Ring of Kerry & Waterford Crystals (Ireland)

Ring of Kerry & Waterford Crystals of Ireland

Sunday 27th June - Saturday 3rd July 2027

7 Days, 6 Nights

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast

Return Coach Travel, Ferry Crossings.

 

Staying for 2x one night stay at Treacy's Waterford Hotel

• Three Course Meal - Menu (3 options per course)

• Porterage on arrival & departure

• Cooked Breakfast (accept on day 7, which will be on the ferry)

 

Main stay four nights at Gleneagle Hotel / Killarney

• Three Course Meal - Menu (3 options per course)

• Porterage on arrival & departure

• Cooked Breakfast

• Live musical entertainment each night such as bands, singers, dancers

• Free use of indoor pool, sauna, steam room and gym

 

Price Per Person (from)

£1379 - Single Occupancy Room (Standard Room)

£1129 - Sharing a double or a twin room

 

£80pp Deposit - Full payment must be paid at least 60 days prior to departure, T&C Applies.

Photo ID / Passport, would be required for ferry crossing. Ireland trade in Euros.

Client Travel Insurance is not included, we recommend that clients obtain insurance.

 

Itineary

 

Day One - 27/06/27 - Travel to Waterford via Ferry Crossing

 

Depart early-ish from local departure points, Travel into Wales to Pembroke.

 

Irish Ferries - Pembroke to Rosslare (ferry times to be confirmed)

 

Travel to Waterford to check in at Hotel for first One Night Stay.

 

Imagine standing on the quays in Waterford city, breathing in that salty sea breeze and picturing the bustling scene of ships loading and unloading goods back in the 1700s. The trade with Newfoundland brought wealthy merchants to settle here in the late 18th century, transforming the city into one of Ireland’s great ports and sparking a building boom. As you wander through the heart of Waterford, you’ll find a treasure trove of beautiful architectural wonders from that era. But to truly grasp its history, you have to go even further back—to its founding by the Vikings in 914.

 

Treacys Hotel & Leisure Centre is set in a picturesque location, in the heart of Ireland’s Oldest City: Waterford. Spacious guests’ accommodation are designed with your comfort and convenience in mind. At Treacys Hotel, choose from a number of dining options to suit your individual needs.  Wallace  Restaurant and  Timbertoes Bar

 

Day Two - 28/06/27 - Waterford Crystal and travel to Killarney

 

Waterford Crystal Factory - Guided Factory Tour

 

The first stop on the tour is the mould room where you witness the ancient art of mould making. Master Blowers shape the molten crystal flawlessly with the use of these wooden moulds and hand tools - a technique that has remained unchanged throughout the centuries.

 

As you move through to the blowing platform, this is where the magic truly begins and crystal shapes start to form. Using the moulds, our skilled Master Blowers transform glowing balls of crystal into majestic shapes before placing them through the 1400-degree furnace.

 

Our crystal is carefully inspected at each stage of production to ensure each piece meets our exacting standards. With six stringent inspection areas, only pieces that satisfy these standards make it to the next stage of production. Items that do not pass our quality standards are crushed and melted along with our other crystal making ingredients.

The next part of your journey is the marking department. Here the crystal is marked with a temporary geometric grid that assists the Master Cutter as they cut the pattern onto the crystal. Each brilliant crystal piece is cut strictly from memory, with these lines simply acting as a guideline for precision and accuracy.

 

n the cutting department, you will see our Master Cutters at work, utilising the masterful skills they learned during an eight-year apprenticeship. Each pattern, no matter how detailed, must be learned and memorized by the cutter during his training years. The Master Cutter relies on their skill and dexterity to cut patterns, applying the exact pressure to make the cut without damaging the integrity of the vessel. 

 

In the next stage of our tour the sculpting department, inspirational pieces of crystal created by our Master Sculptors start out as solid blocks of crystal. Experience how delicately our Master Craftsmen adorn the intricate detail onto the crystal as they transform robust blocks of crystal into elegant shapes and figures with their sculpting wheels.

 

Finally, you will have the chance to see Master Engravers at work. Using copper wheels, these skilled artisans patiently engrave intricate designs onto trophies and limited-edition pieces, a painstaking process that can take days to complete depending on the size and complexity of the design. The type of copper wheel engraving used at Waterford is called Intaglio, which means ‘reverse’. The deeper the engraving on the crystal, the more prominent and pronounced the detail.

 

Check in at Gleneagle Hotel / Killarney for a four night stay.

Located 1 mile from Killarney town centre, the excellent Gleneagle is one of Killarney’s largest hotels and overlooks the mountains of Killarney National Park. All 244 bedrooms are modern with a bright colour scheme and equipped with a TV, hairdryer and tea/coffee making facilities. The large, traditional restaurant has plenty of natural daylight and there is a large bar with plenty of seating where entertainment takes place, as well as a smaller, more relaxed bar and a few quiet lounge areas. There is also a regular shuttlebus to/from Killarney town centre (small charge).

 

Day Three - 29/06/27 -  Jaunting Cars and Lake Cruise (Drivers Rest Day)

 

Killarney Jaunting Cars Ltd - Jaunting Car & Lake Cruise

 

The Tangney Family invites you to discover Killarney, one of Ireland’s most picturesque towns and the gateway to  Killarney National Park, known for its rich heritage and abundance of natural beauty. For over 220 years, we have proudly welcomed guests to the region, renowned for its rich heritage and abundance of scenic beauty.

We offer a range of Jaunting Car Tours and Lake Cruises, paired with authentic Taste Experiences, so you can explore the unique landscapes and flavors of the region.  

 

Day Four - 30/06/27 - Guided Tour on Coach of the Ring of Kerry

 

Full day guided tour of Ring of Kerry

Rolling green hills and sparkling lakes. Sheep bleating and cows grazing in patchwork fields. Pristine golden strands giving way to jaw-dropping cliffs. This treasure trove in the southwest coast of Ireland really has it all, which is why people come from far and wide to see the Ring of Kerry.

 

This scene-stealing route around the Iveragh Peninsula, beginning and ending in Killarney, takes in all the big hitters – Moll’s Gap, Torc Waterfall and the Gap of Dunloe are winners – but really, the route itself is so much more than the sum of its parts. Within this 179km of road, you’ll find that each turn brings a new treat to the eye, from lakes, rivers and waterfalls, to grand houses and castles.

 

Day Five - 01/07/27 - Dingle & Boat Cruise

 

Dingle is a charming town on the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry, Ireland. It's known for its stunning coastal scenery, vibrant music scene, and rich history. Highlights of Dingle: Slea Head Drive – A scenic coastal route with breathtaking views of cliffs, beaches, and ancient sites

 

Dingle Dolphin Boat Tours - 1 hour guided Harbour Cruise

Relish the delights of a short boat cruise of Dingle Bay with an enlightening commentary on local history and landmarks. The harbour & bay boat cruise is a guided tour and takes about one hour. As you cruise around Dingle Harbour and into the bay, learn about the formation of the cliffs and sea arches, local maritime history, the era of the landlords, the Great Famine and Dingle’s historical connections to Spain and France.

 

Day Six - 02/07/27 - Travel to Waterford

Travel to Waterford to check in at Hotel for the final One Night Stay.

 

Day Seven -03/07/27 - Homeward

 

Irish Ferries - Rosslare to Pembroke

BREAKFAST VOUCHER FOR Breakfast on board the ferry, save rushing at the hotel.