8 Day Mystical Ireland Tour
Itinerary
Day 1 : Dublin Sightseeing
Start in Dublin
Airport with 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. At 2:00 pm tour Dublin to see elegant Georgian townhouses, pass St.
Stephen's Green and cross the River Liffey to view the Famine Memorial and drive
along O'Connell Street. Tour Dublin Castle's State Apartments where major events
from Irish history and modern politics take place in the gracious chambers. In
the evening meet your tour director over a welcome drink to discuss your trip
and he will help you choose a restaurant to dine independently.
Day 2 : St. Patrick's Grave & Belfast
Drive
north to visit Down Cathedral to see St. Patrick's reputed burial site, marked
by a huge boulder. Learn about his life and missionary work during the 5th
century in the nearby St. Patrick Centre. A few miles further on, visit the
stately mansion of Castle Ward, set in lovely grounds overlooking Strangford
Lough. This mid-Georgian mansion is an architectural curiosity of its time,
built in two distinct architectural styles: Classical and Gothic. Tour the
lovely chambers of the house, which together with Victorian laundry, playroom
and saw-mill created a self-supporting industry to keep the entire estate
working efficiently. Drive to your hotel in Belfast and relax before dinner. (B,
D)
Day 3 : Titanic Belfast & Tour
This morning a
local guide will show you around central Belfast to see the many ornate
Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall in Donegall Square and the shipyards
where RMS Titanic was built in 1912. Visit the newly-opened Titanic Belfast to
learn about this ill-fated famous liner through state-of-the-art displays. Then
the rest of the day is free for independent activities. Belfast offers excellent
museums and good shops, most of which are within easy walking distance from your
hotel while the ornate Victorian pub, Crown Liquor Saloon, is just across the
street. (B, D)
Day 4 : Giant's Causeway & Derry
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 compact old city and surrounding
medieval walls. Learn about the long history of the city as well as 20th century
events. Enjoy some free time for a look around on your own. (B, D)
Day 5 : Donegal & Yeats' Grave
Travel through
the rugged countryside of Donegal, with its lovely scenery of heathery hills and
deep valleys. This region is difficult for farming but is renowned for sheep and
the many tweeds made from their wool. In Ardara visit Triona Design to sample
freshly-baked scones with tea and see demonstrations of spinning and weaving.
Stop in Donegal town to browse around and follow the coastline of Donegal Bay.
Pause at W. B. Yeats' Grave near the distinctively-shaped mountain of Ben Bulben
in County Sligo, a region that he loved. Drive to Westport and enjoy free time
before dinner. (B, D)
Day 6 : Achill Island & Westport House
Travel
around Clew Bay, which is reputed to have 365 islands, to access Achill Island
by a 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. Visit the stately Westport House, designed by
Richard Cassels in 1731. The mansion overlooks Clew Bay and contains a wealth of
interesting portraits, furniture, silver and porcelain. (B, D)
Day 7 : Cliffs Of Moher & Bunratty Medieval Banquet
Travel through Maam Cross in the heart of Connemara and visit
the Connemara Marble Factory. Stop in Galway and drive through the Burren to
view the huge boulders of the Poulnabrone Dolmen. 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 : Tour Ends Shannon Airport
Take a group
transfer to nearby Shannon Airport where your tour concludes at 10:30 am. Allow
ample time for check-in formalities for your flight home. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner