History and Culture Tour: Experience Ireland

Our travel agent really stepped up when Delta cancelled our flight and caused us to start our trip a day late.  She cancelled and rebooked us at hotels and excursions so that when we arrived in Dublin we were all set to begin our adventures.  And it was truly a week of adventure.  From Dublin to Westport to Galway and back to Dublin with stops in Newgrange, Downpatrick Head, Ceide Fields, Kylemore Abbey, Inis Mor and Cliffs of Mohr with a driver we were able to explore on our own timetable and avoid the large groups.  With great suggestions for dinner and music we were able to eat "local" as well as visit the "must sees" as Matt Malloy's in Westport (still the best built Guiness I've had). 

The travel company's contact was helpful and responsive. 

I provided a detailed review for them and I am copying you on it. 

In regard to our Dublin hotel:First, our cab driver from the airport had NO IDEA, never heard of this property, we had no address and neither did he and was annoyed. We finally found it but it was difficult. Putting the address of all properties on the final itinerary would be very helpful!!That said the staff was very friendly, we arrived at 11a.m, they served us tea and then had our room ready by 12:30.They were very helpful, made a dinner reservation at a restaurant which was excellent.  The chef/women who prepared the breakfast was very friendly and the food was excellent!! everything, the tea from tea leaves, the homemade brown bread, all of it.The first thing of note negatively was the cleanliness of the property from the lobby on. The floors were not swept,  and the overall feel was definitely not up to standard. We were in the back building and it was dark hall to our first floor room and the hall steps and area out side our room, where there are 2 chairs and large table had not been swept, cleaned in awhile. The bed for comfortable, good pillows but again not real clean and we had a leak in the ceiling from a problem shower on the second floor. Fortunately it leaked down in the entrance just inside the door to the room. The apologized profusely and thought they had fixed the leak. It was then found to be from another location and we had not more problems. I have notes at home on the rest of the trip that I do want to share but this is as you requested, specific to this property.

Hi again,I am curious what your other clients complained about in regard to their stay at the hotel in Dublin?That said the rest of my review:Dublin:We like the Pig's Ear for dinner very goodNever used tickets for Kilmainham Gaol, timing was not good to get there and back to get ready for dinner. Just didn't work for us. In fact we never used any reservation you made for us for the whole trip. Timing and where we were just never synced up. Did buy a Dublin tour and enjoyed a short tour but then bought a tram pass for a ride.Visited Trinity and the Book of Kells which we really enjoyed and lines were not that long.Ate at a restaurant night 2 on the recommendation of the hotel and it was excellent and we could walk there. Picked up by our driver at 9 AM on Sunday. He had a difficult time locating the hotel but everyone helped him get there!Headed to CORKEnjoy the Kilkenny Castle tour.Did go to Rock of Cashel, disappointed other that the view. We definitely could have skipped that other than a brief stop at the local pub!The hotel in Cork was a nice hotel although tough to walk anywhere due to the location. We ate there first night and it was very good. View was greatBreakfast was good but powdered eggs! Good buffet choices otherwise.Went to downtown Cork for dinner the second headed in a taxi to a cafe when the driver told us it was an ALL VEGAN restaurant and the chef was well known but my husband was NO WAY and we needed to get a recommendation from the driver and then chose one of his restaurants in the area which was good. Off to Kenmare:Loved the hotel--room was really nice, big comfortable. Would go there again. Great breakfast and could order from the menu. Very accomodating. Walked to everything. Nothing opens early!Did not kiss the Blarney stone my husband didn't want to waitDid not tour Muckross but took in the beauty and took photos of both places.Drive thru Killarney and walked aroundWent back to Kenmare. Ate at hotel first night and then a restaurant the next night which was very good. Enjoyed some Irish music in one of the pubs in Kenmare. Nice town much quieter than Killarney. Loved the Beara Peninsula, stopped in Castletownbere and shopped. Left for Galway;Cliffs of Moher beautiful but after 35 years so different and commercialized. The hotel in Galway nice good location. Room very small and the shower did not work properly only had boiling hot water. No maintenance on site to repair and after a bit of a struggle they moved us to a suite on the 5th floor, so hot, windows don't open wide. Would have been great if they did not have a heat wave. Breakfast was very good. Ate at a restaurant on the Corner which was very good. Next nigh at a local place. Local pub was nice to stop in and get a drink. Went to Croagh Patrick and walked just up to the statue. Beautiful views. Westport is very nice.We loved Connemara. Stopped in Cong so my husband could see John Wayne, and the site of the Quiet Man filming. He loved this. Beautiful area.Stopped at Kylemore again beautiful. Would go back to this area.Never used the boat tour tickets. We wanted to head back and the tour was not for another 1.5 hrs and we were done!We ate breakfast and headed toward Malahide and we would have had to hang around to go to the Monastery so we just drove past and did not use these tickets either. Malahide. Like the hotel BUT in a front room and all we heard were buses pulling up to the front door off and on at night and music so loud from the down the street until 1:30 AM! We could sing along that is how clear the words were thru our window. Easy drive to the airport, pretty town, nice shops and we ate in a local  pub NOT the tourist pub because the hotel staff recommend another place that is more local and not so crowded. So it was a good trip and the hotels were good, all the tickets were a waste, and while we stayed 2 nights everywhere ( which worked very well) I still think my husband got tired with the driving a couple of the days. We even cut off 70 miles by paying to take the ferry across the Shannon. The driver was good, informative and the car was comfortable.I hope this helps you improve the experience for others. Regards, Pat

