Super Sale Winter Get-a-way

Self-Drive - Super Sale Winter Get-a-way - Build Your Own!

6-nights - Car rental and Airfare -
with Two Accommodation Options for you to choose from!

There is no better time to see Ireland - and this package will take you there at unbelievable prices!

Your Self-drive / Independent Package includes:

* Airfare
* 6 day car rental
* Taxes and service fees in Ireland.
* FREE 5-minute phone card.

Land and Air Only $459 pp sharing
(based on 2 passengers)

Car Only rental available from $68 pp

Learn more about this AMAZING SALE

Excludes St. Patrick's and Easter
Departures that enter into May 2011 will carry a supplement

Please note, further discounts do not apply to special package pricing.

Trinity College & The Book of Kells

Trinity College is famed for its great treasures including the Book of Kells, a 9th Century illuminated manuscript, the Books of Durrow and Armagh and an early Irish harp.

The 690 page Book of Kells is the centerpiece of the “Turning Darkness into Light” exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to Trinity College every year. Written around 800 AD, the Book of Kells contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels in a latin text, written on vellum (prepared calfskin). The script is embellished by the elaboration of key words and phrases and by an endlessly inventive range of decorated initials and interlinear drawings. This massive book was originally a single volume, but was rebounded into four volumes in 1953 for conservation reasons.

The illustrations and ornamentation of the Book of Kells surpass that of other Insular Gospel books in extravagance and complexity. The decoration combines traditional Christian iconography with the ornate swirling motifs typical of Insular art. Figures of humans, animals and mythical beasts, together with Celtic knots and interlacing patterns in vibrant colours, enliven the manuscript's pages. Many of these minor decorative elements are imbued with Christian symbolism and so further emphasise the themes of the major illustrations.


The origin of the Book of Kells is generally attributed to the scriptorium of the monastery founded around 561 on Iona, an island off the west coast of Scotland. In 806, following a Viking raid on the island, the Columban monks took refuge in a new monastery at Kells, County Meath. The Book of Kells has been on display at Trinity College in Dublin from the mid 19th century.


Trinity College was founded in 1592 by Queen Elizabeth and today is recognized internationally as Ireland’s premier university and is 43rd position in the top 100 world universities. The College builds on its 400 year old tradition of scholarship to confirm its position as one the great universities of the world, producing many famous graduates over the centuries such as Edmund Burke and Oliver Goldsmith. Located in the heart of Ireland’s capital on its 40-acre site, Trinity College retains some of its ancient seclusion of cobbled squares, gardens and parks.

Trinity College and the Book of Kells is a featured stop on Celtic Tours Celtic Dream Premier Escorted Motorcoach Tour of Ireland. Learn More

Dublin Sightseeing Tours

Hop On/Hop Off Dublin Bus Tour

Experience the attractions of Dublin with a Dublin Bus Tour. All tours offer live commentary by accredited and experienced tour guides. 

The Hop On Hop Off tour offers a fun day out for the whole family. This tour has been carefully designed to give you freedom to explore and experience the history and culture of Dublin at your leisure.

Trinity College, St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin Zoo, the National Museum and Dublin’s most fashionable shopping district Grafton St are just a few of the 23 stops on the Dublin Bus Tour.

What a perfect complement to your Dublin City Stay! Celtic Tours has included this wonderful bus tour in our new Endless Possibilities Package. 

Have you ever wanted to stay in a castle?

Think Indulgent Thoughts

At Clontarf Castle Hotel, 111 guest rooms and hotel suites range from the luxurious to the truly extravagant, with design that mesmerizes your senses, and all the in room touches you need to ensure the perfect nights rest.

From the fashionable style and comfort in their deluxe bedrooms to the definitive in opulence in their individually designed executive rooms and suites, many with four-poster beds and views of the Dublin mountains.

Nearby Attractions:

The Birthplace of Bram Stoker
Bram Stoker, author of the world famous novel, “Dracula” was born in Clontarf in November 1847. This Gothic Horror novel was only outsold by the Bible and has been hugely successful in theatre and cinema productions to date. Stoker died in April 1912, after a successful life as novelist and columnist for newspapers such as the Dublin Daily Mail. The Bram Stoker Park commemorates him, at his ancestral home at number 15 The Crescent, in close proximity to Clontarf Castle Hotel.

Guinness Storehouse
As you wander up through Guinness Storehouse, you'll discover what goes into making the Black Stuff- the ingredients, the process, the passion.

Old Jameson Distillery
The Old Jameson Distillery in Smithfield Village is in the heart of Old Dublin.Irish whiskey can trace its history back to the 6th century. Almost like a tour of a working distillery you can follow the fascinating craft of whiskey making.

Croke Park Stadium in Dublin
The GAA Museum at Croke Park Stadium is designed to facilitate an experience of an integral part of Irish life and heritage through an exploration of its culture, history and unique national sports. Croke park is the proposed setting for the famed Notre Dame vs Navy 2012 Rematch.

Trinity College in Dublin
Trinity College is the oldest university in Ireland.The college is famed for the great treasures it has the honour to be guardian of. These include the Book of Kells, a 9th century illuminated manuscript, the books of Durrow and Armagh and an early Irish harp.

Learn More About Celtic Tours Dublin Vacations on Sale Now!