Kerry County Museum

Kerry County Museum is the ideal starting point for tours of Kerry. It brings to life the story of Kerry from the earliest times to the present day. Priceless treasures are on display in the museum, illustration the rich heritage of the county. Each artifact has its own story to tell, whether it is a beautiful sunflower pin worn by the fashion-conscious in the Bronze Age, or duelling pistols used by the Liberator, Daniel O'Connell, in the early 19th century. Travel back 600 years in the Geraldine Experience and you will see, hear and smell medieval Tralee.

Visit County Kerry and the Kerry County Museum on your next self-drive vacation to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

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Celtic Delight - Escorted Motorcoach Tour

Premier Escorted Motorcoach Tour!

This is an excellent tour for those with limited time in Ireland. Featured in many publications, this tour takes in some of the most scenic areas in Southern Ireland including Kilkenny Castle, Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Cobh Heritage, Blarney, Killarney, Foynes Flying Boat Museum and Limerick for a farewell Medieval Castle Banquet.


Your Celtic Delight Tour includes:

• First Class and Superior First Class hotels throughout.
• Full Irish breakfast daily, except day of arrival.
• Dinner each evening, including a traditional medieval castle banquet and traditional Irish entertainment and dinner in Dublin.
• Full sightseeing by Deluxe Touring Motorcoach.
• Professional Irish driver/guide to escort you through out.
• Visits to: Trinity College and the Book of Kells, Kilkenny Castle, Cobh Heritage Center, Blarney, Dingle Peninsula, Foynes Flying Boat Museum
• Porterage of one (1) suitcase per person.
• Tips and taxes in Ireland. Gratuities to the driver/guide not included.
• Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents.

Tour Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations on our Celtic Delight Escorted Motorcoach Tour of Ireland

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Great New Tour - Celtic Discovery

This fabulous Celtic Tours vacation includes:

• First Class and Superior First Class hotels throughout
• Full Irish breakfast daily, except day of arrival
• Dinners on the first nights in Killarney, Killaloe and Sligo
• Full sightseeing by Deluxe Touring Motorcoach
• Professional Irish driver/guide to escort you throughout
• Visit to Whitefriar Church, Cliffs of Moher, Galway Crystal Factory, Slieve League and Donegal tweeds and knitwear outlets
• Panoramic tour of Dublin city
• Scenic tour of the Dingle Peninsula
• Cruise on the River Shannon*
• Porterage of one (1) suitcase per person
• Tips and taxes in Ireland. Gratuities to the driver/guide not included
• Celtic Tours flight bag and portfolio of travel documents

*Note: The 90-minute cruise on the River Shannon is seasonal, and generally operates from April-September. However, weather permitting, it can operate in October and November. When not operating, it will be replaced by a traditional Irish night with live entertainment on day 05 at the Lakeside Hotel - with a free day on day 06.

Tour Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations on our new Celtic Discovery Tour

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Fierce Vikings, fleeing monks and fighting lords

Fierce Vikings, fleeing monks and fighting lords - it's no wonder that the makers of the movie 'Braveheart' chose Trim as the shooting location for their epic thriller. One look at Trim Castle and story book images of valiant warriors and timid monks spring to life.

Trim - a Heritage Town in the heart of the country - but less than one house from Dublin. Dominated bu the majestic 12th century Castle and the mystical River Boyne, Trim provides visitors the ultimate in relaxation or the thrill of action. Trim is now a prosperous and busy market town.

During the early 1700's Jonathan Swift, author of Gullivers Travels, was presented with the Vicarage of Laracor in Trim and spent some of his happiest times in the area as judged by the 'Journal To Stella' which was published after his death. The Duke of Wellington, Sir Arthur Wellesley was educated in Trim and residents erected the Wellington Column to commemorate on of their past pupils.

Visitors are offered heritage tours, cycling, fishing, swimming, golf, tennis, canoeing, musicals, drama festivals, agricultural shows - all you could wish for in a picturesque setting. 

Visit Trim Heritage Town on your next self-drive vacation to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

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Visit Athlone, Ireland

Smack-dab in the middle of Ireland, Athlone is a vibrant town on the banks of River Shannon. Located about an hour and a half from Dublin and Galway, Athlone is a great location to explore the midlands of Ireland.

