Irish Adventure Tour
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Day 1 - Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
Arrive at Dublin Airport and proceed through immigration and pick up your baggage. Go to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where personnel will arrange a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If you arrive later than noon, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a half-day guided tour of Dublin to see Trinity College where the priceless 8th century Book of Kells is housed, elegant Georgian squares with colorful doorways and Leinster House where the government convenes. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the early illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. Back at your hotel, enjoy a welcome drink and briefing about your tour. You are free to dine independently this evening.
Day 2: 6th Century Glendalough & Waterford
This morning leave Dublin to see the delightful scenery of the Wicklow Mountains on the way to Glendalough. Learn about St. Kevin’s 6th century monastery in the Glendalough Visitor Centre and walk through the site to see its round tower, church ruins and Celtic crosses. Continue your drive south to visit the Dunbrody Famine Ship. Actors on board will demonstrate the harsh conditions that emigrants endured during the 19th century. Drive to Waterford and check in to your city center hotel. In the evening take a brief walking tour around the narrow streets of the historic city center with a local guide. (B, D)
Day 3: Waterford Crystal & Titanic Walk
) Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to learn about glass blowing and cutting and see one-of-a-kind masterpieces. Travel along the south coast via Dungarvan to Cobh, the last port of call of the Titanic. A walking tour will reveal many of the places associated with emigrants as they left Ireland for better lives overseas. Drive through the outskirts of Cork city to reach the Blarney Woollen Mills, which stocks excellent Irish products. While Blarney Castle is not included in your tour, you will have time to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence” on your own. Then journey west through rugged countryside to Killarney and settle in to your centrally-located hotel. (B, D)
Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Skellig Experience
Experience highlights of Ireland's natural scenery on this full day tour around the Ring of Kerry. The road winds between the Macgillycuddy's Reeks Mountains on one side and the Atlantic coastline on the other. Panoramic vistas change constantly and frequent stops permit plenty of photo opportunities. Visit the Skellig Experience and drive through Killorglin, Cahirciveen and Waterville at the end of the peninsula. On the return pass through the colorful village of Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney. Just outside the town take a walk through Muckross Gardens to see a variety of mature trees, shrubs and colorful flowers. Enjoy some free time in Killarney before dinner in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 5: Flying Boat Museum & Cliffs Of Moher
Depart Killarney and travel north through the village of Listowel to Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which recalls the early days of air travel. Stop at Bunratty village before viewing the Cliffs of Moher, one of the country's most magnificent rock formations that rise to heights of almost 700 feet above the churning Atlantic swells. Pass through the Burren, an area of rocky limestone hills where a number of unique flowers thrive. This region also contains many dolmens, prehistoric monuments formed by large limestone slabs. Drive around Galway Bay before arriving at your hotel in Galway. (B, D)
Day 6: Yeats' Grave & Derry Walk
Head north to visit the pilgrimage town of Knock, one of the world's leading shrines. See the church where villagers saw a vision of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Travel through County Sligo and stop to view W. B. Yeats' Grave in Drumcliffe Churchyard, in the shadow of Ben Bulben mountain. Follow the shoreline of Donegal Bay and continue your journey through Donegal town and past the lovely Blue Stack Mountains to Derry. On arrival in Derry take a brief drive around the city, including the Bogside area, before meeting a local guide for a walking tour of the medieval walls, which date from 1613 AD and encircle the old city center. (B, D)
Day 7: Giant's Causeway & Abbey Tavern
Today explore the northern coastline, stopping for photos at the sprawling ruins of Dunluce Castle. Visit the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Drive to Belfast for a panoramic tour around Victorian buildings, the Harland & Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built, and the Falls Road and Shankill residential areas. Continue south to check in to your hotel, located to the north of Dublin city center. A short drive will bring you to the popular Abbey Tavern for a farewell dinner and entertaining traditional Irish songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 8: Dublin City Tour & Guinness
Visit The entire day is at leisure so you may schedule sightseeing as you wish. Use your open-top bus tour voucher to explore Dublin - you may get on and off at any of the 23 stops along the route, which include Dublin's most popular attractions. Take a tour around either the Guinness Storehouse or the Old Jameson Distillery to see stout or whiskey production techniques and enjoy a drink of the finished product. (B)
Day 9 : Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport in good time for your flight home. (B)