Day 1:
Depart for Shannon, Ireland. Day 2:
Arrive in Shannon, Ireland but the first stop of the tour will be Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. The Folk Park is a meticulous recreation of rural life at the end of the 19th century. After exploring the park and this 15th century formidable castle, the highlight of the day will be a medieval banquet for which the castle is famous! Banquet dinner and overnight in Bunratty.(D) Day 3:
Today, the first stop will be Ardfert Cathedral before taking in the wilds of the Dingle Peninsula. Ardfert, a complex of churches, is linked to Brendan the Navigator who was born nearby in 484 A.D. and founded a monastery here. The ruined cathedral dates back to the 12th century. A drive around the area reveals fascinating antiquities ranging from Iron Age stone forts to inscribed stones, early Christian oratories, and beehive huts. Stops include Dunbeg Fort, Slea Head, Ballyferriter, Kilmalkedar, and Gallarus Oratory Drystone Church. Enjoy a fish and chips lunch before taking in the attractive fishing port village of Dingle. Dinner and overnight in Killarney.(B,L,D) Day 4:
The first stop this morning is Muchross House, an imposing Victorian Mansion that was built in 1843 and overlooks the spectacular Lakes of Killarney. A stop is made at The Ladies View, made famous by Queen Victoria's ladies in waiting. The drive will eventually bring you to Kenmare, which is the gourmet and lace capitol of Ireland. Afternoon Tea is held at the Park Hotel and then the rest of the day is free to investigate the shops here in Kenmare before your return to Killarney. Dinner is at Moll Darcy's back in Killarney. Overnight in Killarney.(B,L,D) Day 5:
Happy Patty's Day! Killarney is a wonderful location to take in the festivities of St. Patrick's Day. Following breakfast there is time for a visit to Ross Castle before starting the festivities. Following the visit you will settle in town to watch the annual parade on High Street. After the parade, find a pub to settle into for an afternoon session of traditional Irish music. The itinerary then journeys to Danny Mann's Pub, a well known music pub in Killarney, for a Patty's Day Pub Dinner. Enjoy a bit of live music at Danny Mann's and the many pubs offering traditional music sessions. Overnight in Killarney.(B,D) Day 6:
Today's first stop is Blarney Castle in County Cork. If the gift of gab has not been bestowed on you, you may want to kiss the Blarney Stone. The castle itself sits in spectacular grounds and is well worth a visit, along with the Blarney Woollen Mills Outlet with its three floors of wonderful shopping. You'll then experience a lovely coastal drive from Cork through Youghal and to Tramore for afternoon tea. Then it is on to Waterford and the Waterford Crystal Factory. The original glass factory was founded in 1783 and visitors can follow all stages of production. Dinner is on your own tonight in the many eateries to be found in Kilkenny. Overnight in Kilkenny.(B,L) Day 7:
This morning some time will be taken to investigate Ireland's loveliest inland village of Kilkenny before paying a visit to Kilkenny Castle. Built in the 1190's, Kilkenny Castle was occupied right up to 1935. High spots of the tour include the library, the wood-paneled dining room, and the Chinese bedroom. Enjoy a sumptuous afternoon tea at the Kilkenny Ormonde before a visit this afternoon to Jerpoint Abbey, one of the finest Cistercian ruins in Ireland. Built in 1160, the fortified medieval complex flourished until the dissolution of the monasteries. Dinner tonight is at Kyteler's Inn, a 14th century coaching inn haunted by Dame Alice Kyteler. Overnight in Kilkenny.(B,L,D) Day 8:
On the way to Dublin today you will stop at Browne's Hill Dolmen, which has the biggest capstone in Europe, weighing 100 tons. The stone dates back to 2000 B.C. The next stop is Kildare with afternoon tea at the Kildare Courtyard Hotel before continuing on to Dublin. Once in Dublin, the rest of the afternoon is open for sightseeing, shopping, and exploring the many restaurants to be found here. Overnight in Dublin.(B,L) Day 9:
Following breakfast you will tour the city aboard an open-top tour bus. After the tour you will want to spend time possibly taking in Trinity College and the Book of Kells and also visiting St. Patrick's Cathedral or Christ Church Cathedral. The group will meet at The Clarence Hotel Tearoom for afternoon tea before enjoying an afternoon free for shopping on Grafton Street or Henry Street. Meet up again this evening for dinner and a night of traditional music. Overnight in Dublin.(B,L,D) Day 10:
This morning's adventure begins in the East of Ireland. The first stop on the way will be The Hill of Tara. Tara was the political and spiritual center of Celtic Ireland and the seat of High Kings until the 11th century. This afternoon you'll visit Kells Monastery set up by St. Columba in the 6th century. Monks fled here from Iona in the year 806 and are believed to be the ones who scribed the Book of Kells. The next stop of the day is at Newgrange Megalithic Passage Tomb. Newgrange was built about 3200 BC. The kidney-shaped mound covers an area of over one acre and is surrounded by 97 kerbstones, some of which are richly decorated with megalithic art. Dinner and overnight in Mullingar.(B,D) Day 11:
This morning the tour heads off to Clonmancnoise Monastic Settlement. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th -13th century), two round towers, three high crosses, and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs. Stop for lunch in the delightful village of Ballinasloe before heading to Galway, the center for the Irish-speaking regions in the west and a lively university city. The center of the city lies on the banks of the River Corrib, which flows down from Lough Corrib. You will have some time to investigate the city before checking out one of the many lovely restaurants to be found in Galway. Tonight you'll have a seafood dinner at McSwiggan's and overnight in Galway.(B,L,D) Day 12:
This morning the itinerary travels through the beautiful Connemara National Park in the heart of Connemara, a combination of bogland, lakes, and mountains. Along the way you'll visit Kylemore Abbey. Sheltered by the slopes of the 12 Bens, this lakeside castle is a romantic, battlemented Gothic Revival fantasy. This afternoon you'll visit the lovely village of Clifden, framed by the grandeur of the 12 Bens mountain range. Then return to Galway for a traditional pub dinner outing. Overnight in Galway.(B,D) Day 13:
This morning on the way south you'll visit the Burren, a unique botanical environment in which Mediterranean and Alpine plants rare to Ireland grow side by side. In the southern part of the Burren, limestone gives way to black shale and sandstone to form the dramatic Cliffs of Moher. Even when shrouded in mist, the Cliffs of Moher are breathtaking, rising to a height of 650-feet out of the sea and extending for five miles. Mrs. White's Afternoon Tea at Dromoland Castle is a wonderful experience before traveling to Ennis with its narrow streets and quaint shops in every nook. This is, perhaps, the most endearing town in Ireland. Tonight the group will enjoy a farewell dinner and a traditional music night in Ennis. Overnight in Ennis.(B,L,D) Day 14:
Following breakfast, travel to the Shannon International Airport for the return trip home.(B) |
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