/
Ireland
/
County Dublin
/
Dublin
/
Tours & Activities
/
2020 Emerald Isle Express Tour
8 days
About this activity
Itinerary
Day 1: Gathering Day
Stop At: 1 Merrion Square E, Dublin 2 Ireland
Gathering day in Dublin. Individual transfers from the airport (or ferry port) to your hotel. Welcome reception, dinner and overnight stay in the five-star Merrion Hotel, in the heart of Dublin city.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner: Welcome Pre-Dinner Drinks Reception at the Merrion Hotel.
Dinner at The Merrion Hotel.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the five-star Merrion Hotel, in the heart of Dublin's fair city.
Day 2: Dublin to Waterford
Stop At: Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, Kilkenny Ireland
We enjoy a short tour of Dublin, en route to our champagne reception at Connolly station before boarding our private heritage train - the Emerald Isle Express. Cruise by rail along Ireland’s scenic east coast through counties Wicklow, Wexford and on to Waterford city. Private visit to Waterford Crystal, dinner and overnight stay in the stunning five-star Mount Juliet Estate, dating back to the mid-1700s, set on 500 acres of parkland, meadow and forest in County Kilkenny.
Duration: 16 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Merrion Hotel before departing on the Emerald Isle Express train down the scenic east Coast.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch on the train. Afternoon tea & coffee will be served aboard the train each day.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner in the stunning five-star Mount Juliet Estate with the other Emerald Isle Express tour guests.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the five-star Mount Juliet Estate in Co. Kilkenny.
Day 3: Waterford to Cork
Stop At: Blarney Castle & Gardens, Monacnapa, Blarney, Cork T23 Y598 Ireland
Cruise by rail from Waterford through the beautiful Suir Valley in county Tipperary while en route to Cork where we will enjoy a visit to Blarney Castle and Gardens. Dinner and overnight stay in the five-star Fota Island Resort, on Cork Harbour.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in Mount Juliet Estate before heading to Co. Cork, aboard the Emerald Isle Express train.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch on the train. Afternoon tea & coffee will be served each day, aboard the train.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner in the beautiful five-star Fota Island Resort on Cork Harbour.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the stunning Fota Island Resort, Co. Cork.
Day 4: Cork to Kerry
Stop At: Cobh Heritage Centre -The Queenstown Story, Cobh P24 CY67 Ireland
We visit Cóbh, the Titanic’s last port of call, and travel by rail to Killarney while enjoying lunch on the train. Delight in the spectacular beauty of the Ring of Kerry, a photographer’s paradise, before overnighting in the five-star Europe Hotel and Resort, with traditional evening entertainment after dinner in one of Killarney’s famous pubs!
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the five-star Fota Island Resort.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch on the train, as well as afternoon tea & coffee.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner in one of Killarney's famous restaurants before delighting in some evening entertainment in the town!
Accommodation included: Overnight at The Europe Hotel & Resort, nestled among the famous Lakes of Killarney.
Day 5: Killarney to Limerick
Stop At: Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Bunratty Ireland
Once again, enjoy lunch on the train as you travel through counties Kerry, Cork, Tipperary and Limerick, a landscape littered with ruined castles. Overnight stay in the fabulous Adare Manor, dating back to the 1720s. Adare Manor, recently announced as the 2026 Ryder Cup Host, is set on an estate of 840 acres of sweeping parklands, cultivated gardens and formal French gardens, including its championship parkland golf course. Evening transfer to the Medieval Bunratty Castle to sample the famous banquet, and perhaps a pint afterwards at adjacent in Durty Nelly’s pub!
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the fabulous five-star Europe Hotel & Resort.
• Lunch: Lunch will be served aboard the Emerald Isle Express, as will afternoon tea & coffee, en route to Limerick.
• Dinner: Delight in the banquet festivities and eat your fill at the Medieval Bunratty Castle in County Clare.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the five-star Adare Manor - the 2026 Ryder Cup Host!
Day 6: Free Day of Leisure in Adare Manor
Stop At: Adare Manor Golf Club, Limerick Road, Adare Ireland
Free day of leisure in Adare Manor with an optional tour to the Cliffs of Moher. Perhaps enjoy a round of golf, or some of the many activities available at this five-star resort, including falconry, whiskey tasting, clay pigeon shooting and horse riding, among others. Enjoy dinner and a second overnight stay in this stunning five-star luxury hotel.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the beautiful five-star Adare Manor.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch in Adare Manor.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner in the stunning Adare Manor.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the five-star Adare Manor for a second night.
