ITINERARY
Day 1 - Sunday
WELCOME TO DUBLIN
Welcome to Dublin, Ireland's Capital. You'll be met by your experienced driver-guide and a luxury Mercedes touring vehicle and tour into the city center. This afternoon explore Dublin on your own. You can visit the National Gallery, the museums and maybe view the Book of Kells at Trinity College. You may wish to tour the State Apartments at Dublin Castle. You stay in the heart of Dublin at the Merrion 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. You have the afternoon to shop and enjoy this 1,000 year old city. 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 Merry Ploughbou Pub.
Day 3 - Tuesday
COUNTY KILDARE
Tour from Dublin through County Kildare. Stop at the Curragh and view the horse training in progress and see the 'gallops.' On to the National Stud, the center of horse breeding success in Ireland. Across the road are the Japanese Gardens, an exquisite gardens. Arrive at the Heritage Resort. You'll want to explore and see all of the facilities and features of this 5 star retreat. Maybe take in a Spa Treatment, a swim in the pool or a walk on the marked trails around the golf course. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner followed by an Irish Coffee. Dinner in the dining room this evening.
Day 4 - Wednesday
KILKENNY,THOMASTOWN & WATERFORD
Tour to the medieval town of Kilkenny, visiting 12th century Kilkenny Castle and tour the State Apartments which have been fully restored. You'll visit the Kilkenny Design Center with its craft shops. On to Kells and a view of the 13th century Kells Priory. Continue south to Waterford for a visit to the Waterford Crystal Visitor Center. Time permitting: Visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship Museum at New Ross. Return to The Heritage for a relaxing evening. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 5 - Thursday
CAHIR & CASHEL
Tour to County Tipperary and 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. Continue to Cahir with a visit to the 12th century Butler castle - Cahir Castle. This has been fully restored to its original state. 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. No visit to Cork would be complete without a tour to the town of Blarney. Northwest of Cork City this 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. Arrive at Hayfield Manor. You'll want to explore and see all of the facilities and features of this 5 star retreat. Maybe take in a Spa Treatment, a swim in the pool or as you are in Cork City, a walk around the town. Dinner in the dining room this evening.
Day 6 - Friday
KINSALE, MIDLETON & COBH
Tour to the quaint harbor town of Kinsale. See the star-shaped Charles Fort at Summercove with its own ghost story. Explore the town with its boutiques, shops, restaurants and pubs. Tour to Midleton and a visit to the Midleton Irish Whiskey Distillery. You'll enjoy a wonderful tour of the facility and a sample of the 'water of life.' On to the harbor town of Cobh, a place formerly known as Queenstown and one of the major embarkation points of emigrants during the 19th and 20th centuries. It was also the last port of call for the Titanic and the Lusitania. The Emigration Museum will tell you 'The Queenstown Story.' St. Coleman's Cathedral rises at the top of the town. Return to Cork and Hayfield Manor for a relaxing evening. Dinner on your own tonight.
Day 7 - Friday
LIMERICK & GORT
Depart Cork and tour north to the City of Limerick, Ireland’s third largest city and view 12th
century King John’s Castle. Stop at Bunratty to view 15th century Bunratty Castle and have
some refreshment at Durty Nelly’s Pub, one of Ireland’s oldest. On to Gort and a stop at Thoor
Ballyleethe summer home of W. B. Yeats, Ireland’s greatest poet. On to Galway where you stay
at the Glenlo Abbey Hotel in this vibrant city. Christopher Columbus stopped here on his way
to the New World. Enjoy a panoramic sightseeing tour of the city. See the sites of Eyre Square, visit the Claddagh district and view the Spanish Arch.Stay at Glenlo Abbey Hotel, a beautiful resort with its own golf course. Dinner in the dining room this evening.
Day 8 - Sunday
CLIFFS OF MOHER & BURREN
Tour through the picturesque village of Kinvara, viewing 15th century Dunguaire Castle. On through the Burren, an eerie expanse of land scraped bare by the glaciers during the Ice Age and where exotic plants grow. On to Lahinch, famous for golf, then the Cliffs of Moher. Return to Galway through Lisdoonvarna, home of the annual Matchmaker Festival every September! Return to Glenlo Abbey Hotel. Dinner on your own tonight.
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. You can take this opportunity to try 9 holes of golf at the Glenlo Abbey Golf Course, do some fishing on Lough Corrib or stroll around the city on the pedestrianized streets lined with pubs, restaurants, boutiques, book stores and more! 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. Dinner in the dining room this evening. How about a visit to a pub this evening to hear some Irish music?
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.
• Luxury 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
• Welcome Dinner with Irish Coffee in the Cellar Restaurant
• Dinner & Irish Entertainment Evening at the Merry Ploughboy Pub in Dublin
• Dinner included on six evenings in the hotel dining room.
• Aran Island Air Excursion and island tour
• Visits and admissions to The Boyne Valley Center, Kilkenny Castle, Jerpoint Abbey, Kells Priory, Waterford Crystal Visitor Center, Rock of Cashel, Cahir Castle, Emigration Museum, Charles Fort, Blarney Castle, Blarney Woolen Mills, 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 Luxury Hotels & Manor Houses:
Dublin: The Merrion Hotel - 2 nights
Killenard: The Heritage Resort Hotel & Spa - 2 nights
Cork: Hayfield Manor Hotel & Spa - 2 nights
Galway: Glenlo Abbey Hotel - 4 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: $5,399
price is per person sharing double/twin room
Single room Supplement: $1099
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 |
$5,399 |
Available |
20224 |
| May 15 |
May 29 |
$5,399 |
Available |
20225 |
| June 12 |
JUne 26 |
$5,399 |
Available |
20226 |
| July 10 |
July 24 |
$5,399 |
Available |
20227 |
| August 14 |
August 28 |
$5,399 |
Available |
20228 |
| Sept. 11 |
Sept. 25 |
$5,399 |
Available |
20229 |
