More than 30,000 castles were built in Ireland between the 12th and 16th centuries. Today, most are piles of rubble, but many still stand and are a fascinating part of Irish history. On this tour you’ll visit several of Ireland’s castles and stay in the deluxe Dromoland Castle. You’ll also experience the magic of Ireland with the rich green that covers almost every corner of its landscape earning its nickname of the Emerald Isle. The people are some of the most friendly, warm, generous and genuine anywhere in the world. Its interesting and romantic history captivate as well.
See Ireland’s Highlights and Stay in a Castle!
More than 30,000 castles were built in Ireland between the 12th and 16th centuries. Today, most are piles of rubble, but many still stand and are a fascinating part of Irish history. On this tour you’ll visit several of Ireland’s castles and stay in the deluxe Dromoland Castle. You’ll also experience the magic of Ireland with the rich green that covers almost every corner of its landscape earning its nickname of the Emerald Isle. The people are some of the most friendly, warm, generous and genuine anywhere in the world. Its interesting and romantic history captivate as well.
Join this personally escorted tour to Ireland’s spectacular highlights and live like a king!
*Please note that while the physical activity on this tour (walking distances) is not significant, there may be mobility limitations. Please be sure to inquire if you have any concerns.
To book this tour, contact your favorite Morris Columbus Travel Advisor or the Group Tour Manager listed below:
Questions? Contact:
Carol Alegre, Tour Manager
Tel: (801) 483-6165
Email Carol
Highlights
- 1 tour-bus experience for the whole tour
- Special Tour Director on for the whole trip along with local guides for in-depth location detail and history
- Advance timed entry tickets to attractions included = less time waiting in lines
Depart from your home city and fly overnight to the capital city of Dublin.
Meals : In-flight
Arrive at Dublin airport and travel to Dublin city center for check-in at your hotel. We will have a city tour to familiarize ourselves with the historical sites of this very interesting capital city including Book of Kells, one of Irland’s greatest cultural treasures. It was crafted by Celtic monks in the 800s. The remainder of the day at leisure. This evening, we will have a welcome and get acquainted dinner.
Meals : Dinner
Travel south through the Wicklow Mountains to the 6th-century monastic settlement of Glendalough (Glen of Two Lakes) founded by St. Kevin. Continue to the village of Avoca and experience the handcrafting of this unique Irish wool which is shipped worldwide. After time to shop at the outlet store, we return to Dublin with free time in the city. For those interested, Mark will walk you to his favorite pub in the Temple Bar district for dinner.
Meals : Breakfast
Ireland is famous for its race horse industry and leaving Dublin we head southwest through beautiful race horse country to the Rock of Cashel, the ancient castle and seat of the Kings of Ireland over a thousand years ago. Continue to Cork and the well-known village of Blarney where you will have free time to visit the ruins of the famous Blarney Castle and if you wish, kiss the Blarney Stone which is said to bestow the gift of eloquence on any who kiss it. You’ll have time to shop in the ever-popular Blarney Woollen Mills outlet store for Waterford crystal, woolen products and other Irish goods before setting out to Killarney, one of the Emerald Isle’s most beautiful heritage and tourist spots.
Meals : Breakfast
Special day tour on the majestic Dingle Peninsula. Jutting into the rugged Atlantic, this is a journey back to earlier times in Ireland. It will show you the way people lived almost three thousand years ago. It has been the setting for numerous movies. You will enjoy free time in the old fishing village of Dingle before returning to Killarney overnight.
Meals : Breakfast
As we leave Killarney, you’ll have a jaunting ride on a horse-drawn cart through Killarney National Park to Ross Castle. Built-in the late 15th Century, Ross Castle is set on a rocky outcrop on the shore of Lough Leane (lake). It is an imposing structure and has an interesting 500-year history. Then across the River Shannon and to the Cliffs of Moher. Scenes from The Princess Bride (cliffs of insanity) were filmed here. They are spectacular! Then to the beautiful five-star Dromoland Castle. This is a wonderful place to spend the last few days of this special visit to Ireland. You’ll end this day in what can only be described as a fairytale setting.
DROMOLAND CASTLE is one of Ireland’s finest castle hotels. It is one of the few castle hotels that can trace its ownership back through history to Gaelic Irish families of royal heritage. The Castle offers its guests deluxe accommodations and the experience of living like landed gentry, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, absolute luxury, and exceptional service. At Dromoland old-world elegance combines with modern-day comforts making it one of Europe’s most desired destinations. The Castle’s commitment to provide the highest level of service is absolute.
On entering this tranquil world, the worries of life recede under the gentle care of accommodating and friendly staff. Guests can enjoy deluxe accommodations, sample fine food and wine in the Earl of Thomond Restaurant and unwind in the superb health and leisure facilities.
