Gallery Snaps

The OLM Treasures of Ireland Tour

The OLM tour below is one of many we offer to our visitors. However, it is only an example and we can present other tours for you of varying duration and take in other sites you wish to include. We also offer you the opportunity to 'Create Your Own Tour'. Quite simply, using our wealth of experience, we could help you create your own unique tour of Ireland. You would enjoy the benefits of an OLM experienced and qualified driver/guide and, as with all of our tours, we will make all the accommodation arrangements to suit your needs and desires for you.

Day 1, Meet and Greet, and City of Dublin Tour

Upon your arrival at Dublin Airport, your personal driver/guide will meet and greet you and check everything is in order before departure. We'll then take the short journey to your hotel where you'll be able to check-in, leave your luggage and relax whilst the itinerary is discussed and you enjoy some light refreshments.

Following this you can take a leisurely walk around Dublin. You could take-in a host of sites including: Trinity College where the Book of Kells is displayed, the Guinness Storehouse, Phoenix Park - the home of the President of Ireland, Dublin Castle, the River Liffey and the 1860 Ha'penny Bridge, the National Gallery, St. Patrick's Cathedral, the National Museum, and the famous GPO. Dublin's medieval exhibition, outlining the history of the Vikings in the region is particularly interesting. Alternatively, we could organise a complete guided tour for you.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day2, The Boyne Valley and the Hill of Tara

Your Ireland tour will begin by travelling north into the Boyne Valley to the site where in 1690 one of Ireland's most famous battles took place, a battle that changed Irish history for centuries. From here we will make our way to Newgrange, one of the important passage graves in Europe and which is steeped in mystery. We continue our tour and head for the Hill of Tara where the High Kings of Ireland were seated.

As we make our way back to Dublin, we will visit Malahide Castle and the delightful fishing village of Howth from where spectacular views of the Irish Sea can be seen. You will arrive at your overnight stay in time to unpack and prepare for dinner.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 3, James Joyce Tower and Museum, Glendalough and Kings Island

Our morning begins with a visit to the James Joyce Tower and Museum located in one of several Martello towers built to withstand Napoleon. It was here where Joyce was inspired to write the first setting for his highly acclaimed and controversial novel, Ulysses.

Making our way south into the beautiful county of Wicklow, we head for the quaint village of Glendalough to learn about St. Kevin's 6th century monastery in the Visitor Centre and walk through the lovely grounds to see its round towers, church ruins and its notable Celtic crosses.

Our day tour now takes us on to Waterford where you will stay in a castle on Kings Island. There is a long history here and its location is fascinating. The island is a significant bird-watchers paradise where grey herons, little egret, greenshank amongst many others may be seen.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 4, Kilkenny and the Rock of Cashel

Our day starts by visiting the medieval city of Kilkenny and its magnificent Anglo-Norman castle built by the Butler family who came to these shores in 1171 during the first Norman invasion, and started to building this imposing castle overlooking the River Noir in 1204.

Following your walk around Kilkenny and enjoying lunch with the locals, we make our way to the county of Tipperary and to Cashel where we visit to the iconic Rock of Cashel; one of the most visited and spectacular tourist attractions in Ireland. Its extensive and fascinating history spans centuries and is a true treasure of Ireland.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 5, Cobh and Kinsale

Today we will make our way south west and take in the Old Midleton Distillery. It's a sensitively restored 18th century building, where the story of Irish whiskey will be presented - and tasted! We will make our way to Cobh and visit the Queenstown Heritage Centre where you will learn about the great migration, when 2.5 million adults and children emigrated to North America on "coffin ships" - the name given to an over-insured boat that is worth more sunk than afloat. The 1850s were desperate times in Ireland. You will also learning about the sinking of the cruise liner RMS Lusitania in 1915. This single act is considered to be the reason why the US entered into World War 1

We then find our way to the picturesque medieval and picturesque coastal town of Kinsale with its 17th century Charles Fort. You will have the opportunity to take a walk round the Desmond Wine Museum which tells the story of the Irish contribution to French wine making and trade.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 6, Blarney and Cork

Today, in Kinsale, we will begin with a visit to Charles Fort - the star-shaped bastion was built by the English in the 1670s to protect Kinsale harbour from the attacks of foreign naval forces. Its importance is signalled by the fact it remained in service until 1922 when the British left the town and handed the fort over to the Irish Government.

