12 Day Irish Classic
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, 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 & Castle
Ward
Drive north to visit Down Cathedral to see St. Patrick's
reputed burial site, marked by a huge boulder. Learn about his life and times in
the nearby St. Patrick Centre. Visit the stately mansion of Castle Ward. This
mid-Georgian mansion is an architectural curiosity of its time, built in two
distinct architectural styles: Classical and Gothic. The house together with
Victorian laundry, playroom and saw-mill show you how the estate worked. Drive
to Belfast and relax before dinner. (B, D)
Day 3 : Titanic Belfast & Tour
This morning a
Belfast guide will show you 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. City Hall is
centrally located and is near 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 scenic route of the “Nine Glens of Antrim,” for lovely views of
mountains, valleys and coastline. Stop at the Giant's Causeway, enormous
hexagonal columns formed by volcanic activity 60 million years ago which have
spawned legends about the mythical giant, Finn McCool. Continue to Derry and
join a local guide for a short walking tour around the defensive walls that
encircle the compact old city. (B, D)
Day 5 : Atlantic Donegal & Westport
Travel
through the rugged countryside of Donegal, renowned for heathery hills, sheep
and the many tweeds produced 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 pause at W. B. Yeats' Grave
in Sligo, a region that he loved to write about. Drive to Westport and enjoy
free time before dinner. (B, D)
Day 6 : Achill Island & Westport House
Travel
around Clew Bay 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. See the Deserted Village, ruins of cottages
abandoned during the 1840's Famine. 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 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, which rise 700 feet above the foaming Atlantic Ocean. At Bunratty
check in to your hotel, right beside 15th century Bunratty Castle, the Bunratty
Folk Park and Durty Nelly's Pub. Head to Bunratty Castle for a jolly
medieval-style dinner where the lords and ladies serenade you. (B, D)
Day 8 : Flying Boat Museum & Dingle
Peninsula
Drive through the outskirts of Limerick and alongside
the River Shannon to visit Foynes Flying Boat Museum. During the 1930's and
early 1940's, aircraft landed on the River Shannon and the museum's memorabilia
recreates this era. Journey into County Kerry and along the Dingle Peninsula for
glorious scenic views. Stop in the town of Dingle before going up the Connor
Pass for more panoramas. Then head to your hotel in Killarney. (B, D)
Day 9 : Killarney & Jaunting Car Ride
Take a
traditional horse-drawn jaunting car ride to Ross Castle for views of Lough
Leane, Killarney's largest lake. Drive to the delightful town of Kenmare where
brightly-painted buildings are enhanced with flowers. Enjoy spectacular mountain
scenery at Moll's Gap and continue along part of the Ring of Kerry, pausing at
Ladies' View. Return to Killarney and relax or go shopping before dinner. (B, D)
Day 10 : Cobh Heritage Centre
Travel through the
mountains of Kerry and make a brief stop at the Blarney Woollen Mills. Next
visit Cobh Heritage Centre, located in the old train station through which all
emigrants passed. Displays show the many hardships that people endured in the
search for a better life. Drive to Dungarvan to the Marine Bar for a creamy
Irish coffee and an informal traditional music session. Continue to Waterford,
check in to your hotel and join a local guide for a stroll around the historic
city. (B, D)
Day 11 : Waterford Crystal & Taylor's Three Rock
Pub
Visit the House of Waterford Crystal to see how molten glass
is blown into shapes before being cut by hand by experts and view priceless
trophies. Stop in Kilkenny for a look around the prosperous medieval trading
city and visit the Irish National Stud to learn about the valuable horse
breeding industry. In Dublin, this evening's destination is Taylor's Three Rock
Pub for dinner with traditional Irish songs and intricate step-dancing. (B, D)
Day 12 : Tour Ends Dublin Airport
Take a group
transfer to Dublin Airport to arrive at 6:00 am, 9:00 am or 12:00 noon. (B)
B: Breakfast; D: Dinner