Dromoland bedrooms give an uncommon degree of comfort to guests. It is refreshing to relax and reflect on the enjoyment of the day in the comfort of your room. Dromoland offers guests a wide range of leisure pursuits, including superb golf, tennis, fishing, shooting and boating while our beautiful gardens and secluded woodlands offer any number of opportunities for jogging, cycling or a leisurely stroll. Dromoland’s Golf and Country Club has recently undergone an extensive five million Euro renovation making it one of the finest courses in all of Europe.
Meals : Breakfast
Wake up in one of the most beautiful settings in the world. Today you can relax and soak up all Dromoland has to offer including jaunting rides around the castle grounds, fishing, shooting, archery, falconry and much more. Your final evening in Ireland includes a dinner at Dromoland Castle.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Transfer to the Dublin airport for your return flight home with new friends, and memories to last a lifetime. Safe travels!
Meals : Breakfast, In-flight
- Meet and greet at Dublin airport (for those using our group airfare)
- Two-nights in Dublin
- City tour of Dublin including Book of Kells
- The monastic settlement of Glendalough
- Avoca Weaving Mill for a tour and factory direct shopping of its world-famous wool products
- Rock of Cashel, seat of Irish Kings
- Blarney Castle (Kiss the Blarney Stone!)
- Shopping for Waterford crystal, woolen goods and other Irish goods at Blarney Woolen Mills
- Two-nights in Killarney
- Dingle Peninsula Tour
- Ross Castle
- Cliffs of Moher (Princess Bride)
- Two-nights in the deluxe 16th century 5-star DROMOLAND CASTLE
- Full breakfast each morning
- Welcome dinner in Dublin
- Farewell dinner at Dromoland Castle
- Porterage of luggage at hotels
- Deluxe touring coach & expert local guides
- Digital & printed document package
- Airfare from your home city to Dublin Round trip
- Group airfare from Salt Lake City $1,299.00.00 (Delta Main Cabin)
- Private sightseeing not included on the itinerary
- Tour gratuities
- Items of a personal nature
- Travel Insurance
- Meals not included in tour outline
About Mark Faldmo
Mark Faldmo grew up in Bountiful, Utah, and graduated from Bountiful High in 1969. He graduated from Utah State University in business administration in 1975. While at USU Mark met and married Beverly Thompson from Idaho. Beverly graduated from USU in 1973 with a degree in political science. In college, Mark was on the USU track team coached by Ralph Maughan, competing in middle distance races. Mark has stayed close to the USU track program and each spring the team hosts the annual Mark Faldmo Invitational. Mark and Beverly have four children, all of whom are graduates of USU.
Mark’s entire professional career has been in the travel business. He jokes that his travel career started on his 6th birthday when his parents and family sailed from San Francisco to Honolulu, Hawaii, after his father had been asked to relocate to construct what is now Brigham Young University Hawaii. While in Hawaii, his mother fell in love with the tropical paradise and after returning home, she started a travel agency. Her agency, Faldmo Tours and Travel, specialized in escorting groups to Hawaii and other destinations worldwide. Upon graduation from Utah State, Mark and Beverly joined his parents in the travel business. Since that time they have been involved as owners and executive officers of several different travel companies including their current business, Columbus Travel.
Mark has served as chairman of Carlson Travel’s National Advisory Board, the second largest travel company in North America. Mark also served on the Agent Advisory Board of Walt Disney Travel Company. He is a past president of the Bountiful Area Chamber of Commerce. Mark has traveled worldwide throughout his career and has been instrumental in advising and managing the travel needs for individuals and businesses throughout the Intermountain area. Columbus Travel hosts a weekly radio show on which Mark frequently appears. He also makes frequent television appearances promoting travel and worldwide destinations.
Pricing Information
Pricing Options:
- Double Occupancy – $ 2,579 per person
- Single Occupancy – $ 3,349 for private room
- Group airfare from Salt Lake City $1,299.00.00 (Delta Main Cabin)
- $75 per person cash discount ** Credit card deposit is allowed as long as all other payments are made through an electronic bank transfer or check
Payment Terms:
- The deposit is $500 per person due at the time of booking
- Final payment due June 27, 2025
- This tour is based on a minimum of 30 passengers
Please see our cancellation policy:
If a participant needs to cancel their reservation, written notice must be provided. Cancellations within seven calendar days of booking (if not past the final payment date) will receive a full refund, excluding airfares, which follow the airline’s policy. Cancellations after the seven-day grace period incur a 50% penalty on the deposit until the final payment date, and cancellations after the final payment date are non-refundable, including for unused portions of the tour.
