Ireland's Quaint Towns and Villages

Sligo, Ireland

SI
14 reviews
Oct 7 - 15, 2025
Group size: 1 - 20
Ireland's Quaint Towns and Villages
Sligo, Ireland

14 reviews

Oct 7 - 15, 2025
Group size: 1 - 20

About this trip

Quaint Towns and Villages is a 9 Day, 8 night tour. It is centered around a famous event that happens only once a year, a traditional event in South Sligo. That event is called "The Brown Bread and Jam Club" 

We visit all the quaint towns and villages in the North West of the country and we also go to see some scenic area's too!

We visit Sligo Town where we can explore the town and its shopping malls, its art galleries, many craft and music shops and we will also take in Yeats Buildings which houses an art gallery. 

We will go to Foxford Woolen mills, Knock Shrine, Kylemore Abbey, Westport. We watch a crystal glass cutting craftsman working in Carrick-on-Shannon. We visit an Island, and a forest Park too! So there will be lots to see on this trip, but the main event is the Brown Bread and jam Club!

Terms and Conditions

1  The company requires non-refundable deposits to be paid as per tour in a timely manner. By paying a deposit you are agreeing to the terms and conditions of the Company.

2  Our tours are all based on double occupancy. There will be an additional supplement for single travelers which will depend on tour taken. 

3  Payment for deposit will hold your place, final balance  payment will be 30 days before the start of your choice of  tour. 

4  Installment plans are available for anyone who would like to avail of them.

5  Travel insurance is something that the company strongly suggests all clients purchase to protect their travel investment.

6  Due to limited capacity on coaches, there is a limit of one suitcase per passenger. 

7  Participants are responsible for all their property, luggage, backpacks, phone's, laptops etc. 

8  The company tour guide will give all participants phone no's of tour guides and driver at the start of the trip or in an email before the start of the trip, it is vital that you keep these in a safe place.

9  At the start of each day your tour guide will tell you what time you should be ready, or to be on the bus for the next day's journey, it is up to you to contact your guide if you missed announcements on times. 

10 There is a cancellation fee for participants who cancel within 90 days of the start of trip. Please see contract.

11  Some of our trips require walking over stony roads and pathways, it is advised to always bring strong waterproof walking shoes, and waterproof/windproof outer coats/jackets also.

12 We also advise all participants to let us know of food allergies they have.

13 Each participant is responsible for their baggage being brought from the Coach to their accommodation except in the case where the company have booked porterage. The group will be advised where porterage will take place.

14 Conditions, availability, or contractual obligations may warrant for dates, venues, lodging, talent/celebrity headliners/hosts/guests. Ambassadors, tour guides or transportation modes to be changed or cancelled. It is our intent and obligation, within the best of our ability, to substitute and /or accommodate equal or enhanced alternatives. We will not refund any deposits or payments towards the tour due to these conditions.

15. Conditions, availability, or contractual obligations may warrant for dates, venues, lodging,  talent/celebrity headliners/hosts/guests. Ambassadors, tour guides or transportation modes to be changed or cancelled. It is our intent and obligation, within the best of our ability, to substitute and /or accommodate equal or enhanced alternatives. We will not refund any deposits or payments towards the tour due to these conditions.

What’s included

  • Airport Transfers
    We pick you up at 9am the first morning of the tour and leave you back for your afternoon flight the last day of your trip
  • Accommodation
    7 nights in a small, family run, country 3 star hotel, and 1 night in Fitzpatricks Castle 4 Star Hotel Dublin
  • Breakfasts
    8 hearty breakfasts that will keep you going all day.
  • Transport
    We have a very good bus company that supplies us with a very comfortable motor coach.
  • Driver
    Our Driver is an expert and knows the highways and byways like the back of his hand. He is also great fun
  • Guide
    You will have a expert Secret Ireland Tours guide with you through out the trip.
  • Entry fee's
    Entry fee's to all venue's on itinerary
  • Food
    Snacks and soft drinks on bus
  • Taxes
    All taxes and charges associated with hotels and bus are covered

What’s not included

  • airfare
    We do not deal with flights
  • Food
    We do not cover lunches or evening meals
  • Travel Insurance
    We strongly suggest you purchase travel insurance to protect your travel investment., Here is a link.https://www.travelexinsurance.com/index.aspx?location=17-0074&go=bp
  • Tips
    If you feel so inclined, please tip your driver and tour guide.

