The Railway Touring Company · Escorted tour

The Emerald Explorer - May 2026

The Emerald Explorer - May 2026, a rail journey with The Railway Touring Company

From Dublin to Westport, Waterford to the Cliffs of Moher, this rail tour distils Ireland's proud culture, heritage and history into 9 days of memorable highlights.

Day by day

  1. Day 1overnight: Dublin

    First Class Avanti service to Holyhead and ferry crossing to Dublin

    Meet your Tour Manager this morning in the First Class Lounge at London Euston, before you travel First Class on an Avanti Service to Holyhead. On arrival, you transfer to Holyhead Ferry Terminal for a ferry crossing over the Irish Sea to Dublin, then to your hotel for the next two nights. A welcome dinner is served at the hotel this evening.

  2. Day 2overnight: Dublin

    Guided tour of Dublin and Guinness Storehouse visit

    A guided coach tour of Dublin with a refreshment break in Phoenix Park, followed by lunch and a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the city at leisure. Dinner is served at your hotel this evening.

  3. Day 3overnight: Athlone

    Guided tour of Athlone Castle, River Shannon cruise and visit to Clonmacnoise Monastery

    You transfer from Dublin to Athlone for a guided tour of Athlone Castle, then a private charter cruise along the River Shannon, followed by a visit to Clonmacnoise Monastery, founded on the banks of the Shannon in the 6th Century. You transfer to a hotel, your base for the next two nights.

  4. Day 4railovernight: Athlone

    Visit to Connemara Celtic Crystal and visit to Galway

    You travel by train westward to Westport for a visit to Kylemore Abbey and Gardens and Connemara Celtic Crystal, one of the last surviving Irish crystal factories, then depart by coach to Galway to explore ancient sites including St. Nicholas' Collegiate Church, before returning by train to Athlone for dinner.

  5. Day 5overnight: Bunratty

    Cliffs of Moher and Lartigue Monorail and Museum

    A scenic coach tour of the Cliffs of Moher with photo stops, pausing at Kinvara for refreshments, then on to Listowel to visit the Lartigue Monorail and Museum, a steam powered monorail that ran between Listowel and Ballybunion from 1888 to 1924. You travel to Bunratty, where you'll stay for the next two nights, with a Medieval Banquet at Bunratty Castle this evening.

  6. Day 6overnight: Bunratty

    Visit to Cobh Titanic Experience and Blarney Castle

    A visit to the Cobh Titanic Experience, Cobh being the last port of call for the Titanic in 1912, then on to Blarney Village and historic Blarney Castle & Gardens, built in 1446, with time to kiss the Blarney Stone. You return to your hotel for dinner.

  7. Day 7railovernight: Wexford

    Waterford Crystal and Private Charter on the Waterford Suir Valley Railway

    You travel by coach to Limerick Station for a train trip to Waterford and a guided tour of The House of Waterford Crystal, then enjoy a private charter on the Waterford Suir Valley Railway, Ireland's longest narrow-gauge railway, with panoramic views of the River Suir. You transfer to Wexford Town for dinner and overnight accommodation.

  8. Day 8railovernight: Dublin

    Explore Wexford, Celtic dinner and music evening at the Arlington Hotel

    Leisure time to explore Wexford, then you depart by train to Dublin and transfer to your hotel. In the evening you enjoy a Celtic Night with dinner, traditional Irish music, and dancing at the famous Arlington Hotel.

  9. Day 9

    Ferry crossing to Holyhead and First Class Avanti service to London Euston

    After breakfast you meet the rest of your group with your cases for a coach transfer to the ferry terminal and depart Dublin by ferry to Holyhead, then a First Class Avanti Service to London Euston.

Included

  • 8 Nights accommodation with breakfast
  • 8 Dinners
  • First Class rail travel from London Euston to Holyhead and return
  • All visits, train, coach and ferry travel as detailed in the itinerary
  • The services of a Tour Manager

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