Mystical Ireland Tour
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Day 1: Dublin Sightseeing
Start in Dublin Airport with a group transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm tour Dublin to see elegant Georgian townhouses, pass St. Stephen's Green and cross the River Liffey to view the Famine Memorial and drive along O'Connell Street. Tour Dublin Castle's State Apartments where major events from Irish history and modern politics take place in the gracious chambers. In the evening meet your tour director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip and he will help you choose a restaurant to dine independently.
Day 2: St. Patrick's Grave & Belfast
Drive north to visit Down Cathedral to see St. Patrick's reputed burial site, marked by a huge boulder. Learn about his life and missionary work during the 5th century in the nearby St. Patrick Centre. A few miles further on, visit the stately mansion of Castle Ward, set in lovely grounds overlooking Strangford Lough. This mid-Georgian mansion is an architectural curiosity of its time, built in two distinct architectural styles: Classical and Gothic. Tour the lovely chambers of the house, which together with Victorian laundry, playroom and saw-mill created a self-supporting industry to keep the entire estate working efficiently. Drive to your hotel in Belfast and relax before dinner. (B, D)
Day 3: Belfast & Titanic Quarter
A local guide will show you Belfast's Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the Shankill and Falls Road areas where many 20th century political events took place. Also visit the Titanic Quarter to see the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the famous liner was built in 1912 when Belfast was at the height of its shipbuilding industry. The entire area is being renovated and revitalized and you can see the enormous graving dock where the Titanic was constructed. Enjoy some free time to look around on your own. The imposing City Hall is within easy walking distance and the ornate Victorian pub, Crown Liquor Saloon, is just across the street. (B, D)
Day 4: Giant's Causeway & Derry
Drive north along the “Nine Glens of Antrim,” a scenic route with lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and join a local guide for a short walk around the compact old city and surrounding medieval walls. Learn about the long history of the city as well as 20th century events. Enjoy some free time for a look around on your own. (B, D)
Day 5: Donegal & Yeats' Grave
Travel through the rugged countryside of Donegal, with its lovely scenery of heathery hills and deep valleys. This region is difficult for farming but is renowned for sheep and the many tweeds made from their wool. In Ardara visit Triona Design to see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting and sip a creamy Irish coffee. Stop in Donegal town to browse around and follow the coastline of Donegal Bay. Pause at W. B. Yeats' Grave near the distinctively-shaped mountain of Ben Bulben in County Sligo, a region that he loved. Drive to Westport and enjoy free time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 6: Achill Island & Westport House
Travel around Clew Bay, which is reputed to have 365 islands, to access Achill Island by a bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic Ocean. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840's Famine. Also see stretches of windswept bogland and golden beaches. Visit the stately Westport House, designed by Richard Cassels in 1731. The mansion overlooks Clew Bay and contains a wealth of interesting portraits, furniture, silver and porcelain. (B, D)
Day 7: Cliffs Of Moher & Bunratty Medieval Banquet
Travel to Galway City for a panoramic tour and free time before driving through the limestone hills of the Burren. View the Poulnabrone Dolmen, a pre-Christian burial site marked by huge boulders. Walk along the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. At Bunratty check in to your hotel, right beside Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. In the evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the lords and ladies serenade you. (B, D)
Day 8: Return to U.S.
Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. 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