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Day 1 – Wed: Depart
U.S. for Shannon
Travel to Shannon on an overnight flight to start your vacation.
Relax with inflight meals and entertainment.
Day 2 – Thu: Shannonside
& Irish Night
Land at Shannon Airport, pass through immigration and pick
up your luggage. Locate the
CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall where our staff will arrange
a group transfer to your hotel
in Limerick. Complimentary transfers will be offered from
Shannon Airport between 7:00 am
and 2:00 pm. If your flight arrives later than 2:00 pm, you
must transfer to the hotel at your
own expense. This afternoon you are at leisure to rest after
your journey or take a stroll through
Limerick to see King John’s Castle, the Hunt Museum
and some of the Georgian architecture.
Join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink before heading
to the Corn Barn in the Bunratty
Folk Park. The venue retains the ambience of 19th century
Ireland and after dinner enjoy
a show with storytelling, step-dancing and traditional music.
(D)
Day 3 – Fri: Cliffs
of Moher & Galway City
Travel to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile
wall of limestone rising above the
foaming Atlantic breakers. Displays in the new Visitor Center
explain the geology, flora and
fauna of the region. See the rounded limestone hills of the
Burren and drive down Corkscrew
Hill for views of Galway Bay and continue your journey into
Galway. Take a panoramic drive around Galway’s main
features, including the ancient Spanish Arch. Enjoy some time
on your own. Galway is a university city, which gives the
streets a cosmopolitan and lively atmosphere and Shop Street
is filled with pubs, restaurants and cafés. Return
to Limerick in time to relax before dining in your hotel,
which overlooks the River Shannon. (B, D)
Day 4 – Sat: Adare
& Dingle Peninsula
Head south to Adare, a pretty village where many houses have
thatched roofs and colorful cottage
gardens. Drive into County Kerry, noted for its wonderful
scenery incorporating mountains, lakes and Atlantic coastline.
Travel out along part of the Dingle Peninsula, passing the
long, sandy
stretches of Inch Strand on the way to the town of Dingle.
Along the route you will have views across the bay to the
Iveragh Peninsula. Spend a little time looking around the
charming town of
Dingle. Drive through Killorglin to Killarney and check into
your hotel in the town center. You may
like to take a walk around the town to sample great pubs and
restaurants for dinner and live
traditional music. (B, D)
Day 5 – Sun: Muckross
House & Kenmare
Drive through the Killarney National Park to the delightful
19th century Muckross House, a
furnished mansion on the shores of Muckross Lake. Take a guided
tour to see unique features
of the house and find out about influential owners and visitors.
Stroll around the charming
gardens where there are many fine exotic trees, planted over
a century ago. Drive to the town
of Kenmare where traditional buildings are gaily painted and
enhanced with flowers. Travel
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 6 – Mon: Blarney
Castle & Folklore Evening
Travel west away from the mountains of Kerry and into County
Cork to visit Blarney Castle.
Climb the winding stairs to the ramparts in order to kiss
the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also
visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality
Irish-made goods of all types conveniently displayed under
one roof. Drive north and stop to view the stately church
ruins atop
the Rock of Cashel, which rises high above the surrounding
plain. Continue to the metropolitan
region of Dublin and check into your hotel. Freshen up before
heading to Clontarf for dinner
and a lively musical evening. Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann
members are dedicated to preserving
and enhancing Irish music and culture around the world. (B,
D)
Day 7 – Tue: Jameson
Distillery & Kilmainham Gaol
This morning meet a local guide who will escort you around
central Dublin. See the main streets,
parks and public buildings and learn about Dublin’s
origins and development through the
centuries. See some of the elegant Georgian houses for which
the city is famous and visit
Kilmainham Gaol to understand the penal system in times past.
This was where many of Ireland’s leaders, including
Parnell, Robert Emmett, DeValera and Padraig Pearse, were
imprisoned during the 19th and early 20th centuries while
striving to create an independent nation. Next stop at the
Old Jameson Distillery to see how whiskey is distilled and
have a tasting at the end of your tour. The afternoon and
evening are at leisure for independent activities. (B)
Day 8 – Wed: Leave
Dublin for Home
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)
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Ireland
Vacations Information:
