Your Day-by-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Flight to Shannon
Board your overnight flight to Shannon. Relax with inflight entertainment and meal service as you cross the Atlantic.

Day 2: Bunratty & Medieval Banquet
Land in Shannon Airport! After immigration control and picking up your baggage, proceed to the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall. CIE Tours staff will arrange a group transfer to your Bunratty hotel. 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 will transfer to the hotel at your own expense. Spend the day at leisure in Bunratty. There’s plenty to do right beside your hotel – Bunratty Folk Park, Durty Nelly’s Pub and shopping. This evening meet your fellow travelers over a welcome drink and join in the fun and entertainment at Bunratty or Knappogue Banquet. (D)

Day 3: Cliffs of Moher & Killarney
Drive to the coast to view the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, which rise to almost 700 feet above the wild Atlantic breakers and stretch along the coast for five miles. Then head south for a short ferry ride across the River Shannon. Stop in the charming village of Listowel for a stroll around before continuing through the mountainous countryside to Killarney. Take a look around this bustling and compact town before checking into your country home and meeting your Irish family. In the evening drive to the Gap of Dunloe to Kate Kearney’s Cottage for dinner. Afterwards sit back and enjoy traditional Irish entertainment with popular songs, dances and a lot of laughs. (B, D)

Day 4: Ring of Kerry & Skelligs
Admire breathtaking vistas of mountains, cliffs and beaches on Ireland’s most popular drive – the 100-mile Ring of Kerry. Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience, which describes the way of life of early Christian monks who built their monastery on one of the offshore islands. Learn about traditional farming and fishing methods of later inhabitants. A number of stops will allow you to marvel at the spectacular scenery. Take a brief walk around the colorful village of Sneem and pause at Moll’s Gap for stunning views of the Lakes of Killarney. Return to Killarney and sit down to a homecooked dinner with your Irish hosts. (B, D)

Day 5: Blarney Stone & Titanic Tour
Leaving Killarney, head to the Blarney Woollen Mills where you can find excellent Irish merchandise. You will have time to walk around the village green or, if you feel energetic, climb to the top of Blarney Castle to kiss the “Stone of Eloquence.” Drive through the outskirts of Cork to the port town of Cobh, the last port of call for the Titanic. Take a walk around this picturesque waterside town and the dockside with a local historian to see places relating to the Titanic’s last stop. Travel east through the coastal towns of Youghal and Dungarvan and on to Waterford to meet and dine with your next host family. (B, D)

Day 6: Waterford Crystal & Abbey Tavern
Tour the Waterford Crystal Factory to watch craftspeople transform molten glass into elegant hand-cut crystal. See magnificent trophies and a huge selection of crystal on display in the showrooms. Head north to Kilkenny, a medieval city with a huge castle dominating the center. Take time for a stroll through the narrow streets with many old buildings or beside the river. Continue into the metropolitan area of Dublin to your centrally-located hotel opposite Christ Church Cathedral. Drive to Howth for a fun evening with a traditional dinner and rousing Irish music at the Abbey Tavern. (B, D)

Day 7: Book of Kells & Guinness
This morning drive through Dublin’s city center to see the stately public buildings, gracious
Georgian townhouses and parks. Visit Trinity College to view the magnificently illuminated manuscript of the 8th century Book of Kells and a presentation on its creation. Finish your tour with a visit to the Guinness Storehouse to see how this famous black brew is created and sample a creamy pint in the rooftop bar overlooking Dublin. The afternoon and evening are at leisure to explore the city on your own. Your hotel is located close to Temple Bar, Dublin’s “Left Bank” area of shops, pubs and restaurants. (B)

Day 8 – Thu: Depart for Home or National Stud & Japanese Gardens
For those on an 8-day tour, your vacation ends today. Complimentary group transfers are provided
to Dublin Airport to connect with the principal transatlantic flights. For the fortunate travelers on
the 9-day tour, leave Dublin and drive west to visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens.
Horse breeding is popular in Ireland and you will see some magnificent stallions and mares.
Also take guided tour around the Japanese Gardens. These were laid out in 1906 and today
are considered to be the finest of their kind in Europe. Continue your drive through the midland
region to Bunratty. Check into your hotel and then you will have leisure time to shop or relax
in Durty Nelly’s Pub. In the evening head to the Corn Barn in the Bunratty Folk Park for a cozy
home-style meal followed by upbeat traditional Irish entertainment. (B, D)

Day 9 – Fri: Head 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)