Most tour and cruise packages are sold as “Land Only”. This allows you the freedom to purchase tickets on your preferred airline and from your home city. We may offer group flights depending on the tour.
Yes! Once the frequent flyer reservations have been confirmed and ticketed by the airline, please provide a copy of the itinerary to us to ensure that proper transfer arrangements are made. We regret that we cannot assist with making frequent flyer reservations.
Yes! If you want to save some money, this is the ideal option. All reservations paid for by check or cash will receive a discount. The amount varies by tour and will be listed on the web-site.
Yes! If you are a Deseret Book Platinum Club member an additional discount may be available. There may be Expo discounts or other promotional discounts offered from time to time. However, only one discount per person will apply with the exception of the cash discount. Please call for details.
Because unforeseen circumstances may arise, we strongly recommend that you purchase travel insurance. This insurance will cover you in case you need to cancel a tour after final payment has been made. Certain restrictions apply.
Some tours do include gratuities for the local guides and bus drivers and others do not. Please refer to the “What is Included” section for your specific trip to find out.
Please note that many of these tours require that participants be in good physical and mental health. You must be capable, without assistance, of walking a minimum of one mile over uneven terrain and of climbing stairs that may not have handrails. Participants should have sufficient stamina to keep pace with an active group of travelers on long days of touring. Anyone with disabilities should have a travel companion who is willing and capable of assisting. Please let us know if you fall into this category.
In order for the enjoyment of all tour participants, we generally request that children be a minimum of 8 years old to participate on the tour. Parents should be advised that they may be the only youth on the tour. Some tours may be designed with family travel in mind and will be advertised as such. Please contact us if you have any questions.
All U.S. citizens are required to have a current passport valid for six months beyond the return date if the trip is international. In some cases a visa may also be required. For tours wholly within the United States a valid Drivers License is acceptable documentation.
Please remember that your first and last name on your ticket must match your passport or drivers license. If you are not a U.S. citizen, please call our office for assistance.
The final payment for an international tour is due 90 days prior to departure and for domestic tours it is due 60 days prior to departure. Full payment is required for new reservations received within the final payment period.
Per person cancellation fees are based on the date we receive notice from you.
For tours in the United States:
- Cancellations within 7 days of booking (if not within final payment date): full deposit refunded.
- Cancellations after the grace period ends to 91 days prior to departure: $125 will be refunded (50% of tour deposit)
- Cancellations from 90 to 61 days prior to departure: no refund of deposit
- Full payment due: 60 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations made 59 days or less prior to departure: no refund.
- Cancellations made on the day of departure: no refund
- Cancellation by Morris Murdock Escorted Tours: full refund.
- No refund for unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, and sightseeing.
For all other tours including international tours and cruises:
- Cancellations within 7 days of booking (if not within final payment date): full deposit refunded.
- Cancellations after the grace period ends to 91 days prior to departure: $250 refund (50% of tour deposit)
- Full payment due: 90 days prior to departure.
- Cancellations made 89 days or less prior to departure: no refund
- Cancellations made on the day of departure: no refund
- Cancellation by Morris Murdock Escorted Tours: full refund.
- No refund for unused portions of the tour, including but not limited to, missed meals, hotel nights, and sightseeing.
Will I receive a refund?
The refund amount, if any, will be paid according to the cancellation schedule listed above. We highly recommend travel insurance.
Since each tour is different, please refer to the individual tour recommendations on the web-site. Generally speaking, you will want to pack comfortable walking shoes, slacks and shirts that can be easily layered should there be a change in temperature. Be sure pack an extra change of clothing, camera and prescription medicines in your carry on bag.
Carry-on: Most airlines permit each passenger to take one carry-on bag, total dimensions (22″+ 14″+ 9″) of which must not exceed 45 inches and which cannot weigh more than 22 lbs., and one additional personal carry-on item, such as a purse or briefcase/laptop case; all carry-on items must fit under the seat in front of you or in the overhead compartment.
Checked: Please check with your airline to confirm the current luggage limitations and any applicable fees. Most carriers charge a fee for any checked bags, with a discount if this is done ahead of time online.
Overweight: Please note that many airlines charge significant fees for overweight or oversized luggage. Be sure that all baggage and personal belongings are properly insured. Items such as medications, jewelry, or other valuables, breakable or perishable items, and important documents should be hand-carried. Responsibility will not be assumed by the airline for loss of or damage to these items.
Due to recent security issues on flights coming into the United States, the Transportation Security Administration has updated its aviation security measures. For an up-to-date list of items banned from carry-on luggage and items you can carry on, please visit: www.tsa.gov.
**Please see our complete Terms and Conditions for more information
