Day 1 - Sat: 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- Sun: Dublin Arrival & Jury’s Cabaret
Land at Dublin Airport where you pass through immigration and customs controls. Meet your guide at the CIE Tours desk in the Arrivals Hall and transfer to your hotel by coach. Enjoy the afternoon to relax in your hotel or head out and explore the city a little on your own. In the evening discuss your trip with your guide and fellow travellers while enjoying a welcome cocktail. Head to Jury’s Irish Cabaret, close to your hotel, for dinner of Irish specialties and a lively show with singing, dancing and story-telling.

Day 3 - Mon: Dublin Castle & City Tour
This morning take a tour around the centre 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. Today see the elegantly furnished chambers where many Irish and European Union functions take place. As you drive through the city pass Trinity College, Leinster House where the government convenes and see the elegant Georgian squares and town houses with colourful doors. Also see gracious public buildings and lively shopping areas. The afternoon is at leisure to explore museums and art galleries or some of the shops. The evening is free so you may choose one of the many restaurants in Dublin to dine independently.

Day 4 - Tue: National Stud & Waterford Crystal
Depart Dublin and visit the National Stud and Japanese Gardens in Kildare. Learn about Ireland’s exciting horse breeding industry at the National Stud and stroll through the Japanese Gardens, which depict the “Life of Man” from birth to death. Drive through rich farming lands and bustling market towns to Kilkenny, a compact medieval city where you will have some time to browse around narrow streets and ancient merchants’ houses. Continue to Waterford Crystal Factory for a guided tour to view the creation of one of the world’s most popular luxury products. Head to your delightful hotel located just six miles outside Waterford city. This 18th century mansion, in extensive grounds with its own golf course, has been restored to provide elegant accommodation.

Day 5 - Wed: Cobh Walking Tour & Blarney
Travel along the south coast through the towns of Dungarvan and Youghal. Youghal is associated with Sir Walter Raleigh who was granted 40,000 acres including the town and he is reputed to have sown the first potatoes in Ireland. Discover many secrets of emigration and social history on a gentle stroll around the harbour town of Cobh. You will see where passengers embarked on the Titanic for its ill-fated transatlantic crossing. Drive through the outskirts of Cork city to visit the Blarney Woollen Mills, offering excellent Irish-made products all under one roof. If you wish, you may walk around the village before driving along the River Lee valley through Macroom. Continue into the mountainous countryside of County Kerry to your elegant hotel, centrally located in Killarney.

Day 6 - Thu: Muckross House & Ring Of Kerry
A horse-drawn jaunting car will bring you to Muckross House, an elegant 19th century mansion set beside tranquil Muckross Lake. Learn about local history and U.S. family connections on a guided tour around the elegant rooms and rich furnishings. Then head out to explore the Ring of Kerry where every bend in 100 miles of road reveals breathtaking views of mountains and Atlantic Ocean. You will have opportunities to get out of get out of the coach to admire or photograph scenic vistas. Return through the attractive village of Sneem and pause at Moll’s Gap for a panoramic view of the three Lakes of Killarney. This evening savour delicious cuisine and friendly atmosphere at Killeen House Restaurant, a few miles outside the town.

Day 7- Fri: Cliffs of Moher & Dromoland Castle
Leave Killarney and drive through the towns of Tralee and Listowel to Tarbert. Take a ferry across the River Shannon 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. There are many prehistoric dolmens consisting of large capstones supported on two uprights. Travel to your deluxe castle hotel where you will have time to enjoy the ambience and facilities before dining in the elegant restaurant.

Day 8 - Sat: Thoor Ballylee & Galway Bay
Head north to Gort to visit Thoor Ballylee. The writer, W. B. Yeats, purchased the 16th century tower house in 1916 and restored it as a summer retreat. Explore the various levels in the tower and discover the influence of the building and its surroundings on his work. Travel to Galway to see the principal sights and stop for some free time in the city centre. Continue to Cong to your next deluxe castle hotel for a 2-night stay. Arrive mid-afternoon so that you can explore the grounds, go riding or play some golf before dinner. You may like to browse around the village of Cong, famous as the location for the 1952 movie of “The Quiet Man.” After dinner you may like to listen to some music in the Dungeon Bar.

Day 9 - Sun: Kylemore Abbey& Catamaran Cruise
This morning drive through part of Connemara via Maam Cross and along the picturesque Inagh Valley to visit Kylemore Abbey and Gardens. This stately 19th century mansion is now an international girls’ school. Visit the exquisite chapel and the elaborate public rooms in the mansion and take a stroll through the restored Victorian walled gardens. Head to Leenane for 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 1840s Famine as well as stunning scenery of unspoiled hills. Return to your hotel to relax and experience another superb dinner in the stately dining room.

Day 10 - Mon: Clonmacnoise Monastery & Dublin
The itinerary today takes you right across Ireland to the east coast. Near Ballinasloe stop to visit Clonmacnoise, an early Christian site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon. See the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches dating from 10th to 13th century, round towers and intricately decorated high crosses. Then continue east to arrive in Dublin by mid-afternoon. This time check into your City centre Hotel, conveniently located off Grafton Street and within easy reach of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues.

Day 11 - Tue: Depart for Home
As today is the final day of your tour, transfer to Dublin Airport. Arrive by 10:30 am to check in for your transatlantic flight back to the United States. (B)