Join Carroll Brown’s
“Small Towns and Snugs”
Tour of Ireland October 10 – 18, 2023
Cost – $2,599 land only
Limited Single accommodations available for a supplemental payment of $539
This tour is SOLD OUT!
To join the waiting list, please e-mail
Andrea@IsleInnTours.com
Flight Information
Optional Group Airfare Available from Charlotte to Dublin on American Airlines for $1279 Per Person in Main Cabin/Economy Class including seat-assignments and one checked item of luggage. Premium Economy and Business class along with connecting flights from across the USA may be available, please enquire when booking.
Expected flight details, subject to change by the airline:
CLT – DUB AA 724 departs at 4:50 pm on October 10, and arrives in Dublin on October 11 at 5:20 am
DUB – CLT AA 725 departs at 11:15 am on October 18, and arrives in Charlotte October18 at 2:25 pm
Expected Itinerary
Departure Day
Tuesday, October 10th
Depart on your overnight flight from the US to Dublin, Ireland. Those choosing the optional group air will depart from Charlotte on American Airlines # 724 at 4:50pm. Group air also includes transportation from the Dublin Airport to Athlone on the day of arrival and from Trim Castle Hotel to the Dublin Airport on the day of departure. Anyone not traveling aboard the group flights may avail of the ground transportation to and from Dublin airport, please ensure you provide your flight details to Isle Inn Tours and plan to arrive prior to the final group air arrival time to ensure a timely departure – the coach cannot wait for late arrivals.
Pre-nights or post-nights can be booked if you would like to extend your tour or make sure you are well rested when the group tour begins.
You may book flights outside of the group’s arrival and departure but will be responsible for making your way to/from the airport to the hotel.
Day 1
Wednesday, October 11
Welcome to Ireland! Arrive early morning in Dublin after your overnight flight and be met by your knowledgeable and entertaining Irish driver/guide. Guests will be met in the arrivals hall and escorted to your waiting coach for the start of the tour. With the early arrival, you have a full day in Ireland to begin enjoying the culture, history, and music of The Emerald Isle – a place of fascinating antiquity, great “craic” and as you will soon discover, wonderful Irish hospitality.
After a 90 minute journey, we arrive at our hotel in the town of Athlone where your room is waiting as we will have guaranteed early check-in. Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then relax or go explore the town. Enjoy a “welcome to Ireland” dinner as a group at our hotel tonight. We’ll be sure to visit Sean’s Bar this evening, the oldest pub in Ireland.
Overnight: Radisson BLU, Athlone (B, D)
Day 2
Thursday, October 12
After breakfast, depart Athlone for Galway City, said to be the “most Irish” city in Ireland. On arrival, enjoy a short orientation tour onboard the coach where the driver will point out numerous things to see and do before you disembark to discover the city on your own. Spend the free time to enjoy a stroll through the cobbled stone streets, enjoy some shopping, or grab a coffee. After time exploring the city, we’ll drive west into the wild and wonderful Connemara region and through the Inagh Valley passing heather covered mountains and picturesque lakes. The vista is ever changing from day to day as the slightest change in the weather is reflected in the lakes and mountains. If time permits, a quick photo stop at Kylemore Abbey, a stunning lakeside property and said to be the most photographed spot in Ireland. 
The highlight of the day will be a cruise along Ireland’s only fjord, Killary. Sit back and enjoy some of Ireland’s finest scenery from the comfort of a luxurious catamaran. Complimentary tea and scones will be served on board. Arrive in the charming town of Westport in the early evening with some free time before dinner and a fun-filled evening of music. We’ll be sure to make it to Matt Malloy’s, one of the premier music pubs in Ireland.
Overnight: The Wyatt, Westport (B, D)
Day 3
Friday, October 13
After a lively night on the town we’ll take a quiet morning today to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before we discover spectacular Achill Island, where every turn reveals another “Kodak Moment”. Our drive today will feature some of the most picturesque touring in the Northwest. Starting at Clew Bay, which is reputed to have 365 islands, we will continue via Newport and across the Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island.
We will meander along the Wild Atlantic Way to capture the wild and wonderful scenic views of steeply sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean, all the while being entertained with lore’s & legends by our entertaining driver. Near Slievemore we will be able to see the Deserted Village, an archeological gem long since abandoned by the ancient people who once inhabited it. We’ll learn of the hard scrabble existence of the earliest inhabitants on this remote island. Return to Westport with time to enjoy the unique and charming heritage town that is nestled safe at the foot of towering Croagh Patrick, overlooking Clew Bay and its enchanting islands. We’re on our own tonight to explore one of the many lively pubs or restaurants of this lovely town.
Overnight: The Wyatt, Westport (B)
Day 4
Saturday, October 14
Following a delicious full Irish breakfast, we’re underway to discover the art of herding with sheepdogs while admiring the stunning views of Benbulben Mountain and the Atlantic Ocean. We will visit a working Irish farm, meet some of the world’s smartest dogs working in their natural environment, learn how they are looked after and trained, and watch as they move sheep around the farm. We’ll continue on with a stop in the town of Donegal. In the very heart of the county town, towering over the River Eske, stands Donegal Castle. We’ll take a tour of the castle before having some free time to explore the town. We’ll arrive early this evening with time to relax or explore the lovely little town of Ballybofey before dinner at our hotel. Hopefully everyone is ready to hear some music tonight!
