Your Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Welcome aboard your overnight flight to Dublin. Relax with dinner and entertainment.

Day 2: Arrive Ireland & Dublin Castle
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 the city center, stopping to visit Dublin Castle’s State Apartments to view historical portraits and superb furnishings. In the evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and your guide will assist you in choosing a restaurant to dine independently.

Day 3: 6th Century Glendalough & Traditional Music
This morning discover the Wicklow Mountains, located south of Dublin. Drive through the lovely
scenery and visit Glendalough, a 6th century monastic site founded by St. Kevin. Learn about
life in early Christian Ireland in the Visitor Centre and walk through the ruins of the many churches and a round tower. Return to Dun Laoghaire where the afternoon is at leisure for independent activities. In the evening drive to a popular Dublin venue for a great dinner of Irish specialties, which is followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 4: Downpatrick & Mount Stewart
Drive north via Warrenpoint, past the gentle slopes of the Mourne Mountains and follow the shoreline to Downpatrick. Visit the St. Patrick Centre to learn about Ireland’s patron saint and see his reputed burial place in Down Cathedral, marked by a huge granite boulder. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to visit Mount Stewart House and Gardens. Home to Lord Castlereagh during Napoleonic times, this mansion contains portraits and furnishings. The extensive gardens are considered among the finest in the country. Check into your hotel in Belfast. (B, D)

Day 5: Belfast, Giant’s Causeway & Derry
See the highlights of Belfast with a local guide, including Victorian buildings, the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the Titanic was built and some of the suburbs around the Shankill and Falls Road. Drive north to experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and coastline as you travel along the “Nine Glens of Antrim,” a famous scenic drive. 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. Drive to Derry and in the evening join a local guide for a short walking tour around the ancient city center, surrounded by the medieval city walls. (B, D)

Day 6: Belleek China & Westport
Journey south to Ballybofey and through the scenery of the Blue Stack Mountains to Ardara.
Stop at Triona Design to see how locally-produced wool is spun and woven. Enjoy tea and scones before driving to Donegal town. Take a guided tour around the Belleek Pottery Factory to see craftspeople making delicate and ornate pieces in fine china. Travel through Sligo, often referred to as “Yeats’ Country”, and the rocky landscape of Mayo. Continue to Westport where your hotel is located in the central square. (B, D)

Day 7: Achill Island Excursion
After a late breakfast travel around Clew Bay, reputed to have 365 islands. Drive via Newport
and across the Curraun Peninsula to reach Achill Island, joined to the mainland by a bridge.
Follow the Atlantic Drive to capture wonderful and wild scenic 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. Return to Westport for a brief walking
tour with a local guide around this attractive estate town, which was laid out in 1780. (B, D)

Day 8: Cliffs Of Moher & Bunratty Banquet
Travel to Galway City and take a panoramic tour to see the main sights. Then spend some time
on your own before driving through the Burren, limestone hills with unique flora and prehistoric
stone monuments. View the majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet
above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. Drive to Bunratty and check into your hotel, located
beside Bunratty Castle. You may like to visit Durty Nelly’s Pub or the Bunratty Folk Park. In the
evening head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner where the Lords and
Ladies serenade you with favorite songs. (B, D)

Day 9: Flying Boat Museum & Killarney’s Lakes
Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and along by the River Shannon to Foynes to visit the Flying Boat Museum. In the early days of flight, during the 1930’s and early 1940’s, this was the landing place for Pan Am Clippers from the United States and Europe. The museum recreates the infancy of aviation through displays of memorabilia. Journey into the mountainous scenery of County Kerry and stop in Listowel. This town is renowned as the birthplace of J. B. Keane, a popular 20th century playwright. Continue to Killarney and check into your hotel in the center of town. (B, D)

Day 10: Jaunting Car Ride & Muckross House
Take a traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to view lakes and mountains on the way to Muckross House. Tour the delightful 19th century furnished mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake while the guide tells you about the influential owners and visitors. Take a walk around the charming gardens. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily
painted and enhanced with flowers. Drive up through Moll’s Gap, a wonderful vantage point on the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies’ View before returning to Killarney. (B, D)

Day 11: Cobh Heritage & Waterford Crystal
Drive through the mountains of Kerry and make a brief stop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Next visit Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the old train station through which all emigrants passed to embark on the journey to the United States. See the many hardships travelers had to endure. Continue along the south coast to Waterford to tour the Waterford Crystal Factory and watch how this popular crystal is created. In the showrooms see a wide range of tableware and special trophies. Check into your hotel, once the home of Thomas Francis Meagher, first governor of Montana. After dinner, join a local guide for a stroll around the city. (B, D)

Day 12: Kilkenny & National Stud
Drive north to Kilkenny and stop to look around the town, which is dominated by a huge castle.
In medieval times the town was a prosperous trading center and the narrow streets still follow ancient routes. Travel north to Kildare and visit the Irish National Stud. As a nation, the Irish are very interested in horses and the Stud will tell you about the valuable breeding industry. See some of the magnificent horses before heading to the village of Dunboyne, on the outskirts of Dublin. Check into Dunboyne Castle Hotel and relax for a while before enjoying a farewell dinner with your group. (B, D)

Day 13: Dublin to U.S.A.
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)