We were extremely pleased with this Ireland travel company and the agent we worked with. This trip was two years in the planning due to multiple delays due to Covid and Julie worked with us every step of the way. The communication between us and her was always prompt and helped make sure we were able to do everything we wanted to do. The trip itself was wonderful. This was our first trip to Ireland and the specific itinerary, along with the suggestions made by Julie, we were able to get a flavor of both "Wild Ireland" and the City of Dublin during the eight days we were there. 

The hotels booked by Julie were impeccable! The accommodations and service in Galway and Limerick were truly 5 stars and possibly beyond. The hotel in Killarney, has amazing service and is less updated, but still very comfortable and in a fabulous location in the town.  

My wife and I strongly recommend Ireland to anyone who has never been and using this travel company for the booking of that trip.

This United Kingdom travel agency was very professional and able to provide great information.  They were very flexible with what we wanted to do and see.  I really enjoyed the schedule that was provided. 

We really enjoyed Waterford Castle.  The room was nice and the staff was pleasent.  It was recommended that we drive to see the Wicklow Mountains on our way back to Dublin.  I would recommend providing directions for a specific point of entry as we got lost on our way (we used google maps which didn't take us to a specific spot to really enjoy the scenery).

We loved, loved, loved the Ireland drivers.  They were very personable and provided us with a lot of local information and recommendations. We also liked the staff and location of the Brooks Hotel.  We would highly recommend for others.  The 2 day pass was really nice - Guiness Store and Jameson Distillery were very fun! 

Our London driver was professional but did not provide any information regarding the area.  The St. Giles Hotel was a nice location, and the room was fine but on the smaller side.  We only had one wash cloth on the first night.  I requested more but they didn't have any for our entire stay.  I also wish they would have provided free Wi-Fi.  We had breakfast at the VQ restraunt and the staff was great.

We enjoyed the 2 day pass in London.  I would have liked a 3 day pass as 2 days is just not long enough!

Claire and her team from the travel agency provided us with the most fabulous vacation touring southern Ireland! We spent two weeks at a leisurely pace exploring much of the attractions, atmosphere and culture of Dublin, Cork, Kinsale, Killarney, the Dingle Peninsula, ring of Kerry, Cliffs of Moher, the Burren, Galway, the Atlantic way, and Connemara! The cities were engaging, and the countryside was so beautiful.Many thanks to Claire and her team as all of our hotels and accommodations, along with our restaurant recommendations, we’re all perfect and we enjoyed everyone of our experiences! We were especially fortunate to have our driver and guide whom we would highly recommend to anyone seeking an individualized experience and he introduced us to Hurling and Gaelic football… So much fun to watch!