2013 Come Back To Erin 1

Day 1: Monday
Arrive in Dublin, Ireland

On arrival into Dublin enjoy a city tour of Ireland’s capital. Highlights of this morning city tour include to Trinity College where you will see the famous ‘Book of Kells’ and a tour of Christchurch Cathedral which dates back to 1028 and hosts a medieval crypt and stunning interior. This evening enjoy a welcome dinner with your driver/guide.

Accommodation: The Davenport Hotel, 2 nights.

Day 2: Tuesday
Wicklow Excursion & Dublin

After breakfast, visit Powerscourt Gardens in Wicklow often described as one of Ireland’s most beautiful gardens. Set on over 47 acres, the gardens are said to have over 200 different varieties of trees, shrubs and flowers. Next you can learn about all the process of making the legendary stout Guinness, with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse. At the end of your tour you can enjoy a pint of the famous blackstuff. The balance of the day is at leisure to discover this wonderful city. This evening you can participate in an optional Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. This lively tour takes you into some of Dublin’s famous pubs where writers like James Joyce and Samuel Beckett were frequently seen.

Day 3: Wednesday
Cashel, Blarney & Cork

En-route to Cork enjoy a tour to the town of Cashel. The impressive Rock of Cashel looms up in front of you as you approach the town. This cathedral-fortress dates to the time of St. Patrick when he used the shamrock as the symbol of the Holy Trinity as he converted the King of Munster to Christianity. Travel to Blarney where Blarney Castle, a 15th century McCarthy Castle, is legend. You’ll visit the estate and enjoy a stroll through the estate to the castle and then climb to the top and kiss the Blarney Stone. It is said that you’ll obtain the gift of eloquent speech by kissing the stone. Continue to Cork City on the River Lee, a city more than 800 years old, the second largest city of the Irish Republic, lively and prosperous with a keen sense of its own cultural identity. Enjoy dinner in your hotel this evening.

Accommodation: The Imperial Hotel, Cork, 2 nights.

Day 4: Thursday
Kinsale & Cobh

Enjoy the quaint harbor town of Kinsale, with colored houses dotted on the landscape as well as many boutiques, shops, restaurants and pubs. Visit the 14th century star shaped Charles Fort before heading to Cobh Heritage Centre.  Cobh was one of the major embarkation points of emigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries and also the last port of call for the Titanic before she sank on her maiden voyage. On to Midleton where you will visit the Old Midleton Distillery which is home to Jameson Irish whiskey. Learn about craftmanship and complete the tour with a whiskey tasting.

Day 5: Friday
Kenmare & Killarney

Head to Glengarriff , cross the spectacular Caha Pass into Kenmare situated on the Kenmare River, a very picturesque town. Tour north through Moll’s Gap and enjoy the ‘Short Ring of Kerry,’ and stop at Ladies View for a panoramic view over the Lakes of Killarney and Killarney town.  Enjoy dinner in your hotel this evening.

Accommodation: The Malton, Killarney, 3 nights.

Day 6: Saturday
Killarney

Head to Killarney National Park and take in the stunning scenery set on over 24,000 acres. Visit to Muckross House and Gardens. This 19th century mansion depicts what life was like in the Ireland during this period. The balance of the day is at leisure.

Day 7: Sunday
Dingle Peninsula

Tour the spectacular Dingle Peninsula, one of Ireland’s most picturesque spots. We visit the town of Dingle, then drive around Slea Head and admire its rugged beauty. Visit the Blasket Island Center. Stop and visit the Gallorus Oratory and other Early Christian sites. The Gallorus Oratory is a 7th century stone chapel used by pilgrims going to Mount Brandon.

Day 8: Monday
Cliffs of Moher & Galway

Depart for Galway, take the short ferry crossing at Tarbert and then onwards to the majestic Cliffs of Moher which soar over 700 feet over the pounding waves of the Atlantic Ocean. Travel through the Burren, an eerie expanse of land scraped bare by the glaciers during the Ice Age. Enjoy an orientation tour of Galway city.

Accommodation: Meyrick Hotel, Galway, 3 nights (except 13 May Tour stays at the Forester Court Hotel).

Day 9: Tuesday
Aran Islands Excursion

Take an air excursion to the largest of the Aran Islands – Inismor.  The Aran Islands represent a  precious sanctuary of Irish cultural tradition. Enjoy a two hour tour of the island, including a visit to the ancient fort – Dun Angeus.  Explore the island before taking your return flight back to the mainland. That evening head to ‘Trad on the Prom’ a contemporary Irish Show featuring a mix of traditional Irish music, song and dance.

Day 10: Wednesday
Connemara Excursion

Travel through the Connemara region which is known for its mountains, the Twelve Bens and the beauty of the landscape with its changing colors. Stop at the Connemara Marble Factory just outside Moycullen and then keep an eye out for “The Quiet Man” bridge outside Oughterard. Enjoy the breathtaking views as we drive through the Maam Valley in the shadow of the Maamturk Mountains. Continue on to the picturesque town on Leenane at the top of the Killary fjord and onto the famous and beautiful Kylemore Abbey, a former Benedictine Abbey and private school for girls. Take the scenically breathtaking Inagh Valley road b the 12 Bens Mountain Range on to Roundstone and visit Malachy’s Bodhran factory and see how the goatskin drums are made and hand painted, as we make our way back to Galway through Spiddal.

Day 11: Thursday
Cong, Sligo & Donegal

Tour north from Galway and visit the village of Cong made famous by the movie ‘The Quiet Man’ starring John Wayne. Visit the Quiet Man Museum before heading to Sligo.This area is associated with the great  Irish writer, William  Bulter Yeats. Tour north from Sligo, stopping at Drumcliff and the Yeats Center. Yeats is buried here in Drumcliff Churchyard. On to County Donegal and the sea front Sandhouse Hotel. Enjoy the spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean from your bedroom! Dinner in the dining room this evening.

Accommodation: The Sandhouse Hotel, Donegal, 2 nights.

Day 12: Friday
Glencolumcille & Slieve League excursion

After breakfast head to Killbegs, Ireland’s largest commercial fishing port. On to Glencolumcille, a village of thatched roof cottages and links to St. Columcille of the 6th century who founded the city of Derry. On to Slieve League and the Cliffs of Bunglass which are higher and more magnificent than the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare. Return to Donegal and enjoy some free time exploring through the town.

Day 13: Saturday
Donegal to Dublin

Cross into County Fermanagh to the town of Belleek and enjoy a visit to the famous Belleek China factory. Then head towards Omagh to the Ulster American Folk Park.  This open air museum focuses on the lifestyle and experiences of those immigrants who sailed from Ulster to America in the 18th and 19th centuries.We make our way to Dublin for the final night of your tour. Enjoy some free time in Dublin city.

Accommodation: The Davenport Hotel, Dublin

Day 14: Sunday
Depart Ireland

This morning you are transferred to Dublin airport for your return flight home.

Slan Leat!