A Tale Of Two Counties
A Tale Of Two Counties
Book NowJoin us as we head to the west of the Emerald Isle for our Tale of Two Counties tour. Discover the unspoiled natural beauty and magnificent coastline that has visitors returning to this area year on year. Expect warm hospitality and some wonderful excursions to showcase these magnificent areas. Our excursions take us on a cruise along the River Shannon with a hot drink onboard, a guided factory tour and tasting at Wilde Irish Chocolates, admission to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park and a traditional Irish Lunch in Larkins Bar, Co. Tipperary. Enjoy live music and take a bread baking class at our wonderful base, the 4-star Lakeside Hotel located in a stunning location on the banks of the majestic River Shannon, overlooking the twin heritage Towns of Ballina in Co. Tipperary and Killaloe in Co. Clare. The Arra Mountains of North Tipperary and Mount Bernagh of County Clare are the hotels setting. Make memories and join us on a wonderful Irish adventure from a stunning location, book early to avoid disappointment.
Your Holiday Includes:
Door to door service
Stena Line ferry crossings, Holyhead/Dublin – Dublin/Holyhead
Executive coach travel throughout
Overnight Hotel - City North Hotel 21/09/2025 (1 night)
Porterage
Welcome tea/coffee on arrival
Dinner, bed and breakfast
En-suite bedrooms
Executive coach travel throughout
Mainstay Hotel – The Lakeside Hotel, Ballina 22/09/2025 (4 nights)
Porterage
Welcome tea/coffee on arrival
Dinner, bed and breakfast
En-suite bedrooms
Free use of leisure facilities
Bread making class
Live music on 1 night
River Shannon 1hr cruise with Killaloe River Cruises
Irish Coffee, Baileys Coffee or Baileys Hot Chocolate choice made onboard Shannon River Cruise
Lunch at Larkins Bar and Restaurant – Beef and Guinness Casserole and mash followed by tea/coffee
Wildes Irish Chocolates – factory tour and tasting
Admission to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park with guided tour
Excursions
Executive coach travel throughout
Single room supplement - £40.00
Itinerary
Sunday
Depart Leyland at 10.00am for our journey to Holyhead to board the 14.45hrs ferry to Dublin with a suitable lunch stop en-route. Arrive at our overnight hotel, the City North to welcome tea/coffee while your luggage is taken to your room.
Monday
Check out of our hotel following breakfast, travel to the Lakeside Hotel in Ballina, our home for the next 4 nights, with a stop in Limerick, a historic, ancient city where the beautiful River Shannon meets the wild Atlantic Way, take time to explore and have lunch before re-joining the coach to continue our journey to the hotel. Arrive to a warm Irish welcome with tea/coffee while your luggage is taken to your room.
Tuesday
Today following breakfast, we head to the banks of the Shannon to Killaloe River Cruises. Enjoy a 1hr river cruise to sit back, relax and soak up the natural beauty of this magnificent area with commentary and a hot drink onboard. Following the cruise spend the rest of the day at leisure in the resort, use the hotels leisure facilities or explore the area.
Wednesday
Following a leisurely breakfast enjoy a couple of hours free time at the hotel and local area, at 11.30hrs join the coach as we head to Larkins on the shores of Loch Derg to enjoy a typical Irish lunch of beef and Guinness casserole served with mash, followed by tea/coffee in beautiful surroundings. This afternoon our excursion takes us to Wildes Irish Chocolates for a factory tour and tasting.
Thursday
Following breakfast, we journey through Co. Clare to spend free time in Ennis, the county capital. A beautiful, picturesque, historic market town with Origins dating back to the 13th century, wander characteristic narrow, historic lanes with monuments, building s and waterways showcasing its rich heritage, spend free time exploring with time for lunch before re-joining the coach, our afternoon excursions take us to Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, the most complete and authentic castle in Ireland. The Folk Park features over 30 buildings in a 'Living Village' and rural setting.
Friday
Check out of our hotel following breakfast for the return journey to Dublin Port, take a scenic journey via magnificent Glendalough and the Wicklow Mountains to arrive at the port to board our afternoon ferry to Holyhead and continue our journey home.
MAINSTAY HOTEL -
| SRS | £40.00 | For Sole Use | Yes |
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| Hotel | The Lakeside Hotel Ballina Killaloe Ireland |
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| Hotel Star Rating | 4 Star |
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| Hotel Website |
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| Hotel Contact | 00353 61 376 122 |
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| About the hotel | The beautiful Lakeside Hotel is located in an enviable position on the shores of the River Shannon, overlooking the linked, twin heritage towns of Ballina in Co Clare and Killaloe in Co. Tipperary, enjoy the well known sights of the 13-arch bridge and 13th Century cathedral with the town offering access to the Shannon Waterway and the Arra Mountains of North Tipperary and Mount Bernagh of County Clare forming its setting. Guest bedrooms are spacious, beautifully decorated and furnished, luxurious rooms with all the essentials you need for a relaxing and comfortable stay. The hotels leisure centre has swimming pools, one with water side and a hot tub, there’s also a gym, sauna a steam room. N.B this is a low-rise hotel, the upper floor is accessible by stairs only. |
| TV |
Yes |
| Hairdryer | Yes |
| Lift | No. see footnote in ‘about the hotel’ |
| Wi-Fi | Yes |
| Toiletries | Yes |
| Safe/Safety Deposit Box | Laptop safe |
| AC | Yes |
| Pool | Yes |
| Gym | Yes |
| Iron | Yes |
| Tea/Coffee | Yes |
| Porterage | Yes |
OVERNIGHT HOTEL -
| SRS |
| For Sole Use | Yes |
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| Hotel | City North Hotel |
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| Hotel Star Rating | 4 Star |
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| Hotel Website |
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| Hotel Contact | +353 1 690 6666 |
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| About the hotel | The 4-star City North Hotel, Dublin is just 30mins from Dublin’s city centre, conveniently located to be an overnight hotel on our return journey, allowing us free time in the city before heading to the port to board our ferry home. Guest bedrooms are beautiful rooms designed around comfort, a great place to relax following a busy day travelling. |
| TV |
Yes |
| Hairdryer | Yes |
| Lift | Yes |
| Wifi | Yes |
| Toiletries | Yes |
| Safety Deposit Box | Yes |
| AC | Yes |
| Pool |
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| Gym | Yes |
| Golf | No |
| Iron | Yes |
| Tes/Coffee | Yes |
| Porterage | Yes |
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JavaScript InformationBelow is a map showing the pick up area for our free door to door service. If, on entering your postcode, you live outside the area we will still be able to collect you for a reasonable supplement.
Below is a list of coach joining points available on this tour. Please note, not all pick-ups are available on all departures.
Below is a list of coach joining points available on this tour. Please note, not all pick-ups are available on all departures.
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Leyland Tesco Extra | Leyland Tesco Extra, Bus Lane |
| Poplar 2000 | Lymm Moto- Poplar 2000 Services Coach Bay WA13 0SP |
| From Price | Book Now | Call Back | Telephone | Favourites |
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