Trains are the most spacious and comfortable mode of travel in Ireland, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the ever changing scenery unfold. With the space to move around, your journey will no longer be a necessary hassle but instead a thoroughly enjoyable part of your holiday.
Railtours Ireland – First Class, provides the opportunity to travel from Dublin to the absolute edge of Europe, offering a combination of stunning scenery and ancient heritage. With Railtours Ireland – First Class you can enjoy scenic highlights along the Wild Atlantic Way such as the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher, Connemara and the Aran Islands where the rugged landscape has been shaped over centuries by the Atlantic Ocean.
Full Day Tour – Ref: DH02
Check-in for 07:00 departure from Dublin Heuston Station. Your departure station, Dublin Heuston, was opened in 1844 as the headquarters of the Great Southern & Western Railway and is now the official principal station of Iarnród Éireann – Ireland’s national railway company.
As your train departs, you travel in a south westerly direction, passing Inchicore, railway engineering works and then some of Dublin’s western suburbs – soon we are in the lush fertile countryside of County Kildare, Ireland’s Kentucky. Look out for the many stud farms near the track. The train passes through the town of Newbridge, home to the famous Newbridge Silverware.
You now enter the Curragh of Kildare, which soon comes into view on both sides of the line. The Curragh (pronounced: Curra) is famous for its racecourse, home of the Irish Derby. At this time of the morning you are likely to see some of Ireland’s finest bloodstock being put through their paces. The Curragh is also the headquarters of the Irish army and their buildings can be seen in the distance to the east.
You pass the town of Kildare, and the Church of Ireland (Protestant) Cathedral of St. Brigid’s – completed in 1223 – can be clearly seen to the south (left hand side when facing direction of travel). Cross the River Barrow at Monesterevin and enter Co. Laois.
The train journey makes a stop at Portlaoise (pronounced: Port Leesh-eh). Departing Portlaoise, we soon enter Co. Tipperary and pass the town of Templemore. Shortly after, you pass Loughmoe Castle which can be clearly seen on the southern side of the train, built in the 15th century, the Purcell family lived there until 1760. The next stop is at the town of Thurles. At your next stop – Limerick Junction – a number of Railtours Ireland clients will be leaving the train for the Cliffs of Moher tour. Please remain on the train for the Cork, Blarney Castle and Cobh Heritage Day Tour! Your final stop before Cork is at the town of Mallow.
You arrive into Cork Kent Station for 09:35 and we transfer to your Railtours Ireland tour coach, passing through Cork City en route to Blarney Village and historic Blarney Castle & Gardens, built in 1446 by Dermot McCarthy. You will have time to kiss the famous stone, which is said to bestow the gift of eternal eloquence on those lucky enough to do so. There is also time for shopping and lunch at Blarney and you are recommended to have lunch there, as this will be the only opportunity during the day to have a substantial meal.
You depart Blarney Castle for Cóbh, via the city centre, taking in some of the city sights while en route to our next destination.
On arrival at Cóbh, we will visit St. Colman’s Cathedral. You will then proceed down along the sea front passing the former White Star Line offices en route to the beautifully restored Victorian railway station/transatlantic terminal. This is now the Cóbh Heritage Centre, home to the Queenstown Story. The centre also houses much information about the Great Famine and subsequent Irish Emigration; 3 million Irish people emigrated from Cóbh, (principally to the United States) including Annie Moore, whose statue is located in front of the heritage centre.
Depart Cóbh by train to return to Dublin.
Schedule:
Every Monday: 01/01-31/03; 01/11-31/12
Every Monday & Saturday: 01/04-31/05 + 01/10-31/10
Every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Saturday: 01/06-30/09
Tour Starts: 07:00hrs at Dublin Heuston Station (check-in point beside the Customer Service Desk. Please arrive 20 minutes before the departure time).
Tour finishes: 20:00hrs (approx.)at Dublin Heuston Station
*Pre-booking is essential.
