What trains are included?

The Emerald Pullman, a private 60-year-old heritage train with a full bar serving draught Guinness and a snack car, operates for six days (Days 1-6). The First Class Enterprise scheduled train carries you from Dundalk to Belfast on Day 6 and from Belfast to Dublin on Day 8. Both include onboard drinks and light snacks.

Is the tour escorted?

Yes, Railtours Ireland First Class Hosts accompany the tour throughout the eight days.

What 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.

Which meals are included?

Full Irish breakfast each morning at your hotel. Dinner is included on Day 1 at the Great Southern Hotel and both nights at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. Lunch is included on Days 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. Drinks and light snacks are served on both trains.

When does the tour depart?

Railtours Ireland First Class offers departures in June and September 2026.

What is included in the price?

The private Emerald Pullman train and First Class Enterprise travel, all hotels, breakfasts and select dinners, a Champagne Welcome Reception, all transfers, coach tours, and admissions (such as Waterford Crystal, Blarney Castle, and the Giant's Causeway). Taxes and VAT are included.

Railtours Ireland First Class · Private rail tour

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

Private heritage Pullman train through Ireland, Dublin to Belfast, 8 days

Railtours Ireland First Class operates the Emerald Pullman, an 8-day private rail tour combining a restored 60-year-old heritage train with four-star hotel stays across Ireland and Northern Ireland. The journey departs Dublin, travels south to Waterford for a tour of the House of Waterford Crystal, continues through Killarney (with a Ring of Kerry coach excursion), explores Cork and the port of Cobh, and heads north through Galway to Connemara and Clifden. From there, guests rejoin the Emerald Pullman at Westport and travel to Belfast via Dublin on the First Class Enterprise scheduled train. A Railtours host accompanies the entire tour. The Emerald Pullman features a full bar serving draught Guinness, a snack car, and Pullman-style seating. Killarney, Clifden, and Belfast each offer free-day options alongside scheduled coach tours of the Ring of Kerry, Connemara, and the Giant's Causeway. This tour suits repeat rail travellers seeking a private heritage experience, couples looking for included dinners and a Champagne reception, and those who prefer guided travel with all logistics arranged.

What to know before you look closer

Days 2, 3, 5, and 7 offer optional free-day alternatives to the scheduled coach tours; confirm which activity you prefer when booking.
The tour includes the Enterprise scheduled train from Dundalk to Belfast (day 6) and Belfast to Dublin (day 8); the Emerald Pullman private train operates for the first five days and part of day 6.
No single or double supplement pricing is stated in the available information; confirm room options and any additional charges with the operator.

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 tour of the House of Waterford Crystal before heading south via the Suir Valley to Killarney.
Day 2Visit Blarney Castle and tour Cork city before arriving at Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic, then return by train to Killarney.
Day 3Coach 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 travels from Killarney through Limerick and Ennis to Galway, then coach transfer through Connemara to Clifden for a Champagne reception.
Day 7Coach tour up the Antrim coast road through the Glens of Antrim to the Giant's Causeway, with a view of Dunluce Castle, or a 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

What trains are included?: The Emerald Pullman, a private 60-year-old heritage train with a full bar serving draught Guinness and a snack car, operates for six days (Days 1-6). The First Class Enterprise scheduled train carries you from Dundalk to Belfast on Day 6 and from Belfast to Dublin on Day 8. Both include onboard drinks and light snacks.
Is the tour escorted?: Yes, Railtours Ireland First Class Hosts accompany the tour throughout the eight days.
What 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.
Which meals are included?: Full Irish breakfast each morning at your hotel. Dinner is included on Day 1 at the Great Southern Hotel and both nights at the Abbeyglen Castle Hotel. Lunch is included on Days 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7. Drinks and light snacks are served on both trains.
When does the tour depart?: Railtours Ireland First Class offers departures in June and September 2026.
What is included in the price?: The private Emerald Pullman train and First Class Enterprise travel, all hotels, breakfasts and select dinners, a Champagne Welcome Reception, all transfers, coach tours, and admissions (such as Waterford Crystal, Blarney Castle, and the Giant's Causeway). Taxes and VAT are included.

Similar journeys

Railtours Ireland First Class