Railtours Ireland First Class is delighted to announce the inaugural departure of The EMERALD ISLE EXPRESS, Ireland’s first week long Tourist train, with guests overnighting in famous castle, and five star hotels in the Regions.
This unique collaboration with the Railway Preservation Society of Ireland and Iarnród Éireann is the very first dedicated exclusive rail touring product for overseas visitors.
Leaving Dublin’s Connolly Station after a welcome champagne reception on Monday September 29 this beautifully presented heritage train will cruise along Ireland’s rail network visiting many towns and cities and enjoying lovely scenery en route. Side trips to Ireland’s iconic must see visitor attractions accompanied by the renowned endition of our Railtour Ireland First Class Hosts will create an unforgettable vacation.
Monday 29 September - will see us head out of Dublin and hug the spectacular east coast, as far as Wexford and after touring Waterford Crystal, overnight in Waterford Castle.
Tuesday 30 September – We depart Waterford and travel through the beautiful Suir Valley (stopping briefly at Clonmel) to Limerick Junction and from where we head south through the Golden Vale to Cork. After visiting Blarney and the English Market we overnight at Fota Island Resort.
Wednesday 1 October – After visiting Cobh we depart on our special train and retrace our path to Mallow where we head west to Killarney and tour the Ring of Kerry overnighting at the Killarney Park Hotel.
Thursday 2 October – Our exclusive train departs for Ennis via Mallow, Limerick Junction, and Limerick City, crossing the River Shannon just north of Limerick. Arriving in Ennis we head west to the Cliffs of Moher. Later we feast at Bunratty Castle and overnight at Dromoland Castle.
Friday 3 October – We leave Ennis for Galway along the Western Rail Corridor, pausing at Athenry to head along the shore of Galway Bay to Galway City.
Lunch is at Moran’s of the Weir and our guests are free to explore Galway for the afternoon and we overnight at The G Hotel.
Saturday 4 October – Stunning Connemara beckons and we tour by road, pausing for lunch at Ballinahinch Castle. We explore Clifden and the Sky Road before Kylemore Abbey, Leenane, and Westport where once again we join our private train for our return to Dublin, enjoying Dinner and entertainment aboard.
Jim Deegan, Director of Railtours Ireland First Class commented: “A fabulous itinerary from start to finish! This idea of a land cruise by rail in a special train through Ireland coupled with luxury five star hotels,( and of course our own coach always shadowing the train for transfers, tours, and luggage ) - has never been done before and will firmly put Ireland on the increasingly popular world rail touring map!
For more info please contact Jim Deegan jim@railtoursireland.com or +353 86 283 2607
Or Shane Roberts shane@railtoursireland.com +353 1 856 0045