Mystical
Ireland 8 Day
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive Ireland & 6th Century
Glendalough
Arrive in Dublin Airport, complete immigration formalities
and pick up your luggage. 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. Your hotel, an elegant Victorian mansion, overlooks Dublin Bay
and Dun Laoghaire
Harbour. At 2:00 pm drive
through the lovely scenery of the Wicklow Mountains to visit Glendalough, a
6th century monastic site founded by St. Kevin. Learn about life in
early Christian Ireland and walk through the many church ruins and a round
tower. In the evening meet your fellow travellers over a welcome drink and your
tour director will help you choose a local restaurant to dine
independently.
Day 2: Dublin Castle & Taylor's Three Rock Pub
Evening
This morning tour the city centre to see elegant Georgian townhouses and
their famous colourful doors, pass St. Stephen's Green and cross the River
Liffey to view the Famine Memorial and drive along O'Connell Street.
Visit
Dublin Castle's State Apartments where a guide
will relate events from Irish history as you walk through gracious Georgian
chambers. The afternoon is at leisure so return to Dun
Laoghaire to relax or stay in the city centre for an independent
open-top bus tour with a visit to Guinness or Jameson. This evening's
destination is Taylor's Three Rock Pub for dinner and a lively
show of traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B,
D)
Day 3: Downpatrick &
Mount
Stewart
Drive
north past the Mourne Mountains to Downpatrick. Visit Down
Cathedral to learn about Ireland's patron saint and see his
reputed burial place. Cross Strangford Lough by ferry to explore Mount Stewart
House and Gardens. The famous gardens at Mount Stewart were planted in the 1920's by
Edith, Lady Londonderry, and have been nominated a World Heritage Site. The
house tour includes world-famous paintings and stories about the prominent
political figures to which the Londonderry
family played host. Check in to your hotel in Belfast. (B, D)
Day 4: Belfast, Giant's Causeway & Derry
See
the highlights of Belfast with a local guide, including Victorian
buildings, the Harland and Wolff Shipyards, where the Titanic was built and
areas around the Shankill and Falls Road. Drive north along the "Nine Glens of
Antrim," a scenic route with lovely views of mountains, valleys and coastline.
Stop at the Giant's Causeway, hexagonal columns
formed by volcanic activity over 60 million years ago. The enormous rocks have
spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and join a local guide for a
short walk around the ancient city centre and surrounding medieval walls. (B,
D)
Day
5:
Ulster American Folk
Park & Belleek China
Drive south for a walk around the Ulster American Folk
Park. The Park traces the
story of Ulster emigrants and
shows rural lifestyles in both Ireland and Colonial America. Take a
guided tour around the Belleek Pottery Factory to see craftspeople making
delicate and ornate pieces in fine china. Travel through Counties Sligo and Mayo
to Westport
where your hotel is located in the town centre. (B,
D)
Day 6: Achill Island Excursion &
Westport
After a late breakfast travel around Clew Bay,
reputed to have 365 islands, to Achill Island, joined to the mainland by bridge.
Follow the Atlantic
Drive to capture wonderful views of steeply-sloped
mountains plunging into the shimmering Atlantic
Ocean. Near Slievemore see the Deserted Village, the remains of nearly 100 stone
cottages abandoned around the time of the 1840's Famine. Also see stretches of
windswept bogland and golden beaches. Return to Westport in time to stroll around this
attractive estate town, which was laid out in 1780. (B,
D)
Day 7: Cliffs of Moher & Bunratty Medieval Banquet
Travel to Galway City for a panoramic tour and free time
before driving through the limestone hills of the Burren. View the Poulnabrone
Dolmen, a pre-Christian burial site marked by huge boulders. Walk along the
majestic Cliffs of Moher, a rocky wall that rises nearly 700 feet above the
foaming Atlantic Ocean. At Bunratty check in to
your hotel, right beside Bunratty
Castle, the Bunratty Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. In the evening
head to 15th century Bunratty Castle for a jolly medieval-style dinner
where the lords and ladies serenade you. (B,
D)
Day 8: Return Home from Shannon
Take a group transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30
am. After check-in, you'll have time to shop at the duty-free stores before
boarding your flight for the journey home. If you need to arrive at Shannon Airport before 10:30 am, your guide will
coordinate an early group transfer once you are on tour.
(B)
Breakfast
(B) Dinner (D)