Available Packages

Double Occupancy/1 room, double bed
Deposit:$400
Available until June 27, 2025

For those wishing to share a bed.

$2,359
Deposit:$400
Single Occupancy
Deposit:$400
Available until June 27, 2025
$2,750
Deposit:$400
Double occupancy/1 room, two beds
Deposit:$400
Available until June 27, 20258 left
$2,350
Deposit:$400


Itinerary

Day 1
Belvedere House, Lough Key Forest Park

We pick you up at terminal 2 in Dublin airport on the morning of the 7th at 9am. We bring you towards the North West but on the way we stop in a few places. Our first stop is a very interesting Grand house called Belvedere House. This dates back to the 13th century and it has a sad and terrible history. It also has a Jealous wall. We don't want to spoil the story of this house for you, it is better heard from one of the brilliant tour guides there. 

We then visit Lough Key Forest Park, This is a beautiful place even in the winter. There is a short drive into the park and when there you can see from the Shores of Lough Key, the ruins of an 11th century Castle sitting on its own Island. Again rich in history with tales of love and loss. There are many walks, magical trees, wishing chairs, faery bridges, zip lines and so much more.  We then go to our Hotel in South Sligo and relax,  Calweys Hotel

Itinerary:  All venue's on itinerary are subject to change because of weather or availability.

Your Organizer


SI
Secret Ireland Tours LLC
14 reviews
We are a 100% Irish-owned tour company that specialises in tours to Ireland. We offer authentic, affordable, unique itineraries to our clients. We have tours for groups up to 12 and up to 30. You will find tours for different parts of the country, different prices, and different times of the year. We bring you to some amazing places. We also offer packages for traveler who do not want to join a tour. If you want to put your own tour itinerary together but you need help, we offer consultation services also.

