Your Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1 - Sat: Depart U.S. for Shannon
Travel to Shannon on an overnight flight to start your vacation. Relax with inflight meals and entertainment.

Day 2 - Sun: Arrival & Bunratty Banquet
Land at Shannon Airport and locate the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall for a group transfer to
nearby Bunratty. Complimentary transfers are available between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm. If your
flight arrives later than 2:00 pm, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. In the afternoon you
may relax or explore the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly’s Pub. Sip a get-together drink before
heading to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a medieval-style banquet. Sit in the Great Hall for
an excellent meal with wine and music to carry you to the Middle Ages in spirit. (D)

Day 3 - Mon: Cliffs of Moher & Galway
Travel to the coast to view the Cliffs of Moher, a five-mile wall of limestone rising above the foaming Atlantic breakers. Continue to Kilfenora to visit the Burren Display Centre where this unique region is explained. See the rounded limestone hills of the Burren and drive down Corkscrew Hill for views of Galway Bay. Stop in Ballyvaughan for a stroll and continue your journey into Galway. Take a brief drive around Galway before checking into your hotel, located close to Eyre Square. Enjoy some time on your own as the compact city center is great for browsing. (B, D)

Day 4 – Tue: Connemara & “The Quiet Man” Tour
Drive through Headford to Cong, a charming village that was the location for the 1952 movie,
“The Quiet Man.” A short walking tour will show you movie locations throughout the village as well as the ruins of Cong Abbey. Travel through Connemara, a region of misty hills and shimmering lakes. See rugged mountain sheep and tracts of land where people cut peat for home fires. In Moycullen, visit the Connemara Celtic Crystal Factory, which specializes in intricate designs in colored crystal, before returning to Galway. (B, D)

Day 5 – Wed: Knock Shrine & Belleek China
Drive north through County Mayo and stop at Knock Shrine to see the church where locals
saw an apparition of the Virgin Mary in 1879. Cross into County Sligo and stop at the grave of
W. B. Yeats, picturesquely situated near the distinctive outline of Ben Bulben. Continue to Belleek
for a tour of the Belleek Pottery Factory. This industry was founded in the mid-19th century to
create employment. Watch skilled craftspeople create intricate basket-weave designs in delicate
china. Continue your journey past the hazy Blue Stack Mountains to Stranorlar. (B, D)

Day 6 - Thu: Grand Atlantic Drive & Glenveagh Castle
Today experience the glorious natural beauty of the Grand Atlantic Drive, which winds through
Downings and Rosapenna and past golden beaches and rocky headlands. Travel inland to Glenveagh National Park surrounded by the Derryveagh Mountains. High walls and conifers provide shelter for exotic plants and a large herd of red deer. Tour Glenveagh Castle, a granite castle built in 1870 on the shores of Lough Veagh and walk through some of the gardens. Pass through Letterkenny and return to Stranorlar in ample time for dinner. (B, D)

Day 7 - Fri: Giant’s Causeway & Ballygally Castle
Travel to Derry to join a local guide for a walking tour around the city center, including the medieval city walls, the Diamond and St. Columb’s Cathedral. Next, visit the Giant’s Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. Continue south to experience wonderful views of mountains, valleys and bays as you travel along the “Nine Glens of Antrim.” Check into Ballygally Castle, overlooking the sandy beaches of Ballygally Bay. It dates back to 1625 and is Northern Ireland’s only 17th century building still used as a residence. (B, D)

Day 8 - Sat: Belfast & St. Patrick’s Burial Site
Tour Belfast with a local guide to see Victorian buildings, the Harland & Wolff shipyards where the Titanic was built and the Falls Road and Shankill residential areas. Drive along the Ards Peninsula and cross Strangford Lough by ferry to visit the St. Patrick Centre. Learn about Ireland’s Patron Saint and view his reputed grave at Down Cathedral. Travel past the gentle slopes of the Mountains of Mourne and continue to Dublin. Check into your lovely deluxe hotel, set in spacious grounds, and in the evening head to the Old Jameson Distillery for dinner and “Shindig,” a show of traditional music and step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 9 – Sun: Dublin Castle & Abbey Tavern
This morning a city sightseeing tour will introduce you to Dublin with its 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 the world-famous dark brew and enjoy a pint in the rooftop bar with panoramic views across Dublin. The afternoon
is free to enjoy your delightful hotel or discover more of Dublin. In the evening head to the Abbey
Tavern for dinner, which is followed by a show of traditional music and step-dancing. (B, D)

Day 10 – Mon: National Stud & Blarney
In Kildare visit the Irish National Stud to learn about horse breeding programs and see some
magnificent animals. Head south through farming country and pause for photos at the Rock of
Cashel, a stately limestone outcrop topped with medieval ruins. Continue south past the gentle
slopes of the Galtee Mountains and rich pasturelands to Blarney, located just a few miles from
Cork city. Check into your hotel right beside the Blarney Woollen Mills where you may like to
shop or take a look around the village green. If you wish, you may climb to the battlements of
Blarney Castle on your own to kiss the famous “Stone of Eloquence.” (B, D)

Day 11 – Tue: Kinsale Walk & Killarney
This morning drive to Kinsale, a delightful old town on a narrow inlet of the sea. Formerly a
fishing and merchant town, today it is popular for sailing and gourmet food. Join a local guide for
a short walking tour to see some historic places. Start at Charles Fort to understand the importance of Kinsale’s location for trading and defense and then walk around some of the old streets. Afterwards drive via Macroom, dominated by a huge castle, and into the mountains of County Kerry to Killarney, famous for its beauty. (B, D)

Day 12 - Wed: 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 13 – Thu: Adare & Bunratty Village
Enjoy some free time in Killarney before driving north to the attractive village of Adare. Stop for a stroll to take some photos of the thatched cottages with little gardens. Drive to Limerick,
situated on the River Shannon, and drive around to see some of the main points of interest. Travel
the short distance to Bunratty to complete your circular trip of Ireland. You may like to do some
shopping or take a look around the Bunratty Folk Park and then you are free to dine in your hotel,
the centuries-old Durty Nelly’s Pub or some of the other restaurants close by. (B)

Day 14 – Fri: Home from Shannon
Complimentary group transfers are provided to Shannon 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)