13 Day Emerald Supreme
Tour Itinerary
Day 1 : Dublin
& Russborough House
Your tour starts at Dublin Airport with
a transfer to your hotel between 7:00 am and 12:00 noon. If your flight arrives
later, transfer to the hotel at your own expense. At 2:00 pm take a short ride
through the Wicklow Mountains for a guided tour around Russborough House, noted
for its art and photography collections. In the evening discuss your itinerary
with your tour director over a welcome drink.
Day 2 : Book of
Kells & Theatre Evening
This morning tour central Dublin as
you drive past Leinster House, the seat of government, and St. Stephen's Green.
Cross the River Liffey to see O'Connell Street and pause at the Famine Memorial.
Walk through Trinity College to visit the Old Library where the priceless 8th
century manuscript of the Book of Kells is housed. In the afternoon use included
vouchers for an open-top bus tour and visit Guinness or Jameson. Dine in the
hotel restaurant before heading to a play at the world-famous Abbey or Gate
Theatre. (B, D)
Day 3 : Rock of
Cashel & Sheep Farm Visit
Visit the Rock of Cashel, where
Brian Boru was crowned King of Munster in 977. See the 12th century Cormac's
Chapel with its Hiberno-Romanesque decorations, the large cruciform cathedral
and a round tower. At a nearby farmhouse sample home-made scones with tea and
watch trained dogs round up sheep. Drive to Killarney, famous for its scenic
location. Check in to your hotel and enjoy a superb dinner in the fine
restaurant. (B, D)
Day 4 : Ring of
Kerry & Killeen House Restaurant
Today experience the Ring
of Kerry drive for breathtaking views of mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. You
will have plenty of stops to admire or photograph scenic vistas. Visit the
Skellig Experience, which shows early Christian monastic life on the nearby
rocky islands. Today the islands form a sanctuary for sea birds. Return through
Sneem and pause at Moll's Gap for panoramic views. Enjoy delicious cuisine at
the award-winning Killeen House Restaurant. (B, D)
Day 5 : Cliffs of
Moher & Dromoland Castle
Take a ferry across the River
Shannon to reach the Cliffs of Moher, majestic walls of rock, which extend five
miles along the coast. You may walk to O'Brien's Tower for a view of the Aran
Islands. Journey through the Burren to the lovely Dromoland Castle Hotel. Relax
in the wonderful setting or take a short drive to Bunratty Village for an
opportunity to visit Bunratty Castle and Folk Park or the 200-year-old Durty
Nelly's Pub. Experience gourmet dining in the hotel's elegant dining room. (B,
D)
Day 6 : Galway
& Ashford Castle
Take a panoramic tour around Galway to see
the Cathedral, the Claddagh area and the Spanish Arch. Have free time to browse
around the main areas near Eyre Square and continue to Cong for a two-night stay
at the famous Ashford Castle Hotel, arriving in time to unwind in wonderful
surroundings or use leisure facilities. Dine in Ashford's lovely restaurant and
afterwards listen to music in the Dungeon Bar. (B, D)
Day 7 : Connemara
& “The Quiet Man” Walk
Travel through Connemara to Leenane
and embark on a catamaran cruise around Killary Harbour, Ireland's only fjord.
As you sip an Irish coffee, see remains of houses and potato patches abandoned
during the 1840's Famine as well as stunning scenery. Take a walking tour around
Cong to see movie locations of the 1952 production of “The Quiet Man.” In the
evening drive to Clonbur for an informal dinner with local entertainment at
Eddie's Pub. (B, D)
Day 8 : Museum of
Country Life & Belleek China
Visit the Museum of Country
Life to view exhibits of domestic goods in daily use during the 19th and early
20th centuries. Travel to County Sligo, associated with the poet, W. B. Yeats,
and view his grave, near Ben Bulben Mountain. Tour the Belleek Pottery Factory
to see how delicate china is formed and decorated by skilled craftspeople.
Harvey's Point Hotel is set in glorious scenery a few miles outside Donegal town
and is noted for its outstanding cuisine. (B, D)
Day 9 : Slieve
League Cliffs & Donegal
Drive to the fishing port of
Killybegs and on to Teelin to view Slieve League sea cliffs, the highest in
Europe, reaching 1,972 feet. The cliffs drop straight down to the wild Atlantic
waves creating breathtaking views. Enjoy coffee or tea with home-baked scones
before driving through the majestic Glengesh Pass to Ardara. County Donegal is
renowned for its rugged scenery, sheep and Donegal tweed. Visit Triona Design to
see demonstrations of spinning, weaving and knitting. (B, D)
Day 10 : Derry
Walk & Giant's Causeway
Take a walking tour around Derry's
medieval walls, which completely encircle the old city. Learn about the history
as you pass the Diamond and St. Columb's Cathedral. Pause for photos at Dunluce
Castle before visiting the Giant's Causeway, enormous hexagonal columns formed
over 60 million years ago. Experience wonderful views along the “Nine Glens of
Antrim.” In Belfast check in to your elegant Victorian hotel, built as the
headquarters of the Ulster Bank. Enjoy fine dining in the elegant Great Room
Restaurant, once the main Banking Hall. (B, D)
Day 11 : Belfast
Tour & Titanic Quarter
A local guide will show you the
highlights of Belfast, including Victorian buildings, the imposing City Hall 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. Drive past the gentle slopes of the Mourne Mountains
to Dublin and check in to your landmark hotel on St. Stephen's Green. Enjoy a
farewell dinner at the Abbey Tavern's Loft Restaurant in Howth followed by a
lively show of songs and step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 12 : Extra
Day in Dublin
Spend an additional night in Dublin and enjoy a
day at leisure or use your independent Dublin open-top bus tour pass if you did
not use it on day 2. (B)
Day 13 : Tour
Ends Dublin Airport
Take a taxi transfer to Dublin Airport to
arrive in time to check in for your flight home. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner