Ireland Circumnavigation

The expedition begins in Dublin, Ireland’s capital. The city is home to landmarks such as the Ha’penny Bridge, the Book of Kells at Trinity College, St Patrick’s Cathedral, and the Guinness Storehouse. In the afternoon, boarding takes place aboard Ocean Victory. Departure follows into the Irish Sea, with the ship heading toward Cork.

In the morning, the ship arrives in Cobh, the main port for Cork, Ireland’s second-largest city. Sites such as Blarney Castle and the Blarney Stone are a short drive away. Cork city centre is compact and walkable, with pubs throughout the area. The English Market is a central food market selling locally produced goods and prepared foods.

Sitting on Valentia Island, Knightstown is the epitome of rural Ireland – lush, green and dripping with Gaelic charm. Join a hike to the nearby Valentia Island Lighthouse, or journey back through time and see the tetrapod footprints – a palaeontological marvel. In the afternoon, you cruise around the Skellig Islands, magnificent rock pinnacles once home to hermit monks, now a wildlife refuge populated by thousands of seabirds. Keep your binocular handy!

Early in the morning, you pass the legendary Cliffs of Moher before arriving in Galway. While not the largest city in Ireland, Galway is indisputably the island’s cultural capital, sitting in the heart of the Gaeltacht on the windswept Atlantic coast. Immerse yourself in ancient Celtic culture and discover the ancient heritage of the wild west of Ireland.

Venturing off Ireland’s wild west coast, you find the windswept Aran Islands. Although small, the Aran Islands are probably the most famous of Irish Islands – barren limestone landscapes and ancient hillforts make up the mesmerising landscape, and the ancient Irish language is spoken almost universally – not to mention the islands’ world-famous knitwear! In the afternoon, you sail to Clare Island, once home to legendary pirate queen Gráinne O’Malley – thankfully, the welcome here is considerably warmer today than in her time!

Sitting on the island’s northern coast, Portrush is one of Ireland’s premier seaside resort towns, sitting on the breath-taking Antrim Coast. Bizarre geological happenstance has created this spectacular coastline, home to landmarks such as Dunluce Castle (made famous by hit show Game of Thrones) and the storied stones of the Giant’s Causeway, indisputably the most famous geological site on the island of Ireland.

On the final day of your expedition, Ocean Victory sails back into Dublin harbour. After a hearty breakfast, bid farewell to the Officers and Crew and step back onto the stones of the Fair City with memories to last a lifetime.