Take your pick from a wealth of attractions, historical sites, family and visitor amenities that are located in the town and neighboring areas. There is a unique mix of heritage, culture and an urban buzz just waiting for you to experience. Re-enact the Siege of Athlone at Athlone Castle Visitor Centre, follow the Viking trail to Clonamacnoise on one of our boat-trips or simply stroll along the banks of the River Shannon on a warm summer's day or sip a cocktail on the deck overlooking the Shannon after hitting the shops! There’s a whole new world just waiting to be explored here in Athlone, the heart of the Lakelands Region of Ireland.

Where To Stay

Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath

Hodson Bay Hotel & Spa is an award winning 4 star hotel in Athlone overlooking Lough Ree on the River Shannon.

Villages and Towns
Explore the stunning countryside around Athlone and beyond. Visit neighboring towns and villages each with their own unique appeal.

Glasson Village

Glasson is a picturesque village situated north east of Athlone town in Co. Westmeath. The village is commonly referred to as the ‘Village of the Roses’. It was famous in the 1800s for its rose bloom and the local landlord, Robert Temple is said to have walked the village giving prizes for the best presented houses. Oliver Goldsmith, one of the most important writers of the 18th century was from the area and his works are celebrated at the annual Oliver International Literary Festival. Today Glasson is renowned for its fine restaurants, notably The Glasson Village Restaurant and pubs Grogans and Farrells for their great food and hospitality.

Ballinahown Irish Designer Craft VillageBallinahown is a Tidy Towns award-winning village located on the Offaly and Westmeath border, south east of Athlone. A visit to this picturesque village will take you into the depth's of Irish history and heart of the Irish creative soul, where the old world charm marries the cutting edge modern design to give you a village like no other.

Ballinahown is the perfect place to introduce you to the secret gems of Irish craft and design. Prepare for a visual feast as artists, craftsmen, sculptors and many other creatives exhibit their works in 'core crafted design' and 'Celtic roots studio'. Unwind and relax in the new craft cafe, serving locally baked produce and artisan foods or have a quiet pint of Guinness in the local pub.

Moate

Moate, the third largest town in County Westmeath, is situated near Athlone, along the R446 (formerly N6) route between Dublin and Galway. The name An Móta is derived from the term motte-and-bailey, the Normans built an example of this type of fortification and the earthwork is still visible behind the buildings on the main street.  The town later became an important marketplace and Quakers settled in the village and started industries in the area towards the end of the 17th century.

What To Do

Portlick Castle, Glasson, Athlone, Co Westmeath

Portlick Castle is an 12th century Dillon Castle located on the shores of Lough

Ree with 30 acres of walled gardens, wooded areas and pasture land. The castle

and period extensions have all been extensively renovated to a very high standard.

Athlone Castle, Athlone, Co Westmeath

This Norman Castle dating from the 13th century the castle dominates the town and was central to the siege of Athlone in 1961. The castle celebrated its 800th Anniversary in 2010. The facilities are once again being re-developed to bring the standards of interpretation and display in line with the visitor expectations of the twenty-first century.   The Keep of the Castle will be used to tell the dramatic story of the famous Siege of Athlone while the other buildings will house a modern interpretative centre focusing on Athlone, the Castle and the periods both before and after the Siege.  There will also be a new presentation on the life and times of John Count McCormack Athlone’s most famous export.

Moydrum Castle, Athlone, Co Westmeath

The lands of Moydrum were granted to the Handcock family, originally from Devon,

UK, during the Cromwellian plantations of Ireland in the 17th century. From then

on the family remained one of the most prominent landowning dynasties and landlords

in the area.

Fore Abbey, Fore, Co Westmeath

The village of Fore is in a valley between two hills. Here you will see the ancient ruins of a Christian monastery. Fore is “the town of the springs” and was named after St. Fechin’s spring, which is beside the old church. It was St. Fechin who founded the ancient Fore Abbey around 630 A.D. By 665 A.D. (the time of the yellow plague) there were 300 monks living in the community.

Clanmacnoise Monastic Site, Clan Macnoise, Co Offaly

An early Christian site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs. The original high crosses and grave slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre. There is an audio-visual show as well as a number of exhibitions. Access for people with disabilities to Visitor Centre.

Boyle Abbey, Boyle, Co Roscommon

The Abbey at Boyle was the first successful foundation in Connacht of the Cistercian order which had opened its first Irish house at Mellifont, Co. Louth, in 1142.

