Ireland Circumnavigation (Ocean Victory)

Welcome to Ireland! Your adventure begins in Dublin, home to the famous Guinness Storehouse and listed as a UNESCO City of Literature. This afternoon, you’ll board your ship, the Ocean Victory. Settle into your cabin, then have a safety briefing at 5 pm. Tonight, join your group and toast to your adventure as you set sail into the Irish Sea! If you arrive in Dublin with time to spare, why not do some exploring – you could visit St Patrick’s Cathedral for 13th-century Gothic architecture or Trinity College to see the renowned Book of Kells, an illuminated gospel manuscript from the 9th century.

Arrive in Cork – Ireland’s second largest city. Although Cork is famous for the nearby Blarney Castle, today you’ll uncover all the city centre itself has to offer. Wander through the city streets, where traditional Irish music drifts from pub doors. If you’re a foodie, it's highly recommended you seek out the English Market, where you can sample some of the best local produce, cheese and charcuterie – maybe gather some of your fellow travellers for a stroll through the markets, with plenty of stops for taste tests along the way!

Immerse yourself in rural Ireland on today’s visit to Knightstown, located on Valentia Island. If you’re up for something active this morning, go on a hike to the Valentia Island Lighthouse, which has been in use since the 19th century. Otherwise, you could seek out the tetrapod footprints in the island’s north east – experts believe that these are evidence of one of the earliest amphibian creatures to have ever stepped onto land around 385 million years ago! This afternoon, you’ll cruise around the Skellig Islands. The dome-shaped rock formations scattered across these two rocky islands were formerly home to Celtic Christian monks starting sometime between the 6th and 8th centuries. You might also recognise them as a filming location for the Star Wars movies! The Skellig Islands are now richly populated by seabirds like puffins, gannets and guillemots, so make sure you bring your binoculars.

See the grand Cliffs of Moher (which run for 14 km!) as you sail to Galway, known as Ireland’s cultural capital and recognised as a UNESCO City of Film. Experience the lively atmosphere of the city’s heart in Eyre Square, where Irish folk music fills the streets, boutiques sell Claddagh rings, traditional Aran knit jumpers and other regional trinkets, and you can see the preserved medieval city walls. Stroll along cobbled streets past colourful shopfronts, maybe seeking out a plate of the famous local seafood (fish and chips are a classic) or learning about the city’s history at the Galway City Museum.

Venture off Ireland’s west coast to the Aran Islands. These three islands – Inishmore, Inisheer and Inishmaan – are Irish-speaking communities. See limestone landscapes woven with a haphazard pattern of traditional stone walls, plus ancient stone forts perched on sea cliffs. Browse traditional Aran knitwear and maybe pick up one of your own – these plush wool jumpers that were historically worn by local fisherman have now become a popular fashion staple, more commonly known as cable knit jumpers. In the afternoon, you’ll sail to Clare Island, which was once the home of infamous 16th-century pirate queen Grainne O’Malley. The Clare Island Abbey features some of Ireland’s most well-preserved examples of medieval wall paintings and houses what is thought to be Grainne O’Malley’s burial site. Other archaeological sites on the island include a megalithic tomb dating back to somewhere around 4000 BC to 3000 BC, as well as a promontory fort and a number of 3000-year-old cooking pits (known as fulacht fiadh in Irish).

Explore Portrush, a resort town on the Antrim Coast in Northern Ireland. See the ruins of medieval Dunluce Castle (made famous as a filming location for Game of Thrones) and the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Giant’s Causeway, where 40,000 basalt columns emerge from the water, formed by lava flows around 50 to 60 million years ago. Portrush is also known for its beaches which are overlooked by limestone cliffs, making for some pretty dramatic scenery. Take in the relaxing ambience as you embrace the final full day of your Irish voyage before you journey back to Dublin.

After breakfast, say goodbye to the crew and your fellow travellers and disembark in Dublin. Hop on an included transfer to either Dublin Airport or downtown Dublin, where your adventure comes to an end. If you’d like to extend your stay to see more of the city, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time to organise additional accommodation.