Irelands Castles Extravaganza

Ireland's Castles Extravaganza is a 9-day luxury small-group tour running November 1–9, 2026, designed for travelers who want to experience Ireland's grandeur from the inside out — literally sleeping in four of the country's finest castle hotels. Beginning in Dublin and sweeping northwest through Sligo, Leitrim, and Donegal before returning to the capital, the tour combines opulent accommodation with an itinerary rich in Irish history, landscape, and culture. All castle hotels are 4 or 5-star with private en-suite facilities, and the hotel list — currently Markree Castle, Lough Rynn, Lough Eske Castle, and Fitzpatrick's Castle — is subject to change if a booking cannot be secured, with a comparable property substituted in its place.

Beyond the castle stays, the itinerary takes guests through some of Ireland's most compelling historical and natural sites. Highlights include the Strokestown House Famine Museum, the prehistoric megalithic tomb at Newgrange (which predates the Egyptian pyramids by 500 years), the soaring sea cliffs of Sliabh Liag — the highest sea-facing cliffs in Europe — a boat ride on Lough Gill, Glencar Waterfall, the Ulster Folk Museum, and a rare visit to watch one of Ireland's last hand-cutting crystal craftsmen at work. One evening features live local musicians, and a free day in Dublin rounds out the trip.

Included in the price are airport transfers to and from Dublin Airport, 8 breakfasts, 2 evening meals, all venue entry fees, a comfortable motor coach with expert driver, a dedicated Secret Ireland Tours guide, entertainment one evening, and all accommodation and transport taxes. Lunches and most evening meals are at guests' own expense, as are international flights, travel insurance, and tips. Guests should not book flights until given the go-ahead by the operator. Full balance is due 30 days before the tour start date, and installment plans are available on request

Location: Ireland, covering Dublin, County Westmeath (Belvedere House), County Roscommon (Strokestown House), County Sligo (Markree Castle, Mullaghmore Coast, Lissadell House, Drumcliff), County Leitrim (Lough Rynn, Lough Key Forest Park, Boyle Abbey, Lough Gill, Glencar Waterfall, Leitrim Crystal, Leitrim Distillery), County Donegal (Lough Eske Castle, Sliabh Liag, Donegal Town), and South Dublin (Fitzpatrick's Castle, Newgrange).

Duration: 9 days / 8 nights, November 1–9, 2026.

Activity Type: This is a sightseeing and cultural immersion tour with a mix of activity levels. Most days involve walking through historic estates, abbey ruins, forest parks, and cliff viewpoints — comfortable, waterproof walking shoes are strongly recommended. The Sliabh Liag coastal walk involves cliff-edge terrain and is more physically demanding. The Lough Gill boat ride is a leisurely, scenic excursion. Day 8 in Dublin is entirely self-guided and at the guest's own pace. No specific fitness level is required, but guests should be comfortable with varied walking surfaces and occasional uneven ground.

Accommodation: All four properties are 4/5-star castle hotels with private en-suite rooms. The hotel list is tentative — if a property cannot be secured, a comparable castle hotel will be substituted.

• Markree Castle, County Sligo (nights 1–2)
• Lough Rynn Castle, County Leitrim (nights 3–4)
• Lough Eske Castle, County Donegal (nights 5–6)
• Fitzpatrick's Castle, South Dublin (nights 7–8)
• Double Occupancy (couple sharing, one double bed) — $3,695 per person | Deposit: $700 | Deadline passed — join waitlist
• Twin Room (two people sharing, two beds) — $3,695 per person | Deposit: $700 | Deadline passed — join waitlist
• Single Occupancy (private room) — $3,895 per person | Deposit: $700 | Deadline passed — join waitlist

All packages are currently waitlisted. A $700 deposit is required upon booking. Full balance is due 30 days before departure. Installment plans are available on request.

Day 1 — Dublin Arrival, Belvedere House, Strokestown & Markree Castle

Guests are collected from Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport at 9am and head west to Belvedere House, a Georgian estate with a rich and turbulent history, including the famous Jealous Wall. The group continues to Strokestown House and its moving Famine Museum before arriving at Markree Castle in Sligo for the first night.

Day 2 — Mullaghmore Coast, Lissadell House & Drumcliff

A scenic coastal drive around Mullaghmore is followed by a visit to Lissadell House in County Sligo — a grand Georgian estate with beautiful gardens long associated with the poet W.B. Yeats. The day closes with a visit to Drumcliff churchyard, Yeats' final resting place.

Day 3 — Lough Key Forest Park & Boyle Abbey

The group departs Markree Castle and heads toward Lough Rynn in County Leitrim, stopping along the way at Lough Key Forest Park — a stunning natural reserve with walks and an island castle ruin — and the 12th-century Boyle Abbey in County Roscommon.

Day 4 — Lough Gill & Glencar Waterfall

A relaxed day of scenery begins with a scenic drive around Lough Gill followed by a boat ride on the lake. The afternoon brings a visit to Glencar Waterfall, one of Ireland's most picturesque natural landmarks.

Day 5 — Leitrim Crystal, Leitrim Distillery & Lough Eske Castle

The group visits Leitrim Crystal to watch one of Ireland's last remaining hand-cutting craftsmen at work, then stops at Europe's smallest church and the local distillery. The tour then arrives early at the five-star Lough Eske Castle in Donegal, with time to explore the castle grounds and walled garden before dinner.

Day 6 — Sliabh Liag & Donegal Town

The morning heads to Sliabh Liag, the highest sea-facing cliffs in Europe, where guests can walk along the cliff edge and take in extraordinary coastal views. The afternoon is spent exploring the shops and restaurants of Donegal Town before returning to the castle.

Day 7 — Ulster Folk Museum, Newgrange & Fitzpatrick's Castle

Departing the northwest, the group visits the Ulster Folk Museum to experience how people lived in historic Ireland, then continues to Newgrange — a megalithic passage tomb that predates the Egyptian pyramids by 500 years. The tour arrives at Fitzpatrick's Castle in South Dublin, just five minutes from the beach, for the final two nights.

Day 8 — Free Day in Dublin

A fully free day to enjoy at leisure. Guests who wish to explore Dublin city center can be dropped off and collected at a set time; those who prefer to relax at the castle are equally welcome to do so.

Day 9 — Departure from Dublin Airport

Guests are returned to Dublin Airport. Return flights should be booked to depart no earlier than 1pm, as travelers must clear both Irish and US customs, which can take considerable time.

• Airport Transfers

We pick you up on day 1 at terminal 2, Dublin airport at 9am. So please book your flight to come in before that time.

• Accommodation

We stay in 4 Irish Castles that are 4/5 Star hotels. Private facilities in each room.

• Food

8 Hearty breakfasts that will keep you going all day. We offer 2 evening meals.

• Bus

We have a great bus company that supplies us with a very comfortable motor coach.

• Driver

We have an expert driver who knows the roads like the back of his hand. He is also great fun.

• Guide

We have an expert Secret Ireland Tours guide to look after you while you are in Ireland.

• Fees

Entry fees into all venues on the itinerary.

• All taxes and Charges

All taxes and charges associated with the accommodation and bus is covered.

• Entertainment

We book some local musicians to entertain us one of the nights while on tour.

• Airfare

We do not deal with flights. We ask you NOT to book your flight until we give you the go-ahead.

• Food

We do not cover lunches and some evening meals

• Travel Insurance

We strongly advise that you purchase insurance to cover you in case you have to cancel your trip for any reasonBelow is a link::https://www.travelexinsurance.com/index.aspx?location=17-0074&go=bp

• Tips

If you feel inclined please tip your driver and guide.