No vacation to the Emerald Isle would be complete without kissing, "The Stone of Eloquence" or more commonly known as, The Blarney Stone. Here at Blarney Castle you can also look round the notable woollen mills, or simply enjoy the grounds at leisure.

From Blarney and after lunch, we will head for the historic city of Cork - Ireland's second largest city founded by St. Finbarr in 650. Because of its independence and its stubborn resistance to attacks, it became known as 'Rebel Cork' - but now, it welcomes visitors to enjoy their elegant and stunning buildings, old and new, and well as their historic sites, some of which you will visit.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 7, Kinsale Walkabout and Kenmare

This morning you will have time to become more acquainted with beautiful Kinsale before we make our way to Kenmare through some of the most spectacular scenery and landscape you will see in Ireland. We will take the west Cork route to Kenmare which will give us the opportunity to visit Timoleague Abbey founded by the Franciscan Order in 1240, and the picturesque villages of Clonakilty, Skibbereen, Ballydehob, Bantry, Glengarriffe and finally into Kenmare.

At different times on your journey, you will see glimpses of the Celtic Sea and of course, the huge Bantry Bay. The whole route is a feast of magnificent landscape and seascape views as we pass through several traditional Irish towns and villages.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 8, Killarney and the Gap of Dunloe

Our day will begin by making our way to the delightful town of Killarney that recently celebrated its 250 year anniversary of welcoming visitors. You'll soon see why it's been and still is so popular. The 25,000 acre National Park with its lakes and mountain backdrop can be accessed on foot from the town and the whole ambience is one of majestic peace.

In Killarney we go to Ross Castle, which overlooks the Lower Lake, was built by the O'Donoghue Ross Chieftains during the 15th century. From the castle your boat is awaiting to take you for an enchanting sail through the Lower, Middle and Upper Lakes. You will see numerous uninhabited and tree-covered islands, magical vistas and grand mountains as you make your way to Gearhameen river at Lord Brandon's cottage. Here your driver will meet you to arrange your jaunting car trip through the six mile journey through the Gap of Dunloe. The Gap was formed over two million years ago by slow moving ice and it cut the Mcgillycuddy's Reeks mountain range, the highest range in Ireland, in two. Your 'jaunt' will bring you to Kate Kearney's Cottage where your driver will again be waiting.

After your adventure with boats and horses, you will have time to visit the town of Killarney and take in the cheerful atmosphere and its people

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 9, Valentia, Derrynane and Sneem

Your journey today will take you to numerous interesting places. Firstly, to Killorglin - a town on the River Laune that's famous for its annual Puck Fair; a 3-day pagan festival that dates back many centuries. Shortly, we arrive in Glenbeigh where the first glimpses of the Atlantic Ocean will be seen. We'll hug this spectacular coastline and see the far-off Dingle peninsula as we head for Caherciveen and on to a special part of our tour - the ferry to the Island of Valentia. Here we will visit Fogher Cliffs and see even more spectacular, breathtaking Atlantic views.

We leave Valentia Island and soon arrive at Port Magee - a pretty village nestling in a beautiful cove, and it's where your lunch is served at Mooring's Bar - but leave room for a sumptuous desert because you're about to visit a factory with a difference; it creates creamy, mouth-watering chocolate!

Waterville beckons. It's a lovely coastal village noted for its close association with movie star, Charlie Chaplin. For golf enthusiasts, the famous Waterville links course is of world renown; and the club is where Payne Stewart was an honorary member and much loved by everyone. A change of scenery brings us into the Derrynane National Park - a visual feast for nature-lovers, and where you will see Derrynane House, the former home of Daniel O'Connell, the famous political leader.

