Jewels of Ireland Tour
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Day 1 - Dublin Castle & City Tour
Start your tour at Dublin Airport with a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm tour Dublin with a local guide to see elegant Georgian squares, Trinity College, St. Stephen's Green, the Famine Memorial and O'Connell Street. Visit the State Apartments of Dublin Castle, which contain magnificently-furnished chambers. Back at your hotel enjoy a welcome drink with your tour director and discuss your itinerary
Day 2 - National Stud & Taylor's Three Rock
In Kildare visit the Irish National Stud to see many lovely horses and learn about breeding and racing. Also walk through the charming Japanese Gardens, laid out over 100 years ago to represent life from the cradle to the grave. Return to Dublin where the afternoon is free for an independent open-top bus tour and a visit to Guinness or Jameson. Head to Taylor's Three Rock Pub for dinner with traditional music, songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 3 - Waterford Crystal & Kinsale Walk
Travel south to the ancient port of Waterford. At the House of Waterford Crystal watch skilled craftspeople blow and cut crystal to create elegant tableware and special trophies. Drive through Cork to Kinsale, a delightful old fishing town, which is now renowned for sailing and gourmet food. Join a local guide for a short walk around Kinsale's historic streets and then drive a few miles to your elegant resort hotel. (B, D
Day 4 - Muckross House & Killarney
Drive to Kenmare and along part of the Ring of Kerry for splendid views. Take a guided tour around stately 19th century Muckross House and travel through the peaceful Killarney National Park into Killarney by jaunting car. Continue your journey along the Dingle Peninsula, enjoying views of heathery mountains, sandy beaches and rocky headlands. Check in to your hotel in Dingle, a lively and attractive town. (B, D)
Day 5 - Dingle Peninsula & Gallarus Oratory
Today discover the glorious Dingle Peninsula, made famous by two movies, "Ryan's Daughter" and "Far & Away." Enjoy great scenic views as you drive to Slea Head at the westernmost tip. Tour the Blasket Centre in Dunquin to learn about the Blasket Islands, inhabited until 1953 by hardy families who eked out a living by farming and fishing. Next visit Gallarus Oratory, a small church built between the 6th and 9th centuries. It was built with corbel vaulting and no mortar, but has remained watertight through the centuries. Drive to the Conor Pass for sweeping 360° views before returning to Dingle. Enjoy the facilities at your hotel or take a stroll before dinner. (B, D)
Day 6 - Cliffs of Moher & Knappogue Banquet
Visit the Foynes Flying Boat Museum, which recalls early days of flying during the 1930's and early 1940's. Travel to Bunratty and check in to your hotel near Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. At 2:30 pm depart for the Cliffs of Moher, a dramatic wall of rock that plunges to the Atlantic Ocean. Drive a few miles to 15th century Knappogue Castle for a fun medieval-style banquet with entertainment by the lords and ladies of the castle. (B, D)
Day 7 - Burren Display Centre & Galway
In Kilfenora visit the Burren Display Centre to learn about the Burren, an area of rounded limestone hills with a rich archeological past. Then view the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a Neolithic burial place dating to 4,000 BC consisting of huge boulders. Take a look around the village of Ballyvaughan and drive around Galway Bay to your hotel overlooking Galway Bay and the Burren. (B, D)
Day 8 - “Quiet Man” Walking Tour & Catamaran Cruise
Drive to Cong for a guided walk around the village where “The Quiet Man” movie was made in 1952. Drive through the lovely scenery of Connemara to embark on a short cruise of Killary Harbour. Enjoy an Irish coffee as you view traces of pre-Famine potato “lazy beds.” Make a brief stop at Kylemore Abbey Visitor Centre before heading to Clifden, a delightful market town, and then return to Galway. (B, D)
Day 9 - Belleek China & Donegal Castle
Drive north into County Mayo to visit the pilgrimage town of Knock and in County Sligo view W. B. Yeats' Grave. Tour the Belleek Pottery Factory, founded in the mid-19th century, to see craftspeople create the renowned fine china. Drive to Donegal town for a tour of Donegal Castle, built by the O'Donnell chieftain in the 15th century. Check in to your nearby hotel. (B, D)
Day 10 - Slieve League Cliffs & Donegal
Drive along the coast of Donegal to view Slieve League sea cliffs, the highest in Europe reaching 1,972 feet. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic waves creating marvelous views. Enjoy coffee or tea with home-baked scones before driving through Glengesh Pass to Ardara to visit Triona Design for demonstrations of spinning and knitting. Stop in Donegal town for free time before returning to your hotel. (B, D)
Day 11 - Derry Walk & Giant's Causeway
Travel to Derry for a walking tour with a local guide around the city center to see the medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Visit the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Continue south to experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and bays along the "Nine Glens of Antrim." Drive to your centrally located hotel in Belfast. You will have time to take a walk or you may like to visit the ornate Victorian bar, Crown Liquor Saloon, just across the street. (B, D)
Day 12 - Titanic Belfast & Cabra Castle
Tour Belfast to see Victorian buildings and the shipyards where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit the newly-opened Titanic Belfast to learn about this famous liner through state-of-the-art displays before taking an afternoon drive south past the Mourne Mountains to Kingscourt to your lovely castle hotel, built in 1760. Arrive in time to enjoy the facilities, including a 9-hole golf course. After dinner, youthful dancers will display intricate Irish step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 13 - Battle of the Boyne Centre & Leisure Time in Dublin
Outside Drogheda visit the Battle of the Boyne Centre to learn about the 1690 conflict between King William III and his father-in-law, King James II. Then travel into Dublin, to your hotel located on Dublin Bay to the south of the city. The balance of the day is free so you may take an open-top bus tour and visit Guinness or Jameson, if you did not use your vouchers at the start of your tour. (B)
Day 14 - Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Group transfers are provided to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon to check in for your flight home. (B) B: Breakfast; D: Dinner