Day 7: Limerick to Galway - through Connemara - to Dublin
Stop At: Ballynahinch Castle, Recess, Connemara, Recess, Co. Galway, Ireland
From Limerick, we venture on to Galway aboard our Emerald Isle Express train with light lunch on board. Our trip today highlights the savage beauty of Connemara and will include the Quiet Man Bridge and afternoon tea in Ballinahinch Castle. Afterwards, we make our way back to Galway City centre. There, we board the Emerald Isle Express which will bring us back to Dublin. Entertainment and dinner on board. Overnight stay in the Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in Adare Manor.
• Lunch: Enjoy a light lunch aboard the train, followed by afternoon tea in Ballinahinch Castle.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner aboard the Emerald Isle Express train en route to Dublin.
Accommodation included: Overnight, once again, at the five-star Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
Day 8: Scattering Day
Stop At: 1 Merrion Square E, Dublin 2 Ireland
Scattering Day. Individual transfers from your hotel to Dublin airport. We strongly advise, however, that for your own relaxation and comfort, you spend another night in Dublin to rest, after the week of touring, and enjoy some free time in Ireland’s bustling capital. We would be delighted to arrange these extra nights for you in our partner 4* or 5* hotels (your hotel-airport transfer will be available on the day of your departure, should you choose this option).
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
No accommodation included on this day.
Read more
Show less
Day 1: Gathering Day
Stop At: 1 Merrion Square E, Dublin 2 Ireland
Gathering day in Dublin. Individual transfers from the airport (or ferry port) to your hotel. Welcome reception, dinner and overnight stay in the five-star Merrion Hotel, in the heart of Dublin city.
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Dinner: Welcome Pre-Dinner Drinks Reception at the Merrion Hotel.
Dinner at The Merrion Hotel.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the five-star Merrion Hotel, in the heart of Dublin's fair city.
Day 2: Dublin to Waterford
Stop At: Mount Juliet Estate, Thomastown, Kilkenny Ireland
We enjoy a short tour of Dublin, en route to our champagne reception at Connolly station before boarding our private heritage train - the Emerald Isle Express. Cruise by rail along Ireland’s scenic east coast through counties Wicklow, Wexford and on to Waterford city. Private visit to Waterford Crystal, dinner and overnight stay in the stunning five-star Mount Juliet Estate, dating back to the mid-1700s, set on 500 acres of parkland, meadow and forest in County Kilkenny.
Duration: 16 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Merrion Hotel before departing on the Emerald Isle Express train down the scenic east Coast.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch on the train. Afternoon tea & coffee will be served aboard the train each day.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner in the stunning five-star Mount Juliet Estate with the other Emerald Isle Express tour guests.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the five-star Mount Juliet Estate in Co. Kilkenny.
Day 3: Waterford to Cork
Stop At: Blarney Castle & Gardens, Monacnapa, Blarney, Cork T23 Y598 Ireland
Cruise by rail from Waterford through the beautiful Suir Valley in county Tipperary while en route to Cork where we will enjoy a visit to Blarney Castle and Gardens. Dinner and overnight stay in the five-star Fota Island Resort, on Cork Harbour.
Duration: 2 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in Mount Juliet Estate before heading to Co. Cork, aboard the Emerald Isle Express train.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch on the train. Afternoon tea & coffee will be served each day, aboard the train.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner in the beautiful five-star Fota Island Resort on Cork Harbour.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the stunning Fota Island Resort, Co. Cork.
Day 4: Cork to Kerry
Stop At: Cobh Heritage Centre -The Queenstown Story, Cobh P24 CY67 Ireland
We visit Cóbh, the Titanic’s last port of call, and travel by rail to Killarney while enjoying lunch on the train. Delight in the spectacular beauty of the Ring of Kerry, a photographer’s paradise, before overnighting in the five-star Europe Hotel and Resort, with traditional evening entertainment after dinner in one of Killarney’s famous pubs!
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the five-star Fota Island Resort.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch on the train, as well as afternoon tea & coffee.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner in one of Killarney's famous restaurants before delighting in some evening entertainment in the town!
Accommodation included: Overnight at The Europe Hotel & Resort, nestled among the famous Lakes of Killarney.
Day 5: Killarney to Limerick
Stop At: Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, Bunratty Ireland
Once again, enjoy lunch on the train as you travel through counties Kerry, Cork, Tipperary and Limerick, a landscape littered with ruined castles. Overnight stay in the fabulous Adare Manor, dating back to the 1720s. Adare Manor, recently announced as the 2026 Ryder Cup Host, is set on an estate of 840 acres of sweeping parklands, cultivated gardens and formal French gardens, including its championship parkland golf course. Evening transfer to the Medieval Bunratty Castle to sample the famous banquet, and perhaps a pint afterwards at adjacent in Durty Nelly’s pub!