Reviews

I just got home from 10 days in Ireland. This tour featured Dave Shrader and included other amazing guests Ryan O’Neil, Greg Stewart, Jenny Sullivan and Lisa Sproat. It was so incredible getting special time with such wonderful people! I found every day to be so incredibly amazing! It was seriously absolutely magical. The lodging was off the charts! Each location every day was packed with history and fascinating locations . I honestly can say these will forever be some top memories of my life . I couldn’t have had a better birthday! Thank you Mai for everything you did to make it a magical and memorable trip. You are wonderful ❤️ ( we sure did miss you Chris Fleming, but we thought of you all along the way). I’d do this tour again in a heartbeat. Highly recommend!
By Cindy D for Haunted Ireland Halloween with Chris Fleming on Nov 07, 2024
Favorites: 
~ Hell Fire Club was added to itinerary in place of St. Michan’s Crypt that was burned a few months ago. ~ The bell tower in Christ Church Cathedral
 ~ All the castles! Every one of them. 
~ Paranormal investigations: The Hell Fire Club, Wicklow Gaol, Charleville Castle and Blackwater Castle. ~ Pat Noone’s Fairy Farm: this was an absolutely amazing experience. ~ Blackwater Castle. ~ Scottish Paranormal team joining us for a few days. ~ Colaiste Eamann Ris: Deerpark School aka the haunted school. ~ Dragon of Shandon Festival in Cork.
 ~ The surprise locations. 
Cons:
 ~ Jenny, the paranormal investigator that joined us for the first couple days had her own agenda. My friends and I were doing a call and response communication in Wicklow Gaol and were shushed by her because she was doing her own thing in another room and couldn’t hear. 
 ~ Late starts (1pm) on several days blaming timing for the bus driver. This wasted a lot of time we could have been sightseeing or visiting other paranormal locations and easily rectified by hiring a second driver for the later / nighttime activities. 
 ~ Rock of Cashel was removed from the itinerary due to timing. This being one of Ireland’s iconic heritage sites, I decided to voice my opinion on it. When myself and a friend talked to Mai about this, we were labeled as being unreasonable. This was later added back in swapping a space filler of shopping and walk-around time in Kilkenny after our ambassador, Dave talked to Mai.
 ~ Due to the late starts, the afternoon activities were rushed and we were late on arrival to a few of the activities and locations. ~ No time allotted for lunch or dinner on the late start days. 
 ~ Mai had hired a chef for our breakfasts at Blackwater Castle. Mai had changed the start time to later, but couldn’t get a hold of the staff, so she wrote a note. I was the first attendee up in the morning and decided to sit in the dining to write in my journal. I was approached separately by three different people, two women and one man, asking me about the note. The women were nice, but the man demanded that I explain it. I agreed that it could have been handled better however, i couldn’t give him an answer since I had nothing to do with it. ~ Sites that were noted on the initial itinerary and dropped due to timing. A couple of these could have been done if we left earlier on those late start days. ~ Continual non-communication from our tour guide. She kept changing her mind, such as what time we were leaving, but wouldn’t explain anything. We were told to just deal with it. 
In conclusion: Was the trip worth it? Absolutely! Everything that we were able to see and experience were amazing. However, I will think twice before booking a trip with Secret Ireland Tours again. I understand there are itinerary changes due to weather or sudden location schedule changes. I also understand there were surprises and some sites listed on the itinerary were simply place holders, but a lot of the issues that arose were from poor planning, lack of clear communication or extra transportation. All easily rectified.
By Terri S for Haunted Ireland Halloween with Chris Fleming on Nov 05, 2024
Unfortunately, my review for this trip is 2 stars and I’ve conveyed my complaints to Mai on several emails. This trip did not live up to the expectations and was very disappointing when it comes to the itinerary changes, expectations, health and safety, overall costs, and what we received for the costs. The trip that was conveyed was not what I received. That’s unfortunate and I expect this review to be removed from the site.
By Shannon P for Secret Halloween Journey to Ireland with Vanessa Hogle 2022 on Nov 27, 2022
Hi Shannon, We are sorry that the trip did not live up to your expectations. As I explained to you in our email exchange, we have stated on our WeTravel itinerary, each days itinerary is subject to change depending on weather and other things. I know that the tour guide decided to change a few things around because of weather, and you did not see some places that you wanted. This could not be avoided. We have had great comments from many of the other people in the group.
By Secret Ireland Tours LLC on Dec 03, 2022
SI
Fantastically amazing. It was my very first experience out of the United States and I absolutely loved it. The accommodations were just as amazing with their historical personas and eclectic style. Would definitely go again give the opportunity.
By Rachael H for Secret Halloween Journey to Ireland with Vanessa Hogle 2022 on Nov 12, 2022
THANK YOU SO MUCH
By Secret Ireland Tours LLC on Nov 15, 2022
SI
I had a wonderful time. Ireland is beautiful. I enjoyed the other people on the tour. The Accommodations were very nice and comfortable. I had a lovely time. I am looking forward to another visit
By Karla W for Secret Halloween Journey to Ireland with Vanessa Hogle 2022 on Nov 12, 2022
Delighted you enjoyed your trip!
By Secret Ireland Tours LLC on Nov 15, 2022
SI
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References

I just returned home after a 10 day tour of Ireland with Secret Ireland Tours. I had absolutely the best time! I absolutely loved each and every moment, location, surprise and people we met along the way. I was amazed at the lodging, but also the historical stops along the way. The 2 Samhain festivals were so memorable. At the end it was almost impossible for me to chose my favorite moment. It was all so very magical and exciting! Mai was such a lovely tour guide and learning about the history of her country was an added bonus. I honestly would do it all over again in a heartbeat 💓. Thank you Mai for filling me with so many incredible memories!
By Cindy D on 07 Nov, 2024