Locke's Distillery, Kilbeggan, Co Westmeath

Locke's Distillery in Kilbeggan is believed to be the oldest licensed pot still distillery in the world – in 2007, we celebrated our 250th anniversary! To mark this occasion, we have started to distill Irish Whiskey again in Kilbeggan. Today, our visitors can see and smell the whiskey being distilled in the copper pot still, just like it was in the old days – a real treat for the senses!

Belvedere House, Mullingar, Co Westmeath

A magnificent early 18th century stately home of Robert Rochfort, Earl of Belvedere, stands on 160 acres of parkland on the shores of Lough Ennell. Open seven day a week.

Derryglad Folk Museum, Co Roscommon

No trip to the midlands is complete without a visit to the Derryglad Folk Museum, which is hidden in South Roscommon. This heartland of Ireland is a land of lakes and rivers and of unspoiled and unexplored countryside. The collection deals with Farm & Folk life in Ireland from the 18th century to the recent past.

King House, Co Roscommon

King House is a magnificently restored Georgian Mansion built around 1730 by Sir

Henry King whose family were one of the most powerful and wealthy in Ireland.

The grand scale of the reception gallery, its original stone floor, tripartite

windows and high vaulted ceiling portray the impression that the house was built

as a symbol of the status and power of the King family. After its first life as

a home, King House became a military barracks to the famous Connaught Rangers

from 1788 until 1922. In more recent years King House has also been a barracks

for the Irish Army. Even today there still remains an Army presence as the Reserve

Defence Force are based in the West Wing of the House.

Glendeer Pet Farm, Athlone, Co Westmeath

Glendeer Pet Farm is a very interactive experience as people can feed, pet & even hold some of the animals, which include deer, pot belly pigs, llamas, alpacas, emus, ostriches, goats, donkeys, sheep, jersey cow, a variety of domestic & exotic birds & much more. There are some new arrivals to the farm also including the two cheeky monkeys, wallabies & tortoises. Stretch your legs along the unspoilt nature walk where old horse drawn farm machinery can be viewed. The children can play on the slide, swings, seesaws and very popular glider swing, while adults enjoy fresh coffee/tea and home-made treats.

Explore the midlands of Ireland from Athlone in County Westmeath on your next self-drive vacation to Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations

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Visit the Rugged and Wild West of Ireland

Capture the Wild and Rugged West Coast

This fantastic self-drive package brings you amazing 4* hotels - in the most scenic parts of Ireland. Making it easy to explore the wild and rugged west coast of Ireland ~ renouned for it's majestic beauty and rugged landscapes. Visit white sandy beaches and take a long rambling walk over the rugged terrain and enjoy some of the best seafood Ireland has to offer...the spectacular West of Ireland is hard to beat!

End your stay at the award winning D-Hotel in Drogheda, Co. Louth on Ireland's east coast, with exceptional attractions and the historically rich Boyne Valley.

Your Self-drive / Independent Package includes:

* 6 Nights accommodations in top 4* hotels; 3 nights at Harvey's Point on the shores of beautiful Lough Eske, 2 nights at Castlecourt Hotel in Westport and 1 night at the award winning D-Hotel in Drogheda before departing Ireland.
* Breakfast daily (except morning of arrival)
* One dinner at Harvey's Point Hotel
* 6 day car rental - Automatic & includes Collission Damage (CDW) Insurance and Location Service Charge (LSC)
* Taxes and service fees in Ireland.
* FREE 5-minute phone card.

Land from only $699 per person

Excludes Easter, Bank Holidays and Sporting Events.

Please note, further discounts do not apply to special package pricing.
Note: Hotels are on a request basis. If not available at time of request, alternate properties will be offered.

Tour the Rugged and Wild West of Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations new self drive tour!

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Powerscourt Gardens

One of the world's greatest gardens, Powerscourt is situated 12 miles south of Dublin in the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains. The garden was begun by Richard Wingfield in the 1740s and stretches out over 40 acres. It is a sublime blend of formal gardens, sweeping terraces and ornamental lakes together with secret hollows, rambling walks, walled gardens and over 200 varieties of trees and shrubs. When visiting the 18th century Palladian house, Powerscourt, take a moment to breathe in the awesome beauty of its gardens.

Visit Powerscourt and its amazing gardens on your next self-drive tour of Ireland with Celtic Tours World Vacations.

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