Irish Pub and Folk Tour
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Day 1:Fri Depart U.S. for Dublin
Board your aircraft for an overnight trip across the Atlantic. Enjoy inflight entertainment and meals.
Day 2: Sat Dublin Tour & Old Jameson Distillery
Land at Dublin Airport early this morning. After customs formalities and luggage reclamation, head 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. Passengers arriving later will transfer to the hotel at their own expense. In the afternoon get together with a Dublin guide to tour Dublin city center to see elegant Georgian squares with the famous colorful doorways, pass the peaceful St. Stephen's Green and the bustling shopping areas around Nassau Street, cross the River Liffey to O'Connell Street and view the General Post Office where the 1916 Rebellion started. Visit the Old Jameson Distillery to learn about whiskey and try one yourself. The evening is at leisure- if you wish you may create your own pub crawl.
Day 3: Sun National Stud & Medieval Kilkenny
Visit the National Stud to see fine stallions and learn about horses. Also walk through the charming Japanese Gardens, created to symbolize life from birth to death. Drive to Kilkenny and spend the afternoon at leisure (B,D)
Day 4: Mon Blarney Castle & Killarney
Stop for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a magnificent limestone outcrop high above the surrounding countryside before continuing south to Blarney, just outside Cork. Visit Blarney Castle and climb to the ramparts to kiss the well-known "Stone of Eloquence." Enjoy some time for shopping at the Blarney Woollen Mills or take a break in the pub hidden between the shops! Travel through County Cork to Macroom and stop for a brief look at the imposing castle, which was the boyhood home of William Penn. Continue your drive to Killarney and check into your hotel. After dinner you may like to conduct your own pub crawl - there are plenty of pubs with live music near your hotel. (B, D)
Day 5:Tue Ring of Kerry Tour
Explore one of Ireland's most popular scenic areas with Ireland's highest mountains on one side and a varied Atlantic coastline on the other. Stop at the Gap of Dunloe Industries to see the Essence of Kerry, an audio visual presentation, which will tell you all about the region. As you drive, every turn will reveal new vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches and there will be plenty of photo stops. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience to learn about early Christian monks who braved a harsh existence on the rocky offshore islands. Continue your trip through the remote villages of Cahirciveen and Waterville at the western end of the peninsula. Stop in the colorful village of Sneem and pause for a look at the Lakes of Killarney at Moll's Gap. In the evening you are free to check out other pubs in Killarney. (B, D)
Day 6: Wed Irish Coffee & Cliffs of Moher
Drive North to Foynes to visit the Flying Boat Museum,which recalls the early days of air travel. Learn now to make a perfect Irish Coffee as it was first created here. Travel then onto Bunratty Village before visiting the Cliffs of Moher for unparalleled views of the 700-foot-high walls of rock above the Atlantic Ocean. Continue then to your hotel in Galway. (B, D)
Day 7: Thu Clifden & Killary Fjord Cruise
Travel through the heart of Connemara on the way to Killary Harbour to take a catamaran trip along the deep Flord. Enjoy scenic views and view wild life. Drive south ot Clifden, known as "Capital of the West"Stop for a look around the shops and pubs before heading back to Galway. (B,D)
Day 8: Fri Guinness & 12th Century Brazen Head Pub
This morning travel back to Dublin on the east coast and check into another hotel, close to Temple Bar. Use your open-top bus and Guinness Storehouse vouchers for independent sightseeing and a creamy pint of stout. Take time to relax before heading out for a great evening to end your Irish vacation. The Brazen Head Pub is Dublin's oldest, dating back to 1198 and is one of Dublin's best live music venues. Enjoy an evening of "Food, Folk and Fairies" where you'll learn about life in Ireland in times past through a great program of song and stories. (B, D)
Day 9: Sat Dublin to U.S.
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. 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. (B)
B=Breakfast, CB=Continental Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner