8 Day Itinerary
Day 1 - Sat:
Bunratty & Medieval Banquet
Land at Shannon Airport, pass
through immigration and pick up your luggage. Locate the CIE Tours desk in the
Arrivals Hall where our staff will arrange a group transfer to your nearby
hotel. Complimentary transfers are available between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If
your flight arrives later than 12:00 noon, transfer to the hotel at your own
expense. This afternoon you are at leisure to rest after your journey or take a
stroll on your own through Bunratty Folk Park, which is located close to your
hotel. Join your fellow travelers for a welcome drink before heading to the 15th
century Bunratty Castle for a medieval-style dinner and entertainment.
(D)
Day 2 - Sun: Cliffs of
Moher & Irish Coffee
Drive west through Ennis and Lahinch to
see the Cliffs of Moher, which rise almost 700 feet above the pounding Atlantic
surf. Then cross the wide River Shannon Estuary on a short ferry ride to Tarbert
and travel along the river shore to Foynes. Visit the Flying Boat Museum, which
recalls the early days of air travel, during the 1930's and early 1940's. Irish
coffee was first created here to warm frozen, weary travelers and you will learn
how to make a perfect one and then drink it. Drive south to Killarney, a
world-famous town due to its exquisite location beside lakes and mountains.
Check in to your hotel in the town center and enjoy free time before dinner. (B,
D)
Day 3 - Mon: Killarney
& Ring of Kerry Tour
Embark on Ireland's most popular
scenic drive - the Ring of Kerry. This circular tour will reveal
constantly-changing vistas of mountains, open Atlantic Ocean, beaches and
cliffs. As you travel, enjoy plenty of breaks to admire the natural beauty. Stop
at Kells to meet a local farmer, Brendan Ferris, for a taste of farm life with a
sheepdog demonstration of herding flocks and see different breeds of sheep.
Cross to Valencia Island by bridge to visit the Skellig Experience. Learn about
early Christian monks who created a community on the rocky offshore islands and
about the prolific bird life today. Continue your drive to Waterville, where
Charlie Chaplin loved to vacation, and the colorful village of Sneem. Stop at
Moll's Gap to view the Three Lakes of Killarney with mountains all around before
returning to Killarney. (B, D)
Day 4 - Tue: Blarney & Cobh Heritage
Centre
Depart Killarney and travel through Macroom to Blarney.
Stop at the Blarney Woollen Mills for quality Irish-made goods. If you feel
energetic you may climb the steps of Blarney Castle to kiss the fabled "Stone of
Eloquence" on your own. Bypass Cork city as you drive to the port town of Cobh.
Visit the Cobh Heritage Centre, which traces the history of emigration from
Ireland to the United States. Learn about travel conditions for the many Irish
emigrants on early sailing ships and steam vessels. Follow the coastal route via
the town of Youghal to Waterford for dinner and an overnight stay. This evening
take a gentle walk with a local historian who will reveal Waterford's Viking and
medieval past. (B, D)
Day 5 - Wed: National Stud &
Merry Ploughboy Pub
Travel north to Kilkenny with its intriguing
medieval streets and buildings. Stop for a stroll through the narrow streets and
view the massive castle from its rose gardens. Continue to the National Stud to
see some of Ireland's finest horses and learn about breeding techniques. Also
take a walk around the Japanese Gardens, laid out to represent life from the
cradle to the grave. Drive to your next hotel, an elegant Victorian mansion,
which overlooks Dublin Bay and Dun Laoghaire Harbour. Dine on Irish specialties
at the Merry Ploughboy Pub, followed by a lively show of traditional Irish songs
and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 6 - Thu: Dublin
Tour & Kilmainham Gaol
Relax on a half-day guided tour of
Dublin, originally founded by Vikings over 1,000 years ago. See elegant Georgian
townhouses and colorful doors and cross the River Liffey to view the wide
thoroughfare of O'Connell Street with the General Post Office where the 1916
Rebellion started. Pause to view the gaunt figures at the Famine Memorial before
visiting Kilmainham Gaol to see how penal establishments were operated in past
centuries. Learn about the leaders of the 1916 Uprising who were imprisoned and
shot here, changing Irish history. The afternoon is free so that you may use
your independent open-top bus tour and Guinness or Jameson vouchers. Dine on
your own this evening. (B)
Day 7 - Fri: Leisure Day in
Dublin
Today you may plan out your day in Dublin as you wish,
using your independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass to get around (valid for 24
hours) and visit to Guinness or Jameson for a tour and a complimentary drink. In
the evening you are free to choose from the many restaurants near your hotel and
in the Temple Bar area. (B)
Day 8 - Sat: Depart Ireland
Today
take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport allowing plenty of time to reach the
airport and for check-in formalities. You will then have time to shop at the
duty free shops before boarding your flight home.
(B