General Testimonials

We just came back from an amazing 7 nights 8 day Railtours Ireland trip around Ireland. We had some expectations, these expectations were met and exceeded. We started in Dublin at Connolly Station. David and Mervyn tagged our luggage where it was taken by bus to wait for us in our rooms at The Great Southern hotel in Killarney. We boarded the Emerald Pullman, an antique train from the 70’s, so if you go thinking it’s the bullet train, it’s not. It’s comfortable seating with white clothed tables with old fashioned incandescent lights on top. My husband asked the friends we were traveling with if he could buy him a drink, turns out no need, it’s an open bar. Lots of Jamieson whiskeys, gins, ciders and the like, it’s also the only train in Ireland that offers Guinness on tap. Light lunches were served by one of the many gentlemen volunteers working the train. A lovely group, all quick with a smile and eager to please.

We stopped in Killarney for 3 nights, staying at the beautiful 4 star Great Southern Hotel. They had a wonderful evening meal for us that first night, breakfasts were included, the food was plentiful and sumptuous. I’d like to thank the chefs, especially the one on the first night who made a delicious full meal in a salad to accommodate my severe lactose intolerance.

For our day trips from Killarney around the beautiful County Kerry and the rest of Ireland we were chauffeured by Attila and David on pristine Mercedes Benz buses. Both drivers were attentive and professional but a huge shout out to Attila for manoeuvring that huge bus through narrow streets and roads. Several times all of us on the bus would spontaneously applaud as Attila would navigate around a corner or back up down a lane way with a mere inch to spare on either side. Highlight of the tour around the Ring of Kerry for myself was, the sheep herding demonstration by farmer Tom O’Sullivan and one of his dogs. You can watch a YouTube video of Tom, and one of his former working dogs winning a sheep herding championship.

After 3 days we then boarded the Emerald Pullman once again to wind our way through the beautiful Irish countryside to Galway Ceannt station. From there we boarded Attila’s bus headed to the small village of Clifden where we stayed 2 nights at the picturesque and beautiful 4 star Abbeyglen Castle. Let me just say this, one of the owners of Abbeyglen, Brian Hughes, is a raconteur of many talents. He joined us for two days on the train, entertaining us in the bar car with his singing and storytelling. By the time we arrived at his hotel, he knew everyone’s name and where we were from. We had a champagne reception each night at 6:30 where Brian would share anecdotes and historical facts about the area that text books skipped over. I didn’t know the first transatlantic flight was in fact not Charles Lindbergh, but John Alcock and Arthur Brown on June 15, 1919, they landed their plane in a peat bog near Clifden. After the reception we’d head upstairs to the dining room where we were served exquisite meals, to which Brian personally made sure my lactose intolerance was accommodated. Our room at Abbeyglen was massive, with a sitting room that had a fireplace and a claw foot tub in the ensuite that was so large I couldn’t reach the end when reclining. Everything about the hotel, the area and the people was fabulous. Our travelling companion and I both agreed we could come back to Clifden and just spend our holiday in Ireland there, it was so lovely.

We left Clifden by bus to head up to the town of Westport to get on the train once again to head northward to Belfast. We did have to switch trains at the border into Northern Ireland but we were on first class coaches especially for our group. We stayed for 2 nights at the beautiful Europa Hotel. Attila chauffeured us around Northern Ireland once again, the rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede/Larrybane and the Giant’s Causeway being the stand outs for us. Sadly we were coming to the end of our trip, we boarded first class rail cars at Belfast Grand Station to head back to Connolly Station in Dublin.

Highlights for us were the wonderful friendly Irish people, and the beauty of their verdant 40 shades of green island. Almost everyone would be quick with a smile and go out of their way to accommodate you, and it would be hard to pick the prettiest part of the island since all the counties are so unique. Most of all, it’s some of the wonderful people we met traveling in the group, we’ve exchanged contact information to which I hope will be a continuing friendship.

If you choose to take the Emerald Pullman tour, book early, at the moment it is scheduled only twice a year, June and September. We were on a waiting list to get on the June tour. It isn’t a cheap holiday, but the service, four star hotels and people make it well worth it. Just for myself, having my luggage carted for us to and from our rooms was in itself worth every penny lol! If you’d like more information email info@railtoursireland.com all your inquiries will be met with a prompt reply.