I am excited to let you know that all our hotels have been booked for the 2024 Ireland tour. I’ve stayed in every one of these previously and vouch that they are all great. I think you’ll love them so I want to show them to you right away. Here they are:
Day 1, Friday September 13: The Gresham (Dublin)
The Gresham is a historic hotel right in the heart of central Dublin. The location cannot be beat. It is on O’Connell Street, which is the main artery through central Dublin, and is directly across the street from the GPO, which is the General Post Office building that served as the headquarters of the Irish revolutionaries in the 1916 Easter Rising. It is very close to the Temple Bar (bars and pubs) and Grafton Street (pedestrian shopping) areas.
It is actually now called the Hotel Riu Plaza at the Gresham. It was renovated in the early 2000s so, although it was originally built in 1817, it is up to modern standards. It has a very large breakfast area and a nice bar in the lobby as well.
Your tour includes this hotel for one night before we head out to the west coast. If you want an extra day (or two) just let me know and I will try to extend your stay.
Hotel Riu Plaza at The Gresham
- Class: 4 stars
- Hotels.com: 8.6
- TripAdvisor: 4 stars
Days 2 and 3, Saturday and Sunday, September 14-15: The Killarney International Hotel (Killarney)
The International is a wonderful hotel right in the heart of Killarney. It is only a few minutes drive to Killarney National Park, so we’ll be able to enjoy the park during the day but have plenty of options for eating and drinking in Killarney at night.
This hotel was built in the mid-1800’s and has served as a hotel since 1906. It has been owned and operated by the same family since 1976.
For nice weather days (yes, they do happen in Ireland!), there is a new outdoor seating area in front of the hotel. They have a right proper pub called Hannigans as well. Breakfasts are top-notch.
The Killarney International Hotel
- Class: 4 stars
- Hotels.com: 9.2
- TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars
Days 4 and 5, Monday and Tuesday, September 16-17: Dingle Skellig Hotel (Dingle)
Dingle Skellig is the best hotel in Dingle, period.
It sits just outside of central Dingle, overlooking the bay. You’ll get some of the best views of the bay at sunrise and sunset.
Dingle Skellig Hotel will be a welcome sight for us after a full day of touring the Ring of Kerry and, weather permitting, visiting Skellig Michael. After that, you’ll have a free day in Dingle. You can explore the town or headlands, although you may not want to leave the hotel.
Dingle Skellig Hotel
- Class: 4 star
- Hotels.com: 8.6
- TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars
Day 6, Wednesday, September 18: The Hardiman (Galway)
I am very excited because this is my first tour where I have been able to book the Hardiman. We previously stayed at this hotel when it had a different name (Hotel Meyrick), but I haven’t been able to book it for my prior tours.
It sits right on Eire Square, which is considered the heart of Galway. You’ll be steps away from the pedestrian-only part of Galway, full of shops, restaurants, and pubs.
This has been icon of Galway since 1852. It was long known as the Great Southern Hotel and hosted dignitaries from Prince Louis Napoleon of France to Charles Lindbergh. In 2019 it was refurbished and renamed the Hardiman Hotel.
The Hardiman
- Class: 4 star
- Hotels.com: 9.0
- TripAdvisor: 4 stars
Days 7 and 8, Thursday and Friday, September 19-20: Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (Clifden)
At last, we get to the star of the show: the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel.
This castle was built in 1832 and has served as a hotel since the 1960’s. Enjoy sitting by the fire in the piano bar and learning the history of the castle and area from the owner. We’ll have dinner upstairs in the dining room, and I think you’ll find this to be a real treat.
The hotel has a great view for sunset pictures, and it is walking distance to the charming town of Clifden.
Abbeyglen Castle Hotel
- Class: 4 star
- Hotels.com: 9.0
- TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars
Day 9, Saturday, September 21: Radisson Blu Royal (Dublin)
We’ll round out the tour by getting back to a sense of normality in Dublin. But this isn’t any old Radisson hotel – the Blu hotels are their upscale places. This hotel is right in the middle of central Dublin and will serve as a great base for exploring Dublin as well as last-minute souvenir shopping and our farewell dinner.
Radisson Blu Royal
- Class: 4 star
- Hotels.com: 9.0
- TripAdvisor: 4.5 stars