Ireland tours with private driver: castles, culture, and comfort

The Grafton is located on Grafton Street in Dublin 2, within easy reach of Dublin's city attractions. The hotel offers comfortable rooms and suites with modern amenities such as flat-screen TVs, desks, tea/coffee-making facilities and mini-fridges. You can enjoy delicious meals in the hotel's restaurant and refreshing drinks in the cocktail lounge. Other hotel facilities and services include free Wi-Fi, a terrace, a lounge and a fitness centre.

The Guinness Storehouse Experience

A visit to the home of magical Guinness is a must on any tour of Dublin. Guinness Storehouse is Ireland's top tourist attraction in the heart of the Guinness Brewery at St James Gate. Housed in a former fermentation plant, the seven-story visitor center tells the story of the world-famous drink.

It's a dramatic story that begins over 250 years ago and ends at the Gravity Bar, where visitors can enjoy a free pint of Guinness and relax while enjoying the spectacular views over Dublin. The adventure begins the moment you walk through the door and enter the building's giant pint-shaped glass heart. As you make your way through the Guinness Storehouse, you'll discover how the Black Stuff is made - the ingredients, the processes, the passion.

Start Time: see voucher

Tucked away within beautiful walled gardens, Hayfield Manor offers a peaceful retreat in the vibrant city of Cork, in the southwest of Ireland. The hotel features stylish rooms and suites with individually controlled air-conditioning, spacious marble bathrooms, complimentary Elemis Spa products, heated towel rails, TVs, and free high-speed internet access.

On-site dining includes Orchids, a fine dining restaurant serving contemporary Irish cuisine, and Perrotts Garden Bistro, offering a variety of Mediterranean and international specialty dishes. You can relax in the poolside lounge with a magazine by the indoor heated pool or enjoy rejuvenating treatments and massages at the spa, which includes an outdoor jacuzzi, steam room, and sauna.

The Rock of Cashel - The King of Irish Monuments

Set on a dramatic limestone cliff in the Golden Vale, the Rock of Cashel is an icon of historical significance and is home to the most impressive collection of medieval buildings in Ireland. Monuments include a round tower, a high cross, a Romanesque chapel, a Gothic cathedral, an abbey, the Hall of the Vicars Choral and a fifteenth-century Tower House.

Originally the seat of the Kings of Munster, legend has it that St Patrick himself came here to convert King Aenghus to Christianity. Brian Boru was crowned High King at Cashel in 978 and made the town his capital.

In 1101 the site was given over to the church, and Cashel quickly rose to become one of the most important centers of ecclesiastical power in the country.

The surviving buildings are remarkable. Cormac's Chapel, for example, contains the only surviving Romanesque frescoes in Ireland.

The Rock of Cashel is one of Ireland's most spectacular and - rightly - most visited tourist attractions.

Opening Times

Mid March – Early October

Daily 09:00

Last admission 16:45
Average Length of Visit 1 – 1.5 hours

Mid October – Mid March

Daily 09:00

Last admission 15:45
Average Length of Visit 1 – 1.5 hours

Tucked away on its own private estate along the edge of Killarney National Park, Cahernane House Hotel blends timeless elegance with modern comfort. Once the residence of the Earls of Pembroke, this beautifully restored 17th-century mansion—lovingly cared for by the Browne family—now offers 38 exquisitely furnished rooms, an award-winning restaurant, and the cozy Cellar Bar.

Whether you're hosting a small gathering or an intimate meeting, the Pembroke Room provides a charming setting. Just a 10-minute walk from Killarney town and about 15 minutes from the entrance to the Muckross House estate, the location makes it easy to explore the area while enjoying a peaceful retreat.

Leisure at Cahernane is all about stepping back in time. You can enjoy croquet on the lawn, a game of billiards, tennis on the hard court, or a stroll through the gardens. Nearby activities include golfing, horseback riding, fishing, and boating on the lake—or hop in a traditional jaunting car right from the hotel to experience the breathtaking beauty of Killarney National Park.

Blarney Castle

Blarney Castle, which attracts visitors from all over the world, is located in the village of Blarney, 5 miles (8 km) from the city of Cork. The ancient stronghold of the McCarthys, Lords of Muskerry, it is one of the oldest and most historic castles in Ireland and one of the strongest fortresses in Munster. Built in 1446, Blarney Castle is famous for its Blarney Stone, the Stone of Eloquence, which is traditionally said to give the gift of eloquence to all who kiss it. Many legends tell the story of the stone, but why not kiss it and discover the truth behind the legend? The castle gardens, which cover an area of 150 acres (60 hectares), are constantly being changed. In recent years, a water garden, a fern garden and a poison garden have been created, all of which are open to visitors.

Opening Hours:

Jan/Feb/Mar 9.00am - 5.00pm (Last Admission 4.00pm)

Apr9.00am to 5.30pm (Last Admission 4.30pm)

May/Jun/Jul/Aug/Sep9.00am to 6.00pm (Last Admission 5.00pm)

Oct9.00am to 5.30pm (Last Admission 4.30pm)

Nov/Dec9.00am to 5.00pm (Last Admission 4.00pm)