Irish Gold Tour
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Day 1: Dublin Arrival & 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 and 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. Your hotel, an elegant Victorian mansion, overlooks Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. At 2:00 pm your tour director will introduce you to Dublin's River Liffey, the wide O'Connell Street, tranquil St. Stephen's Green, the seat of government at Leinster House and other public buildings. See some of the elegant Georgian houses for which the city is famous. Visit Trinity College's Old Library to view the early illuminated manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink and your tour director will advise you on restaurants to dine independently.
Day 2 - Clonmacnoise Monastic Site & Galway
Leave Dublin and journey across the rolling pastures of Ireland's heartland to visit Clonmacnoise. This monastic settlement was founded in 545 AD by St. Ciaran and is set on the banks of the tranquil River Shannon. See elaborate high crosses as well as many church ruins and round towers. Drive to Galway and view the main sights of the city before checking into your hotel, located within easy reach of lively streets with fun specialty stores, cafés and pubs. Enjoy some free time to browse around on your own before dining in your hotel. (B, D)
Day 3 - Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Drive through the heart of Connemara, past granite hills and sparkling lakes on the way to Leenane to embark on a short cruise of Killary Harbour, a 9-mile fjord (Apr 8 - Oct 28 departures). Enjoy views of hills where traces of “lazy beds” of potato ridges from the 19th century and earlier can still be seen. Keep an eye out for seabirds as you pass mussel and salmon farms. Rejoin your coach and drive through lovely countryside where sheep graze freely. Stop for photos at the Kylemore Abbey Visitor Centre and in Clifden, the principal town of the region, and return to Galway. (B, D)
Day 4: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney Jaunting Car
Travel south around Galway Bay to see the Cliffs of Moher, which rise almost 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic surf. Then drive through the outskirts of Limerick and stop in the picturesque village of Adare for photos. Drive to Killarney, a little town that world-famous due to its exquisite location beside lakes and mountains. Check in to your deluxe hotel, in a peaceful setting just outside the town. Head out to view stunning scenery by taking a horse-drawn jaunting car ride through the grounds of the Killarney National Park to Muckross House. Tour this mansion to see period furnishings and learn of its important guests and owners. Then stroll through the mature gardens before returning to your hotel. (B, D))
Day 5: Ring of Kerry & Killeen House Restaurant
Embark on Ireland’s most popular scenic drive - the Ring of Kerry. This circular tour will reveal constantly-changing vistas of mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and cliffs. At the tip of the peninsula visit the Skellig Experience, which explains the history, flora and fauna on the nearby rocky islands. Return through the attractive village of Sneem and pause at Moll’s Gap for panoramic views of Killarney. Back in Killarney enjoy free time before dinner. Return to your hotel and enjoy free time to use the hotel’s leisure facilities or relax. This evening head to the award-winning Killeen House Restaurant for a warm welcome and a superb dinner. (B, D)
Day 6 - Blarney Castle & Traditional Music Session
Drive through the mountains of Kerry and West Cork into richer farming country on the way to Blarney. Climb to the ramparts of Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” You may do some shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills before driving along the coast to Dungarvan. Stop at the Marine Bar for a creamy Irish coffee and an informal traditional music session. Continue to Waterford and check into your historic hotel, located on the waterfront of this ancient port city. After dinner, take a fun walking tour around the narrow streets and ancient buildings to learn about Waterford's long history. (B, D)
Day 7: Waterford Crystal & Taylor's Three Rock
After breakfast tour the Waterford Crystal Visitor Centre for a demonstration of glass blowing and cutting and see a huge collection of magnificent trophies on display. Then travel north to discover the lovely scenery of the Wicklow Mountains and visit Glendalough, a 6th century monastic site founded by St. Kevin. Learn about life in early Christian Ireland in the Visitor Centre and walk through the ruins of the many churches and a round tower set in a deep valley in the mountains. Travel to your deluxe manor house hotel, which dates back to 1750 and set in extensive gardens. In the evening drive to Taylor’s Three Rock Pub for dinner and a lively show with traditional Irish music, story-telling 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)