Your Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 – Thu: Depart U.S. for Dublin
Board your aircraft and fly through the night. Relax with inflight meals and entertainment as you cross the Atlantic.

Day 2 – Fri: Dublin Arrival & Abbot Restaurant
Land at Dublin Airport where you pass through immigration and customs controls. 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. Enjoy the afternoon relaxing in your city-center hotel or head out and explore the city
a little on your own. In the evening drive to the fishing village of Howth for dinner in the Abbot
Restaurant in the Abbey Tavern. Start with a welcome cocktail in the cozy bar and get to know
your fellow travelers. Sit down to dine in the fine specialty and seafood restaurant and later head
downstairs to watch the lively traditional music show and display of intricate step-dancing. (D)

Day 3 – Sat: Dublin Castle & City Tour
This morning take a tour around the center of Dublin. Head for the ancient area where the
Vikings first settled over 1,000 years ago and visit Dublin Castle, the seat of political power for
centuries. See the chambers where many important events have taken place and today are filled
with portraits, crystal and antique furnishings. As you drive through the city see elegant Georgian
squares, public buildings and lively shopping areas. End your morning with a tour around the
National Museum to see a collection of early Christian gold artifacts, decorated with ornate
Celtic designs. The afternoon is at leisure to explore museums, art galleries or shops. The
evening is free so you may choose one of Dublin’s many restaurants to dine independently. (B)

Day 4 – Sun: Blarney Castle & Killarney Park Hotel
Depart Dublin and view the green countryside as you travel south. Stop to view the stately Rock of Cashel, which rises high above the surrounding plain. Continue your drive to visit Blarney Castle to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” Also visit the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find quality Irish-made goods conveniently under one roof. Drive through Macroom, built around a fine castle, and into County Kerry where the scenery becomes more mountainous to Killarney, picturesquely set beside lakes with Ireland’s highest mountains, the Macgillycuddy’s Reeks, forming a backdrop. Check into your hotel where you may relax in lovely surroundings before a superb dinner in the fine restaurant. (B, D)

Day 5 – Mon: Jaunting Car Ride & Award-Winning Dining
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. Travel up through Moll’s Gap, a wonderful vantage point on
the Ring of Kerry and stop at Ladies’ View before returning to Killarney. This evening savor delicious cuisine and friendly atmosphere at Killeen House Restaurant, a few miles outside the town. (B, D)

Day 6 – Tue: Adare Manor Hotel & Golf Resort
Depart Killarney and drive north to Listowel, a town renowned for J. B. Keane, a popular playwright,
and writers’ festivals. Continue alongside the River Shannon to Foynes to visit the Flying
Boat Museum, which recreates the early days of aviation. During the 1930’s and early 1940’s,
this was the landing place for Pan Am Clippers from the United States and Europe. Travel to the
picturesque village of Adare, renowned for its main street with thatched cottages and the
elegant Adare Manor Hotel. Check into your hotel and take some time to relax and appreciate
your surroundings and facilities before dinner in the gourmet restaurant. (B, D)

Day 7 – Wed: Cliffs of Moher & Ashford Castle
Drive through the outskirts of Limerick city and the town of Ennis on the way to visit the Cliffs of
Moher, majestic walls of rock, which extend five miles along the coast. Journey through part of
the Burren Country, a unique region of rounded limestone hills where many rare wildflowers thrive
in sheltered crevices. Travel into Galway for a brief tour of the city center and enjoy some free
time to browse around on your own. It is a lively university city and many of the narrow streets are
closed to traffic, ideal for walking. Continue your drive north to Cong for a 2-night stay in the
famous Ashford Castle. Arrive in time to explore the grounds, go riding or play some golf before
dinner. After dinner you may like to listen to some music in the Dungeon Bar. (B, D)

Day 8 – Thu: Connemara & “The Quiet Man” Walk
This morning drive through part of Connemara. This region of low hills, lakes and open bogland
is impossibly harsh for farming but visually stunning. Admire sweeping views as you travel
via Maam Cross and along the picturesque Inagh Valley to Leenane. This village was the
location for the movie of “The Field.” Embark on a catamaran cruise aboard the “Connemara
Lady” around Killary Harbour, Ireland’s only fjord. You can see remains of houses and potato
patches abandoned during the 1840’s Famine as well as stunning scenery of unspoiled hills.
Return to the village of Cong, famous as the location for the 1952 movie of “The Quiet Man.”
Take a short walking tour to see some of the places that appeared in the movie and then
enjoy some free time in the afternoon. (B, D)

Day 9 – Fri: Early Christian Clonmacnoise & Dublin
Travel eastwards today to visit Clonmacnoise. This early Christian monastic site was founded
by St. Ciaran in 545 AD, when Christianity flourished throughout Ireland and monasteries
were like towns. See round towers, church ruins and Celtic crosses with elaborate carvings,
all in a picturesque setting on the banks of the River Shannon. Continue to the greater
metropolitan area of Dublin once more and check into another city-center hotel, which is
conveniently located near Grafton Street. Enjoy a farewell dinner with your fellow travelers right
in your hotel. (B, D)

Day 10 – Sat: Depart 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)