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Railtours Ireland First Class · Private rail tour

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

Private heritage Pullman train circles Ireland from Dublin through Kerry, Galway, and Belfast

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

Railtours Ireland First Class operates the Emerald Pullman, a 7-night, 8-day private rail tour departing Dublin and circling Ireland through County Kerry, County Galway, and Northern Ireland before returning to Dublin. You spend six days aboard the Emerald Pullman, a heritage train built 60 years ago and outfitted with a full bar that serves draught Guinness, a snack car and Pullman-style seating. After Galway, you continue by scheduled First Class Enterprise train to Belfast. The tour stops in four-star hotels in Killarney (three nights), Clifden (two nights) and Belfast (two nights). Most meals are included, along with a VIP tour of the House of Waterford Crystal, visits to Blarney Castle and Cobh (the port where Titanic passengers boarded), a Ring of Kerry coach tour with a sheepdog demonstration, and a Connemara tour taking in Kylemore Abbey. A Railtours Ireland First Class Host accompanies the group throughout.

What to know before you look closer

  • Only two departures are published for 2027 (June and September); confirm your preferred dates early.
  • Days 3 and 7 each offer a choice between a guided coach tour or a free day; unguided time is built into the itinerary.
  • The tour transitions from the private Emerald Pullman to the scheduled First Class Enterprise train on day 6; two rail experiences rather than one continuous charter.

Day by day

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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 Station and receive a VIP tour of the House of Waterford Crystal showroom before heading south through the Suir Valley to Killarney.
  • Day 2Travel by Emerald Pullman to Mallow, then coach to Blarney Castle to kiss the Blarney Stone, continue through Cork city, and visit Cobh, the last port where Titanic passengers embarked.
  • Day 3Choose between a luxury coach tour of the Ring of Kerry with a sheepdog demonstration overlooking Dingle Bay, or a free day exploring Killarney National Park.
  • Day 4The Emerald Pullman departs Killarney for Galway, then transfer through Connemara to Abbeyglen Castle Hotel for a Champagne reception.
  • Day 6Switch to the First Class Enterprise scheduled train at Dundalk for the journey to Belfast, concluding days aboard the private Pullman.

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 in the price?
Yes. Six days aboard the private Emerald Pullman heritage train and two First Class travel days on the scheduled Enterprise train (Dundalk to Belfast on day 6 and Belfast to Dublin on day 8) are included, along with all drinks and snacks on board.
Is the tour guided or independent?
It is guided. Railtours Ireland First Class Hosts accompany you throughout the 8 days. All transfers, tours and admissions are arranged.
Which trains are used?
The private Emerald Pullman, a 60-year-old heritage Pullman train with a full bar and snack car, for the bulk of the journey. The scheduled First Class Enterprise train connects Dundalk to Belfast and Belfast to Dublin.
What are the hotels?
The Great Southern Hotel (4-star, Killarney, three nights), Abbeyglen Castle Hotel (4-star, Clifden, two nights) and the Europa Hotel (4-star, Belfast, two nights).
What meals are included?
Full Irish breakfast each morning in your hotel. Dinner is included on nights 1, 4 and 5. Lunches are included on days 1, 2, 3 and 7. Drinks and snacks are served throughout days on the Emerald Pullman and Enterprise trains.
How much walking is involved?
The itinerary does not specify walking distances or physical demands beyond city tours, castle visits and coach excursions. Contact Railtours Ireland First Class directly to discuss your mobility needs.

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