Discover, Plan & Go!

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S for Shannon

Travel to Shannon on an overnight flight to start your vacation. Relax with inflight meals and entertainment.

Day 2: Arrival & Bunratty Banquet

Land at Shannon Airport and go through an immigration check and baggage retrieval. Locate the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel will arrange a group transfer to nearby Bunratty. Complimentary transfers are available between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm. If your flight arrives later than 2:00 pm, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. In the afternoon you may relax or explore some of the attractions near your hotel. The Bunratty Folk Park, Durty Nelly’s Pub and the Bunratty Woollen Mills are all within walking distance. Sip a get-together drink before heading to nearby Bunratty Castle, the setting for a fun evening of feasting and entertainment in the 15th century castle. Throughout the meal, the lords and ladies of the castle will entertain you with delightful songs, harp and fiddle music to transport you in spirit to the Middle Ages. (D)

Day 3: Cliffs of Moher & Burren Country

Travel to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers. Continue to Kilfenora to visit the Burren Display Centre where the flora, fauna and history of this unique region are explained. Travel through the rounded limestone hills of the Burren and down Corkscrew Hill for views of Galway Bay. Drive through Ballyvaughan and around Galway Bay into Galway. Take a brief tour of Galway Cathedral and the Spanish Arch before checking into your hotel, located close to Eyre Square. Galway city center is a great place for independent browsing and some of the streets are closed to traffic, making it an ideal place to stroll. (B, D)

Day 4: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise

Drive through Headford to Cong, a charming village that was the location for "The Quiet Man" in 1952, starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. A short walking tour will show you movie locations and the ruins of Cong Abbey. Travel through part of Connemara to Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. Embark on a comfortable catamaran, 'Connemara Lady,' for wonderful unspoiled views of the narrow inlet and misty hills (March 31 - October 27 departures). On the return journey to Galway, drive through another section of Connemara via Maam Cross, through the village of Moycullen to visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, a family-owned business specializing in intricate designs in colored crystal. (B, D)

Day 5: Country Life Museum & Donegal

Head north to visit the Museum of Country Life, which portrays the lives of ordinary people who lived in rural Ireland in the period 1850 - 1950. The museum is situated in the grounds of Turlough Park House, built in 1865 and restored to its Victorian splendor. Stop at Knock Shrine, to see the church where locals saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Continue through County Sligo and pause at Drumcliffe Churchyard to see the grave of W.B. Yeats, whose writings were inspired by the Sligo scenery. Follow the Atlantic shoreline of Donegal Bay to Donegal and stop to look around this bustling market town. Continue your journey through Donegal to Stranorlar. (B, D)

Day 6: Grand Atlantic Drive & Glenveagh Castle

Today experience the glorious natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive, which winds through Downings and Rosapenna and past golden beaches and rocky headlands. Travel inland to Glenveagh National Park surrounded by the Derryveagh Mountains. High walls and conifers provide shelter for exotic plants and a large herd of red deer. Tour Glenveagh Castle, a granite castle built in 1870 on the shores of Lough Veagh and walk through some of the gardens. Pass through Letterkenny and return to Stranorlar in ample time for dinner. (B, D)

Day 7: Giant's Causeway & Ballygally Castle

Travel to Derry to join a local guide for a walking tour around the city center, including the medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb’s Cathedral. Next, visit the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Continue south to experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and bays as you travel along the 'Nine Glens of Antrim.' Check into Ballygally Castle, overlooking the sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay. It dates back to 1625 and is Northern Ireland’s only 17th century building still used as a residence. (B, D)

Day 8: Belfast & St. Patrick's Burial Site

Tour Belfast with a local guide to see Victorian buildings, the Harland & Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built and the Falls Road and Shankill residential areas. Drive along the Ards Peninsula and cross Strangford Lough by ferry to visit the St. Patrick Centre. Learn about Ireland’s Patron Saint and view his reputed grave at Down Cathedral. Travel past the gentle slopes of the Mountains of Mourne and continue to Dublin. Check into your lovely deluxe hotel, set in spacious grounds, and in the evening head to the Old Jameson Distillery for dinner and 'Shindig,' a show of traditional music and step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 9: Dublin Castle & Guinness

This morning a city sightseeing tour will introduce you to Dublin with its many elegant Georgian buildings, tranquil parks and lively shopping streets. Take a guided tour around the State Apartments of Dublin Castle. These chambers have hosted many historic and political events and today are the setting for many Irish state and European Union ceremonies. See magnificent Waterford Crystal chandeliers and furnishings and learn about history through the many portraits of prominent personages. Tour the Guinness Storehouse to learn about Ireland’s most famous dark brew and try a creamy draft pint in the rooftop bar while enjoying a view over Dublin’s skyline. The afternoon is free and you may like to check out a restaurant or theater on your own this evening. (B)

Day 10: Return to U.S.

Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am and 12:00 noon. After check-in, you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. (B)