Overnight: Kee’s Hotel, Ballybofey (B, D)
Day 5
Sunday, October 15
Prepare for the awesome natural beauty of Slieve League. Swooping down from the mountain of Slieve League, the cliffs are among the highest sea cliffs in Europe. From the highest point it’s a staggering 609m (1,998 feet) drop into the swirling Atlantic Ocean below. Before arriving, we stop in at the Slieve League Cliffs Centre for some local insight and legends at this family-run center. Following some time marveling at the natural beauty, we stop in the Heritage town of Ardara, We’ll have time to grab lunch and perhaps do a bit of shopping. This heritage town is a major center for the manufacture of hand-woven tweed with several shops along the main street selling tweeds and hand-knitted sweaters. If shopping isn’t your thing, the pubs of Ardara are welcoming and friendly and visitors can experience a rich mix of traditional music. We’ll return to our hotel, or if time permits, Carroll might have some additional sightseeing adventures for the group.
Overnight: Kee’s Hotel, Ballybofey (B, D)
Day 6
Monday, October 16
This morning after a leisurely breakfast we will travel south to Trim in County Meath. Trim is perfectly picturesque and it’s no wonder the creators of the movie ‘Braveheart’ chose Trim and its surroundings as the location for their epic film. One look at Trim Castle’s stony outline against a dramatic Irish sky and images of valiant warriors and timid monks spring to life. Along the way we’ll pass through Boyne Valley to visit the Bru Na Boinne Visitor Center where we will learn about the fascinating Megalithic Passage Tombs of Newgrange, Knowth and Dowth. We will have a tour of the prehistoric site, Newgrange a UNESCO designated World Heritage Site where we discover over 5000 years of human history. We’ll arrive late this afternoon with time to enjoy the town of Trim before dinner with the group.
Overnight: Trim Castle Hotel (B)
Day 7
Tuesday, October 17
After breakfast, we will go into Dublin City where we will enjoy a sightseeing tour around the city on our coach. Our driver will acquaint us with Dublin City pointing out Oscar Wilde in Marion Square, Old city Hall, St. Steven’s Green, the statue of James Joyce and Molly Malone, the doors of Dublin and Ha’ Penny Bridge, Trinity College and Grafton Street to name a few sites. Enjoy free time for independent sightseeing (or shopping). The Book of Kells and Old Library located at Trinity College or Dublin Castle might be of interest to some. This afternoon we’ll continue to the Guinness Storehouse as a group where we can explore exhibits with over 250 years of creative history. The tour ends in the Gravity Bar with a pint of Guinness and a great 360-degree view of Dublin. Farewell to Ireland session at our hotel tonight.
Overnight: Trim Castle Hotel (B, D)
Day 8
Wednesday, October 18
For those who are on the group flight, depart the hotel and arrive Dublin Airport with time for last minute Duty-Free shopping before return flight to Charlotte on American Airlines # 725 at 11:15am arriving at 2:25pm. If you have booked your own flight and the times work with the transfer, or you have booked post night/s in Dublin, you are welcome to take the transfer as well. (B)
B – Breakfast
L – Lunch
D – Dinner
Admissions Included/Tour Highlights
- 7 nights accommodation in wonderful hotels selected for the group
- Accommodations at Radisson BLU Athlone, Athlone (guaranteed early check-in on arrival)
- Full Irish breakfast daily in the hotel
- 5 evening meals as described in the itinerary
- Fully escorted via deluxe motor-coach
- Services of an experienced Irish driver/guide
- Porterage of one suitcase per person
- All service charges and local government taxes
- Admissions and entry as described in the itinerary
Payment Schedule
A $750 per person non-refundable deposit is required at time of booking to secure your spot on the tour
A 2nd payment of $1000 per person will be due March 20, 2023
Final Payment must be received no later than July 10, 2023
Tour price is per person based on double occupancy
Travel Insurance is STRONGLY suggested.
Trip insurance is available for additional cost through Travel Guard (approximately 8% of total tour price) and is strongly recommended. Visit https://isleinntours.com/travel-protection/ to learn more. You can click through to Travel Guard’s website to purchase from here as well.
Important to Note
Weather and other circumstances beyond our control may suggest or require changes to the itinerary.
Flight times are subject to change and are set by the airline.
This tour is subject to the terms and conditions listed on www.isleinntours.com. Mobility requirement is moderate.
Elements NOT INCLUDED in the tour price of $2599 include
- Airfare
- Gratuity to driver/guide, hotel/wait staff, etc.
- Meals where not indicated
- Alcoholic beverages unless otherwise indicated
To secure your spot on the tour, please click on Book Now below or call 703-997-6725 or e-mail Andrea@IsleInnTours.com
