending on the location. Dinners also include one glass of beer, wine, or a soft drink, as well as water, coffee, and tea.
• Breakfast each morning is also included at the hotel and is typically buffet style with hot and cold options.
• Irish pubs serve up hearty lunches, such as the traditional stew of bacon and boiled cabbage. Soda bread is delicious, very filling, and served with many meals. Nibble a scone at afternoon tea with a pat of high-quality butter from County Kerry. Guinness stout is an international sensation, but locals might favor Murphy's, depending on where you are.
• Dublin has seen something of a culinary revolution, and the city now boasts an impressive array of new restaurants offering exciting cuisine with continental Europe, Asian, and even American influences.
• At the conclusion of your tour, it is customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
• We recommend tipping the equivalent of $10-$12USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
• If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
• Tips can only be paid in cash.
• If you are traveling to multiple countries with different currencies and the same Tour Director, ask them what currency they prefer for their tip.
• The cost of porterage is included in your tour price, and it is not necessary to tip baggage handlers.
• You will use the euro in Ireland (and the Pound sterling in Northern Ireland on the tour extension).
• Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
• We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
• You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
• International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
• Plan ahead and bring cash to tip your tour director, local guides, and bus drivers. We also recommend keeping coins in the local currency on hand, as some public bathrooms may charge a fee for use.
• To ensure you feel prepared before traveling on tour, we strongly recommend you download the EF Go Ahead Tours mobile app. The app is free and provides important deadlines, entry requirements, your detailed itinerary, packing tips and more. You can also connect with fellow travelers through the chat feature in the app.
• Wifi is available in most hotels, though some charges may apply.
• There is no Wifi on any of the motor coaches.
• Please contact your mobile service provider for information on roaming charges.
• Your Tour Director will be leading your group throughout your journey. You will have the same Tour Director throughout your tour.
• The role of the Tour Director is not only to provide information and context on the destinations you visit, but also to confirm services, coordinate inclusions, prepare each days’ activities and support travelers while on tour. As such, they must focus on the success of the group, and cannot provide individualized assistance to any one traveler.
• One of the benefits of traveling with EF Go Ahead Tours is our on tour emergency support team.
• Our extensive network of offices around the world, and our integration of ISO 31000: Risk Management Guidelines, help our dedicated 24/7 Emergency Service teams anticipate and address on-tour challenges in a flexible and iterative way.
• This team supports travelers and Tour Directors using a combination of extensive training, simulations, incident response planning, and decades of experience to help manage emergencies if they arise, ranging from personal health concerns or injuries to major world events.
• As needed, On Tour Support can facilitate additional support for travelers on tour, arrange assistance from outside specialists, and liaise with local and international authorities to help solve on-the-ground issues. In addition, the team is dedicated to supporting and facilitating communication between travelers and families in the event of an emergency while on the road or at home.
• Ireland (and Northern Ireland on the tour extension) is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), which is five hours ahead of Eastern Time (ET).
• When it’s noon in New York, it’s 5pm on tour.
• When you travel with Go Ahead Tours, you’ll make a positive impact on the places you visit and the people and animals you meet along the way. That’s because our three core Responsible Travel commitments—protecting the environment, supporting local communities, and promoting animal welfare—are at the heart of every tour we offer.
• Travel, when done responsibly, can have an enormous socioeconomic impact on communities. To maximize your impact, eat at locally owned restaurants and shop at small businesses. Ask your Tour Director to point out restaurants they recommend.
• Prepare for your trip: Be aware of monetary norms such as tipping and negotiating in a market; learn about the destination’s forms of etiquette; and take some time to learn a few words in the local language.
• When interacting with locals, make sure to ask people for permission before you take their picture, and approach cultural differences with empathy and an open mind.
• Go Ahead Tours encourages travelers to limit their waste while on the road, especially single-use plastics. You can cut back on generating plastic waste by packing your own toiletries, using electronic documents, and bringing a reusable water bottle and shopping bag. If you need to use plastics or paper, please recycle.
• When visiting national parks, reserves, or other protected areas, please do not remove anything from the natural environment or leave any litter. Carry out what you carried in.
• If you feel we aren’t meeting any of these commitments, please let us know.

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Overall rating based on 589 traveler reviews

Showing 1 - 6 of 589 traveler reviews

5 out of 5 stars

1st-time traveler John, traveled in Aug 2024

In our opinion, the tour would not have been as good as it was if it wasn’t for Kevin!! His knowledge of Ireland was clearly an education for everyone on that bus. His personality was infectious, and his knowledge was amazing. In only 11 days Deb and I feel we have made a good... Read more of Kevin Donohoe: Traditions of the Emerald Isle

1st-time traveler Susan, traveled in Jul 2024

My trip was amazing. Archie our tour guide was fantastic, as well as Ray our driver. The optional excursions were well worth it. The scenery was beautiful. I do not have anything negative to say, I loved everything about my trip. Would highly recommend!!

EF Go Ahead Tours

Thank you for your review. So glad you enjoyed your tour!

1st-time traveler Dana, traveled in Jul 2024

Our group had the absolute best tour director and bus driver team. They were hilarious and extremely knowledgeable in their fields. Our tour director taught us so much about Ireland that we didn’t know and I feel like he was able to give us so much context to the historical... Read more of Had a blast

1st-time traveler Rita, traveled in Jul 2024

One of the main reasons this tour was such a big success was our your guide, Cahal. His knowledge of the history of Ireland made every day a lesson. I have been to Ireland before but loved the added benefit of Cahal to learn the history of the country from which my family came.... Read more of Back home again

1st-time traveler Edwina, traveled in Jun 2024

My experience in Ireland was so much more than I expected. Hazel showed us so many things that weren’t included in the tour schedule that truly showed the “Real Ireland”, not the commercial tourist sites. Our bus drivers were also informative and shared real experiences. The... Read more of Great trip, well coordinated , Super Tour Guide!

Go Ahead Tours

We’re delighted to hear that your Tour Director, local guides, and drivers provided such an authentic view of the country. We appreciate... Read more of the response to Great trip, well coordinated , Super Tour Guide!

4th-time traveler Roberta, traveled in Jul 2024

This trip was definitely made richer by our tour guide, Cahal! His love for and knowledge of history made for a really rich experience. Having a guide native to the country makes a real difference! I was surprised at the scenic beauty and Flowers everywhere! That wasn’t in my... Read more of The wonder-filled trip to Ireland and Belfast!