Irish Tradition Tour
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Day 1 - Arrival & Ennis Walking Tour
Your tour starts at Shannon Airport with a transfer between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon to your hotel in the charming marketing town of Ennis. If your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm join a local guide for a walking tour around the main points of interest. Meet your tour director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip before dinner in your hotel. (D)
Day 2 - Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Travel to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers. See the rounded limestone hills of the Burren and the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a huge stone monument marking a Neolithic burial place. Stop in the attractive village of Ballyvaughan and continue around Galway Bay and into the city of Galway. Relax or take a walk before dinner. (B, D)
Day 3 - Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Travel through Connemara to Leenane for a Catamaran cruise through Killary Harbour. See rugged mountain sheep and tracts of land where people cut peat for home fires. In the charming village of Cong, renowned for the 1952 movie "The Quite Man" take a shor walk to see movie locations.Stop for photo's at Kylemore Abbey before returning to Galway. (B, D)
Day 4 - Museum of Country Life & Belleek
Outside Castlebar tour the Museum of Country Life to see collections of domestic goods, used when most people lived by farming. Stop at Knock Shrine to see the church where locals saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Cross into County Sligo and stop at the grave of W. B. Yeats before continuing to the Belleek Pottery Factory to watch skilled craftspeople making delicate china. Continue your journey past the hazy Blue Stack Mountains to Stranorlar. (B, D)
Day 5 - Glenveagh Castle & Donegal
Travel inland to Glenveagh National Park. Tour Glenveagh Castle, built in 1870 by Captain Adair who evicted 225 tenants in order to enhance his estate. Learn about the history of the mansion, owners and guests as you view the many rooms. Then walk through some of the gardens filled with exotic plants. Travel the scenic Grand Atlantic Drive before returning to Stranorlar in ample time for dinner. (B, D)
Day 6: Medieval Derry & Giant's Causeway
In Derry join a local guide for a walking tour to see medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Drive along the north coast, pausing for photos at Dunluce Castle. Explore the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful scenery along the coastal “Nine Glens of Antrim” route. Drive into Belfast where you will have free time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 7 - Belfast & Merry Ploughboy Pub
Tour Belfast with a local guide. Visit the Battle of the Boyne Centre to learn about the 1690 conflict.Travel to Dublin and check into your Hotel. In the evening head to the Merry Ploughboy Pub for dinner, which is followed by a show of traditional music and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 8 - Dublin Tour & Book of Kells
This morning 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 Trinity College's Old Library to view the 8th century manuscript of the Book of Kells and learn about its creation. The afternoon is free for independent activities and your open-top bus tour voucher will help you get around and also visit either Guinness or Jameson. (B)
Day 9 - Farmhouse Tea & Blarney
Drive south through the center of Ireland, where prime agricultural lands are located. Pause for photos at the Rock of Cashel, a stately limestone outcrop topped with medieval ruins.Visit a sheep farm to sample freshly-baked scones with tea. Continue south to the Blarney Woollen Mills where you may shop or take a look around the village green. If you wish, you may climb to the top of the castle to kiss the famous "Stone of Eloquence" independently. Continue your journey to Killarney, famous for its beauty and check into your deluxe hotel. (B, D)
Day 10: Killarney & Ring of Kerry Tour
Travel by traditional horse-drawn jaunting car to Ross Castle for views of Killarney's largest lake, Lough Leane. Head off on the Ring of Kerry, one of Ireland's most popular scenic drives with amazing scenery. Visit the Skellig Experience to learn about early Christian monks who lived on the rocky offshore islands and about the prolific bird life today. Drive through the villages of Waterville and Sneem and stop at Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney before returning to Killarney. (B, D)
Day 11 - Irish Coffee at Foynes & Bunratty Banquet
After a leisurely breakfast and late departure from Killarney, drive to the Foynes Flying Boat Museum to learn about the early days of flight, during the 1930's and early 1940's. This is the birthplace of Irish coffee so watch a demonstration before sipping one. Drive to Bunratty and spend free time in Durty Nelly's Pub or the Bunratty Folk Park. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle's Great Hall for a medieval-style banquet with wine and music to carry you to the Middle Ages in spirit. (B, D)
Day 12 - Home from Shannon
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Shannon 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