ITINERARY
Day 1 - Sunday
WELCOME TO DUBLIN
Welcome to Dublin, Ireland's Capital. This afternoon explore Dublin on your own.
You stay in the heart of Dublin at the Davenport Hotel at Merrion Square, just a short stroll from St. Stephen's Green and also Temple Bar. A welcome reception of Irish Coffee - followed by a welcome dinner at the hotel and chat about our forthcoming Ireland adventure.
Day 2 - Monday
BOYNE VALLEY CENTER & DUBLIN'S FAIR CITY
Tour to Bru na Boinne Visitor Center (Boyne Valley Center) which presents one of Europe's great archaeological mysteries along the Boyne Valley and Newgrange and Knowth burial tomb. These monuments predate the pyramids of Egypt. Return to Dublin and enjoy a panoramic tour of Dublin City. View the Georgian Squares of Merrion, Fitzwilliam and St. Stephen's Green with their brightly decorated doors. Tour the State Apartments at Dublin Castle. You have the afternoon to shop and enjoy this 1,000 year old city. You can visit the National Gallery, the museums and maybe view the Book of Kells at Trinity College. Tonight, you'll laugh and sing the night away to the music of the harp and fiddle, flute and bodhran (goatskin tambourine). Join in the songs, marvel at the intricacy of the Irish step dancing, but most of all enjoy the wit and humor of an Irish dinner and cabaret. Note: On the May departure you will enjoy an evening of Ballads with dinner at the Abbey Tavern.
Day 3 - Tuesday
WICKLOW, GLENDALOUGH & WATERFORD
Leaving Dublin, we travel south through the Wicklow Mountains and the region known as "The Garden of Ireland." A scenic drive along the sea coast to Powerscourt Gardens, then on to Glendalough where we take a guided tour of the 6th century monastic settlement with its round tower and Celtic cross at Glendalough. Continue through Enniscorthy and to Waterford on the River Suir. Stop at the famous Waterford Crystal factory and enjoy their Visitor Center. You'll have time to browse through the showrooms and maybe purchase some of the beautiful cut crystal. Stay in Waterford at the beautiful Arlington Lodge, the former Bishop's Palace. Dinner in the dining room this evening.
Day 4 - Wednesday
KILKENNY & KELLS
Tour to the medieval city of Kilkenny, once the capital of Ireland. We visit Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral. You have time to explore Kilkenny Town. On to Thomastown and a visit to Jerpoint Abbey, dating back to the 13th century. Stop for a view of the 13th century Kells Priory. Return to Waterford for a leisure evening. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 5 - Thursday
BLARNEY & KILLARNEY
Tour through the town of Dungarvan and enjoy views of the Celtic Sea to the town of Youghal, where Sir Walter Raleigh was once mayor. Through Midleton, home of the famous Irish whiskey distillery. Through Cork City on the lovely River Lee, Ireland's second largest city. Continue to Blarney. Stop at Blarney Castle to climb to the battlements of the castle to kiss the famous "stone of eloquence." You'll have time to visit the Blarney Woolen Mills for traditional Irish handcrafts, fashions and crystal. On through the village of Macroom in the Gaeltacht area (Irish speaking) where you will see road signs and shop front names in Irish! William Penn, the founder of the State of Pennsylvania, was born here. Cross the Derrynasaggart Mountains into Killarney. Killarney is set beside the Lakes of Killarney at the foot of the mountains, "Heaven's Reflex" as it is called for its beauty. Stay at the beautiful Killarney Royal Hotel in the heart of Killarney Town. Irish jaunting cart ride through the Killarney National Park. Dinner in the dining room this evening. How about an evening of Irish traditional music after dinner?
Day 6 - Friday
DINGLE PENINSULA
Tour the spectacular Dingle Peninsula to Dingle, 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, Mulcahy's Pottery and a lunch stop in Ballyferriter. Return to Killarney via Tralee and hear the sad romantic story of the Rose of Tralee. Stop at the spectacular viewpoint of Aghadoe Heights. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 7 - Saturday
CLIFFS OF MOHER, BURREN & GALWAY
Depart Killarney traveling north via Tarbert on the Shannon River. Before Shannon Airport was ever thought of the Flying Clipper aircraft used to land at nearby Foynes. Cross the Shannon River to Killimer in County Clare. Continue up the Clare Coast and hear about the Spanish Armada wrecks during 1588! Through Lahinch, famous for golf, then the Cliffs of Moher that rise 700 feet from the Atlantic Ocean and stretch for 5 miles. On through the Burren, an eerie expanse of land scraped bare by the glaciers during the Ice Age and where exotic plants grow. Tour through the picturesque village of Kinvara on our way to Galway where you stay at the Glenlo Abbey Hotel in this vibrant city. Stroll around Eyre Square, visit the Claddagh district and view the Spanish Arch. Christopher Columbus stopped here on his way to the New World. Stay at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, a beautiful resort with its own golf course. Dinner in the dining room this evening.
Day 8 - Sunday
GALWAY CITY
You are free to explore Galway City today. Stroll the pedestrianized streets that are lined with shops, boutiques, book stores, pubs and restaurants. Enjoy a round of golf on Glenlo Abbey's Golf course or do some fishing on the river or lake. Or enjoy the Glenlo Abbey Estate and take a walk and explore. Dinner in the dining room this evening.