Duration: 3 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the fabulous five-star Europe Hotel & Resort.
• Lunch: Lunch will be served aboard the Emerald Isle Express, as will afternoon tea & coffee, en route to Limerick.
• Dinner: Delight in the banquet festivities and eat your fill at the Medieval Bunratty Castle in County Clare.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the five-star Adare Manor - the 2026 Ryder Cup Host!
Day 6: Free Day of Leisure in Adare Manor
Stop At: Adare Manor Golf Club, Limerick Road, Adare Ireland
Free day of leisure in Adare Manor with an optional tour to the Cliffs of Moher. Perhaps enjoy a round of golf, or some of the many activities available at this five-star resort, including falconry, whiskey tasting, clay pigeon shooting and horse riding, among others. Enjoy dinner and a second overnight stay in this stunning five-star luxury hotel.
Duration: 1 day
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the beautiful five-star Adare Manor.
• Lunch: Enjoy lunch in Adare Manor.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner in the stunning Adare Manor.
Accommodation included: Overnight at the five-star Adare Manor for a second night.
Day 7: Limerick to Galway - through Connemara - to Dublin
Stop At: Ballynahinch Castle, Recess, Connemara, Recess, Co. Galway, Ireland
From Limerick, we venture on to Galway aboard our Emerald Isle Express train with light lunch on board. Our trip today highlights the savage beauty of Connemara and will include the Quiet Man Bridge and afternoon tea in Ballinahinch Castle. Afterwards, we make our way back to Galway City centre. There, we board the Emerald Isle Express which will bring us back to Dublin. Entertainment and dinner on board. Overnight stay in the Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
Duration: 1 hour
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in Adare Manor.
• Lunch: Enjoy a light lunch aboard the train, followed by afternoon tea in Ballinahinch Castle.
• Dinner: Enjoy dinner aboard the Emerald Isle Express train en route to Dublin.
Accommodation included: Overnight, once again, at the five-star Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
Day 8: Scattering Day
Stop At: 1 Merrion Square E, Dublin 2 Ireland
Scattering Day. Individual transfers from your hotel to Dublin airport. We strongly advise, however, that for your own relaxation and comfort, you spend another night in Dublin to rest, after the week of touring, and enjoy some free time in Ireland’s bustling capital. We would be delighted to arrange these extra nights for you in our partner 4* or 5* hotels (your hotel-airport transfer will be available on the day of your departure, should you choose this option).
Duration: 12 hours
Meals included:
• Breakfast: Enjoy breakfast in the Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
No accommodation included on this day.
Included
- 7x Breakfast
- 7x Dinner
- 6x Lunch
- Accommodation included: 7 nights
- All Fees and Taxes
- Exclusive Dublin city tour.
- All meals included.
- Morning coffee and afternoon tea each day.
- All drinks on the train (Our train is the only train in the world that does draft Guinness!).
- Side tours to Waterford Crystal, Blarney Castle, Cobh, the Ring of Kerry & the Cliffs of Moher.
- Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle.
- Renowned Railtours Ireland host throughout.
- All luggage taken care of from start to finish.
- Two 48hour Hop On/Off Dublin City Sightseeing Tour Tickets pp.
- Personal meet and greet at Dublin Airport or Ferry Port.
- Transfers to and from Dublin Airport or Ferry Port to your fivestar Merrion Hotel.
- Entry/Admission - Merrion Square
- Entry/Admission - Mount Juliet Estate
- Entry/Admission - Blarney Castle & Gardens
- Entry/Admission - Cobh Heritage Centre -The Queenstown Story
- Entry/Admission - Bunratty Castle and Folk Park
- Entry/Admission - Adare Manor Golf Club
- Entry/Admission - Ballynahinch Castle
Additional
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Most travelers can participate
- This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate
Features
Tourism
85%
Cultural
75%
Original
15%
You may also like
See all 26 Collections
Click to discover other experiences
See all
Collections
Cathedral & Castle
42 Activities
Collections
Cliffs of Moher
40 Activities
Collections
Wicklow Mountains
39 Activities
Collections
Giant's Causeway
33 Activities
Collections
South Coast
30 Activities
Collections
North Coast
19 Activities
Collections
City Tour
31 Activities
Collections
Hop-On Hop-Off
9 Activities
Collections
Whiskey
20 Activities
Collections
Guinness Tour
11 Activities
