Is train travel included?

Yes. The package includes six days on the private Emerald Pullman heritage train and First Class travel on the scheduled Enterprise train from Dundalk to Belfast (day 6) and Belfast to Dublin (day 8), plus onboard drinks and snacks on the Emerald Pullman.

Is this tour escorted?

Yes. Railtours Ireland First Class Hosts travel throughout the eight days. All transfers, tours, and admissions are organized and managed.

Which hotels are included?

Three nights at the four-star Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, two nights at the four-star Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Clifden, and two nights at the four-star Europa Hotel in Belfast.

What meals are included?

Full Irish breakfast each morning at your hotel, dinner on nights 1, 4, and 5, lunch on days 1, 2, 3, and 7, and a Champagne Welcome Reception at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. Drinks and light snacks are served throughout travel on the Emerald Pullman.

Railtours Ireland First Class has scheduled departures in June and September 2026, with pricing from GBP 4,449 per person.

What is not included?

Dinners on days 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8. Optional activities such as golf at Connemara Championship Links are not included.

Railtours Ireland First Class · Private rail tour

The Emerald Pullman - 7-Night/8-Day Private Rail Tour from Dublin

Private heritage train through Ireland from Dublin to Belfast in eight days

Railtours Ireland First Class offers an eight-day private rail journey through Ireland aboard the Emerald Pullman, a 60-year-old heritage train with a full bar serving draught Guinness and an onboard snack car. You depart Dublin Connolly Station and travel through southern and western Ireland, staying in four-star hotels in Killarney, Clifden, and Belfast, before returning to Dublin on the scheduled First Class Enterprise train. The itinerary balances guided experiences with flexibility: days include VIP access to the House of Waterford Crystal, Blarney Castle, a Ring of Kerry coach tour with a sheepdog demonstration, a Connemara tour featuring the Sky Road and Kylemore Abbey, and a journey up the Antrim coast to the Giant's Causeway. Several days offer a choice between a guided tour and a free day in the destination. Onboard hosts accompany the group throughout, and all transfers, tours, admissions, and most meals are included. This tour suits repeat rail travellers, couples seeking comfort and choice, and those drawn to Irish history and countryside.

What to know before you look closer

Day 3 and day 7 offer a choice between a guided tour and a free day; confirm which you prefer when booking.
Day 5 includes an optional paid round of golf at Connemara Championship Links, not part of the standard package.
The transition from the private Emerald Pullman to the scheduled First Class Enterprise train occurs on day 6 at Dundalk and again on day 8 from Belfast.

Day by day

Day 1overnight: Great Southern Hotel, Killarney
Dublin to Killarney Via Waterford
Check in at Dublin Connolly Station and board the private Emerald Pullman for Waterford, stopping for a VIP factory and showroom tour at the House of Waterford Crystal, then continue via the Suir Valley, Tipperary and Limerick Junction to Killarney.
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Day 2railovernight: Great Southern Hotel, Killarney
Killarney to Cork, Blarney Castle and Cobh
Board the Emerald Pullman for Mallow, then transfer by coach to Blarney Castle (lunch stop), a Cork city tour and the port of Cobh, before returning by train to Killarney via Mallow.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3overnight: Great Southern Hotel, Killarney
The Ring of Kerry or Free Day in Killarney
A luxury coach tour of the Ring of Kerry with a pub lunch stop and a sheepdog demonstration overlooking Dingle Bay, or a free day to enjoy Killarney and Killarney National Park.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4overnight: Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden
Killarney to Galway (via Mallow, Limerick Junction and Ennis)
The Emerald Pullman departs Killarney for Limerick, Ennis and Athenry, arriving in Galway with the afternoon free to explore, before transferring through Connemara to the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Clifden for a Champagne reception and included dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5overnight: Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden
Tour of Connemara
A free morning in Clifden, then an afternoon tour of Connemara taking in the Sky Road and Kylemore Abbey (an optional round of golf at Connemara Championship Links is also possible). Dinner included at the hotel.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 6railovernight: Europa Hotel, Belfast
Clifden to Westport to Belfast (via Dublin Connolly Station)
Depart Clifden for Westport to rejoin the Emerald Pullman, travelling via Athlone, Tullamore and Dublin Connolly Station before continuing by First Class Enterprise scheduled train from Dundalk to Belfast's Grand Central Station.
Meals: Breakfast
Day 7overnight: Europa Hotel, Belfast
Tour of the Giant's Causeway or Free Day in Belfast
A coach tour up the Antrim coast road via Carnlough and the Glens of Antrim to the Giant's Causeway (lunch stop), with a view of Dunluce Castle, or a free day in Belfast.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 8rail
Belfast to Dublin Connolly
Depart Belfast Grand Central Station on the First Class Enterprise scheduled train for the final journey to Dublin Connolly, where the tour ends.
Meals: Breakfast

The moments this trip is built around

Day 1Board the private Emerald Pullman at Dublin Connolly and travel via Waterford (stopping for a VIP tour of the House of Waterford Crystal), then through the Suir Valley to Killarney.
Day 2Travel by Emerald Pullman to Mallow, then coach to Blarney Castle for lunch, Cork city tour, and Cobh, the port where the Titanic made its final stop.
Day 4The Emerald Pullman carries you from Killarney through Limerick and Ennis to Galway, then transfer through Connemara to Clifden for a Champagne reception at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel.
Day 7Coach tour up the Antrim coast road past the Glens of Antrim and Dunluce Castle to the Giant's Causeway, with lunch at the site.

Included

Champagne Welcome Reception
Emerald Pullman - your private, exclusive heritage train for 6 days.
First Class Enterprise scheduled Train from Dundalk to Belfast on day 6 and from Belfast to Dublin on day 8 (inclusive of onboard drinks and snacks).
All drinks and light snacks on board the Emerald Pullman private train.
x3 nights at the 4* Great Southern Hotel, Killarney.
x2 nights at the 4* Abbeyglen Castle Hotel, Clifden.
x2 nights at the 4* Europa Hotel, Belfast.
Full Irish breakfast in your hotel each morning
Dinner included the first night at the Great Southern Hotel
Dinner included both nights at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel
Champagne Welcome Reception at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel
All transfers, tours & admissions.
Services of Railtours Ireland First Class Hosts – throughout.
All taxes, including VAT.

Questions travellers ask

Is train travel included?: Yes. The package includes six days on the private Emerald Pullman heritage train and First Class travel on the scheduled Enterprise train from Dundalk to Belfast (day 6) and Belfast to Dublin (day 8), plus onboard drinks and snacks on the Emerald Pullman.
Is this tour escorted?: Yes. Railtours Ireland First Class Hosts travel throughout the eight days. All transfers, tours, and admissions are organized and managed.
Which hotels are included?: Three nights at the four-star Great Southern Hotel in Killarney, two nights at the four-star Abbeyglen Castle Hotel in Clifden, and two nights at the four-star Europa Hotel in Belfast.
What meals are included?: Full Irish breakfast each morning at your hotel, dinner on nights 1, 4, and 5, lunch on days 1, 2, 3, and 7, and a Champagne Welcome Reception at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. Drinks and light snacks are served throughout travel on the Emerald Pullman.
When does it depart?: Railtours Ireland First Class has scheduled departures in June and September 2026, with pricing from GBP 4,449 per person.
What is not included?: Dinners on days 2, 3, 6, 7, and 8. Optional activities such as golf at Connemara Championship Links are not included.

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Railtours Ireland First Class