Day 9 - Monday
ARAN ISLANDS & GALWAY
We take an air excursion to the largest of the Aran islands - Inishmor. Enjoy a two hour tour of the island, including a visit to the ancient fort - Dun Angeus. You'll have time to shop for woolen sweaters. After returning from the island we'll return to Galway City where you'll have time to explore the pedestrianized streets with shops, pubs and restaurants. Return to the Glenlo Abbey Hotel. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 10 - Tuesday
CONNEMARA TOUR
Travel through the Connemara region which is known for its mountains, the Twelve Bens and the beauty of the landscape with its changing colors. Enjoy a scenic drive up the Lough Inagh Valley to Letterfrack and visit Kylemore Abbey,
a former Benedictine Abbey, now a private school for girls. Tour on to Clifden, the capital of Connemara with its Clifden Castle. On through Ballyconneeley to Roundstone and visit Malachy's Bodhran factory and see how the goatskin drums are made and hand painted. The bodhran is used in Traditional Irish Music. Return to Galway City for a leisure evening. How about a visit to a pub this evening to hear some Irish music? Stay at the Glenlo Abbey Hotel. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 11 - Wednesday
CONG & SLIGO
Tour north from Galway and visit the village of Cong which was used in the John Wayne movie - The Quiet Man. On to Ashford Castle, once the home of the Arthur Guinness Family and now a deluxe 5 star resort. On to Sligo, a county of gentle mountains, lakes and coastline. This area is associated with the great writer, W. B. 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.
Day 12 - Thursday
BELLEEK & DONEGAL TOWN
On to Ballyshannon where you cross into County Fermanagh to the town of Belleek, home of the famous Belleek China factory. We tour into Donegal Town and visit Magee's of Donegal for tweeds and woolens. Visit 15th century Donegal Castle, with its fully restored Jacobean wing. Enjoy a chance to explore the town before returning to the Sandhouse Hotel to stroll along the beach. Stay at the Sandhouse Hotel. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 13 - Friday
GLENCOLUMCILLE & SLIEVE LEAGUE
Tour to Killybegs, 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 Rossnowlagh via Ardara, the center of the woolen industry in County Donegal. Enjoy a relaxing evening at the Sandhouse Hotel this evening. Dinner in the dining room this evening.
Day 14 - Saturday
BOYLE & FAMINE MUSEUM
Travel to Boyle and visit 13th century Boyle Abbey founded by the Cistercians. Continue to Strokestown in County Roscommon to visit the Famine Museum & Strokestown House. You'll learn what life was like on a tenant farm during the Great Famine. Continue our scenic drive across the midlands, arriving at Radisson SAS Hotel near Dublin Airport in the late afternoon. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 15 - Sunday
DEPART FOR HOME
Transfer to Dublin Airport. Depart for home.
Slan Leat!
TOUR INCLUDES:
• Arrival and Departure Transfers
• Sightseeing by Private luxury motorcoach.
• Elegant Manor and Hotel accommodation with private bath for 14 nights.
• Professional driver/guide throughout the tour - from day 1 to day 14
• Full Irish breakfast daily
• Dinner included on 6 selected evenings.
• Dinner on your own on other evenings
• Irish Coffee Reception in Dublin
• Welcome dinner in Dublin on first evening.
• Dinner and Cabaret evening in Dublin
• Sheep Dog Demonstration in County Kerry
• Irish Jaunting Cart Ride in Killarney
• Aran Island Air Excursion and island tour
• Visits and admissions to Bru na Boinne (Boyne Valley Center), Book of Kells, Glendalough, Avoca Woolen Mills, Kilkenny Castle, Jerpoint Abbey, Kells Priory, Waterford Crystal Visitor Center, Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Emigration Museum, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woolen Mills, Muckross House, Blasket Island Center, Gallorus Oratory, Cliffs of Moher, Dun Aengus, Kylemore Abbey,
Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetery, Donegal Castle, Donegal Parian China, Belleek China Factory, Boyle Abbey, Strokestown House & Famine Museum
• Hotel service charges, tips for
baggage handling and local taxes.
• Journey Through Ireland Souvenir Shirt
• Maximum 12 Tour Members
• All tours personally driven and escorted
by experienced driver-guide.
HOTELS:
You will be staying at the following Small Elegant Hotels & Manor Houses:
Dublin: Davenport Hotel - 2 nights
Waterford: Atheneaum House Hotel - 2 nights
Killarney: Killarney Royal - 3 nights
Galway: Glenlo Abbey Hotel - 3 nights
Donegal (Rossnowlagh): Sandhouse Hotel - 3 nights
Dublin Airport: Radisson SAS Hotel - 1 night
15 Day Private Escorted
Motorcoach Tour
Only 12 Tour Members
FULL TOUR PRICE: $4,899
price is per person sharing double/twin room
Single room Supplement: $929
PAY BY CHECK DISCOUNT:
If you wish to pay the land tour price BY PERSONAL CHECK you can deduct 5% from the Land Tour Price shown in RED. Tour Deposit may be made by credit card but remaining tour balance must be paid by personal check to receive discount. You may, of course, pay for the tour by credit card at the price shown. Call us at 1-800-828-0826 to take advantage of this SPECIAL OFFER! |
| 2011 Tour Dates |
| Start Dublin |
Finish Dublin |
Full Tour Price |
Status Places Remaining |
Tour # |
| April 24 |
May 8 |
$4,899 |
EIGHT |
20200 |
| May 15 |
May 29 |
$4,899 |
AVAILABLE |
20201 |
| June 12 |
June 26 |
$4,899 |
AVAILABLE |
20202 |
| July 10 |
July 24 |
$4,899 |
ELEVEN |
20203 |
| August 14 |
August 28 |
$4,899 |
AVAILABLE |
20204 |
| Sept. 11 |
Sept. 25 |
$4,899 |
AVAILABLE |
20205 |
