Six-Night Ireland Vacation Package, from $699 with Air

This budget-friendly Ireland package saves you at least $100 per person on round-trip airfare and two nights' hotel, plus the deal includes a car rental and four nights at B&Bs throughout the Emerald Isle.

By Carrie Havranek

Published: Jan 31, 2011

Updated: Dec 21, 2023

This week's Smart Deal is from Dooley Vacations (tel. 877/331-9301; www.dooleyvacations.com), which is offering a six-night Ireland package just in time for spring. The $699 starting price includes airfare and a car rental.

For the sake of perspective, consider that round-trip nonstop airfare to Ireland from New York-JFK is currently starting at $575 for the March 28 travel date, according to a recent online search. Nightly rates at Croke Park Hotel in Dublin start around $110 per room, while one night at the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, outside Dublin, in early April would cost €255 ($340) per room. This means that this package would save you at least $100 per person on airfare and hotel alone -- and that's not even counting the four nights at B&Bs or the car rental. Dooley Vacations advertises the savings as at least $200, which seems about right -- if not a little conservative on the estimate.

Ireland's famously laid-back culture and people will charm you. Traveling in spring, (before high season) yields lighter crowds and many shades of green.

Trip Type:

Air-inclusive, independent

What the Quoted Price Gets You:

Airfare from New York City (JFK) to Dublin; one night in Dublin at the Croke Park Hotel; vouchers for four nights in standard B&Bs, and one night at the Ritz-Carlton Powerscourt, in Wicklow; a weekly car rental with unlimited mileage and a manual transmission; a guided tour of Belleek China Factory guided tour; and airline fuel surcharges.

What Else You'll Have to Pay: Up to $180 per person in government taxes and fees.

Book By: As soon as possible to ensure availability

When: Select Monday and Tuesday departures March 21-April 30, 2011

Other Gateways: Boston (from $719), Orlando (from $749), Chicago (from $769)

Other Details: Add $75 per person to upgrade to a car with an automatic transmission and a GPS navigation system, fancier B&B stays (called "town and country"), and a suite at the Ritz-Carlton.

If you want to stay an extra night, add $75 per person per night for Dublin; or add two nights, which includes two B&B nights. Either way, you'll get an extra day for the car rental, too.

Talk with fellow Frommer's travelers on our Ireland Travel Forum.