Your Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Sat: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Take an overnight flight across the Atlantic and relax as you start your vacation.

Day 2 – Sun: Dublin Castle & City Tour
Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities and pick up your luggage. Go 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. If your flight arrives later, you will need to transfer to the hotel at your own
expense. At 2:00 pm tour Dublin city center with a local guide to see many elegant Georgian
buildings, tranquil parks and lively shopping streets. Tour the State Apartments of Dublin
Castle, which date from early Georgian times and contain magnificent chambers with
Waterford Crystal chandeliers and fine furnishings. Visit the Guinness Storehouse to learn
about this popular brew and sample a pint in the rooftop bar with views all around central Dublin. The evening is at leisure.

Day 3 – Mon: Ulster American Folk Park
Drive through the midland region of Ireland with its farmlands and lakes to Omagh to visit the
Ulster American Folk Park. Here view displays on emigration from Northern Ireland to the
United States. Walk around the park to see traditional rural lifestyles and watch demonstrations
of crafts and skills from a time when people had to be self-sufficient. See cottages from different
parts of Ireland, view the ship on which many people traveled to the “New World” and then see
how emigrants lived in rural parts of the United States in the 1800’s. Drive past Derry to Moville
where your hotel is located on the shores of scenic Lough Foyle. Before dinner get together
with your tour escort and fellow travelers for a welcome drink. (B, D)

Day 4 –Tue: Giant’s Causeway & Derry
Take a short ferry ride across Lough Foyle to Magilligan to visit the Giant’s Causeway, formed
by volcanic activity about 60 million years ago. The hexagonal basalt columns resemble
oversized steps and feature prominently in Irish folklore. Travel to Derry where a local guide will
explain the history of this ancient city as you walk through narrow streets and around the
intact medieval city walls. Return to your hotel by mid-afternoon so that you have time to rest,
enjoy the spacious grounds or use the hotel’s leisure facilities. (B, D)

Day 5 – Wed: Slieve League Cliffs & Yeats’ Country
Journey south through County Donegal, past the Blue Stack Mountains and on to Teelin to view
Slieve League sea cliffs, which are the highest in Europe. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild
Atlantic waves below creating marvelous vistas. Drive around Donegal Bay and stop to view the
grave of the Nobel-winning writer, W. B. Yeats, before continuing through Counties Sligo and
Mayo to Mulranny. Your hotel is wonderfully situated overlooking Clew Bay with the pilgrimage
mountain of Croagh Patrick in the distance. (B, D)

Day 6 – Thu: Achill Island & Westport Walk
Travel across the Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge. Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful, wild views of steep mountains plunging into the
shimmering Atlantic Ocean and stretches of golden beaches. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of 100 cottages abandoned in the 1840’s Famine. Return to Mulranny and drive on to the town of Westport for a look around the attractive town, which was laid out in 1780 and has many fine Georgian houses and a tree-lined mall. A local guide will meet you to tell you about the history and notable places on a short walking tour. (B, D)

Day 7 – Fri: Connemara & Catamaran Cruise
Drive through Westport and past the pilgrimage mountain of Croaghpatrick to Leenane for a
cruise along the narrow inlet of Killary Harbour aboard the “Connemara Lady” catamaran.
See potato ridges dating from Famine times as well as modern salmon and mussel farms.
Travel past misty hills and open countryside for a stop in Clifden, known as the “Capital
of Connemara.” Drive through the heart of Connemara and past wonderful sweeping views
of the Twelve Bens. Tour the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory to see elaborate designs in
colored crystal. Continue to your hotel in Furbo, overlooking Galway Bay with the hills of the
Burren forming a backdrop. (B, D)

Day 8 – Sat: Aran Islands & Dun Aengus
Take a short ferry ride from Rossaveal to Inis Mor, the largest of the three Aran Islands.
These rocky islands are renowned for the hardy islanders who maintained traditional fishing and
farming methods and where the popular intricately-patterned fishermen’s sweaters originated.
The Irish language is still spoken widely. Take a minibus ride to Dun Aengus, a huge pre-historic
fortress perched on sheer cliffs, which fall away to the Atlantic below. In Kilronan, the main town,
visit the Aran Heritage Centre to learn about unique local customs. Return by ferry to the
mainland and enjoy some leisure time in your hotel before dining in the hotel restaurant. (B, D)

Day 9 – Sun: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney
Drive around the shores of Galway Bay and through part of the Burren, a unique region of
rounded limestone hills. Visit the Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises 700 feet above the Atlantic
Ocean and extends along the coast for 5 miles. Continue your journey south along the west coast
of County Clare and take a short ferry ride across the River Shannon Estuary to County Kerry. Stop
in Listowel, birthplace of J. B. Keane, a popular playwright, before driving to Killarney. Check into
your hotel, located a few miles outside the town, picturesquely set overlooking Lough Leane, the
largest of Killarney’s famous lakes. (B, D)

Day 10 – Mon: Garinish Island & Muckross House
Drive south across the Beara Peninsula and through the Caha Mountains to Glengarriff. This
region has the mildest climate in Ireland so you will see sub-tropical palm trees. Take a short
boat trip to Garinish Island, set in Bantry Bay. The island has 37 acres of gardens and is
renowned for rich plant forms and varying colors, which look attractive in every season. Return to
Killarney for a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Muckross House, located on one of
the area’s scenic lakes. Take a guided tour of the 19th century mansion and learn about the lives
of the owners. Return to your hotel to relax before dinner. You may like to sample some of
Killarney’s lively “singing pubs.” (B, D)

Day 11 – Tue: Rock of Cashel & Abbey Tavern
Head north through rich dairying country to visit the Rock of Cashel, a stately limestone outcrop
topped with medieval ruins. See the roofless cathedral, round tower and Cormac’s Chapel,
which dates from 1127, making it the oldest building on the site. Continue into the metropolitan
area of Dublin to your hotel on the north side of the city. A short drive will take you to the
fishing village of Howth for a fun evening with a traditional dinner and rousing Irish music at the Abbey Tavern. (B, D)

Day 12 – Wed: Return Home from Dublin
As your hotel is convenient to Dublin Airport, a shuttle service will transfer you to the airport terminal – times will be given to you once on tour. 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)