Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Dublin. Dinner and an entertainment program will be provided.

Day 2: Dublin Arrival & Dublin Castle
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 tour the city center, stopping to visit Dublin Castle’s State Apartments to view historical portraits and superb furnishings. In the evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and dine independently – your guide will assist you in making a suitable choice of restaurant.

Day 3: Monastic Glendalough & Abbey Tavern
This morning discover the Wicklow Mountains, located south of Dublin. Drive through the lovely scenery and visit Glendalough, a 6th century monastic site founded by St. Kevin. Learn about monastic life in early Christian Ireland and then walk through the ruins to see the many churches and round tower, interspersed with later Celtic crosses. Return to Dublin where the afternoon is at leisure for independent interests and, in the evening, head to the Abbey Tavern for some traditional Irish cuisine, an Irish coffee and a lively session of popular folk songs. (B, D)

Day 4: Downpatrick & Mount Stewart
Drive north via Drogheda and Newry and follow the coastline to view gentle green slopes of
the Mourne Mountains along the way. Stop in Downpatrick to learn about Ireland’s patron saint at the St. Patrick Centre and then see his reputed burial place, marked by a granite boulder, at Down Cathedral. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to visit Mount Stewart House and Gardens. This property, home to Lord Castlereagh during Napoleonic times, contains portraits and furnishings. The extensive gardens, with a wide range of plant types, are considered among the best in the country. Check into your hotel in the center of Belfast. The famous Crown Liquor Saloon, dating from 1826, is just across the street. (B, D)

Day 5: Giant’s Causeway & Derry
A local guide will take you on a tour through Belfast, rich in Victorian architecture. See the Harland and Wolff Shipyards where the Titanic was built and see some of the residential areas around the Shankill and Falls Road. Journey along the spectacular drive of the “Nine Glens of Antrim” with mountains on one side and coastline on the other. Visit the Giant’s Causeway, a mass of 40,000 hexagonal basalt columns formed over 60 million years ago. Legends about giants abound, especially Finn McCool, a hardy Ulster hero. Drive along the north coast to Derry and take a walking tour around the old city center, still encircled by its medieval city walls, to learn about its long history. (B, D)

Day 6: Donegal Castle & Westport
Head south through County Donegal, which is renowned for its wool production. In Ardara visit Triona Designs to see how popular tweeds and knitwear are produced. Enjoy tea and scones before driving to Donegal town. Take a guided tour around Donegal Castle to learn about the history of this onetime home to O’Donnell chiefs, who dominated the region. Travel through the gentle scenery of Sligo, often referred to as “Yeats’ Country” as the writer spent time in and wrote about the region. Continue traveling south through Mayo to Westport and check into your hotel, located on the central square of this planned Georgian town. (B, D)

Day 7: Catamaran Cruise & Quiet Man Tour
Travel around Clew Bay via Louisburg and pass the pilgrimage mountain of Croaghpatrick where Saint Patrick reputedly prayed for 40 days. At Leenane embark on a short catamaran cruise aboard the “Connemara Lady” to view the delightful scenery of Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. Drive through the gentle hills of Connemara to Cong, renowned as the location of the 1952 movie with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara, “The Quiet Man.” Take a short walk with a local guide to see places associated with the movie before returning to Westport. After dinner you may like to visit Matt Malloy’s Pub (of Chieftains fame), close to your hotel. (B, D)

Day 8: Galway & Cliffs of Moher
Travel to Galway City and take a drive around to see the main sights. Then spend some time on your own before driving through the Burren, limestone hills with unique flora and prehistoric stone
monuments. View the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the
foaming Atlantic Ocean. Drive to Bunratty and check into your hotel, located beside Bunratty Castle. You may like to visit Durty Nelly’s Pub or the Bunratty Folk Park. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner, while the Lords and Ladies serenade you
with favorite songs and gentle harp music. (B, D)

Day 9: Return to U.S.
Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. After check-in, you’ll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before U.S. Immigration pre-clearance and boarding your flight for the journey home. If you need to arrive at Shannon Airport before 10:30 am, your guide will coordinate an early group transfer once you are on tour. (B)