In just a few miles, we arrive in Sneem; the pristine, award-winning village, with its quaint shops and Sculpture Park. You'll feel that time seems to run slower here. We ease our way back to Killarney and pass through a variety of unsurpassed scenery.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 10, Dingle and Slea Head

We leave Killarney and travel to the mid Kerry towns of Milltown and Castlemaine where we cross over the River Maine and again head for the Atlantic Ocean which will be in view for most of our journey. Our first stop is at Inch, with its spectacularly wide beach and where you can take a stroll, or just soak-up the peace of it all.

We are now nearing Dingle, a bustling coastal town with top quality restaurants, and the home to the most famous aquatic mammal in Ireland, Fungi, the dolphin. We head out over the bridge for Slea Head with Dingle Bay to our left where you will see some of the most rugged terrain along the Kerry coastline as we pass through little villages where only our native tongue is spoken. Across the water, you will see the Blasket Islands and the mountain range of the Mcgillycuddy's Reeks. You'll also see where Ryan's Daughter, starring Robert Mitchum, Trevor Howard and Sarah Miles was filmed. We now head back into Dingle through Ventry and it's on this beach where Far and Away, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman was filmed.

After experiencing the stunning scenery of the Slea Head we travel inland and ascend the narrow Connor Pass. At the head of the pass, you will be able to look back at the magnificent views over Dingle and Dingle Bay. You're amidst the mountains that are grand and colourful. As we decent the pass, we go through several villages to arrive in Tralee, the county town of Kerry. It's a busy little town that is famous for the annual international Rose of Tralee festival. Here, we take time to visit the Kerry County Museum to see the history of Kerry - it's fascinating! We now travel north and arrive at Dromoland in County Clare.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 11, Limerick and Bunratty

A short journey brings us into Limerick, Ireland's third largest city that was founded by the Vikings and became a very important strategic point on the River Shannon. Here we will visit King Johns Castle. It was built 800 years ago on 'Kings Island' in the heart of Limerick. King John, who was the Lord of Ireland, and indicative of his position, minted his own coins here. Limerick has a wide range of interesting buildings, both heritage as well as new, to see and places to visit. The cathedral of St. Mary built in 1168 and the Hunt Museum are both noteworthy.

After your time in Limerick, we will head to Bunratty Castle; one of Ireland's most famous castles. It was built in 1425 and after years of being left derelict, it was restored in 1954. Today, the castle displays rare 15th and 16th century tapestries, furniture, and other splendid works of art that reflects the period. This is a place to enjoy time to wander round and take-in the history and beauty of this part of the world.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 12, The Cliffs of Moher and The Burren

Our day begins with a visit to one of Ireland's most spectacular views of the west coast, The the Cliffs of Moher that stand some 700 feet above sea level.These cliffs are a sheer rock face and stretch for 5 miles along the coast. The rock consists of layers of black shale and sandstone and provides convenient sheltered nesting ledges for guillemots and other sea birds.

From here make our way to The Burren, a limestone plateau which stretches for over 200 sq miles. In 1640s Cromwell's surveyor described this land as, "A savage land, yielding neither water enough to drown a man, nor tree to hang him, nor soil enough to bury". The Burren is an unique and protected botanical environment in which alpine and Mediterranean plants rare to Ireland can be seen.

We will make our way back to our hotel through the remote coast of west Clare with narrow roads and stunning views of the Atlantic.

Your overnight accommodation: A choice of quality hotels and guest houses will be offered.

Day 13, Homeward Bound

Sadly, our time together has quickly come to an end and it's here we say 'slan abhile' (safe home). Your driver will transfer you from your hotel to Shannon Airport and we hope you'll take away many fond memories and photographs of our beautiful island and share them with your family and friends. We look forward to welcoming you again on another tour soon.

Summary of Historical Tour

Your tour will be a full 13 days (12nights) long. You will be met at Dublin Airport by your private driver/guide who will take care of your needs.

You will travel on this diverse and fascinating tour around Ireland in the comfort of one of our luxury tour vehicles, and all taxes, insurances, fuel and driver expenses are included. You will benefit from a flexible itinerary and hence unlimited mileage. At the end of your tour, we will safely bring you to Shannon Airport well in time to check-in and prepare for your journey home.