John Stone Tour of Ireland
Taking Country Back To Its Roots
Aug 29 - Sept 6, 2027
Land only per person - $3,499 Double Occupancy, $4,000 Single Occupancy
Optional Group Flight Estimate $1,000*
Sun Aug 29
Depart Nashville on our group flight or on your own from your home city
for overnight flights to Dublin. Group flight will have dinner and light breakfast service.
Mon Aug 30
Arrive in Dublin where we will meet our Irish driver/guide and board our luxury coach. Our first stop will be Malahide Castle - a magnificent 12th century medieval fortress featuring an elegant blend of architectural styles on 250 acres of parkland. This afternoon we will visit the Guinness Storehouse - the home of the dark stout. Journey through the history and process of this legendary drink and make your way up to the Gravity Bar for your included pint - known as the best pint of Guinness anywhere in the world while you look out at the sweeping 360 views of Dublin. You’ll have the opportunity to shop at the Guinness store and get a delicious lunch. We will check into our lovely hotel and enjoy a welcome dinner together. (D)
Tue Aug 31
Wake up on Ireland time after a good night’s sleep and experience your first Irish breakfast - a feast, to be sure! You’ll enjoy a hearty Irish breakfast every day of the tour. Pack up today and we will be off to the west coast of Ireland known as the Wild Atlantic Way. On our way out of town we will take a panoramic tour of Dublin and see some iconic locations such as The GPO, Dublin Castle and we will stop at Christchurch Cathedral which was founded around 1030 by the Viking King Sitric Silkenbeard. This imposing building is the oldest in Dublin. On to Athlone next where we will stop at Sean’s Bar which claims to be Ireland’s oldest bar just next to Athlone Castle. We will give you time for lunch and a short walk about. We will continue on to Westport, a charming town in County Mayo known for its incredible music scene. Matt Molloy’s Pub will be walking distance from our hotel and the hot place to hear traditional Irish music. The craic (pronounced CRACK - meaning “the fun”) will last late into the night! (B)
Wed Sept 1
Wake up late for a leisurely breakfast or get up and out early if you are the morning type. Today we will take a boat cruise out into Clew Bay, considered to be one of the most beautiful bays in Ireland. Legend says there are 365 islands, one for every day of the year. Clew Bay is home to “squillions” of seals and was the stronghold of Grace O’Malley, the Pirate Queen. This afternoon you will have free time to explore Westport while John gets ready for his show at the Town Hall Theatre. Nashville will rock Westport tonight!!! (B)
Tue Sept 2
After a great night of music, arise at your leisure. Today we will go to Ireland’s largest working sheep farm where you will see the shepherd herd the sheep with the border collies, learn about cutting turf and enjoy more music and delicious homemade scones and tea. We will visit Ireland’s famous mountain where St. Patrick himself climbed to the top to pray and fast for 40 days and is said to have banned the snakes from Ireland. We will stop at the National Famine Memorial - the largest bronze sculpture in Ireland which memorializes the thousands who died trying to escape the Potato Famine in the mid-nineteenth century. This
evening we will gather for a group dinner and enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Westport on our last night here. (B, D)
Wed Sept 3
Fri Sept 3 Pack your bags and load the bus after a late breakfast - we are heading to Galway. On the way we’ll enjoy the breathtaking scenery along the Killary Fjord stopping at Kylemore Abbey - a magnificent 1,000 acre estate that is home to a Benedictine order of nuns. This afternoon we will arrive in Galway - a vibrant city of color and music. After checking into our city center hotel you will have time to explore the shops, bars, cafés and culture of this favorite town and get dinner on your own at one of the many restaurants and pubs. The craic will be mighty tonight!! (B)
Thur Sept 4
Today we will travel through the moonscape of The Burren (which inspired JRR Tolkien’s writing of The Lord of the Rings) to the Cliffs of Moher. At over 700 feet high and having been featured in films such as Harry Potter, Leap Year and the Princess Bride, the Cliffs of Moher are one of Ireland’s most breathtaking scenes. Our next stop will be Bunratty Castle and Folk Park - a 15th century medieval fortress with a living history village. You’ll have time to explore the castle and village and get lunch at Durty Nellie’s traditional pub next door or at Bunratty Village Mills across the street. After arriving back in Galway at our hotel, we will have a group dinner. (B,D)
Fri Sept 5
Today will be our final day in Ireland. You will have the day on your own to explore Galway. Check out the Galway Cathedral, the shops on Quay Street, find the perfect Claddagh ring for yourself, walk down to the Spanish Arch in the Latin Quarter or out onto the Prom along the sea. You may even want to take a dip in the ocean with the locals. Or you may take an optional boat ride out to the Aran Islands to spend the day. Inis Mór has only 800 inhabitants and is a world away from the busyness of the mainland. However you choose to spend your day, we will all gather at Monroe’s Tavern for our farewell dinner and a show by John afterwards. (B, D)
Sat Sept 6
We will transfer to Shannon Airport for our flights home. We will arrive 3 hours before our departure to go through Irish security then to clear US customs so you will arrive back in the United States as a domestic flight. If you are going to Scotland with us, we will also fly out from Shannon Airport to Edinburgh. (B)