Is the train travel included in the price?

Yes. The price includes six days aboard the private Emerald Pullman heritage train and First Class Enterprise scheduled service from Dundalk to Belfast on day 6 and from Belfast to Dublin on day 8. All drinks and light snacks on the Emerald Pullman are included.

What is the Emerald Pullman?

A 60-year-old private heritage Pullman train operated by Railtours Ireland First Class. It features a full bar serving draught Guinness and a snack car, and carries passengers in Pullman-style comfort.

Is the tour escorted?

Yes. Railtours Ireland First Class Hosts accompany throughout the tour.

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 in your hotel. Dinner is included the first night at the Great Southern Hotel and both nights at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. Lunch is included on days 1, 2, 3, and 7. Drinks and light snacks are served on board the Emerald Pullman.

When does this tour run?

Railtours Ireland First Class has announced departures in June and September 2026.

Railtours Ireland First Class · Private rail tour

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

Eight-day private Pullman heritage train tour across Ireland from Dublin to Belfast

Railtours Ireland First Class operates the Emerald Pullman, a bespoke eight-day journey through Ireland aboard a 60-year-old heritage train and scheduled First Class service. The tour begins in Dublin and travels to Killarney for three nights, where guests enjoy coach excursions to Blarney Castle, Cork, Cobh (the last port of the Titanic), and the Ring of Kerry with a sheepdog demonstration. The itinerary moves to Clifden on the Emerald Pullman, offering two nights at Abbeyglen Castle Hotel with a Connemara tour covering the Sky Road and Kylemore Abbey. The final two nights are in Belfast, reached by scheduled First Class Enterprise train, with an optional Giant's Causeway coach tour. Throughout, Railtours Ireland First Class Hosts provide guidance, and the heritage train features a full bar serving draught Guinness and a snack car. All transfers, tours, admissions, most meals, and seven nights in four-star hotels are included.

What to know before you look closer

Day 6 involves a coach transfer from Clifden to Westport and an onward journey by scheduled First Class Enterprise train to Belfast; the Emerald Pullman does not operate north of Dundalk
Single supplement pricing and availability not listed in the operator's published materials; confirm with Railtours Ireland First Class before booking

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 Emerald Pullman at Dublin Connolly Station and stop for a VIP factory and showroom tour at the House of Waterford Crystal before travelling through the Suir Valley to Killarney
Day 2Coach transfer to Blarney Castle, explore Cork city, and visit Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic, before returning by train to Killarney
Day 3Ring of Kerry luxury coach tour with a sheepdog demonstration overlooking Dingle Bay, or free day in Killarney National Park
Day 5Connemara tour taking in the Sky Road and Kylemore Abbey, with a free morning in Clifden
Day 7Coach tour up the Antrim coast road via the Glens of Antrim to the Giant's Causeway with views of Dunluce Castle, or free day in Belfast

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 the train travel included in the price?: Yes. The price includes six days aboard the private Emerald Pullman heritage train and First Class Enterprise scheduled service from Dundalk to Belfast on day 6 and from Belfast to Dublin on day 8. All drinks and light snacks on the Emerald Pullman are included.
What is the Emerald Pullman?: A 60-year-old private heritage Pullman train operated by Railtours Ireland First Class. It features a full bar serving draught Guinness and a snack car, and carries passengers in Pullman-style comfort.
Is the tour escorted?: Yes. Railtours Ireland First Class Hosts accompany throughout the tour.
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 in your hotel. Dinner is included the first night at the Great Southern Hotel and both nights at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. Lunch is included on days 1, 2, 3, and 7. Drinks and light snacks are served on board the Emerald Pullman.
When does this tour run?: Railtours Ireland First Class has announced departures in June and September 2026.

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Railtours Ireland First Class