Discover, Plan & Go!

Itinerary

Day 1: Depart for Ireland

Board your flight to Ireland and enjoy inflight meals and entertainment as you start your vacation.

Day 2: Dublin City Tour

Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall to arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm take a brief drive around the city center to see some of the important public buildings such as Trinity College, the General Post Office, St. Patrick's Cathedral and Dublin Castle. End your tour with a visit to Dublin Castle's State Apartments where you can see magnificently decorated chambers that are used for many state functions. In the evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and, as you are free for independent dining, your guide will assist you in selecting a suitable venue.

Day 3: 6th Century Glendalough & Abbey Tavern

This morning drive across the Wicklow Mountains to see the 6th century monastic ruins of Glendalough where the peacefulness of the valley conjures up the spirit of the monks. The Visitor Centre explains how St. Kevin founded this settlement at a time when Christianity was burgeoning throughout Ireland. Today the monks have long gone, leaving the ruins of numerous churches and a round tower. Return to Dublin where the afternoon is at leisure for further sightseeing or shopping. Head to the Abbey Tavern for some traditional Irish cuisine, an Irish coffee and a lively session of popular songs. (B, D)

Day 4: Blarney Castle & Killarney

Drive south through farming country and marketing towns and stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a stately limestone outcrop topped with medieval ruins. Continue south to visit Blarney Castle where you may climb to the battlements to acquire the "Gift of Eloquence" by kissing the famous stone. Take a look through the Blarney Woollen Mills, noted for quality Irish-made merchandise. Travel through the rugged countryside of County Kerry where the town of Killarney is situated with a backdrop of mountains and lakes. After dinner you may like to take a walk around town and listen to live music in one of the pubs. (B, D)

Day 5: Dingle Peninsula Tour

Today discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by David Lean's movie, "Ryan's Daughter." Drive along the south shore and stop to admire views of heathery mountains, sandy stretches of beach and rocky headlands. Pause for a while in Dingle before continuing to the western tip of the peninsula. Tour the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing. Return to Killarney for some free time before dinner. (B, D)

Day 6: Foynes & Bunratty Ceili

Drive north to visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, near the River Shannon. During the 1930s and early 1940s, the Port of Foynes was a hive of activity with Pan Am's Clipper traffic between the United States and Europe. The museum recalls this era through exhibits and an audio-visual show. In Limerick drive around the city center to see the Treaty Stone and King John's Castle and check into your hotel a few miles away. In the evening head to Bunratty Folk Park's Corn Barn, which is the venue for a home-style dinner followed by a Ceili with lots of fun and dancing. You can even give it a try! (B, D)

Day 7: Cliffs of Moher & Galway Bay

Travel through Ennis and part of the Burren country. At the coast stop to view the Cliffs of Moher, an impressive wall of rock that rises nearly 700 feet above the open Atlantic Ocean. In Kilfenora visit the Burren Display Centre to learn about the Burren, an area of rounded limestone hills. See the weathered limestone expanses where many unique wildflowers thrive. Continue your drive via Corkscrew Hill to Ballyvaughan and around Galway Bay to arrive at your hotel in Galway. You can relax in your hotel or take a look around the city center, full of specialty shops, cafes and pubs. (B, D)

Day 8: Clifden & Kylemore Abbey

Today tour Connemara and admire sweeping views of misty mountains and shimmering lakes. You will see sheep grazing freely and tracts of bogland where people hand-cut peat for home heating. Stop in Spiddal where you may hear locals chatting in the Irish language. Continue to Clifden, a delightful market town set between the Twelve Bens and sandy bays. Visit Kylemore Abbey, a 19th century neo-Gothic mansion, which is now a prestigious girls’ school. Tour the exquisite chapel and reception rooms and stroll by the peaceful lake shore. In Moycullen watch skilled craftsmen cutting fine crystal at the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory. (B, D)

Day 9: Yeats' Country & Donegal Castle

Head north to Castlebar to visit the Museum of Irish Life. This modern building explains how Irish people made a living from the soil from 1850 to 1950. Also see the Victorian mansion of Turlough Park House where some of the rooms are open to view. Travel through County Sligo and stop to view the W. B. Yeats' grave in Drumcliffe Churchyard. Follow the shoreline of Donegal Bay to take a guided tour around Donegal Castle in the center of town. The fortress was built by an O' Donnell Chieftain in the 15th century but 200 years later changed hands and was expanded. Continue your journey through Donegal and past the lovely Blue Stack Mountains to Derry for dinner and overnight. (B, D)

Day 10: Giant's Causeway & Derry

This morning drive along the north coast Ireland to explore the Giant's Causeway, huge hexagonal columns formed over 60 million years ago. The oversized rocks have given rise to many legends, especially involving the giant, Finn McCool. Return to Derry for a guided walking tour around central Derry, which will include the Guildhall, St. Columb's Cathedral, the Diamond and 16th century city walls. Spend some time in the Tower Museum and the balance of the afternoon is free to relax or explore the city center before dinner. (B, D)

Day 11: Ulster American Folk Park & Cabra Castle Stay

Drive past the Sperrin Mountains to visit the Ulster American Folk Park. See many cottages including the boyhood home of Thomas Mellon, who emigrated to Pittsburgh in 1818 and later founded Mellon Bank. The Park traces the story of Ulster emigrants by showing how they lived in the "Old Country" and sailed across the Atlantic to settle in the "New World" in Colonial times. Travel south to Kingscourt to your castle hotel, built in 1760. After a farewell dinner in the Court Restaurant, enjoy some informal entertainment. (B, D)

Day 12: Return Home

This morning take a group transfer from Kingscourt to Dublin Airport where your tour concludes at 10:00 am. After check-in you will have time to shop at the duty-free stores. If you need to arrive at Dublin Airport before 10:00 am, your guide will arrange an early group transfer. (B)